Kingmaker

Taken #1

"York won't hold back from attacking us as soon as the truce is over. They'll strike, and they won't stop until someone is dead. They'll target the King, they'll target us. They'll target Garret" murmured Ava, resting her head against Sir Richard's shoulder as he moved an arm around her to draw her close. "I know they will, love. We're prepared, though. There are soldiers at every corner, and patrols walking the grounds. York won't be able to strike without some retaliation from us" Sir Richard tightened his arm around her ever so slightly. Feeling her shiver. It was cold out, but maybe that wasn't the reason she shivered so much. Fear, maybe. He'd never seen her show true fear. She'd always tried to cover it up. Even in the face of York, she may have been fearful. But she always tried to hide it. Silently, he pressed a soft kiss to the side of her head. "It'll be ok" he murmured, sighing softly when she huddled against his chest; burying her face in his tunic.
In silence once more, he wrapped his arms around her. Resting his head against hers. He knew she still hated York with a passion. But one day had turned everything upside down. Her family had spoken to her after years of silence. The York knights had spoken but had made a small threat. Why was it all happening at once? The silence was shattered when several of Ava's soldiers rushed into the tent. Two were bleeding heavily, whilst another was dragged in by a friend. "It's Garret! He's gone!" stammered one of them as he tried to catch his breath as he clamped a hand to his bloody chest.
The second Ava heard her son's name, she scrambled to her feet. Grabbing her sword and running from the tent like a bat out of hell. "Where's my son!" she screamed in anger and fear. Citizens glanced to her scream, watching as she ran towards the gate that led into the fading light of the day. Her heart thundered against her chest as she ran, her lungs burning from the sudden exertion. Her knuckles grew white at the grip she had on her blade. Her muscles tensed harshly. Her entire body thundering with her heart as she ran after her son. No one took her son. In the distance, she could see a horse and a rider. That had to be them. But the closer she came, the more figures appeared. If this was her son and his captor. She was outnumbered.
Outnumbered or not. This was her son's life on the line. She would give her life over that of her son. As she came closer and closer to the group, she called out; "Did you think you could take my son and get away?"
Her words earned an instant reaction; the group stopping. The horse turned to the side, showing that it was indeed her son. The rider dismounted, leaving the child in the saddle. A quiet exchange of words followed before another soldier mounted. Riding away with the horse and child. "Hey!" yelled Ava, her heart shattering. She tried running after the horse, desperate to get her child back in her arms. Only to be shoved to the ground rather harshly by  the York general. "You can't run through me, girl. His death will be on your head. Or I'll keep him and raise him as my own. As a York" he smirked, watching as Ava scrambled back along the ground. Grabbing her sword to stand against the general. He merely laughed at her, the laugh resonating around her from soldier to soldier. It wasn't a large group. But she was still outnumbered. And without armour, she was a pin cushion for them.
"Garret!" screamed Ava as the horse now disappeared over the horizon. She knew nothing of where he was being taken. Or whether he would live or die. All she knew was that she had lost her child. She bit down hard in thought. Feeling tears fill her eyes. "You wanted to lure me out here by taking my son? Well. You have me. Do what you want" She glared at the general, her eyes locked on him as he approached her. He bit his lip ever so slightly before moving a hand to her cheek. Rubbing a dirty thumb over her cheek. "Shame you're not York. I would've loved to take you as my own" He leaned to her as though he was about to kiss her. His actions were swiftly cut short though as Ava thrust her sword into his stomach through the fine slits of his armour. "I'm not that easy" she hissed, kicking him from the end of her blade as he dropped to his knees.
A roar went up around her. Soldiers charging her one by one. Some charging at her in pairs. Just trying to catch her off guard enough to wound or kill her. She killed one after the other. But she was weakening. The only thing keeping her fighting was her son. She had to go after him. Or die trying.
With the last trio of soldiers running at her, Ava used her last ounce of strength in her arms to take down two. The final soldier landing a hit on her side; his sword slicing into the flesh. He threw his sword aside to finish her with his fists. Watching as her eyes clouded; he stopped, though. "Please" pleaded Ava quietly. "Let me find my son... Please," she pleaded once more, her voice barely audible. "Please"
The soldier stood in silence, limping from her side and back down the dirt path. Leaving Ava to lay among the soldiers she had fought and killed. The sting of her wounds kept her awake, but the heartache and the pain lingered on. Dragging herself to her feet, she used her sword for leverage. Looking into the dimming light ahead of her.
With one thing on her mind, she walked on. The pain shook her, the nauseating feeling of blood loss coursing through her.
"I'll find you, Garret... I promise" she whispered to herself.

[Authors Note: Finally updating! I had an idea, then changed the idea. But hey! I'm back! Not sure if anyone reads this anymore. But oh well! I needed to do something, so I updated this!]