Memory in the End

Chapter 40: Saving the Five

I wouldn't make Ivan's mistake. He was way too in the open, he may have taken down the people at the front but the ones from the back quickly rushed over. I followed the shadow of the forest all along towards the back of the camp. There were a couple of scouts but they were easy to take down. Their weapon and food tents were also back here. I took down the warriors that were back here first, then with a small fire, I set the tents on fire. This made a commotion erupt which was just what I needed. The camp was in chaos.

Warriors were rushing to get the women and children to safety as the fire spread to the tents. Some were battling the flames, but all in all, they were scattered, weaponless and I was in control. I use this time to jump out from the shadows and attack. Taking down the warriors was easy. Being distracted by everything, they didn't put up much of a challenge. I tried to run to the tent but I wasn't able to get near it. Standing right in front of it was a husky man with short brown-blonde hair, blue eyes and a shiny silver sword. It was when I looked at him that I realized who it was.

"Uncle?" I asked, shocked. I haven't seen or talked to my uncle in years. He and my dad got into an argument about the line of succession. My uncle didn't think it should be me because I was a girl and it should be a man. My father disagreed and my uncle attempted to have a coup which got him banished. But he didn't do it because he didn't love me or want me in power. He wanted me to not have a burden on my shoulders, and even though he didn't handle it right, I understand why. Being the only girl, I was my uncle's favorite and I remember how much we used to have fun.

"If it isn't my favorite Princess," he speaks with a smile.

"Uncle, why are you here?"

"In the Grangers?"

I nodded.

"Well, I created them."

Everything started to make sense now. All these men were the ones in the attempted coup. This whole group was created to bring my downfall, "Why are you doing this? Why the bounty?"

"I don't want the money. Victor promised me more. He said I could be the ruler. The people won't accept him, I'll be the figurehead, but he'll be the one ruling."

"I plead you, dear uncle, to check your sanity if you think Victor would give you any amount of power. You of all people should have some sympathy for what he has done to us."

"Perhaps, but Arrabella, I'm more equipped to rule than you."

"Except you're not."

He chuckles, "Listen Arrabella, you are the last of my brother's children, not to mention my niece. I'll let you walk away right now and no one will chase after you. Leave the Five, forget your kingdom, go live a good life and don't look back."

I shook my head, gripping my sword tighter, "Sorry uncle, I will never give up my kingdom, and I will never desert my friends. So it looks like we're going to have to do this hard way."

He smirked, "Stubbornness runs in the family, I should've known better than to give you a choice."

Two of his men run at me, I fend them off but they're not the challenge, they're the distraction. My uncle runs at me with his sword pointed towards me, I hit mine from below in hopes of knocking it out of his hand but he has a tight grip. He swings his sword at me and I duck out the way, hitting him from behind. It doesn't even shock him, he turns around quickly, hitting me hard that I fly across the field. I land hard on my back, the wind knocked out of me and my uncle approaching. I take a moment to get the air back and grab one of the the dead warriors swords. The sword is useless and flimsy. It's horrible at fending off my uncles attacks and it doesn't take long for it to fly out of my hand. I kick at my uncle managing to grab my sword and try to aim for my uncle. I don't want to kill him but it looks like I'll have to.