The Peace Offering

Sindri: Chapter 25

The day had finally come. I made sure all of my bags were secure in the caravan wagons. I was surprised at how quickly Kouen put together the whole trip. I had a bit of suspicion that he had actually been planning this way in advance, but I decided not to say anything. 

"Kouen are we almost ready to go?" I asked. Kouen turned to me from talking with a horse driver, he smiled and held up a thumb up. My heart skipped a beat, his happiness was infectious and I smiled back. 

We've never had time to really get to know each other and I was excited to discover what kind of person my husband was. I had only gotten glimpses of his true personality, and I definitely liked it better than the crown prince persona he put up. 

"Princess, come. The caravan is leaving soon." Tabul said as he extended his hand. I took it and he helped me get into the caravan. The interior was very nice and Kouen was already waiting for me. He didn't have on his usual heavy royal robes, instead he wore a thick yellow kimono. 

"I told you yellow would look good on you." I smirked. 

"Yes, yes you did." Kouen chuckled, his face a light shade of pink. I laughed at him, but inside I felt really warm. I suddenly felt really nervous and my palms felt sweaty. I jingled and twisted the bracelets on my arm to distract myself. Kouen seemed to remember something and began rummaging in his robe.

"I have something for you." Kouen said as he pulled out a small box from his robe.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Well, you'll have to open it to find out."

Kouen handed me the box and I opened it. Inside were the flower earrings I had seen with Tabul. I lifted them up and the sunlight coming through the window made the middle gems sparkle. 

"Oh, Kouen, they're just the ones I wanted. How did you know?" I asked as I continued to admire them.

"Well, when Tabul asked permission to take you to the market I sent a message to the jewler stand. I asked them to reserve any jewelry you liked."

"Wow, I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Here, let me help you out them on."

I took out my current earrings and gave them to Kouen. He held them as I replaced them with the new ones. Kouen gave them a little jingle once they were securely in place.

Our next stop would be a few hours travel and I eventually fell asleep. I dreamt of a rocky storm and woke up with a start. I looked around in confusion before realizing where I was. The rocking of the caravan calmed me down. Kouen was still asleep, his head leaning to the left. I scooted closer to him and positioned myself so that my head was resting on his shoulder. As the caravan continued to bump along the road Kouen's head leaned more until it rested on top of mine. I snuggled closer to him and closed my eyes.

***

"Sindri, wake up. We've arrived at our first stop." I opened my eyes to see Kouen gently shaking my arm. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my arms. Looking out the window I saw we were in the middle of a forest. 

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Wu Forest, it has a famous waterfall I want you to see." Kouen responded. He opened the door and we both climbed out. The fresh air filled my lungs and I could feel the plentiful Rukh of the trees. 

"This place is wonderful!"

"I'd knew you'd like it." Kouen smiled. The few servants who came with  us set up a picnic style lunch for Kouen and I. We sat on small cushions and began to eat. As I was chewing I noticed a weird taste. I went to drink some water to wash it away when I noticed a particular smell coming from the water.

Dymer bark.

"Kouen!" I shouted as he suddenly slumped forward. His water goblet was empty as he had already drank it before I could warn him. The servants began to scream and run away as people in dark hoods came from the thick woods.

"Tie up the prince, we don't want him interfering if he wakes up early." The leader of the hooded people shouted as he pulled out his sword. Three of the hooded people pulled out ropes and approached Kouen.

"Get away from him!" I shouted. I tried to use magic, but the only thing I could do was make the nearby plants grow. I didn't have enough magoi to make them move. Grabbing the pot that contained the hot soup we were eating I threw it at the coming attackers.

"Ahhh! That's freaking hot!!" A feminine voice shouted as the soup burned them.

"Tabul help!" I screamed as the attackers grabbed Kouen. I launched myself at them but one grabbed me and threw me aside. I yelled in pain and panic as I landed on my stomach.

Tears filled my eyes as I rolled over and wrapped my arms around myself. Two more hooded figures came to me and tied ropes around my hands and feet. I struggled but when one threatened to punch me in the stomach I went still. 

I heard a war cry and finally saw Tabul. He had a bloody nose but still looked really fierce. His sword was out and smeared with blood. Quickly he cut down some of the attackers, but just as quickly he was surrounded. 

"Sindri!!" He yelled, "Hold on! I'm coming!"

With deadly precision and skill he swung his sword and sliced down three of the seven that surrounded him. The two that had tied me up ran at him and joined the circle of people around him. Tabul slashed, hacked, punched, and kicked until none of the attackers were standing. He ran to me but stopped as a sword was placed to my neck.

"Another step and I'll kill her." The hooded leader threatened. I spat on his boots and cursed at him. Without taking his eyes off of Tabul he stomped on my tied hands. I screamed in pain as he applied more pressure.

"Stop! Damn you!" Tabul shouted, his hands shaking slightly. The man took his foot away and yanked me up by the hair. I hissed in pain.

"Listen, this isn't personal, just business; but if you keep acting like a bitch I'm gonna treat you like one." The man hissed in my ear, his breath hot and moist. Flashbacks of my childhood in Partavia began to fill my mind. I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to control my shaking. 

"Let her go!" Tabul commanded. His booming voice snapped me out of my horrible memories.

"Here's a thought: no. You see, my boss needs her to pull of his grand plan. Also if I don't bring back the princess I'll face some serious punishment and I really don't need that right now."

"Whatever you're planning, it won't work. I'll just chase after you, not to mention you'll have to deal with the prince when he wakes up." Tabul growled.

"Oh, trust me, we're planning on it. You however are expendable."

"Tabul! Behind you!" I shouted. 

Tabul turned just as another hooded figure appeared and thrust their sword. The sword caught Tabul right in the weak spot of his armor and pierced him in the side. A gush of blood sprayed out and stained the ground. Tabul's face went slack as he looked down at his side. With a thud he fell to his knees.

"Goodbye." A familiar voice said as the hooded figure cut off his armor and stabbed Tabul straight through the heart. Tabul made a weak grunt as he fell to the ground. Blood gushed from his wounds and mouth as he clutched the sword and turned to look at me.

"TABUL!" I screamed in horror.

"Y-you were the d-daughter I've always wanted." Tabul sputtered out as he closed his eyes.

I screamed in agony as tears flooded down my face. Tabul's dead face was all I could see as the world faded to black.