BRIDE OF JERU

A ransom

The hunting grounds were deep in the forest, an hour's ride from the city. The trees grew thick here, blocking out most of the sunlight.

I dismounted and helped Naamah down from her horse. Her hand was cold in mine, and she pulled away the moment her feet touched the ground.

"Listen carefully," I said to everyone. "We'll split into two groups. Marduk, you take the maid and head west. Look for deer tracks near the stream."

"And you?" Marduk asked.

"I'll take the princess east. There's usually wild boar in that area."

Shira looked nervous. "My lord, should I not stay with my lady?"

"She'll be fine with me," I said firmly.

Naamah's expression shifted, but she said nothing.

Marduk smirked. "Be careful, brother. Don't let the boars get you."

"Just go."

He laughed and led Shira's horse toward the western path. I watched them disappear into the trees, then turned to Naamah.

"Stay close to me," I said. "And stay quiet. We're hunting, not taking a walk."

She nodded once, her face blank.

We moved through the forest quietly , with my bow and arrow in my hand.

I glanced back at Naamah. She was watching everything, taking in the trees, the sounds, the way the light filtered through the branches. For a moment, she looked almost peaceful with nature.

Then I heard a loud cracked.

I stopped. holding up my hand for silence.

Naamah stopped immediately, her eyes locked on me.

I listened carefully, the birds had gone quiet. The forest was still, overly quiet than before. I sensed something was off.

I took another step this time more stealthy.

Then I heard it. Another twig snapping so hard I could tell it wasn't from an animal but a human force.

My hand went to my sword. "We need to go back," I said quietly.

"What? Why?"

"Now, Naamah. Move."

I turned, pulling her behind me, but before we could take three steps, some men stepped out from behind the trees.

Five of them. Maybe six. Dressed in black clothes, faces covered with cloth, they drew their weapons.

Bandits.

Naamah gasped and grabbed my arm. I could feel her shaking.

One of the bandit stepped forward, holding a short sword in his hand.

"Well, well. What do we have here? A king and his pretty bird, all alone in the woods."

"You're making a mistake," I said calmly.

"Let us pass and I'll forget this happened."

The man laughed. "King Ashur, Imagine the ransom we'll get for you not that ransom is in question right now."

He turned to Naamah.

"And the girl too. She looks expensive, I bet she'll fetch a good price for a pretty slave."

I stepped in front of her, blocking his view. "Touch her and you'll die screaming."

"Big words for a man surrounded." The bandit gestured to his companions. They spread out, circling us.

Naamah's hand tightened on my arm. "Ashur," she whispered with fear in her voice.

I looked at her briefly. Her face was pale, her eyes wide. She was terrified.

I had to choice a make.

Fight, and risk her getting hurt in the chaos. Or surrender, and hope I could negotiate our way out.

If I fought, I might kill two or three of them before they overwhelmed me. But Naamah had no weapon, no training. She'd be defenseless. One of them could grab her, hurt her, or worse.

My hand tightened on my sword hilt. The bandits moved closer, their weapons gleaming in the filtered sunlight.

Naamah pressed against my back, her breathing quick and panicked.

"What's it going to be, Your Majesty?" the lead bandit asked, his smile visible even through the cloth over his face. "You going to die a hero? Or live long enough to pay us?"

They knew who I was meaning they weren't just bandit and we weren't getting out of this alive.

I decided to stall for time

"If you want a ransom, you'll need me alive."

"True."

The bandit shook his head.

"But we don't need a ransom for you right now, maybe we need her alive. Just pretty enough to sell."

Behind me, Naamah made a small, frightened sound.

And I realized something I didn't want to admit.

I was worried for her, not because of pride but because I cared for her and I would kill every single one of these men before I let them touch her.

"Stay behind me."

From the very first day I saw her, something in me shifted. Something that made me accept her as a gift of peace and not demand the entire kingdom of Jeru. And now, right here, I'd brought her straight into danger.

I counted the men closest to her and myself without moving my head. Six total. If I were alone, I could handle them easily. But I had her with me.

The lead bandit stepped closer, his sword pointed at my chest. "Last chance, King. Drop your weapon."

I looked at Naamah over my shoulder. .

"Don't move from that spot," I told her quietly. "No matter what happens."

She nodded.

I turned back to the bandits and drew my sword fully. "Come at me."

The first man rushed forward with a wild yell, swinging his blade in a wide arc. Amateur. I sidestepped easily and brought my sword down on his wrist. He screamed and dropped his weapon, clutching his bleeding arm.

Two more came at once, one from each side. I blocked the first strike with my blade and kicked the second man hard in the knee. Bone crunched. He went down howling.

The first attacker swung again, but his movements were sloppy.

I ducked under his swing and drove my elbow into his throat. He choked and stumbled back, gasping for air.

"Is this the best you have?" I called out, breathing hard. "Street rats playing soldier?"

The lead bandit's face darkened with anger. "Kill him!"

Three more rushed me at once but they couldn't do much, they were all untrained.

For a moment I felt relieved, these weren't soldiers but just ordinary men posing to be bandits.

Behind me, I heard Naamah gasp. "Ashur!"

I glanced back quickly. She was still where I'd left her, both hands pressed to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror.

One of the wounded bandits tried to crawl toward his dropped sword. I stomped on his hand, grinding his fingers into the dirt. He screamed.

"Stay down," I growled.

The lead bandit and two others circled me now, more cautious. They'd seen what I could do.

"You're good," the leader admitted. "Better than I expected. But you're getting tired, aren't you? And we still have her."

He nodded toward Naamah.

Rage flared hot in my chest. "You won't touch her."

"We'll see."

They attacked together this time, coordinated. The leader came high while his companion went low. I blocked the high strike but had to jump back from the low sweep.

My heel caught on a root. I stumbled.

The third man saw his opening and lunged.

I brought my sword up just in time, our blades clashing with a sharp ring. He pressed forward, using his weight to push me back.

We locked blades, face to face. His breath stank of rotted teeth and cheap wine.

I headbutted him. His nose crunched and blood sprayed. He fell back, screaming.

I pressed forward, striking hard and fast. My sword bit into flesh, opening wounds, breaking bones. The lead bandit tried to rally his men, but they were falling apart.

"Regroup!" he yelled. "Get behind"

just then I saw it coming from afar

an arrow aimed at my back.

I started to turn, but I was too slow and focused on the men in front of me.

Then someone slammed into me from the side.

Naamah.

She threw herself between me and the arrow and it sunk into her shoulder instead of my back.

She fell down, bleeding.