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20, Attack and Defence

The next few minutes were so fast paced, Britta had trouble keeping up with it all. While Diana hurried Mable away, Britta pulled out her dagger and turned around. For a few seconds, everything carried on as it had before, save for a few glances after Mable. Then, the same group of men Britta had noticed before, formed a line, and chaos broke loose as they drew their weapons, giving up secrecy.

Britta stepped backwards as they surged forwards, making for the stairs where Mable had gone. Several were stopped by the guards, but Britta was ready for the few that got through. Hitching her shirts up, she stood in a battle stance, bracing herself.

A blade came crashing down, and she deflected it, using the gap to turn and face another of the men, who she darted towards and disarmed. They were not prepared for someone such as herself-or who she appeared to be-to fight back. After a few minutes of holding them off, she realised Micah had snuck past her. Cursing, she slid away from the fight as reinforcements from all over the castle entered the crowd.

Racing up the stair case, Britta called to Diana.

Diana, where are you? Micah's not down there, watch out! Britta could feel the adrenaline running through her sisters body, as well as her own.

Up the stairs, to the left, most of the guards have left to go to the ball room.

Got it.

Britta was slowed by her dress, but got to her sister as Micah did.

He narrowed his eyes at her, taunting her with a few sneering words. For once, Britta ignored him, throwing her spare dagger, which hit him on the arm. Micah swore, and whipped out his sword. Britta knew his technique well, but he didn't know that. Smirking, not allowing her confident façade to slip, she told Diana to run, and blocked the way from Micah.

He looked puzzled for a brief moment, before matching her stance. His blade cut towards her, and Britta caught it at the hilt. At the training camp, it would never have worked, but he was not expecting her strength, and Britta liked to think she was getting stronger. She managed to push it up towards him before he recovered, and she had to roll out of the way. Her dress slowed her again, and she lunged at his feet, giving her enough time to get up. She moved to the defence, slower then she would have liked. Britta heard foot steps running up the stairs, and saw more men. Her distraction, gave Micah time to trip her up so she was on the ground.

"Some woman with a kitchen knife." He spat, hiding the wound in his arm.

Di, their coming. Britta warned her, as they came past. A boot hit her side, but otherwise she was left alone, realising that Micah had probably just saved her life.

Air hissing through her teeth as she got up, Britta held her side. She leaned against the wall for a moment, before reminding herself this was not a time to rest. As she got up, she felt another jolt of pain and panic shoot through her, this time not her own.

Diana.

They have her. They have Mable. Came her strangled reply.

By the time Britta had gotten to her sister, they were long gone.

"Well that went well." Britta muttered sarcastically.

Diana shot her a look. "Are you ok?" She asked.

"Fine, you?" Britta said.

Diana tried to stand up, but her left leg buckled underneath her and she sunk back to the ground, gritting her teeth. "I think it's my ankle." She groaned.

"We have to get out of here, can you walk if you lean on me?" Britta asked, pulling out the map Mable had given her. Diana nodded, and Britta led them through the nearest set of passageways to the forest.