Protector

hey soldier

The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside was the gallows. They loomed before a crowd of soldiers, regents, and a couple of pirate-looking people too. As soon as we emerged from the belly of the beast, I heard multiple exclamations of surprise come from the regents when they saw me. Even though I was literally walking to my death, I smiled at them. If I could bring any light into this darkness, I would. As the rope was placed around my neck, I heard Jaron speaking softly to Roden, telling him that he had a father, and he was here. (Great timing bud.) I snapped my head to look at them and saw Roden's eyes were locked onto Harlow, who was standing in the front of the crowd next to Tobias. I was happy for him, I was, but it was cruel to find a loved one, then never be able to be with them. I was all too familiar with that.

Reality rushed back in when Connor spoke, asking Jaron to give his people one last order. The speech my brother gave was powerful but short. It would have been longer, but Connor interrupted him by ramming his fist into Jaron's gut, cutting him off. The crowd gasped and I knew many of them wanted to leap onto the dais and finish this injustice.
But as Connor helped steady him, I saw him slip something silver up Jaron's sleeve.

Connor had given him a knife.

Jaron flicked his eyes over to me, and by the twinkle in his eye, I knew he had a plan. Standing a little taller on my stool, I subtly continued to work at the knots holding my hands. No one was focused on me at the moment. They were all watching their young king. As the announcer finished stating our "crimes", I caught Roden's panicked gaze and winked. Vargan rose to his feet and uttered those two words that would not mark the end of our lives, but the beginning of our escape.

"Do it."

Jaron and I both lept up off our stools as he spoke our cue and pulled our hands free, grabbing the ropes above us. The enemies around us quickly realized that our hands were free and moved to advance.
We had to move fast.
Jaron tossed the knife to me, and holding myself up with one hand, I cut Roden's limp form down with the other. It took me a couple of swings to cut him free, as I was still injured and it took a lot of effort to hold myself up. The rope finally snapped and he rolled off the gallows to the grass below. Reaching up with the knife, I sawed at my own noose and then dropped to the ground next to him, shaking my head to clear the stars that chased away the world. I threw the knife back up to Jaron and he landed at my side. Nodding to me, he turned and ran toward the steps of Farthenwood, drawing many of the vigils after him.

I knelt to the ground beside Tobias and Harlow and felt for Roden's pulse. It was there, but just barely. And no air flowed through his lungs. More vigils were advancing on us, and I looked over at my companions.

"I got this. Just give me as much time as you can."

They stood and turned to face our attackers. Tears welled in my eyes as I looked down at Roden's still face. I hadn't known I'd cared for him as much as I did until now. There was no way I was going to let him die. His neck was bruised and cut from where the rope had cut off his air, and I realized with a jolt that he wasn't breathing. I swore as I tried to remember what to do in an instance such as this. How many chest compressions? Twenty-five? Thirty? I should have paid more attention during lessons all those years ago. Deciding on thirty, I started the process. When I finished, I delivered the rescue breaths and paused to see if it worked.

Nothing.

Swearing again, I repeated the process.

"Wake up!" I muttered angrily, scared beyond measure that he wouldn't. I put my mouth to his to breathe again and as I did I felt him gasp in, searching for air. Pulling away, I saw his eyes open as life began flooding through him.

"Oh thank the gods," I breathed, as tears leaked down my cheeks. A coughing fit wracked his body, and I propped him up against me to help the oxygen move through him.

"It's okay," I tearfully whispered.

As the coughing fit passed, he lay his head on my lap and started to breathe normally again. His tired green eyes searched for a target and finally found mine.

"Hey, soldier," I half-smiled, half-cried.

He reached up and wiped a tear from my face.

"Hey, princess."

Pushing himself to sitting, he turned to face me. The rest of the world seemed to fade away until it was just the two of us. My insides were warm and I knew my cheeks were too. I chuckled nervously and he smiled at me.

"I think I might love you," he murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. Then he simply took my face in his hand and pulled me into a kiss. It was so full of emotion that I never wanted it to end. When we pulled apart, I knew my cheeks were edging on tomato red.

"Are you two done yet?" Tobias' voice broke through our moment.

I helped Roden to his feet and we looked around. The fighting had mostly stopped, and I was proud to see most of the fallen were of Avenia. Then I remembered Jaron. He could be in danger. Leaving Roden behind, I took off toward Farthenwood, running like a hunter after their prey.