Honor and Sacrifice

        Jayden ran through the woods with a small bundle in his arms. Though snow littered the ground, beads of sweat were still trailing down his dark skin. As he entered a small, circular clearing he felt the cold steel of a sword press against his neck. As fast as lighting he drew his dagger and parried the sword, but his opponent was ready. The unknown figure countered the attack and disarmed him before kicking him to his knees. Jayden showed no fear.

        "Take my life you pathetic slug. I have failed my kingdom, but I will never be your prisoner," his opponent chuckled and lowered his sword. Then spoke in a familiar, deep voice.

        "Your speed is matched only by your honor my dear brother." Jayden spun around to face a broad shouldered young man with white skin and long dirty blonde hair braided down his back. He wore black armor with a red crest of a dragon on the chest piece. A slim, black cloak hung over his right shoulder.

        "Art! It's you. I thought I was dead."

        "Not as long as I'm living," a shout echoed through the woods and broke the mood. Art's face grew dark,"Which may not be long I'm afraid. Is she safe?" Jayden revealed a baby in his arms. "Thank the gods. You have to get her out of here, get to the edge of the forest he can't follow you once you've crossed."

        "Please come with us, she will need your protection."

        "I swore my life to this kingdom and its bloodlines, and she's the last of it," another shout, a bit closer this time,"I will stay and buy you time. Listen close Jayden," he put his hand on his old friend's shoulder," you can do this, she needs you. I know you have your doubts but you are more powerful than you believe. She will come back one day and bring peace to the kingdom. Reunite our people now  being scattered across the land. But she can't do anything without your guidance." Jayden nodded.

        "I will remember you brother, always. Our people will sing of you for generations. Take as many of those bastards down as you can." He extended his arm and Art grabbed it.

"If I did that they would run out of men." He said with a bitter-sweet smile, but his eyes began to fill with saddness, "goodbye old fri-

        "Bring me that girl!" They exchanged one more look as Art turned towards the tree line.

        "Run Jayden. and no matter what happens don't look back, God's speed." Jayden nodded and turned towards the opposite tree line. He ran as fast as possible only stopping once to take a final look at his life long friend fearlessly drawing his sword to face a greater foe. With that look he turned and ran.

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        Art stood in the clearing with his sword drawn. Two men wearing grey light armor broke into the clearing with there swords drawn. One of them stepped forward and took a swing. Art took a high guard and parried the attack then ran him through as he recoiled. Two more came from the bushes as the other charged. Art launched him of of his sword and sent him crashing into the newcomers, then swung to clash with the first. They both recoiled but his opponent recovered quicker. He swung at his abdomen and Art lunged back, the sword missing by inches. The failed attack left the knight wide open and he stepped forward wrapping his arm around his head then jerking it around. There was a terrible crack and the man acted like a rag doll in his arms. He threw him to the side then stabbed his sword into a new enemy. His partner swung at his arm and Art released his sword as he stepped back, causing the blade to strike his hilt."Shit," he thought, "It's better that than my hand at least."  He drew his dagger just as an archer broke through the bushes to his left, an arrow nocked and ready to draw. Art had no choice but to throw it which punctured his jugular.