HOPE
1014 Words
When the lady returned, she introduced herself as Shirl.
“ I lost my parents as a young girl, and my grandmother raised me. What you did today has given a lot of people hope. The people are happy. But you're not safe. It's rare to see a werewolf wield magic and my grandmother had told me, it's only true hiers that wield magic.”
Rufus sat, confused and asked.
“ So are you saying I'm royalty?”
“ I do not know for sure but I know a place, you can get answers.” Shirl said.
They all agreed to visit the place, immediately after they visited the queen.
“ Rufus, we're here for you and we'll get to the bottom of this.”
Shirl held onto Rufus' hands and said “ if you're truly who I believe you are, then there's hope for the people. Everyone is talking about you. But we must leave as soon as possible before the information gets to the soldiers.”
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, Shirl rushed to the window and realised it was the soldiers.
She immediately grabbed a map and gave it to Rufus.
“ You'll find answers at the place I have marked on the map. It's called Healior, a place of answers.”
Rufus hesitated and thought of fighting back but Shirl declined, as he was only exposing himself to more danger.
She led them to a secret passage at the back and directed them to flee to the forest, as she'll distract them.
The soldiers bursted into the house. “ Where is he?” They yelled.
Rad, Selene and Rufus fled hearing Shirl cries as they beat her up and arrest her.
They finally reached safety panting, Rufus pleaded, they needed to save Shirl. “ We need to save her, she's in danger because of me.”
Rad nodded and assured them they were going to find her. “ We'll find her Rufus but first, you don't have to disappoint her or let her efforts go in vain by allowing yourself to die.
Selene added, they needed to get him to Healior.
In order to find answers first before saving Shirl.
“ It might be too late, we need to save Shirl first. We'll rescue her from the soldiers and then we can all go to the palace to see your mother before Healior. Her life is very valuable and I believe you understand Rad.” Rufus said.
Rad gave a sigh of relief and agreed to save Shirl before the soldiers killed her.
*******†*********†**********†
They set out into the forest, trying to make another turn to the village inorder to find the soldiers.
Rad led the way as he was familiar with the kingdom.
Selene and Rufus followed closely. They got to where the soldiers camped.
“ Rad, the soldiers are everywhere, how will we find her? Rufus asked, his voice just a whisper.
Rad stopped, turning his face to Rufus and suggested they find out where they could possibly keep her before making a move.
“ We need to identify the prisoner's quarter.” Selene suggested with her eyes scanning the environment.
They noticed four guards were protecting a particular tent and concluded it could be the prisoner's quarter.
“ We have to take out the guards silently before they try to hurt her.”
Rad instructed.
Shirl was imprisoned in the tent they suspected.
The soldiers kept torturing and questioning her about the people she hid but she remained speechless.
One of the soldiers' got paranoid as she wasn't ready to speak and stabbed her on her shoulders.
Shirl screamed and her voice echoed through the camp. Rad, Rufus and Selene exchanged immediate glances, their faces set with confirmation of Shirl’s whereabouts and fear as they pondered if she was killed.
“ That's Shirl, they have done something to her!” Rufus growled, already trying to make his way out of their hiding spot.
Rad got hold of his arms, “ wait! we can't just walk in, this is the Nine clans Rufus, we have to be smart.
Shirl is in there because of your irrational decisions but to get her out dead or alive, we need a plan.
Selene immediately removed her backpack, searching the contents quickly
. “ We can make use of this sedative powder. It will take out the soldiers before they even notice, it's powerful and we have to be careful too”.
Rad bought the idea and Rufus nodded abruptly.
They sneaked towards the tent, avoiding to be noticed by the soldiers.
They successfully entered the camp and hid behind one of the tents.
Selene tore part of her blouse into small pieces and poured the powder.
She handed each to Rad and Rufus to enable them take out the soldiers.
Rad targeted the first soldier, sneaked towards him and forced the piece on his nose.
The soldier's eyes turned red after a minute of struggle and he collapsed.
They continued the same with other guards and hid their bodies.
They slipped into the tent and met Shirl on the ground. She had lost a lot of blood, her face was pale and twisted with pain.
“ Shirl!” Rufus whispered, as he rushed to her side. His voice was filled with emotion.
Shirl managed to open her eyes, her gaze fastening to Rufus. “ You came back, why?” she asked, with a weak voice.
Rufus immediately told her not to talk and assured her safety and recovery was all he needed.
Selene assessed the wound and informed them they had to stop the bleeding.
“ We need to get out of here first before the other soldiers come. They will try to find us at all costs.” Rad said.
Rufus broke the chains that Shirl was bound on and carried her. Shirl's breath was shallow, and Rufus' worry became worse.
They made their way out of the camp without being noticed.
They found shelter and Selene began treating her wound.
- Writer
