Kingmaker

Taken #2

Ava staggered on, her hand clamped to her side as she did so. She could feel herself tiring, her stomach growling its' hunger and her throat aching in thirst. It took her a moment, but she knew where she was. York soldiers and the knights patrolled this route several times a day. In her mind and heart, she knew and accepted now that her son was gone. She was far too late and in her state, unable to fight. Gazing at the sky, she saw the clouds gathering; the rumble of thunder in the distance. With a single step more, her strength finally faded. Falling to the ground as the rain began to pelt her weakened body. The blood from her wound soaking the earth around her. She wanted to cry out, to get up and continue on to find her son. But her body just wouldn't allow it. In silence and as tears rolled down her cheeks, she closed her eyes. Waiting for deaths embrace. But it never came. As the day turned to night, she woke to find herself bound in darkness. A horse and cart not far from her; laughter and voices and the crackling of a fire filling the air. She tugged at her wrists, feeling the ropes. A strong feeling of deja vu coming over. These weren't Lancaster troops. They wouldn't bind her like this. But something was different. The wound in her side had been wrapped in a bandage. Maybe so they could bleed her some more without her dying on them. But the pain was still existent. Still pulsating and throbbing. She remained silent. Watching the camp.  Eventually, she felt their gaze on her. With death a possibility, she remained silent. Deciding in her mind whether now was the time to finally speak up and answer their questions. What's to say they would spare her if she did?
As their commander approached, she directed her eyes downwards; blinking away the tears before lifting her head to face him. "Lancaster will pay much for your safe return, I'm sure. All you need to do. Is tell us what Lancaster plans to do. That's all. And I'm sure you want your son back. Alive..." They were making her choose between her son and the very people that had saved her life on numerous occasions. Would it be selfish of her to choose to keep the information safe over saving her son?
"Answer me!" snapped the commander as he slapped her across her cheek. She remained silent, directing her gaze downwards once more. "A choice between my child and the information that keeps my friends and my King safe....  You're going to have to torture me to make me choose one. Because I'm sure as hell not going to make a choice for you. You people just shout and scream your orders. You threaten and bully people. I just want my son back. He's a child! He doesn't know this war like you and I. Just let me take him home and you can fucking have me!" As she spoke, tears of anger, fear and loss rolled down her cheeks. In response, the commander stood. No one had stood up to him in such a manner for a long time. In silence, he motioned a soldier forwards. With him, came Ava's son; bundled in a black fur cape. The commander silently cut the binds around Ava's wrists, allowing her to hug her son close to her chest. "Get out of my sight. You get one horse" growled the elder once more. And before long, he had shoved Ava onto a horse with Garret strapped to her chest with the black fur cape still around him.
Ava started to ride away, pain coursing through her body. Intent on getting home, she urged the horse into a canter, before pushing once more into a gallop.
She rode for hours. Feeling each pain. But comfort along with them; knowing she had her son back in her arms. She could feel his breathing. His pulse.
With the castle coming into view, she breathed a pained sigh of relief. In silence, she tore the bandage from her waist. Dropping it to the ground as she woke Garret, telling him to remain facing forwards so that he wouldn't see his mother's bloodied body. She gently pushed the reins into his hands, knowing he could control the stallion for a little while as she still held onto the reins lightly. With a faint smile, she pulled the Lancaster flag from her side; waving it as they approached the gates.
Though she had felt like death was coming for her. She felt hope now. She felt hope as they saw Warwick Castle. As they saw home. When the gates opened, she dropped from the saddle; allowing Garret to ride alone as she walked alongside the horse. Despite feeling weak, she pushed on. Or, tried to. Once they were through the gates, she fell to her knees. She was home. Sir Richard not seeing her as he rushed to his son; cuddling the youngster as Sir George tied the horse at the stable. "How did he get back? How did he know the way?" questioned Sir Richard quickly; it was only when several soldiers shouted for him that he realized.
The knight rushed to her side, taking her in his arms instantly; not caring about the blood that was getting on his clothes. He couldn't care less about it. His wife and child were home. Alive. In silence, he led Ava into the castle; his arm still locked around her whilst Sir George carried their son. He wasted no time in cleaning the wound in her side; finding it not to be as serious as it looked. Only in the way that it hadn't cut into muscle and would heal perfectly fine so long as she didn't strain it. Though the blood loss was great, she was just happy to be home with her son and her husband. Her son was alive and well. At the back of her mind, the thought lingered of whether the rebels would come for her and her family. But she let the thought drift away as she sat with Sir Richard; his arms wrapped around her as he pushed his nose to her hair gently as he waited for the nurses to prepare a warm bath. She needed it after the days of running to find Garrett. Her muscles needed to relax.
"I'm glad you're home. I thought I'd lost you both" murmured Sir Richard softly as he felt Ava tighten her arms on him ever so slightly. "I'll always come back" replied Ava in a murmur.
"Always"

[Authors Note: An update after so long. A lot happened and I just needed some time. And this may end up being a series, almost. A second book should be up soon. Maybe...]