The King's Remorse

I SUMMON THE BLOOD DEMON!

Bits of the barrier fall to the ground, swirling with a kaleidoscope of colors. The sound startles me so much that I jump, and a boom rolls across the grass. I'm at the top of the oak tree in the middle of the Field in an instant. Swarms of warriors pour into the Green Grass Field, their muddy boots and heavy footsteps trampling the soft, green grass. My ears droop. It was so pretty.

"Come and get me. I dare you," Phoenix smiles, revealing his long and curved upper canines. The grass surrounding him curls and blackens as it catches fire.

"Watch out for the arrows from the Guard!" Brook bellows. She impales one of the so-called Guard on her horn and flings him into the fray.

"What about the Soldiers? They're just as dangerous!" Wolf shouts back before she shifts into her animal form to fend off several attackers.

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? My heart races in my chest as I watch the fight, trembling. I've never fought a day in my life, so how am I supposed to help?

"Come here, little cat." A Guard is climbing up towards me with his bow slung over his back and his dagger in his teeth. Part of his armor is ripped off. My claws scrabble on the bark as I try to climb higher, but there's nowhere to go.

"Scared, eh? Cat got your tongue?" He grins at what I presume to be a joke, though I don't get it. He draws closer.

I look around desperately for an escape route, but I'm at the top of the tree; there's nowhere to go. My tail lashes back and forth as I try to slow my racing heart. Blood roars in my ears, and adrenaline pumps through my veins. The Guard draws ever closer, his smile growing wider and wider with each branch he passes.

"My Sovereign, His Excellency, His Honor, His Highest of all Highnesses, King Garonda XIV only wants Wolf and Dove, but I don't think he'd be opposed to another prisoner. Maybe capturing you will even get me a promotion. You know, for my extra work."

"I-I-I," my voice trails off. The Guard is now only a few feet below me.

Just jump. You'll make it, won't you? I look down. I can't fight him. I don't know how to. It wouldn't work. I'd lose. I'd die. I don't know how to fight. I wouldn't be able to win. I would be captured, and then I wouldn't ever see Brook again. Come on, Clap. You can make it. Jump. You'll make it with your speed. You can do it, Clap.

I spare one last glance back at the Guard who has paused as he watches me before turning my attention back to the ground below me. I dig my dulled claws into the bark and jump towards the ground. The same rolling boom that sounded when I jumped up into the tree echoes again.

The Green Grass Field turns into a blur as I speed towards the ground. When my forelegs slam into the ground, I grimace at the shock that rockets up my bones. Swinging swords and arrows surround me from all sides. Where do I go?

My heart beats ever faster as I skitter away from attacks. I hiss as an unseen dagger slices into my tail. Scarlet soaks into my light fur.

"Pretty blue eyes. My Sovereign, His Excellency, His Honor, His Highest of all Highnesses, King Garonda XIV would like those. That pink eyeshadow, too. No prisoners have either of those." 

Well, that's just creepy. A horrified expression washes over my face as I take a slow step backward. I bump into a Soldier, and I jump away but not fast enough for the familiar boom to sound. My short fur fluffs up as the Soldier and two other Guard come after me.

"Come on, now. No need to run. Just come with us; we promise not to hurt you."

I gulp down air. Deep breaths, Clap. Deep breaths. Don't panic 'cus it'll only make things worse. Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm.