The Toy Prince

15. Ursula

"Stay here until its safe," she said to her Oma before running after Niklaus.

"Ursula!"

She ignored her Oma's distress cry. Her sole focus was on getting Niklaus back into the shop. As she ran she saw a pair of heavy scissors that could make a good weapon. Ursula scooped them up, holding them close to her chest as she reached the street.

It was like walking into a full crowd even though there weren't actually that many people actually in the square itself. At a rough count, Ursula guessed that there were forty people fighting. The whole thing was a cacophony of noise and a blur of motion that could make any sane person pause before entering the fray. Ursula was scared but not for herself. She was scared for Niklaus. He'd come out here with no weapon and still weak from his imprisonment. He would be an easy target for any of the fighters out here.

She looked for him in the midst of the fighting but he was nowhere to be seen. She on the other hand was very visible and one of the many uniformed men was now stalking towards her. He was definitely not friendly.

He made to grab her. Somehow Ursula managed to snake out of the way and last out with the scissors. They caught his arm, cutting deep enough to draw blood. He pulled it back, hissing in pain but it didn't stop him for long.

He lunged for her again and this time he managed to knock her to the ground. She fell hard, her grip loosening until she dropped the scissors.

"Stop struggling little girl!" her attacked muttered, helpfully pulling her to her feet.

She had no intention of listening to him and did the complete opposite. She started desperately clawing and wriggling in the hopes that pure animal instinct would overcome her attacker's training. She must have resembled a struggling fish, which would have made her laugh at any other time but now she was just praying that he would slip up and let go.

It worked.

His grip on her arm loosened enough for her to pull free. Acting on pure instinct she kicked out. Her foot connected with his sternum and he doubled over in pain. He was by no means incapacitated though.

Once she kicked him again, between the legs this time, he went down and didn't get back up. Ursula didn't want to turn her back on him but she had to. She started to scan the crowd again. This time she could see Niklaus. He was running after his Father and both were going towards the street where the doorway was. She took off after them.

"Nik!" she shouted as she ran.

She was too far away for him to actually hear her so he didn't respond. Ursula sped up, trying to catch them before they disappeared.

She rounded the corner in time to see Conrad disappearing through the doorway. Niklaus was close on his heels. She had no other choice but to follow them.

. . .

She ran smack bang into Niklaus when she exited through the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed, lowering a knife that he'd been ready to plunge into her before he'd recognised her. "I told you to stay where you were."

Ursula shoved him. "And I told you not to go. Looks like we're both good at not following orders."

If looks could kill then she'd be dead. He was really angry with her and that made her angry. He had no right to be. She was trying to help him after all.