Bandit Queen

Chapter Six

The trees whisked past them one after the other. Owls hooted and the wolves howled around them. It was as if the forest was cheering them on, telling them to go faster and cloaking the pounding of their feet with its sounds.

Lia ran in front of Percy so that she could navigate. She wasn't exactly sure where she was but things were becoming more and more familiar. Once she saw the well, she began to sprint.

She was absolutely exhausted and her heart and throat burned, however, she would not stop. Her time was very limited and going home put more than just herself in grave danger.

The first of the tents came into view. All but fire had already been put out and the camp was dead silent. The only tent that glowed was Genoa's and even that was dim.

To her, it felt as if a million years had passed since the last time that she had seen her home.

"How was that only about half a day ago, I had cleaned out that chicken coop over there?" she thought to herself.

When she finally reached Genoa's tent her eyes started to water. She rushed into the tent and began to sob.

 Liya and Genoa sat in the corner discussing her disappearance. When Liya saw her adopted daughter, a wave of relief rushed through her body but upon seeing her state a thump formed in her throat.

Percy, still dressed as a guard, flew into the room. Genoa gasped, grabbing a dagger off of the self above her head.

"Who are you? Whave you done? Drop all your weapons or I kill you," she ordered.

Percy unclipped a belt from his waist, releasing his sword. It dropped to the ground clanging at the sudden impact.

Lia took a deep breath, pulling herself together.

She looked at Genoa and said, "His name is Percival. This is Genoa. She is chief healer. This is Liya. She is my mom," introduced Lia, "He's on our side. He saved me."

Liya put a hand over her face. Genoa looked like she'd seen a ghost.

"Save you? What happened."

"The guards tried to take away Delia. I had to stop them but hey found about my hair. They took me away and then they figured it out. Is it true? Am I really princess Aurelia? "

Liya swallowed hard and Genoa took a deep breath.

Liya nodded and whispered, "Yes. I used to work as a maid in the castle. I brought you here after your parents were murdered."

"How did we escape? Why didn't General Axel murder me too?"

"My sweetheart, Kase, and I heard you screaming and we ran into your chamber. He was a guard and he fought him off. I picked you up and escaped out of the room. I brought you here and Genoa wiped your memory. It was decided that I would be your mother."

"What about Terice?"

"I was a month pregnant when I took you away. I found out two months later."

"Is Kase the father?"

"He was. Terice has his blue eyes."

"What happened to him? Where is he?"

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"He was hanged for defying the king."

"Oh God. I'm so sorry. Thank you for saving me. I owe you my life."

Lia hugged her adoptive mother. She had been through so much for.

Genoa cleared her throat and spoke.