On The Edge of the Sword

Measures Eleven-Twenty-one

She began to make her way as the ever steady beat followed behind her.

Running to no avail. A roaming girl she was.

On the run from a ravenous beast that only wanted to tear her apart, then devour the sweet taste of her rotten flesh.

Never had she taken so much as a stroll through the woods before, so fleeing proved difficult when faced with the unfamiliar maze of bushes and thickets.

Subjects of every status were forbidden to go into the woods.

Yet she would rather take the chance of the dangers that lied within, than to think of falling as another victim to the ruler's game.

In the name of the king, they would all soon depart. And she knew it as well as anyone.

Forgiving that inconsiderate reprobate for what he had done, would be the last thing on her mind.

He began to tax the innocent people of the kingdom for an unknown wrongdoing.

Then he had thrown her father—a well-respected and loyal subject—into prison when he hadn't broken any of his god-forsaken laws.

She didn't want to think of how much torture and interrogations her father was being put through. She didn't want to think of how emaciated he would look now after so many weeks, possibly months.

He was such a strong and handsome man, though kind and delicate even with all of his gifts and talents.

Sharing with everyone.

Feeding—sometimes housing—the unfortunate and forgotten. Caring for the weak. Never thinking of himself, but of others.

Being one of the remaining people left to bring light into this dark world, besides her momma of course. His partner in crime.

To her, her father and mother were like the real adaptations of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Hope in the raging storms, and in late hours of the night.

Always the sunshine pulling out from behind the clouds.

She thought of this as she ran for her life.

This is what her parents would want her to do, right? She sure hoped that they would forgive her if the answer was no.

Oh, what she wouldn't do to be reunited with them soon. Yet that may never be anything more than just a young girl's fantasy for a better life.

Meanwhile, as she thought of all this, roots and vines grasped for her ankles.

Missing by nearly a few inches as they would swipe at her.

Trees likewise missed swinging their branches and leaves straight into her face.

The whole forest was against her. Was there anything that wasn't against her?

All were making progress, sadly. She had been hit a few times and her legs were clawed deep enough to warn her, but not to hurt her.

The beckoning call of the wind forced it's weight upon her, making matters worse as it practically sent her flying off the ground.

She may not have known if her family wanted her to do this, but she would soon find out that the forest sure did not want her to.

Unless she had already.

Without her knowledge, the vegetation picked up.

Planning to catch her, to keep her, and never let her go.

Something was off, but she tried to keep her rationality.

Maybe it was due to running blind in the woods, that caused her mind to play tricks on her, causing her to lose sense of direction and will.

Only would the beasts of the forest resettle when she would turn.

They would have to fulfill this scheme using the element of surprise.

So the woods, . . . silently plotted her demise.

I don't know if I should just say to heck with editing. Maybe I'll just post the original drafts that were sent to my teacher. I've gone on such a long hiatus due to not having time and overthinking every little detail in this story. It was originally written for fun. Also, it's been a few years since I've written it.

I hope ya guys like it :)

If ya want to, you can tell me your opinions on the matter.

Maybe I'll post them and then go back and edit them another time.

How does that sound?

Have a wonderful day people of the modern age! ;)