The Prince and His Maid

17: A violent face off

*Naria*

I am so very worried about Arion, he seems so pale and fragile, laying there in the bed and the bleeding has only made him look worse. My thoughts keep lingering on him and what could be wrong, both day and night.

I am standing totally engrossed in my own thoughts folding up clothes, when I suddenly feel someone grabbing my ass rather hard and then their is a drunken whisper. “Well hello there, sexy little lady.. you and me are going to finally have some fun”

 "No, and please don't touch me Phipp". I try to move away from his hands. I never liked Phipp, he seems so sleazy to me and I have always had the feeling that Arion don't really like him either.

He chuckles in a way that almost sound evil. “Oh no my dear, there is no escape. I have had my eyes on you for a long time, and now I don't want to wait any longer".

I start to feel panic rise in my throat, together with the bile. I know Arion has been protecting me. A lot of men of the higher classes sees this as their right and the soldiers probably wouldn’t dare help me if they saw it. The mere thought of another man touching my body makes me feel faint and nauseated.

I try struggling of course, to get free from his grip. But to be honest I am scared of hurting him. It could be turned on me and cause me a world of trouble. He turns me around, pressing my upper body down on the table.

"Don't you feel nice and soft, a little scrawny but that’s okay, I can work with that". His hands is on my legs running up under my dress, he is using his body to keep me pressed down on the table.

He is pulling at my undergarment, trying to remove it with fought hands and I feel tears streaming down my face.

When I think all is lost I hear the most beautiful and welcome voice in the world, even though Arion’s voice is cold as ice right now. “Let her go Phipp. Let her go right now and run as fast as you can”.

"Protecting your little w***e I see". Phipp says, pushing me away. Suddenly he has his sword in his hand. "You will be dead soon anyway, but why don't I be a true gentleman and end your misery right now ?"

Arion pulls out his own sword. "Phipp don't do this, think of your family. Just leave.. leave and never show your face here again. And for their sake I am willing to just forget this".

“Oh this is so you Arion, always playing the princely hero. Thinking you are better than the rest of us”. He hisses through cleaned teeth, as he is slowly moving closer to Arion.

To be honest, I am very scared for him right now. Normally I would have no doubt that Arion could easily take Phipp, but he is sick, weak and dizzy right now.

Phipp launches forward, attacking Arion with a vicious blow, but Arion seems to easily parry it with his own sword. Phipp’s voice is acidic. "I should let you die slowly and painfully, but I will take great joy in personally ending you".

I feel like screaming as I watch the fight. I am scared it could be to much for Arion in his weakened state. What if Phipp actually kills him ? Should I run and get some guards ? But I am frozen to the spot, feeling unable to tear myself away.

I gasp out loud when Phipp get a stab through, luckily it only graces Arion’s arm, as he twists out of the way. And as Phipp opens his defences doing it, Arion swirls back, pushing through, his sword impaling Phipp’s stomach.

He looks down, like he is wondering what just happened, coughing weakly. Then he lifts his head and smile at Arion with blood stained teeth. “Funny though, you are still going to die and there is nothing that stupid priest can do about it”.

Arion falls to his knees at the same time as Phipp crumbles. He is breathing hard and very ragged and I run to his side as his sword clatters to the floor. “Arion are you okay ? Please look at me babe”.

I fall to my knees next to him, only just managing to catch him when he tumbles. I gently cradle his head in my lap. Soldiers come running, yelling orders. I tell them to get Arion down to his room and go get the priest.

In his room, he is laid down on the bed and I stay by his side. I am clutching his hand, feeling worried and scared. He looks so very pale and weak, his breath shallow and laboured. What if that bastard Phipp was right ? What if he is still going to die ?

He squeezes my hand ever so softly. "Are you okay my love ? He didn't hurt you, did he ?" His voice so concerned and filled with love that I start crying, even now he cares more about me than himself.

“No, he didn’t get that far. I am okay Arion, you saved me. Please focus on yourself now, on getting better”. I say softly, reaching out to gently caress his cold and sweaty cheek.

He coughs violently, and desperately squeezes my hand. When he can finally breathe again he looks up at me. "I don't think I will darling. I fear Phipp was right, that I am dying".

I want to scream, tell him no, but I actually fear the same. Hendry finally arrives and looks him over again, saying that he has to be bleed again, that the disease is poisoning his blood. I am not so sure about that, but who will listen to a maid ?