Crowns and Blades

Chapter 10

"Soo, who called you?" I ask. I've been going around in circles for what feels like years though it has only really been an hour. Nate is in front of me and with each question I ask his pace quickens. He'll be running soon. 

"Someone you know."  Nate responds and he starts running. I have to stop myself from laughing as I chase after him.  I look at the rucksack. It has everything Nate has got throughout the night. There is fruits he's sure are poisonous -I'm not so sure- and water. Lot's of water. The only thing not in there is the book. I haven't opened it once since Nate arrived. I decide to flick it open now. Nate isn't answering my questions and he doesn't know everything. 

You're asking the wrong questions

that's all the book says. 

"Nate, do you want to play a game?" I ask.

"Sure. We should be in a town soon and you're questions are annoying." He responds with.

I smile when the sentence comes out of my mouth. "It's called the yes and no game and if you didn't know you can only say yes and no."

Nate laughs at the idea "Fine i'll ask first. Do you like me?"

I stare at him "I I..." 

"Ahh you can only say yes and no!" 

He doesn't see me smirk when i say the two words "Your go."

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"No one can leave this town you heard me!" Layla yelled. Her hair flew in the wind like a raven. "It's to be on lock down!" She was getting fed up. Cartwright had just gone under lock down and now Aylesbury was next. She was getting fed up.  She wanted no one to die but no one else agreed with her. Nope. Everyone wanted her dead.  Layla sat down on the throne.  They couldn't kill the last member of the royal family.

4 years ago Layla remembered being the first attempt at her death. Ms Morton had come to her and hugged her. Only she knew that Lenora was killed by herself.  On Layla's order and ground. She had seen the news and had joined that foul rebellion. It was staged. She had never cared. Ms Morton appeared to Layla like an angel. Layla didn't deserve an angel though so a demon she got. Her hands had smoothed her hair as normal. The tense body of Layla calmed down. No one wanted to slaughter her. She was fourteen and she was experimenting on her magic. How instead of bringing the crops to life she made them wither and die. How when she tried to heal she hurt. Layla had gotten use to it. The look on  Ms Morton's face though when she killed that cat.  Layla was glad it was in the past now.  She went for a hug but instead of being greeted by warm arms they were stiff. As cold as ice. Layla felt a pinprick on her back. She flew her arms back and the darkness and shadows flew out. They healed the knife wound and killed the attacker. Ms Morton lay on the ground as light as a feather and  as stiff as board.

Layla was unaware on how still her body had become. The throne was no longer as soft as it once was and Ms Mortons smell was everywhere. Layla couldn't deal with it anymore. She left to enter the dungeon. Those whom had attempted to slaughter her like a pig who had not been slaughtered instead were down there.  "Hello!" she yelled. Her voice echoed throughout the hollow walls. Only one voice responded

"You're nothing like your parents Layla Wilson."

Layla smirked "You're right I'm better than them."

He muttered what shouldn't of been heard bu the echoed carried the words  let me wake up and discover Evelyn had a lovely daughter

"You can't wake up. This is not  a dream." 

The words were meant to comfort Layla but all they did was bring back the memoroies of her parents. Some short lived others stayed for longer. One of them led to all Layla's actions. 

It had been 7 years ago  Layla thought  Ms Morton had come to her and apologised for the tragic death of her parents. If guilt wasn't there before it was definitely there now.  For greater good. Layla reminded herself again.  The thought of the poison in her cupboard made her sick. Her mothers body was still as the coffin lid closed. They had gone to all towns. Desperate to discover who had murdered Lenora. To discover who had her blood on their hands. Layla had 'accidentally' poured poison into their wine. There couldn't be a war. That was why Lenora was dead. The worst thing that could be was one occurred.  With the amount of innocents claimed for her death. Layla remembered finding the innocent girl on the street and switching her for her sister. Ms Morton hand never killed Lenora. She killed an innocent girl. Layla that night had summoned all her magic and sent it spiralling into Lenora's  heart killing her. She remembered slitting the throat and departing out side the palace door. She remembered how the parents pledged karma to who ever claimed the life of not just the innocent swapped by Layla but the one they believed to be their daughter. Lenora is dead and gone

Suddenly she regretted it all.

Hi, Do you think Layla can be forgiven? Is Nate human? How does Lenna have magic if what Layla remembers is true? I'd love to know your ideas in the comments :D