Protector

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I burst through the large, wooden doors of Farthenwood, knife in hand and took off down the main hallway, frantically searching for my brother. I shoved open bedroom doors, broom closets, basically any door I could find. Finally, when I was almost at the point of giving up, I realized I hadn't checked Connor's office.

How could I be so stupid?!

I tore down the hallway, almost falling more than once. As I neared my destination, I heard voices from within.

Bingo.

I peeked around the corner and saw Vargan confronting Jaron. Before I could enter the room, however, a figure rushed past me into the office.

Connor?

He charged at Vargan, who was now holding a knife over Jaron, who was pinned to the desk. I held back a cry as Vargan whirled around and slashed Connor across the chest, sending him gasping to the floor. Jaron broke free of his captor and knelt at Connor's side. Vargan, taking his chance, stood poised to strike above him, dagger gleaming in the cold evening light streaming in through the window. He was ready to kill.

I didn't hesitate. I just acted. Dashing forward, I lept onto Vargan from behind, stabbing his back and making him lose his balance and stagger backwards, away from his victim. He slammed me into a wall and I dropped my knife, losing my grip on him. He spun around and with surprising strength, held me against the wall with one hand and with the other drove his dagger deep into my shoulder. I let out an agonized scream, stars threatening to take over my vision again. The searing pain that exploded in my shoulder was like nothing I'd ever experienced before, and that was saying something.
Jaron gave a furious cry and though my vision was blurring, I saw him tackle Vargan and pull him away from me. Falling to the ground, I let out a choking sound as I felt the knife twist slightly. I knew I should stay still, but I tried to push myself back up.

I had to help my brother.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Roden come into the doorway, silhouetted against the fading light. His searching eyes fell on me and he was by my side within seconds. My breathing was labored as I willed myself to stay awake, to hold on. Another group of men appeared at the entrance, but I made no effort to make out who.

"I'm going to pull it out," Roden swallowed as he gently grabbed the hilt of the dagger.

There was a puddle of blood on the ground below me now, and it was growing larger by the minute.

"Okay," I breathed out.

"Ready?" Roden asked, wincing.

I glared at him.

"One. Two. Three."

Gasping, I cried out and slumped to the side, the hard, bloody floor cold beneath me. I could feel Roden wrapping something around my shoulder, but I could also feel myself fading.

I'd just lost too much blood.

This time, when everything began to blur together and go yet again, I was not consumed by darkness as I always was, but by light. It wasn't a harsh, white light, no. It was a warm, inviting light that greeted me like an old friend, enveloped me, and lifted me up off the floor, carrying me home.

And I was finally at peace.