THE KING’S EXILED LUNA

Chapter Four

Maelin

I waved my hands in the air, dismissing it like it was nothing, but my throat had gone completely dry and underneath that mask I was sweating buckets.

Around me the crowd was starting to murmur in agreement with the commentator.

But I couldn’t possibly take off the mask, especially not with Corvin sitting right there in the front row, his eyes locked on me and just waiting to see what I would do.

“Come on, masked fighter, your fans are waiting for you!” The commentator pressed on and the crowd got even louder.

“Take it off!” Someone yelled.

For a second I thought I was going to have to fight my way out of the ring, but then the sound cut out and another voice came over the speaker, the voice belonged to my boss.

“Uh, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” He said, his voice calm but firm and showing there was no room for any arguments. “The mask is her identity and honestly, I bet half of you wouldn’t even show up anymore if you saw what was underneath. It’s all part of the mystery.” He paused.

“Besides, she's clearly not comfortable with that. Let’s all respect it.” He added.

The crowd groaned a little but they listened to him, they always listened to him he was the only source of such spectacular entertainment.

I didn’t waste another second.

I nodded quickly, not looking at anyone, but I couldn’t help it and I took one last glance at Corvin before I left.

Yes, he was still staring.

I couldn’t risk wondering if he recognized me or not, I darted out of the battlefield and didn’t stop walking until I got to my room and locked the door.

Only then did I finally pull the mask off and let myself breathe.

“What on earth?” I hissed, dropping into my bed.

I heard that my family had everyone I left behind, was looking for me but I also learned that it didn’t take them up to a year to settle with the belief that I was dead.

So why? Why on earth is Corvin in the Northern Territory? He is an Alpha now it’s very uncanny that he would let himself come here.

Immediately there was a knock on the door and my boss walked in.

“Good fight today.” He growled and I wondered if I was being exalted or reprimanded. “Thank you.” I whispered.

He nodded. “But that’s not why I’m here, someone has a job for you.” He said, but from the way he couldn’t look me in the eye I got my answers already.

“What kind of job is it?” I asked, throwing my legs off the bed so I could sit.

He took a deep breath. “I don’t exactly know the details but I can assure you that it is a safe one. A merchant traveling from the north wants you to collect a shipment of medical supplies from the border and protect it.” He explained.

My brows shot up. “Why me?”

“Come on Wren, with the money he is offering, you may never have to fight another man again.”

My eyes fluttered and for a moment I wasn’t even thinking about the risks that could be attached to it.

“How much are we looking at?” I asked. He tilted his head to the side and lowered his eyes to my feet.

“It is one of two things, Wren. You’re either ready to take this job or you’re not.” He snarled.

All I could think of was the money I’d get from this job and I just wanted to get it over with.

“Fine. I’m in..” I said, straightening my back.

“Good. You leave at dawn..”

I nodded and he left, gently shutting the door behind him.

“Well… this is the life you chose, Maelin..” I muttered under my breath as I pulled my sheets over my face and drifted off.

As if the universe knew I had something big ahead of me, morning came even faster than I could imagine. My eyes shot open as the first hues of the sunrise scattered all around the sky.

A loud knock on my door wiped off the last bit of sleep that pulled my lashes down.

“Rise and shine Wren, you need to make a good impression.” My boss bellowed from outside the door.

I rolled my eyes and climbed down from my bed, running my fingers through my hair.

I quickly ran a bath and slipped into my clothes, making sure to pack essentials into my kit, swinging it over my shoulder.

My mask lay on the table and something in me wanted me to put it in my bag. But a bigger part of me didn’t want the extra load.

“Nobody can recognize me out there anyway..” I groaned, storming out the door.

I barely even took two steps before I rushed back in and locked the mask, tucking it into my bag before hurrying back out.

A caravan was already waiting outside by the time I was out and my boss stood with a strange face.

“What kind of job is this that requires this large number of people?” I muttered under my breath.

The man my boss was standing with took a look at me and his brows lifted.

“I assume this is the mighty masked fighter..” the old man moaned, burying his hands deep into his pocket.

“Focus on why we’re here.” My boss warned, cutting him a stern glare. “Wren, this is going to be your boss for the time being. When your job is done, you may return here if you wish..” he said, handing me over to the hungry man before me.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take very good care of your money making Wren..” the man taunted, crossing one arm over my shoulder.

“When this job is done, you might not have a hand anymore..”

He pulled his hand away quickly, dusting it off as we climbed into one of the carriages.

We moved really fast, as though there was something chasing after the carriages. I wasn’t paying any attention to anything happening outside, I just wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

Hours were drifting by and the sun was scorching. Beads of sweat trickled down my face, soaking up my clothes from the inside. But I didn’t flinch.

Every now and then, I chugged water down my throat to refill the fluids I lost, but that only made my bladder beg to be set free.

“I wonder if there’s a way we can stop to rest..” I groaned almost inaudibly, finally looking out the small window for the first time since this journey started.

“You’d have to be the master’s wife for him to stop this journey because of you.” Someone muttered from beside me.

I slowly turned to the source of a voice and smiled faintly at her. I didn’t want to have any conversation with her, so I said nothing else.

“Are we there yet?” She asked and in that moment, a loud bang echoed through the air, tearing through the entire carriage.

“We’re under attack!” A voice bellowed from the front and I placed one hand on my sheath.

“We’re under attack! Save yourself!” He cried.

Then came another explosion and blood splattered in through the open window.

I pushed the carriage door open, drawing my sword immediately.

Gunshots echoed as bodies fell.

Dust rose in the air, the smell of blood tingling my nose. I was a lone fighter, so I didn’t need anyone’s command before taking action.

I lowered my back and walked stealthily towards the sound of the explosions, using the fallen bodies as a shield.

“Fire!” An order thundered and explosions followed. More dust lifted, accompanied with the smell o toxic smoke. I held one hand over my nose to not inhale the smoke and the other hand gripped my sword tightly.

Bodies fell all around me and I tried to see who the attackers were.

Maybe rogues.. but these weapons are far too sophisticated for mere rogues to be in possession of. These attackers are here by order and not because they want to cause trouble.

I leaned against one of the carriages and waited. I had no idea what I was waiting for, but I still waited… patiently.

The fight was getting more intense. Explosions multiplied, bodies dropped everywhere. I couldn’t find my way out of the place without getting blown into pieces, so I needed to find a safe way out and there’s no better way to do that than to get a hold of one of the weakest links among the attackers.

The opportunity finally reared its head after I crouched in the same position for a long time.

One of the attackers ran past me and I charged towards him, lunging from behind without even thinking and before he could do something to stop me, I was already sitting on him.

He wiped his face and glared at me, the anger in his eyes shifting into something different.

“Maelin… Rook..”