Chapter Twelve

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After the nights celebrations, Rose had taken to her bed and snuggled in her covers. She had been given a tent of her own and had slept soundly throughout the night, exhaustion taking hold of her.

Suddenly,  she was awoken by terrible screams and a figure storming into her tent. Is was Robin.

"Rose, we've got to go!" He shouted as she jumped from the bed. "Why? What's happening?" She asked still half asleep.

"Do you remember the  bandits from the river?"

"Yes, why?" She asked, "well they're here, and there is more of them", he hurried, a look of fear in his eyes. "We've got to go now!" He shouted, "wait let me just get changed", she pleaded, "there is no time" Robin urged and grabbed the satchel at the bottom of her bed as they both ran out the tent.

The camp was ablaze and men in black attire stormed the grounds. Tents were engulfed in the never forgiving flames and villagers screamed, rushing to their young. Rose held on to Robin's hand as they ran through the crowd. By a large oak tree, they found Cornelia waiting, tending to the wounds on a small child.

"Cornelia! What's happening?" Rose cried, as she stopped to catch her breath. Cornelia looked up, a look of concern on her face. " it seems you are being hunted my child", she explained, "you must hurry, flee from this place!"

"But what about you?!" Rose cried as Robin tried to lead her away, "don't worry about me. You are the forests last hope of survival".

"I won't leave you!" Rose shouted, "you've got too", Cornelia smiled, her hand to Rose's face. Cornelia looked down to her pocket and pulled out a violet flower, blooming from an emerald stem. "Here take this, it's Vervain and grows not to far from these parts, use it wisely", she whispered, before hugging Rose.

There it was, the second ingredient to save Moonacre. Rose took the Vervain, a thankful look of gratitude flooding her face. "Thank you Cornelia, you've done so much for me", Rose cried, before cautiously turning around and following Robin.

"Remember my child, don't lose hope and love concurs all", Cornelia called after her. Rose turned to wave at the old woman, flames lighting up her back ground as they ran deeper and deeper into the woods.

It had felt like they had been running for hours, and Rose had tears streaming down her face. Please let them be all right. Rose prayed, as she thought of the villagers and Cornelia. Rose kept running, however suddenly, a sharp pain appeared in Rose's head. "Ahhhh", she screamed as she collapsed to her knees. "Rose what's happening?" Robin cried, bending down to help her.

Rose couldn't concentrate, all that she could feel was excruciating and antagonising pain in her head. Her insides, screaming for release. "Ahhhh!" She screamed again, before collapsing to the floor and shaking.

A panicked Robin had no idea what to do! What was going on? The black soldiers could be near them and he had to hide her. He picked up her shaking, unconscious body in his arms and carried her through the trees. He needed a place to hide. Rose's arms fell limp in his grip and her hair fell overnight his arm, swaying with each step he took.

The men from the shadows drew nearer, just as the sun rose from the east. Rose couldn't stop shaking, losing all control of mind and body. Robin could hardly carry her in his arms. He made a dash round a large oak tree, however, who should be greeting him round the trunk was a familiar, yet not so agreeable face.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise, I was beginning to fear we'd never find you", a cold and sly voice mocked as they emerged from behind the tree.

With the crunching of leaves under each step, a tall, muscular young man approached them, golden strands of hair falling over his face. He had a smirk planted on his lips as he looked down at Robin. "Seems our positions have been switched", he teased as he bit into a leafy, green apple.

The Other Curse ~ Robin De Noir [2]Where stories live. Discover now