Chapter 21

The Baron stepped aside, waiting for Claire to come out. She hesitated, her mind spinning as she tried to think of a way out. From the torchlights there were at least a dozen of them. All waiting outside the carriage for them.

“Now Princess or we’ll have to burn you out…” Baron Rills called out.

Claire grimaced, and nodded to Jill. They would burn alive if Rills had them light the carriage. She signaled to Kerri, and they started to leave. Jill in front holding Elrik hostage, Claire right after with her sword drawn, and Kerri following behind.

Baron Rills stepped away as they came out, a serious expression on his face as he watched the three of them. They stepped out cautiously, using Elrik as a shield. He yelled at them to let him go untill Jill slammed the pommel of her sword into the back of his head knocking him out. They came to a halt just outside of the carriage.

Claire confirmed a dozen knights, in a loose semi-circle around them. Some were still on horse back while others had dismounted waiting for Rills’ direction. Their hands never strayed far from their hilts as they faced the trio.

Rills smirked as he looked at their defensive stances, “It’s good to see you again Princess, I hope your journey so far has been well…”

“So, what is this Rills?” Claire asked angrily, “You trying to get a ransom or something?”

“No Princess…” Rills chuckled, his gut shaking with each laugh. “Unfortunately for you, I need you to die tonight.”

The ease in which he said it made Claire queasy. “Does Nile know about this?” She asked seriously. Claire had never gotten along with her half-brother but found it hard to believe he’d go this far.

“Of course, I always follow his orders to the letter.” Rills said proudly. “Its your own fault for getting yourself into this mess. If you had stayed in the capital like a good little princess, it wouldn’t have come to this.”

“So, he knew about the Blessings all along? He actually ordered those knights to attack the village?” Claire asked in disbelief.

“Blessings? Did you fall for whatever God story they’re still giving?” Rills laughed again, “They have a Shard obviously. One that rightfully belongs to the Kingdom. Their lives are nothing compared to what a second Shard would do for the Kingdom.”

“You can’t just kill me and act like nothing happened” Claire replied as she looked around at her escape options. They could cut free one of the horses from the carriage if they were fast enough. But would never make it on open ground. She looked over Rills’ head to the looming trees behind. It was only a mile or so to the Deep Forest…

“Of course not, we already prepared a grand tale of your epic death. I bet the King even grants you a medal.” Rills said arrogantly

“And what’s that?” Claire asked, as her hand slowly drew out “Carriage Horse” on Jill’s back.

“Insurgents from Lutel unfortunately. I’ll tell the King all about how bravely you fought so word could get back. Luckily I was nearby and heroically avenged you.” Rills’ snickered.

“You think, you can take on that village with just this?” Claire laughed as she signaled to Kerri as well.

“It shouldn’t be a problem. The rest of the 3rd Knight order will be on its way in the morning. In 3 days almost a hundred knights and 3 Shard users will arrive.” Rills said unconcerned. He waved at his men, who drew and started to press forward, closing in on the three ladies.

“Now Princess there’s no reason for this to be messy, why don’t you and your maids drop your weapons and I’ll let you die with some dignity at least.” Rills’ said through his smile.

Claire gave Jill a thump on the back before sprinting towards the horses. Behind her Jill quickly slit Elrik’s throat before throwing his body towards the approaching knights. Kerri took out the bag she had been hiding and threw its contents, a mix of herbs and spices they had gotten from a merchant from the Confederation.

The dust reached several of the knights who immediately coughed and wheezed, their eye’s burning as they fell to the ground hands on their throats. The others charged in confronting the two maids while others went to head Claire off.

As Claire ran, she was surprised by her own speed, feeling a sudden rush of unfamiliar energy, she thought back to the warm light Tirr had used on her and was amazed once again at its affects. She reached once of the horses quickly and cut through one side of the harness in a swing. Before she could move around to the other side, three of the knights reached her.

She felt a scoring lance across her back, and she turned quickly to block a second blow. She dodged another, cut into one of the knight’s arms before slashing through another’s throat. She finished cutting the horse out of the harness and kicked the remaining knight back, swing the horse around towards her companions.

Both maids were hard pressed, covered in wounds as they tried to hold out. All three of them had trained together since childhood, but the difference in equipment and numbers was too much.

Claire Jumped up on to the horse kicking it into a gallop towards them. She could hear Rills screaming orders as she barreled into the knight’s surrounding Jill, forcing them to jump out of the way. She reached down to pick up Jill, scooping her onto the horse behind her, before shifting towards Kerri.

Kerri ran from the knights towards them her hand reaching out for Claire’s own. A sudden twang interrupted them though. An arrow sprouted through the back of Kerri’s neck just as her hand reached Claire’s. Claire tried to catch her, but she fell. Blood gurgling in her throat as they went past her fallen body

Baron Rills’ stood next to a group of knights with bows in their hands, still shouting orders. The other knights released, and arrows thudded into Claire’s thigh and the horse’s shoulder.

Claire took one last look back at her fallen friend, then at Jill, holding on behind her. Jill simply nodded, ignoring the tears in her own eyes. Claire whipped the reins once more as they continued, moving closer and closer to the forest ahead.

Behind her she could hear the remaining knights mounting their own steeds as they chased. More arrows whipped past them and she heard Jill grunt behind her as one struck her back. Claire pushed on crying as she called for the horse to go faster.

They shot into the forest’s edge, striking through branches and leaves as they moved. The knights followed behind them closing in on their injured horse. Claire continue to push the animal as hard as she could, hoping to lose them within the forest.

There was a jolt as the flagging horse tripped on a fallen log. Claire felt herself being thrown forward. She crashed into the ground feeling her arm twist under her as she rolled. She heard Jill land beside her and reached for her. Her vison filtered with blood.

She heard the knights arriving behind her and prepared herself for the end. Instead though she heard a yell, and then a scream. She forced herself to look up, her vision cloudy as she slipped into unconsciousness, and saw a large pair of golden eyes’ looking down at her curiously as she lost the last of her strength…