Beyond the Darkness

Chapter 19

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        The gates guarding the castle stood open. Kai rode towards it, one hand clutching his wound and the other guiding the tired horse forwards. The guards stepped up to him, their spears pointed at his direction.

       "Who goes there?" they demanded, no longer letting people through without questioning. Kai figured it was because of the last attack on the prince. But good had come out of it. He had met Amaya and had drawn from her strength to help him last while living at the King's castle. That however was over. He could never go back without getting killed now.

        Kai raised his head and looked them in the face. He had no hood covering himself this time, his golden eyes stood as a testament in itself.

        The men paled as they rested their eyes on his face. Grunting, he drew his sword, but his strength was failing him. It trembled in his hand.

       "I need to see Amaya Kieren!" Kai demanded down to the guards. They exchanged glances and one nodded and ran off.

       "Dismount and put down the weapon!" the guard yelled, his voice steady, though his eyes darted nervously across Kai's body.

       "Bring me Amaya!" Kai yelled. He figured if he acted tough they would listen. Sadly though, it didn't seem like it was working.

      With a roar the guard charged, drawing his own sword, and discarding the spear. Kai leaned down and block the guard's sword from cutting his leg. The impact jarred his wound and more blood gushed out of the cut.

       He grunted as pain flashed through his body. The man charged again, and he heard other voices quickly approaching. Once again he blocked the guard's sword, and slowly backed up his horse. The sword however had slipped from his bloody grip and clattered to floor. The man was joined by ten other, and more were coming. Some had arrows that were aimed at him, the others surrounded his steed and pointed their blades in his way threateningly. Kai knew he was done for. He didn't have enough strength to fight any longer. He barely had enough strength to stay on his horse.

       The captain of the guard walked to the edge of the circle.

       "Come down from your horse, assassin. You cannot fight your way out of this," he commanded as his cold gray eyes assessed Kai's body. He felt as if the captain could see each and every one of his weaknesses.

       "I need to see Amaya Kieren," Kai mumbled. He was getting dizzy with the blood loss. Hands grabbed his arms and dragged him off the horse. Kai struggled weakly against the men's hands but their grips stayed steady.

       He fell on his stomach and groaned as dirt was scraped into his wound and pain flashed up his side.

        They pulled his hands behind his back and tied them along with his feet. They put a bag over his head, cutting off his vision. They were taking every precaution. He wondered why they still kept him alive.

        He continued to mumble Amaya's name. He needed to see her. He needed to warn her. The men started to drag him forward, grumbling about his weight. His head swam and every movement hurt. Finally he blacked-out.

Pain greeted him when he woke. As did the softest whisper of a voice and the delicate touch of smooth fingers.

Amaya's POV

       The dining room door creaked open and Aiden looked up to see who was entering. His captain of the guard, Meyes, walked in. Amaya gave him a curious glance.