Alexandria: The Rebel Princess

Chapter 14 - Part 2

The wind blows against my skin and I wrap my cloak around myself tighter. From atop this tree, I can see the whole battlefield between the leaves concealing me. It was far from fair, the Northern Clan scrambled around in barely any armour, most were hardly clothed from their abrupt waking. The King's shining metal soldiers, easily clobbered them. It was clear how outnumbered we were, but I could do something. I have to. Grabbing an arrow, I drew back my bow, scanning my surroundings. 

Releasing an arrow into the exposed neck of a soldier I flinched as his blood splattered across one of the rebels beneath him. The man stabbed him from underneath and quickly  shoved him off. Taking his blade, the man raced to fight the next soldier.

Arrow after arrow I released them over and over, not daring to look down at the soldiers as I caused their blood to flow across the forest floors. Tears poured down my cheeks and froze them. Angrily, I brushed them back.

A man in a mere beast plate, painted like the night rushes out of the back of a tent, attacking the rebel he chases. Taking aim, I watch him cut through any man he passes, heading straight for the next tent. Releasing my arrow, I watch it spiral towards it's target and stop. He spun around grabbing the arrow. How? I trembled slightly. Flexing his fist, he snapped the thin wood in half. He is too far away, but somehow his head lifts up towards where I am hidden behind leaves. Sucking in a breath, I reached for another arrow with a trembling hand. Carelessly, releasing it. The man charged for my tree, side stepping my arrow. Groaning, I grabbed another and panic pushed my lungs into a frenzy. My vision blurred with lack of oxygen, and I shot blindly down at the base of the trunk.

The man grabs the lower branch and with a powerful swing, he launched towards me. Scrambling to grab another arrow, I'm knocked from the tree. Falling from it, I barely manage a squeak because the air is ripped from my lungs. A wicked pain ripped through my back and the man groans as he lands overtop of me in a straddle. My hood covers my eyes, but I can still feel the world spinning. The brittle stick of my arrow rolls off my fingers.

My head aches with a pulse, his thighs dig into my hips and I can feel him reaching to the side, towards where I had abandoned my arrow. Shoving desperately, I feel the cold metal of a blade at his side. With all my might, I tug the sword out of the sheath. The sword slid over me. A screech of metal grinds against the blade and it's heavy weight crashes against my chest. The man thrusted my arrow down, scoring the blade. Gasping, I kick my knee up, hitting him in the bottom sending him forward. His arms fall at my side, and I thrust my fingers into his face. Digging my fingers into his eyes, he cries, flings himself away from me.

I recall the familiar voice of Howard. "You little shit," he groans. 

It was true, all along Tristan knew they would kill me in this battle. Rolling away, I feel him grab my neck, yanking me back along the dirt. His fist comes swinging towards me and I throw up my hands screaming.

"Stop," I wail, "Howard stop!"

The hand stops, and then I feel him prying my hands from my face.

"Chloe?" Howard blinks down at me.

Xavier, I need him. Uncle, Tristan anyone! Fear jolts me upright and I shove Howard with all my strength. Still caught in a daze he falls back. Scrambling to my feet, I lunge for the heart of the battlefield, the only place I can find those who will save me.

"Chloe stop!" Howard grabs my ankle and I smash into the ground. Desperately, clawing to escape him as he drags me back. Climbing over top of me, he pins my hands beside me, and hisses in my ear, "Are you insane! You're dressed like a man!"

"Get off me," I cry in plea.

Fear quakes inside me, his angry expression burns down into my soul. They're here again, here with the King's men. Against me. These are my enemies! Slamming my knee into his groin, his eyes widen. Void of any emotion, his fingers flex and squeeze my wrists for a split second, before I'm released and he falls to his side, clutching himself in agony.