The Queen's Crown

Chapter 2

I didn't have a lot of luggages. Knights Acad have inns at each town. One look at my badge and I could stay there for free.

It isn't official, but everyone knows Knights Academy is the backbone of the Nygil's royal families. Graduates of this school were expected to serve the royal family and protect the land. I'm already in my third year. After two years, I would have to serve the kings of Nygil Empire as a Knight.

I went to the stables. A red horse neighed in my direction and my mouth curved into a smile. It's been a few months since I last rode him.

"Hey Khan," I caressed the wild horse I tamed for months,

"Get ready for a long ride."

**

Cold wind pressed against my skin. I shivered. The trees were slowly losing color as the night engulfed the remaining rays of the sun. Hustun City was only a few miles away. But I was still stuck on the road. I kicked my horse harder. He must have been tired too, because he was slowing down again.

"Come on Khan, we're almost there." I tried to talk to my horse, rubbing his head. He just neighed and literally stopped. As much as possible, I didn't want to stay outside in the middle of nowhere. If Marg and Joan were here, I'd feel secured. But now, I'm alone in this desolate place. Not to mention, there has been reports of blond teens being kidnapped.

I sighed. I couldn't blame Khan. We've been riding half day without enough rest in hopes of reaching the branch school. Even I was already dragging myself through this journey.

I dismounted Khan and pulled him aside. I do hope he'll be satisfied with a jug of water for now.

"Oh... is this little traveler tired already?"

A man popped from behind. I heard more rustles of leaves from where he came from. Really. This is the reason why I hate camping in the night. It means I often have to deal with bandits on the road.

I pulled my hood lower and faced them. It would be bad if I become one of their blond captives.

"Hey!" The man called out, "I found someone here." He had a rough voice and messy accent that most bandits have. I could tell from his footsteps that he was big and meaty.

Four pairs of feet were nearing me. As much as I wanted to believe that I could take all them of them, my body and stomach didn't agree with me. Even Khan was tired; running wasn't an option.

I did what a normal person would do- which is probably best for a normal situation like this. I took out a pouch from my bag and extended my hands to the man in front of me.

"Oohh..." the man sounded amused, he even laughed, "You're giving up already? Alright I'll take...."

I saw his hand reaching for the pouch, but it stopped mid-air. I raised my head a little, trying to see his expression.

He was grinning.

"Seems like me and my men will enjoy the night." I shivered at his tone. It took me a while to realize that my hands weren't wearing any gloves. Damn it. Why did I have such small hands different from men?

I turned to Khan, but it was too late. Strong hands already pulled me down. My hood was removed, revealing my golden hair. A creepy smile appeared on the men's face. Disgusting.

I shoved the man away and slapped Khan hard. He galloped on the road, and I can only hope people from the next station would recognize his Knight Academy mark.

"A gold haired girl." The corners of his mouth turned up. Now they really want me now.

He charged at me. I managed to dodge, but one of his friends pulled my cape. I punched him, he fell on the ground. I knew it hurt badly because I was wearing a ring. The rest of the men laughed, it must be funny to see a man punched by a girl.

But I'm no girl, I'm a Knight Student.

While they were laughing their hearts out, I pulled my daggers from my thigh holster and threw it at the heart of the biggest man among them. The laughter stopped, and he fell on the ground with a loud thud. Three men looked at me. I hoped for fear, but there was an unusual joy in their eyes.

"A knight student eh?" a small voice said, and I knew they'd want to get me at any cost. They're not just bandits. They're also a Knight Hunter.

I guess my value just went higher as they stared at me with their money-hungry eyes.

"Go and send the message to boss." He said. The guy went back into the forest. Horse footsteps were heard galloping away from us.

I pulled my dagger back from the dead man and readied myself. I gripped on the daggers on my hands. If they want me at all cost, I'll save myself at all cost too.

All three came at me. I kicked the center man on his bloodline treasure. He cried as he jumped around. I extended my hands to cut, but the other two dodged. Not bad.

I grabbed the bigger man for greater force, and kicked the other one. I dug my daggers on his neck. His blood sprayed out like rain on me.

"You witch!" the man I kicked earlier recovered. He stood and raised his sword on me. They attacked me one each side, I rolled backwards. I groaned as my stomach rumbled. I should have eaten when the last inn offered dinner.

They looked at me with anger and desperation. It looks like it didn't matter if I was alive or not, because I'm pretty sure those look wanted me dead.

I readied myself for another round. But I didn't expect what happened next. I heard an arrow whistling towards us. The next thing I knew, the two men dropped on the ground with arrows on their back.

I squinted at the figure mounted on a horse in the distance. The sun was long hidden behind the mountains of Hustun Province, but I could still see shadows of people on horses.

They neared me, but the blood on me eyes blurred my vision.

"Light the torches." The man on the middle commanded. His voice sounded young but imposing. Torches lighted the narrow road instantly.

I wiped the blood on my face and got a clearer look on him. He had the same brown hair that nobles of Nygil often have. His silhouette told me he was no more than 19.

As the torch gave light to his face, I narrowed my eyes on him. Shock was written on my face the next second. Because I know I never forget a face. Especially one that always see in my nightmares.

"Ally?" he said.