Crowns and Blades

Chapter 12

The battle is coming...

"Lenna!" someone yelled.

I swang my head around to find Ruth standing behind me "OML!" I yell and squish her into a hug. Nate looks at me in confused fashion. "Nate this is Ruth. Ruth this is Nate." Then Eva turns around behind me "OML Eva!" I hug them both. "So i'm forgiven?" I asked

"Nah but it was this or death and i'd rather live sooo..." Ruth started

"We need to warn about something. About someone it seems..." Eva butted in. 

I stared at them in shock "Nate?!" Eva bit her lip and Ruth nodded. "He's not evil." I quiten down so only Eva's ears can pick me up, "Why'd you believe Ruth's theory?"

"Hey I heard that!" Ruth yelled like a rocket taking off. A flock of a few thousand birds took off from a ten mile radius. 

"You're so loud." I murmured back. 

"Says you.." Ruth went back with.

We carried on bickering when Nate suddenly tapped my shoulder. "We still have a hour journey till we reach her. If we leave now you won't pass out from thirst again." 

Ruth looks at me "You fainted?!"

"Yeah..." Ruth then grabs my arm and drags me away. We're both drenched now.

"We're leaving. The rebellion needs you!"  

Nate suddenly put his arm around Ruth "So do I."

Eva jumped in "To kill her? No thanks I'll pass." They turned away to start walking away

"I'll stay."

I never got to hear what Ruth was about to say since suddenly there was a rush of wind and i was forced to shut my eyes. When they re-opened all that was there was the wind and a book by my feet. The book had pages ripped out and was now battered. Seemed like i was alone.

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Ruth and Eva went straight into each arms. They didn't even think to see if any one else was with them. Suddenly a scream of pain came out no where. It was Eva who saw Nate on the ground with multiple cuts all over his body. Multiple with blood still oozing out.  "Ruth! You did medical school you come and help!" That's when Ruth turned around. to see the wounds on Nate's skin. "What happened?" 

"You were right about..." and Nate stopped speaking and his eyes shut.  Eva muttered things under her breath while Ruth had a look. 

"It's just from blood loss. He's not dead. Yet. Eva he's tied to something it's why he's so skinny and dry. He doesn't need to eat or sleep or drink because he relies on two things to survive!" 

"The item concealing his soul and being near it. But if that's the case why is he so badly hurt?" 

"I think he's connected to the book. If the book ripped maybe he's cut?" Neither of them knew what was going on and were desperately trying to find anything to stop the blood from pouring. 

  Layla stopped the search. " I'm sorry about his injury's. Had i known maybe i would've killed him?" She laughed. It wasn't like a witch's cackle but more like a laugh you'd expect from a princess. Like bells chiming. 

"I'm sorry for your loss..." She held up the staff she was holding and was about to stamp it down when suddenly she stopped. Nate's body started to glow before vanishing.

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When you're being hunted down by a huntress who is also the queen and your sister it's hard to believe that she'd just go for your friends and not you. It's harder to believe that in milliseconds she'd destroyed my only guide, and kidnapped the one who actually had food. I'd been told to never give up but currently it seemed helpless. I was preparing to give up. Turn back when Nate said something that reminded me. "It's a hour walk away." If she'd been walking further back then there why should she turn back. I smirked and picked up the book. She rummaged through her bag. There wasn't a lot. Food and a dagger Nate gave her in case of separation. Something I hadn't considered at the time could happen. Now she was grateful.

The book was glowing. The light was blinding. I squinted and shoved it in her bag. Silently she thanked that the bag was black. It dimmed the light a bit. Then it happened. A glowing figure emerged from the bushes. At first limping then collapsing to the ground. I told herself to ignore it. That it was another trap set by Layla. "I?" the voice asked. She continued to ignore it. "I." This time the voice was softer. Curiosity really did the kill the cat didn't it I thought as she approached the figure. Suddenly the light coming from the book stopped. So did the person. She crouched down and peered at the person.

At first they were unrecognisable. The blood pouring from their skin was never ending. The closer I got the blood stopped. The wounds stitched themselves up. The more they healed the more recognisable Nate became.

"Nate?" I asked

"Nice to know i'm recognisable."

"Not the time for sarcasm."

"Ok, so you're going to slay Layla i guess."

"Maybe."

At that Nate pulled himself up. He started walking.

"So how did you get out?" I asked

"I'll tell you on the way but first take this."

Nate offered me a sword and when i took it i felt strong. I smiled at him. We started to walk