Last Chance At Life

THREE

Next thing I know, the commander had come up to me.

“Don’t just stand around get in there and fight!” He yelled over the noise of the swords. He mustn’t have noticed my long plait for the next thing I knew he had thrown me out into the middle of the battle. I had to fight, even if I had a choice before, I didn’t now.

Within a few minutes of all of the enemy’s claws and swords clashing against my blades. I blocked all of the minor attacks, and some of the major ones, attacking them at lightning speed, as I had trained for. Once I had killed the majority of the enemy’s soldiers, all of the Night castles’ warriors were just standing there watching me kill the opposing team off one by one. The few that got past me were soon killed by the warriors backing me up.

Within a little while the battle was over.

All of a sudden, I was grabbed harshly by the upper arm and thrown atop an armour-clad horse and was being led back towards the capital.

By sunrise I could see the Dark lord’s estate in the distance. I had been told I was to speak with the lord.

My identity was still hidden behind my mask, but not for long.

We soon arrived at the obsidian black gates to the lord’s estate. The warriors immediately forced me to dismount shoving me over to the guards stationed at the gates, leaving my side.

This was where my fate would be decided...

Not long after being dragged towards the infirmary to be treated, washed and put back in my now clean clothes, they seated me in front of the Dark lord. He seemed to be about my age, maybe late teens, early twenties. He had dark brown eyes, short and wavy brown hair wearing what seemed to be hunting clothes, similar to me.

Neither of us spoke straight away...

After some time passed, the lord suddenly spoke.

“Why is it that nowhere in the records” pointing to a pile of parchment on the table. The only thing that was in between us. “is there an assassin amongst us warriors? Yet, here you are sitting in front of me. As well as killing off most of the remaining enemies’ soldiers not too long ago?” The lord asked impatiently.

Well at least it was a good sign that they trusted me enough to not kill the lord... I thought as I noticed the lack of guards. Or should I say no guards.

“...” I kept silent, knowing if I spoke, he would know that I am a girl. I had long since pulled my hood over my head to keep my hair and eyes hidden.

“So, you want to keep silent? Why?” He responded agitated.

Not knowing whether I should respond or not. I lowered my head in fear. Then, reaching across the table, he somehow gently lifts my head by my chin with calloused fingers, to look into his pitch-black eyes. I then used my unclenched hand to lower my mask and to remove my hood, to reveal my scars and feminine face as I spoke stuttering.

‘All I wanted to do was, to protect my people” I managed to whisper. Scared and ashamed that I was so fearful.

I then stood up onto unsteady feet and hurried as best as I could. Down the hallways filled with huge windows overlooking the estate’s gardens and out of the estate. Ice cold tears rolling down my cheeks.

Rushing to the warm stables, I quickly put a pure leather saddle and reins on a pitch-black Clydesdale and hauled myself into the saddle. I galloped out at full speed; I soon saw the lord rushing to the stables after me with his guards not far behind. But I was sure that I was long gone by the time he saddled up and rode after me.