Chapter 2

My servant was hesitant to leave our home-she lived here longer than I did. But after some prodding and pulling she eventually relented. She gathered some old rags left in the storehouse-the only one left standing out of the five huts we had. It gets cold in the forest at night. It was wise of her to do so, despite her previous seemingly lack of consciousness of the environment. But maybe it's her way of coping. She lost her family too. And I know she cares for my father as well, though she may never show it when she knows I'm watching. Too bad they never had the chance to marry. And now they never will.

She was packing up our last remaining stuff when I heard rushed footsteps approaching. My senses went on high alert as it might be General Dula's-or Rajah Dula's soldiers. I was urging Yumi to move faster when suddenly, arrows went flying towards us. I quickly ducked and ran towards my nurse.

I was just about to hold her hand when an arrow flew towards me. My world stopped for a few seconds. Then I realized I was still breathing and unhurt. I looked at Yumi. She was bleeding. She shielded the arrow with her body just to save me.

"Yumi, no!", I shrieked. "Why did you do that?"

She just smiled weakly. "Your father...would have wanted you...to live..."

I was torn. Still, no amount of tears fell.

"You're the only one I have left", I said, feeling the burden get heavier. "Please don't leave me too."

She has lost a lot of blood. Her lips have lost their usual pinkish color.

"You will never...",she spewed out blood. "...be alone..."

"Yumi please!"

The footsteps have come closer. I will be dead in no time too. I will just die with everyone I love than live alone.

I don't care anymore.

"Go... You must...live...", she whispered. And then her soul left her body.

The soldiers have arrived now. They had their waepons raised ready to slay me. There were five of men. And they were all experienced warriors as proven by their tattoos.

I quickly got hold of my father's dagger and spread my legs to gain momentum. I have never fought an actual warrior besides my father. And even that was just practice. This now is real life. And I have to fight to survive. I can't die now. After Yumi gave her life to save me. I have to avenge my father and clear his name.

The leader came charging at me. He swung his sword to my head but I took a side step to his right and cut his sword-wielding arm. He dropped his sword and I quickly picked it up. Another man lunged at me with his axe. I blocked it and stabbed his neck with the dagger in my left hand.

Four more to go. I was glad I was not wearing a skirt that morning. I went to the market in my tunic and trousers and I didn't realize it would come in handy later in the day.

The third warrior came at me with his sword. I ducked and slit his ankle. Now he will be limping for the rest of his life-if he gets to after this. The fourth man took his time and waited for me to attack. But I'm never the one to be on the offensive side. My father taught me it would take less effort to defend by avoiding the blows than to block and attack. I'm getting tired too. I haven't eaten since this morning.

The warrior became impatient and thrust his spear at me. I moved to his right and swung my sword at his head.

Now it's just the leader and me standing. He motioned me to run towards the jungle and I didn't hesitate. I didn't want to kill another man after all. I've only ever killed deer but it was for food. I quickly said a prayer to Bathala each time I did to thank Him and the animal for its life.

I had just entered the dense jungle when an arrow whooshed by me. I ducked. The traitor! I shouldn't have spared his life. Another arrow passed over my head. And another. I wasn't so lucky the fourth time. I felt warm liquid run down my right shoulder. I felt myself get weaker by the minute but I kept running. I have to live.

I saw a cave nearby and crawled towards it. I had just reached the entrance when suddenly, my world went black.