Betrothed

Chapter Forty-One: The Battle at Zymjai's Palace

"Hurry Your Highness! They're coming!"

As Castalia led Audrianna and Janessa towards the mouth of the cave, a band of Andjety soldiers ran closely up behind them, shouting and cursing, like a raging torrent of water. Still several meters away from the entrance, it appeared the Andjety were going to overtake them.

Suddenly, several arrows came zipping through the doors from the outside, striking the attacking Andjety soldiers. The Witch's army ceased their attack, as they watched their prisoners escape to the outside.

As Castalia, Audrianna, and Janessa ran out the door of the palace, everyone cheered to see the princess once again, alive and well. A flank of her Special Forces swarmed, protecting them from the attacking Andjety. Several old men were armed with warm coats and blankets, which they used to bundle the girls from the elements.

Multiple groups of Andjety soldiers came teeming out the mouth of the cave. As far as the Nadeau Special Forces, the swordsmen, under Balen's command, came charging in front, followed by spearmen, then the archers. Castalia joined the ranks of the archers and directed them to pick off the most valiant of the Andjety soldiers, giving the retired, feeble swordsmen a fighting chance. When too many Andjety swordsmen began to horde the front lines, Olivia commanded the spearmen to thrust their spears past Balen's swordsmen, keeping the enemy at a safe distance.

Prince Rolf came bounding out of the cave and took charge of the Andjety fighters. With only one eye, he had to stand at an angle so as to see what was happening on the front lines. However, his torn and bandaged ear, was on the opposite side of his head. When he needed to hear better, he had to turn the other direction. A young man stood next to him, and held him upright, in case all the turning made him dizzy.

As the battle waged on, Ethlyn released her falcon to distract the enemy forces. When Luella would hear Rolf shout commands, she would swoop down and ruffle him.

"Somebody kill that stupid bird," he screamed. Several arrows were launched in her direction, but through the entire battle, Luella remained unscathed.

Audrianna and Janessa had been ushered back behind the ranks of the archers. The princess led Janessa to a nearby ledge from where they cheered the Nadeau fighters on. The fighting was brutal, and many Nadeau fighters suffered mortal wounds. However, Audrianna's elite fighters fought with valiant honor as the Andjety began to be defeated.

From a hidden opening above the cave appeared the Witch. She had a sword and sheath belted to each hip, and carried a crossbow in her hands. Intent on singling out a courageous warrior to kill with her crossbow, her eyes fell on Audrianna, standing above the teeming armies. Knowing her plans had been grossly thwarted, she decided to take vengeance on the unsuspecting little girl. Just before the Witch could shoot her deadly dart, Janessa spotted the Witch pointing her weapon at them. Looking about, Janessa couldn't see anywhere that she could push her friend out of the way of the impending dart. As the Witch pulled the trigger, Janessa hugged Audrianna, and turned her body, exchanging places with the princess. In a split second, the dart pierced the little girl in the back. Audrianna, realizing what happened, grabbed ahold of Janessa and carefully lowered her to the ground.

"Sister!" Janessa cried. "It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!" Audrianna began to panic. What could she do to help her friend? The arrow was deep, and blood began to seep through her dress and onto the cold ground. Was she going to lose another friend? She wanted to scream. She wanted to weep. But for Janessa's sake, she kept herself composed.

"Just lie still," she ordered. "Be still and I will find someone to help." Janessa laid on her side on the frozen ledge they had previously cheered the Nadeauan army. Audrianna knelt next to Janessa and put her head in her lap. The princess stroked her friend's short hair as she softly talked to her, gazing into her frightened face.