Peace In Desperation's Hour

Chapter 8

Aaron and I stayed in the woods and shrubbery as we saw two guards trying to take Tamiko. My heart was glad that Tamiko wasn't a Captive, but my blood was boiling that she was in trouble. I firmly grasped my rapier and was getting ready to charge out there and save her, but Aaron stopped me. "That's your friend, isn't it?" he asked.

I nodded, and lowly growling.

"Then let's get her out of there together." He said, smiling. He held onto his spadroon and looked at me. "I'm gonna jump from above. Wait till I give you a signal." He instructed me.

"Okay. But make it fast." I said.

Aaron quickly climbed the tree closest to us and quietly jumped from the branches until he was overhead of the soldiers and Tamiko. Tamiko still fought against the soldiers, but they still were trying to drag her away. My grip on the rapier's handle was as tight as it can be. Suddenly, I heard rustling in the trees, and the soldiers had stopped. Tamiko was frozen and looking around in fear. I smiled, knowing that Aaron was ready to sneak attack on the guards.

Without another sound, Aaron jumped down and landed behind one of the guards, attacking him from the back. The guard fell to the ground, letting go of Tamiko, and he was out cold. The second guard looked over, and saw Aaron. "I suggest that you let go of the girl before I take you down too." I heard Aaron say.

"You got some guts attacking guards of the empire, Refugee." I heard the soldier say. "But I'm official business to exterminate any Refugees and bring all girls fifteen to eighteen to Emperor Shade. So I can't let this girl go."

Aaron smirked at the guard. "You're gonna wish that you didn't say that." He said, raising his spadroon to the soldier's face. I looked at his left hand and saw that it was in my direction and it was signaling for me to attack from behind. I swiftly and silently ran up behind the soldier, unsheathing my rapier. I swung it at his back, and he fell to the ground unconscious, also letting go of Tamiko. "You know, if this is how guards of the Hakai Empire put up their defenses, then that is one pitiful excuse for an army." I said, straightening my posture.

I looked up and saw Tamiko looking at me with wide eyes. "Jewel...?" she asked me. "Is that really you?" Her eyes had tears beneath them, and I smiled. "Yes, it is me." I told her.

I was suddenly engulfed in a giant hug. I hugged back with my rapier still in my hand. "I'm sorry I abandoned you back in Pencalia, but it was the only way I could protect you from the invasion."

"It's okay." She said, crying into my shoulder. "I'm just glad that we are together again. I was scared Jewel."

"I was scared too." I told her.

"Jewel, we need to get back to our base." I heard Aaron say. I looked at him and nodded.

"Come on Tamiko." I said, letting go of her and sheathing my sword. We started walking, and Tamiko followed close behind. Aaron led the way because he knew these woods like the back of his hand. "So where are we going?" she asked.

"We are going back to our base. Our team is there. Aaron and I were out hunting when heard you scream. So, we came to check out what it was. And I'm glad we did." I explained.

"Thank you. Both of you. I was alone for so many weeks in the woods." She said.

"Wait until you meet everybody." Aaron said. "They will be glad that you and Jewel are back together. Jewel was so worried about your safety."

Just as I was about to say something, I heard something in the trees. I stopped walking, so did Aaron and Tamiko. "Jewel, what is it?" Tamiko asked.

"Shh." I said. I let my ears take control, and I heard movement. "We're not alone." I said, grabbing my rapier again.

Tamiko gasped softly, and Aaron was ready to unsheathe his sword. "Excellent work young lady." I heard a voice say. I recognized that deep voice. Suddenly, I heard someone emerging from the woods, wearing the official Hakai guard uniform. I growled. His black hair and brown eyes showed no emotion. "It is a pleasure to see you two girls again. The last time I saw you was back where the old capitol was. The green haired girl escaped, after the two of you entered into the alley, and you had hit me with that satchel of yours. But now, I'm afraid that you have no other option but to come with me."