It did not take long for my father to decide we were too out in the open. We had quickly jumped in the water and were using the canoe as cover. Our progress was slow and awkward as we swam to the bank.

I heard arrows hitting the side of the boat and fear had finally risen above my shock as my hand slipped on the slick surface of the boat.

“Lya, breathe.” Looking up at him I did not see fear in his eyes, only determination. I quickly nodded and took a deep breath, trying to calm some of the anxiety that had started to rise to the surface.

“Who are they?” I whispered.

“I do not know” was all he said in reply. His eyes were slowly scanning the area around us.

As we drew closer to the bank, he said “We are out of the reach of their arrows, but they knew that as soon as we did.” He looked at me with worry before continuing “we must move quickly, stay down, do not look back, and make for the trees.”

I gulped and nodded as I felt my feet touch the muddy ground under the water. “What do they want?”

“That does not matter, what matters is getting out of this alive.” He said before he quickly pushed himself out of the water and grabbed a lengthy object out from under the seat of the boat. It was narrow and covered with a cloth. I was curious but said nothing as we stayed hunkered down behind the boat.

In a matter of moments we would be rushing to the trees, luckily the distance was not far, but an arrow can move faster than my two feet. I hoped with all my heart that they had not made it to the other side. I jumped as I felt my father's hand on my shoulder.

“We will make it out this, Lya, I promise.” With that he pulled a sword out of the wet cloth. “Be brave and stay close.” I didn't have time to respond as he ushered me forward.

I ran as fast as I could, fear driving me forward. I heard my father's heavy boots behind me, the sound reassuring me that he would keep us safe. I glanced over my shoulder and just as I did I saw a man run out of the woods. I gasped as he drew his bow. “Run Lya!” My father yelled as the arrow whooshed right past his shoulder and embedded itself in the dirt beyond.

I turned and pushed myself further, we were almost there. I thanked fair Lady Idra as my feet found the soft grass under the trees. I ducked behind one quickly, expecting my father to be right behind me. I looked around anxiously before I spotted him not far away tangling with a man dressed all in black. His head and face were covered and he brandished a long sword. The man with the bow was nowhere to be seen.

I watched in horror as my father dodged the attackers blows with ones of his own. The minutes seemed to turn to hours as they fought. I didn't know what to do. Even if I had a weapon, my lessons have never progressed past a practice dummy.

Suddenly, I heard something from beyond and felt someone grab me from behind. I tried to scream but whoever it was had put their hand over my mouth. I kicked backwards and was pleased as I felt my foot collide with something. They let go but before I could run I felt a hard kick to my back and I collapsed on the ground in pain.

I heard my attacker swear as he yanked me to my feet. “Shut up girl, we are not after you, but make this harder on yourself and I'll make your end painful.”

At that he tied a rope around my arms and mouth led me deeper into the woods. I heard the clanging of swords behind me. Father was still alive. I had to get to him.

I considered my options. What could one twelveyear old girl do against a heavily armed man? My hands were bound and I couldn't call for help. I was stuck. My mind raced as I felt the man's hand grip tighter on my shoulder before he let go completely and threw me to the side.

My face collided with the ground as I heard the sounds of a battle behind me. I felt blood dripping down my lip as I struggled to get up.

Once I finally managed my task, I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw my father. That relief did not last long, however.

I could tell he was injured as he fought, his left arm was dangling by his side. When he turned, I saw a deep gash run from his shoulder blade to his elbow. The fact that he was still fighting showed just how determined he was to keep his promise.

I tried to get out of the binds. I did not know what I was going to do, but he needed help. I turned to look all around me and saw nothing. There was nothing! No rocks or sharp objects. Of course real life would not bless me like the heroes in the books I have read.

I looked up when I saw that our attacker had knocked my father off his feet. I panicked as I watched him struggle to dodge the next blow. He rolled to the side and kicked the man's sword from his grasp. It flew to the side landing far out of reach. He jumped up and I could see the pain and fatigue written all over his face as he prepared to strike once again.

The other man recovered quickly. He gracefully eluded my father's next blow and pulled another sword from his back, it was smaller, but just as deadly. The man moved like water, this was no mere bandit. His movements were swift and refined. He was trained to kill. They were trained to kill, I corrected myself. There were at least three of them. One with the bow, the one on the shore my dad fought and hopefully killed, and this one.

Where did they come from? They were clearly after my father, but why? Everybody loved him, he was a likeable man. He was kind, thoughtful, and patient. Why would someone try to kill him? None of this made any sense!

I struggled to get on my feet, a task that was indeed difficult with no hands. If I could get to the sword I could use it to cut my binds. Maybe then I could do something to help father.

When I finally got to my feet, I ran to the sword and awkwardly bent down. This was not going to work. The angle was just too difficult. I sat down and turned my back to the sword, trying to get it in a position where I could cut it. I flinched as I felt the blade nick my arm and felt the warm trickle of blood run down my arm.

I heard a shout and someone fall, but I tried to tune it out as I worked to cut the binds.

Tears welled in my eyes, as silence fell around me. I shut them tight as I gave up on my task. It was over. Whatever happened next was out of my control.

I screamed as hands gripped my shoulders.