The Archer Princess

Chapter Three. Saviour.

*Cassy's POV*

I walked deeper into the familiar forest, I knew every inch of the forest like the back of my hand. I continued to silently step closer to the opening of the clearing that I knew was just ahead.

This all felt natural to me. I was holding my famous black elven bow, a black feathered arrow already notched onto the string, ready to release when the moment came. My leather boots crunched the dry leaves beneath my feet as my cloak billowed behind me in the breeze.

I carried on walking until I entered the clearing. A beautiful stag was stood in the center of the clearing, munching on the tall grass. It was almost a shame to kill such a great creature but my family has to eat one way or another.

I smiled as I thought of my family. My mother would probably be reading like normal or she would be in the garden under the willow tree with my father. Caspian would be out on his horse or he would be practicing his sword fighting. And me? I'm always off somewhere with my bow. That's just how I liked it.

I smiled to myself as I aimed the arrow at the stag. Before I had the chance to release the arrow the sound of thunder vibrated through the forest. I looked up just in time to see rain begin to fall from the darkened sky. I cursed under my breath as the stag ran off in the opposite direction.

I was at least an hour walk away from my home and I did not want to walk that far in the rain. Luckily I remembered that there was some caves nearby, they would at least provide me shelter until the storm had passed.

I immediately began heading in the direction that I knew the caves to be in. The rain was falling heavily and I was already drenched, despite wearing my hooded cloak. More thunder vibrated through the sky making me jump each time.

As I neared the cave I heard the unmistakable sound of voices nearby. I immediately hid myself behind some bushes and watched as a group of Orcs walked passed me. I frowned when I realised that they were heading towards the river.

After a quick internal debate I decided to follow them. I silently overtook them, knowing a shortcut to the river, and ran ahead.

As I quickly approached the river, I saw a few yards in front of me a man ride a horse to the bridge and the five orcs hide on the opposite bank behind a large rock placed above the river. The man didn't seem to notice them and if he had, he hid it very well. I quietly ran to the rock and climbed on it, so that the five orcs were beneath me and I notched two arrows on my bow, aiming at two of them.

The man on the horse slowly started to cross the bridge as the rain continued to pour heavily when the Orcs made their move to attack him. Having the element of surprise on my side, I let the arrows fly and they hit directly at their target, making them squeal in pain. Automatically the rest of them, including the man on the horse who looked fairly surprised, turned around to see me jump down the rock behind them with my daggers ready to spill death. Two of the remaining three Orcs took a fair share of time to realise what was happening, so they quickly had their necks sliced by my blades. The third one, however, had enough time to take out his sword and charge.

As the fighting with the persistent Orc continued I risked a glimpse at the man on the pony and I only just realised that he was a dwarf. This instantaneous distraction was enough for the Orc to grab a small knife hidden in his filthy clothes and point it at my lower torso. The moment I felt the painful burning sensation of being cut, a small chuckle escaped my mouth. I briefly glanced at the newly acquired wound near my stomach that was bleeding, and then to my opponent who eyed me with a sinister look. With a harsh and abrupt move I lunged at the Orc, my left blade clashing with his sword so suddenly and severely that made it fall on the wet, muddy ground.