Warrior Princess

Chapter Seven

The grass is soggy and wet. The trees block the minor amount of light that was outside. And air is extremely hot and humid. Ugh! I was away from the forest for a few days and know, and am suddenly as pampered as a princess. Though, it was probably because I an one.

We didn't make it far in the forest, just a few miles. But half of the soldiers were already tired. The Northern Kingdom mustn't have had many wars recently, because the army was lazy and unfit.

Amelia walks beside me. For a person who once journeyed through these woods, scared for her life, she is oddly calm.

" It's too quiet," Amelia murmurs, " The last time we were here, there wasn't a moment when we weren't under attack."

" Maybe you was too young to remember, Missy," a soldier says from behind us, "Young ladies shouldn't do work of their fathers. They should be at home, cookin' for their man."

Then, in less than a heartbeat, Amelia takes a dagger from her boot and throws it at a soldier in the back. The blade nicks his ear before lodging itself into a tree.

Amelia retrieves her sword quietly, ignoring the stares of every person in the area.

" Next time," she whispers to the soldier," I won't miss."

"Quiet!" General Carter snaps, " Both of you!"

He points to an oak tree a few feet away. It's a relatively healthy tree, tall and round. But, it was infected by a long snake, which curled around its trunk. It's coat is vibrant red with many yellow specks.

" The Speckled Serpent," Amelia is barely breathing, " It can kill one hundred men with one drop of its venom. And there's no antidote."

Though I didn't know its name before, I definitely saw it before. It was many years ago, when I was still getting used to surviving alone. I was relishing an apple I had found while sitting high in a tree. It was then I noticed a violent fight between the Speckled Serpent and a pack of wild dogs. Simply by grazing its teeth on the dogs fur, they all fell into an endless sleep.

" We should kill it," A Commander says, whom I recognize as Commander Rogers, " We shouldn't risk it."

" No, we should use it as weapon." Another says.

A sudden argument erupted between all of the Commanders. Meanwhile, the snake was still asleep around the tree.

" Stop it!" General Carter commanded, " We'll kill the snake. We can't risk having Speckled Serpent venom with us."

Half of the commanders flared with anger, especially Commander Mason.

" General, this is nonsense. We are extremely outnumbered by the South. If you have the venom, we at least have a chance!" he argued,

" Last time I checked, Commander, I was in charge. Not you." General Carter turns his heel and leaves the area.

" What's their deal," I ask Amelia.

" When Queen Amara appointed General, it was always between Mason and Carter. Commander Mason is jealous of the General's power, while the General is jealous of Mason's popularity among the army. I doubt there's anything that could end their rivalry."

I gently nod as I watch the snake. I soldier cautiously lefts his sword before bringing it down in a split second. The serpent cries out for help, but it isn't fast enough to escape. It finally drops to the ground, motionless.

And with that, the snake is forgotten. Everyone set off and walks for a few for miles before the sun finally set.

Adam walks to Amelia and me with a dignified stride.

" Here," he says as he hands me a blanket, " We'll rest here for the night before starting at dawn tomorrow."

" We're almost near the Southern Kingdom," Amelia tells Adam. I can almost hear the Red River."

" The Red River?" I ask confused.

" It's a river that acts as a moat around the Southern Kingdom," Adam answers for Amelia, " The mud by the river is red, giving it its vibrant color."

" If we're as close as I think, we should be at the Southern Kingdom borders by noon."

" That's good news, but we can't start our attack until nightfall. And we are scarce in food. We have to hunt for tomorrow."

" I'll help," I immediately say.

" It's not ethical for a princess to be part of a hunt."

I cross my arms. " I see. You don't want an experienced hunter to help. It's a real pity." I almost cringe at the sarcasm in my voice.

Commander Carter mutters something about reckless princesses before giving into my request. Then, Adam and Carter leave to pass out more blankets.

I finally lay out my blankets, ready for a night of rest when someone cries out in utter pain.

I rush to where the sound came from, but it was too late. Laying on the forest ground was Commander Mason. One might have though he was sleeping, if it wasn't for the terror on his face.

A commander kneels next to him. " Ge was killed by Speckled Serpent venom," he sadly says.

A realization falls over me. The serpent was killed. And there were no bite marks on his skin. I glance at Adam and Amelia, but they can't meet my eyes. They realize the same thing.

Commander Mason was killed by one of us.

There was a traitor in our midst.