The World of The Ranger (continued)

Chapter Sixteen

"Don't move a muscle." Gilan said.

The assassin looked in Gilan's direction and aimed his crossbow at him. "I can waist a bolt on you, Ranger." He said.

Jillian raised her bow a little further and made a face, telling Gilan to hurry up.

Gilan shook his head. "That wouldn't be good for either of us." He said.

The assassin laughed, then looked back at where the Queen was supposed to be. Jillian lowered her bow slowly, so she could rest her arm for when she finally got to shoot the assassin.

The assassin turned to Gilan and found that the Ranger was gone.

Gilan drew his saxe knife and put his arm around the assassin's neck, with the blade of the knife against the throat. 

The shot goes off, but it goes off toward the ceiling of the little area because Gilan stepped backwards.

The movement caught the assassin off guard, but he reached his arm to take off the knife and Gilan intercepted the arm. 

Jillian hopped off the railing she was on, approached the man, and nodded to him. "Tell us what you know." She said.

"You think an innocent girl is going to get me to tell you what I know?" He asked.

"She is one of us. You will do well to obey her." Gilan hissed.

The assassin grinned and Jillian brought out her own saxe knife. "Tell us. What information to you have for us?" She asked. "Why were you sent to kill Her Majesty?"

The assassin swung his leg up and hit Jillian in between the legs.

Jillian grunted with pain, as she tried not to shriek. Her knees hit the ground and she slouched, holding the spot in between her legs. The assassin swung his feet up against Gilan's in a sideways motion, making Gilan fall to the ground, and giving him a chance to escape.

The assassin took off down the hall and Gilan got up immediately to help Jillian. "Are you alright? That sounded like it hurt." He said.

Jillian nodded. "It did hurt. God damn him, he's mine." She said, standing on her own. She sucked in a breath and took off after the assassin.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jillian got up to him and was passing Halt when the assassin turned around, his crossbow loaded, smiling at Jillian. 

Jillian sprinted while going in a small zig-zag pattern. 

As soon as she got close to him, she lunged and grabbed him by the feet.

She mustered the strength to drag him towards her and climbed over him, drawing her saxe knife and gritting her teeth. "My face will be the last thing you see, if you ever try that again." She said.

Gilan and Halt came up behind her and dragged the assassin out from under her.

Jillian stood and sighed as she pointed to the assassin. "Never. Try that. Again." She said.

She went to turn, but ran into Will. She looked up and gave him a pained look. 

When the assassin was turned so his back was facing Jillian, Jillian collapsed into Will's arms. "Are you alright?" He asked.

Jillian violently shook her head. "He hit me hard in between my legs." She whimpered.

Will put his arms around her tightly and helped her back to her feet. "Come on." He said.

Jillian nodded and followed, limping as she went.

"If he tries to escape again, I'm killing him." She said.

"I don't blame you." Will said simply.