Chapter 3

“I love you still,” his words echo in my brain and I can’t help but try to puzzle out their meaning. Love me? How could he love me? How could he know in those few minutes that we spoke that I haven’t changed?  And if he does truly love me, what kind of man is he that he would murder his love’s family? I don’t want the love of a man like that.

As far as I am concerned, Richard is dead. If not dead in the literal sense, then dead to me.

I shiver with cold and exhaustion. My eyes threaten to close, but there is much to do before I can sleep. I dismount the horse that I have now rechristened Blaze. Both because of his reddish hue and also a reminder of the flames that encircled Richard.

Another riddle that I have yet discover the meaning to. The flames must have been brought by a sorcerer’s hand, but I do not have the skill and I do not know anyone who does. “Whoever it was, I am thankful,” I say out loud, in case the magic-user is near enough to hear me. At the same time I curse myself for being so weak. How could I have not claimed vengeance on my parents’ deaths?

I do not dare to build a fire. I am not fool enough to believe that I am safe yet. Instead I rummage through the saddlebags that belonged to the soldier who rode Blaze. It contained a light blanket, a few days ration of dried fruit, three different sized knives: one for meat and two for defense, a water canteen, and a spare change of clothes.

I take the saddle of the horse and tie the reins to a bent sapling. I do not trust Blaze to not wander off, leaving me alone in the middle of the wood, yet.

Everything is done at a sluggish pace, until finally I lay out the blanket and collapse my self on it. Once I am adjusted, I pull the second half of the blanket over me as cover.

I’m tired past falling asleep. I focus on my breathing. In. out. In. out. Finally my mind wanders into the dream realm.

 

I wake up with a coating of sweat all over me and tears dripping down my face. I don’t remember the dream, which only makes it worse. I’m shaking and my breath comes in small gasps.

Blaze whinnies a warning. And then I hear  it. The pounding of hooves. I don’t have much time before the reach us. I quickly throw the blanket in the saddle bag. Then I saddle Blaze and untie him front the tree. AN arrow breezes by me, missing me by about an inch as I mount.

 Blaze does not need much coaxing to run. He charges at full gallop deeper into the woods. I can barley see, the only light coming from the moon and trees mostly blocking even that.

We fly over a dead tree lying on the forest floor. I’m glad that this horse was trained to jump as well, for it would have given our pursuers a chance to gain on us. They have been creeping closer as it is.

“Shoot!” I hear the commander order.

I flatten myself as much as possible on Blaze as a cloud of arrows fly past me. Only one hit its mark, puncturing my arm just below the shoulder. White-hot pain blinds me and it is all I can do not to fall of the horse.

I ignore the pain the wound as best as I can, but it is hard with the blood soaking through the fabric of my dress.

 “Shoot!” I hear the commander yell again. I steer Blaze to the side, causing all the archers to miss. They are falling behind now, for shooting on horseback is no easy feet. Still, I cannot dodge the arrows forever. Sooner or later the commander will realize his mistake. As if he can read my mind, he calls out the next order. “Fire at will!”

With the archers firing at all different times there is no way for me to evade the arrows. I will die, plain and simple. I will join my mother and father in the heavens.

As the first of the deadly weapons come hurdling towards me, I think of my mother and father and the rest of my village, fighting rather than allowing them to take me. And in many cases dying rather than offering me to them.  I cannot die now.

“Fresen!” I scream. Then the hoof-beats stop. Still galloping, I chance a look behind me. The archers and their horses are frozen in place, mid-action. Their arrows are also frozen mid-air.

Then I know. I know that it was me who had caused this. 

Reviews

[Krista Weiss]

Really good! Can't wait for the next chapter to come!! :)

[Dominique]

Amazing. How does she have this power???? Hmmm, I can't wait for the next chapter now!!!

[Pencrafter]

Your story is exciting and intriguing, with logical flow and good characterization. I would suggest a little more on the scene descriptions. Also, there are a few minor errors. A little past the middle of the chapter there are a couple of things you might change. "Then I saddle Blaze and untie him
(in) front the tree. AN (An) arrow breezes by me, missing me by about an inch as I mount." Not a big deal but little mistakes distract from an otherwise excellent story.

[Odayin]

This was one of your better chapters. Really nicely done. You describe the thoughts of the character very well and your ska riot one and adjectives were great. Your storlyine also got a lot better, I love the idea of someone with magic powers and no idea they have them..how they got them..or even how they keep using them.
Great job Brooklyn

[Sophie]

I have no words.
No words to praise you with for this is too amazing. Just.
Just.
Gahhhhh.
One grammar issue: 'no easy feet' should be feat