With My Last Breath

Chapter 2: Deep Breath

The baker wrapped the goods for Ari and "Miss four coppers Miss." Ari handed him the coins and tucked the food into her new bag. "Thank you sir" She said with a grateful smile and headed outside into the nearly faded sunlight. The streets were dim . Candles flickered in windows. People shuffled into homes and taverns as it grew darker by the minute. Ari took a deep breath and stepped forward. This town was a decent size and Ari still struggled knowing where to turn. A few wrong turns quickly ate the remaining daylight but she managed to find an exit that happened to be guarded rather loosely. The guards were no where in sight.

She waited a moment and then trudged forward in the shadows as much as possible. Snoring could be heard in the guard booth. The faint smell of old sour ale permeated the air. Ari wrinkled her nose in disgust and slipped under the archway. She was free. For now. There were few lights ahead. The path was rocky and dark. A different fear entered Ari's mind. How safe would it really be on the road for her? Wolves, bears, men and who knew what else on this road.

Ari fumbled for the small knife in her bag and held it close. The tiny blade felt too small in her hand. I will get through this night unscathed if I am careful. If I am smart enough. If I am brave enough. She encouraged herself trying to feel brave.

This was the longest she'd ever been alone and the farthest she'd ever been from home. In her old life, the days were packed with lessons and polite society social engagements. She had spent her days navigating perceptions and carefully dodging questions regarding her parents in the Court. Ari had promised herself she'd never have to endure such a dull life again.

Ari continued on the dark path. It gave her an empty, hollow yet haunted feeling. Once she entered the forested portion, fear continued to grip her. When twigs snapped she glanced around. Howling in the distance made her flinch. I am far from the comforts of home. she thought about what her daily life had been like before. Planned to the hour. Rising with the morning sun, breakfast in bed, light reading or embroidery until lunch. Sometimes she'd be asked to entertain guests. The afternoons would be spent horseback riding until very recently when her father had insisted she take up fencing or archery. Neither were her favorite activites, but it was good for her, at least that's what her instructors said.

I wish Mama hadn't agreed to go forth with the proposal. Ari grew sad with the thought. She knew how I felt about marrying. Her own Mother, Opal, hadn't even grown up with a royalty upbringing, yet insisted Arianna follow the steps of royals before her. Opal had expected her to conform to all the pressure and expectations that came with it Almost to the letter.

I'm sure if I'd followed as ordered and done my duty I would have been miserable. Marrying a stranger. Incredulous. Ari thought with a huff.

Despite the cold and rain. Ari felt almost warmed at the prospect of being a literal step closer to her dreams of freedom. While she couldn't quite see what exactly freedom would look or feel like for her yet. It had to be close to those horseback rides alone she used to take.

A loud noise in the dark caught Ari's attention. Ari looked around, her eyes growing wide. Another noise in the distance behind her. She looked around, frantic. What should I do? She thought in a panic.

Ari crouched hidden in the brush. Torches lit the night air. The sound of armour clanked, horses hooves making wet noises in the mud. Voices were low. Ari couldn't tell how many there were. She peeked out behind a fern. 1,2,3,4.... she counted. Ducked back behind. Too many to outrun. Anxiety pulsed in her veins. Who were these people? What crown did they serve? Ari thought as her mind raced. The sounds of the party moving closer grew louder and louder. Ari held her breath as they passed. Her heart beat thudded in her chest..lungs burning with strain. Long moments later, parties sounds grew slightly more distant. Ari sputtered and coughed. Gasping for air. She heard a loud and demanding voice shout with authority: "Who goes there?!!" Ari struggled to catch her breath. Footsteps came crashing into the brush and a torches light cast shadows. A man crashed through the trees and brush. Ari thought she might faint from from fright.

Suddenly, to Ari’s left, a large hand gripped her arm roughly and dragged her from behind the bushes. "Why are you hiding little mouse? What were you planning?!" The man roared. Ari screamed and tried to pull away but, it was useless. She tried to swing the knife at the man grabbing her. Her knife was taken from her with an unnatural twist of her wrist that resulted in extreme pain. Ari screamed again. She dropped the knife on the forest floor. She instantly reached for it again and was met with a hard slap on her face.

Ari dropped to the ground dizzy . Her face felt flushed and stung. The man grabbed her injured wrist tighter. Ari whimpered but didn’t move. The man was handed a torch from another. The dim light illuminated his features partially. She looked upon the face of the stranger.

The man seemed of middle age. Of average height, hair a dark blonde, his eyes were filled with anger.

"You're coming with me darling now. Whether you like it or not." He said with a growl. The man dragged her up to her feet and through the brush towards the party stopped in the middle of the muddy road. Ari struggled again but it just brought her more pain. "Scout reporting!" the man shouted loudly to the group. " Assassin in the godsdamned bushes! Lady he emphasized with a sharp sneer, waiting in the shadows with a knife!" The man threw her to the ground and Ari found herself surrounded by three other men and two stern faced women. Ari struggled not to openly weep. An older looking man stepped forward drawing his sword. He held the tip of a sword to her chest. The blade pricking the skin slightly. She froze, unable to move the Scout dropped her wrist roughly wrenching her elbow and shoulder. What now...she thought, desperation and fear have taken over her mind. Have I really escaped to just to die on this road three days later? Ari thought and couldn't help but wonder if this would be her last night on this dark, miserable dirt road.