ICE BLOOD (#WATTYS2017)

CHAPTER THREE

Suddenly, an arrow flew by, grazing my cheek. If I hadn't of felt it and moved to the side, it probably would have gone straight through my neck. I'd known they weren't far behind since, when I had left the town, someone had started shouting, alerting the guards of my whereabouts. It had now been four hours, if my knowledge of reading the sun was correct, meaning night would soon be here, so I would have a chance of resting.

As I turned my head to look behind me, my breathing faltered. There was about a hundred armoured men, al flying at full speed behind me, arrows ready, bows tight, eyes fixed on me, waiting for me to slow down, probably thinking a seventeen year old girl couldn't keep going for very long. The problem was, I wasn't any ordinary girl, I was a thief, a retired general, a girl that as her eighth birthday gift she had received her first signed helmet, something only extremely good fighters ever got. Once I said that in front of some slaves. The lady just smiled back at me sympathetically, and the man, looking at me with anger in his eyes, had answered, "Dream on littl' kid, ya haven't got a helmet, and never will either... Only big boys who know how to fight can get one, and trust me lassy, it's hard... I'd know." That's when I'd noticed he only had one arm, making me feel guilty for showing off when so many people lost their lives trying to get it. That's when I had decided I would only use it when I was on battle field, and that when I returned, I would act as if I had no slight clue what it even was.

That's was probably why most of the men behind me were starting to look at me incredulously, since, if any of them had been under my command, they had never seen my face, heard my voice, or even seen my real wings. They probably only knew me by my general name, The Nightmare, a name they had come up with themselves, inspired by my dark clothing and my immaculate killing, creating terror to the enemies. I'd dress in a black light armour, the signed helmet, my wings painted in black, with streaks of red, thought I had sometimes forgotten it and gone without, and a bow. From far, it would just seem like the usual bow, but I had had it specially made, with a blade on the outside of the curve, allowing be to also use it as a sword when the enemy was near.

Thinking back, I tried to remember where I had left it, and realising I had it in my bag, I sped up a bit, trying to get enough time to reach for it, turn around, and show it to the army chasing their old beloved general.

And that's what I did, thought they had basically reached me by the time I had taken it out, all of them stopped, letting faces of bewilderment take place on their faces. "Remember your dear general, the one with which no one would die, the enemy would surrender, and everyone had peace! You remember that person!" I shouted, making sure every single one of the men before me heard every single word I was saying, "Well, as astonishing as this might sound, it was me!" At that, some of the men started shouting, and hearing some of the words, I decided I would face them, "You know... If you want to fight me, I wouldn't mind... But it would have benefitted you more if you had acted like you believed me and then attacked, not start shouting orders... But hey, who would want to be like your old silent leader? I mean, all I ever did to you was nod in acknowledge, save you in battle, win wars for you... I mean, that's not much... Is it?" Once my words had spilled from my mouth, all eyes were on me, not a sound heard.

"You're not The Nightmare! You probably had your bow made at that forsaken town to then make us stop chasing you!" I couldn't help but laugh. "Do you really think I would be wasting my time talking to you if I wasn't The Nightma..." Before I could finish, the man that I had deduced as the new General charged to me at full speed, giving me no choice but to take an arrow out of the basket and point it to his hand, where he was holding tightly to his sword. The arrow met it's home, and agonizing screams could be heard. "I did warn you I was Nightmare.".

A man, probably in his thirties, suddenly flapped forwards, leaving the giant group, and asked in a strong voice, "If it's really you, mind telling us why you are fleeing just after Omen claims you died in a battle against Prylea? I mean..." That made me smile. In the letter I had asked him to sign the night he was drunk, I had written down a set of instructions, and resigned from being general. "Probably Omen being sketchy Omen..." I answered instead, making my voice sound a bit confused. "Anyway, do me a favour and tell Omen I got out of sight, and that you heard me chatting to an old lady asking for directions to Rocknesse." With that, I left, flying as high as I could, knowing it would be cold enough to freeze wings, just in case they decided to follow their corrupted ruler and try and catch me again.

Once I had made sure they weren't following me, I slowly descended, stretching my wings as far as they could, letting them rest for awhile, just enough time to take in my surroundings and find the perfect hiding place to pass the night.

Just as I entered the small cave hidden between bushes, the sound of crackling leaves disturbed the peaceful music of the flowing stream nearby, the water dripping onto the rock, making sweet melodies.

Before I can even ask who's there, a loud scream disturbed the peace, followed by many others. That's when I turned around. Behind me, the army I had met earlier on stood there, with the man I had managed to convince to go back standing up, a knife embedded in his chest. "Still think ya can get away Nightmare?" Said the new leader, giving me a cocky smirk while looking at me with arrogance in his eyes.

"Looks like I'm not getting any sleep after all..." I muttered unhappily, looking bored already, as I took in all the men hiding in the shadows, the ones in the sky hovering above us and the fallen soldier killed by his own general. "Well, can you do me a tiny favor?" I asked sweetly, and continued now in a strong voice filled with anger, "Get on with it!" With that said, they all started piling in, burying me in sweety bodies, all swinging knifes and swords at me.