A Ward's Tale

Chapter 6

As we come upon one of the greenhouses, I can feel Lola's presence inside. I stop suddenly aware that I have no plan, no way of rescuing her if there are guards inside, which there most likely are. Peter senses my hesitance and wraps my fingers around the hair pin that lead us here. He holds onto my hand with both of his and looks into my eyes with his deep gray eyes.

He looks down at my hand and draws something on the back of my hand with his finger. Two parallel lines with one perpendicular drawn through them. My skin glows where he touched me then fades to a hardly noticeable mark. That explains how he has so many on his body. What it means is a mystery.

"We can do this. Follow my lead, we will save your sisters." Peter says. I stare at him amazed that he, a complete stranger, would do so much to help me.

Peter lets go of my hand and whispers something as he waves a hand over the door. There is an almost inaudible click of the lock then the door swings open silently. We move inside quietly. I notice that even though there are puddles on the floor we make no sound as we walk through them.

As this greenhouse was one of the smaller ones on the palace grounds. We quickly come upon some of the darkly dressed men talking. We stay hidden in the shadows, sneaking around as we look for Lola and Margret. I spot them in a far corner. They are laying down asleep. They must have had a sleeping potion on the rags they covered Lola and Margaret's mouths with. At least, I hope they are just asleep.

"This will be perfect. The King will propose a nice reward for the return of his two daughters and after we collect the reward we can be out of this awful kingdom." One of the men say greedily.

"We should have a little fun with the girls first." A man to the right snickers as he looks hungrily at Margaret. Peter grabs my arm to keep me from running out and stabbing the man right then and there.

"No. They have to be in prime condition or else we will be headed to the gallows. No, they must be fully in tack and must never see us. We will keep them on the sleeping potion until the King offers his reward." A man to the left says. He is obviously the leader of this little group of five men.

"Harold, we have company." A booming voice says behind me. Excuse me, he is the leader of this little group of six men. This man reaches down to grab me but I jump away. Then I realize that Peter is nowhere in sight. Did he abandon me? Was this a set up? I shake the thought away and prepare myself.

I stand to my feet and raise my sword preparing myself against the giant who stands before me. As I ready myself for his first move, the giant goes cross-eyed and crumples to the ground. I watch him fall then look up to see Peter with a shovel. He places a finger to his lips to warn me to keep quiet then he disappears into the shadows again.

By this time two other men have found me and I prepare myself again. The first man doesn't see it coming as I stab him in the gut. He falls. He isn't dead, but without proper help he will be soon. It will be a slow and agonizing death. The second man draws his own sword and blocks my next attack.

The man is good but I am fast and in a last second move cut him down. I rush to Margaret and Lola's sides to check on them. The other men have either left or are hiding. Either of which I don't care. I check their breathing and do a quick look over to see only minor bruising. They seem to be fine.

I'm so focused on them that I don't hear the man come up behind me until it's too late. He places a blade under my chin and tells me to stand. I obey, rising slowly.

"Come out whoever you are or the girl will bleed." He says. The cold blade bites my neck as he presses it closer. Peter doesn't show himself. I restrain from crying out as I feel blood start to seep down my neck slowly.