Broken Hero

Chapter 7

Elsa's POV

I woke to a throbbing headache and soreness working its way into every fiber of my being. I felt like a lump of clay someone had reshaped over and over before throwing it into the corner.

I was seated on a woven mat. Canvas walls stretched around and above me, their surfaces rippling in a breeze I couldn't feel. Someone had propped me against a crate. They hadn't tied my hands or restrained me in any way.

Raul entered the tent, followed by three elderly warriors and two younger ones. Raul glared at me.

"You're almost more trouble than you're worth," he muttered before plastering on a smile. "Good generals, may I present our secret weapon!"

The older men, generals apparently, grunted as they looked at me. One folded his arms. "It is a girl. You would set the fate of our warriors on a female?"

"But not just a girl, she is also a warrior!" Raul promised.

"I believe it when I see it."

I attempted to jump to my feet and charge them, or maybe to run from the tent, but I couldn't get my limbs to cooperate. Apparently they were still suffering from whatever they used to knock me unconscious. Luckily, my mouth still worked.

"Good sirs, what do you mean to do to me?" I asked. "I do not know why this man has taken me, but I cannot possibly help you. I am a messenger sent to bring supplies to the men on the wall."

"You FOOL Raul!" one of the generals roared. The two young warriors pointed their spears at Raul, who held his hands up in surrender.

"No, she's lying!" Raul promised. "Look at her clothes! She dresses as one of their soldiers! And she wears a silver laurel! And she attacked our men! She is dangerous."

"Who are you?" a general asked.

"Alex Snow."

"Isn't Alex a boy's name?"

"It's a girl's name too. In my country."

"I recognize the name Snow," a different general said. "He was a great war hero. If you are his daughter, we might be able to use you as Raul suggests."

"I'm a disgrace to my father. I ran away from home. I wouldn't be any use to you."

"I didn't know she was Snow's daughter, we can use that to our advantage as well!" Raul interjected. "But her name is not Alex Snow, she is Elsa Snow, the war hero of our enemies and fiancé to Commander Jack Frost!"

The generals all looked at me with renewed interest.  "That, we can use.  What did you have in mind?"

"I want to present it before the entire unit," Raul said.  "That way everybody can be informed at once."

"A fair request, and one we shall grant.  But do not push your luck, Raul, we will be watching."

The warriors and generals left the tent together, leaving only Raul and I.  I wanted to hit him so badly, but my arms wouldn't obey me.  Instead I channeled all of my hate into the glare I gave him.

"I suppose you don't like the suspense, do you?" Raul teased.

"The only suspense is how long until you're dead," I replied. Raul laughed.

"We'll see who's first. I know that I told the generals I would reveal the plan to everyone at once, but I think I'm going to make a little exception." He crouched down so we were eye level. "The original plan involved more stealth, but since you made a fool of me in front of my soldiers I'm going to have my fun with you. We want that wall down. We don't care how many end up dead on the way to that goal. I'm going to give you explosives to take up the wall and place yourself."

I couldn't stop the small surge of hope within me. They wanted me to do their dirty work? It was never going to happen. Raul must have noticed my expression change because he smiled.

"You will place those explosives," he said. "Do you know why? Because we will allow you to evacuate as many soldiers and workers as you want. We will not fire upon them. But you see, this is the best part. If we see any hint of betrayal from you, I will shoot my marked arrow at Jack Frost. If you simply place the explosives, you will never be able to get the soldiers and workers off the wall in time. They wouldn't believe anything you say because the Emperor commanded them to finish the wall at all costs. And if you tell them why they must leave the wall, Commander Frost will be forced to execute you for treason. Isn't that wonderful?" His eyes gleamed as my heart sank. "I can't wait to see what you choose."