2.4 The kids

Cressida met his gaze. There was no helmet on his head. Only his torso was wearing the armor. His thick brown hair, waving back by the wind. His hawk eyes were gazing at her. The more she looked into his eyes, the more he reminds her of Leander. She still couldn't believe that Zorion is the assassin that was sent to kill Lycaon. In the whole castle, he was the only one she found worthy of trust. But now, she understood the words of her brother, he used to say never to trust any member of the castle. The stronger the members of the castle are, the suspicious they will be. She didn't use to understand it back then. But now, it's all clear what he meant.

"I am going to reveal the truth about you." Cressida spoke, without looking at Zorion. Her face was straight at the path, she didn't even want to look at him. Zorion speeds up the pace of his horse. Bringing his horse further close to Cressida, he left her behind with a question.

Cressida slowed down, the question he asked froze her on the way. 'Will Lycaon trust her?' She didn't think of it. What he said was true, Lycaon would never. Moreover, if she is the one to tell him, he would doubt her instead of Zorion. When onyx halted and neighed, she brought her mind back to senses from her contemplating state. Looking around, she realized she halted in the middle way. The front line was a little further from her. All the soldiers were arranged accordingly. Lycaon was at the front. Leading the soldiers and the war. A small smile crept upon her lips on seeing Lycaon. He was more of a leader than a king. Zorion came and halted his horse to the right of Lycaon. The smile on Cressida's face turned into a frown. They then began to talk. Probably, were discussing the strategy. Looking at Zorion, Cressida couldn't understand how can he wear a good and nice mask on his face, being a killer.

Keeping her face straight and stern, she made her way towards them. Halting Onyx to the left of Lycaon, she glanced at Zorion. He didn't react to her action. Her gaze then moved to Lycaon. As soon as her gaze fell on him, he met her eyes. There was anger in his ash mauve eyes. Except for anger and hatred, he didn't look at her with any other emotion. The look then turned into a gaze. Lycaon didn't want her to be here on the battlefield. Having her beside him was losing his concentration. He won't be able to battle if his mind keeps on rotation around her. Cressida couldn't let Lycaon die. This was her last chance to test herself. If he dies now, there will nothing be left for her. All that she thought about her kingdom and its future will be of no use. She can't persist in having her kingdom back while being a thread to it. This time, she needs to decide.

Their gaze then broke by the blink. Vibrating sounds from the ground echoed around them. The enemy's horses were approaching them.

'It's time...' Lycaon and Cressida both glanced at the ground and then looked straight ahead, waiting for the enemies to approach.

Before anyone else, Lycaon hit the reins of his horse and took the lead. Zorion raised the forelegs of his horse to join Lycaon. Before taking up the pace, Cressida pulled him down by the reins. She murmured at him and hit the reins of Onyx, following Lycaon into the battle.

'I will protect him.'

Though she murmured, her lips clearly showed what she said. Holding on his horse, he looked at her back as she rode away. His hawk eyes turned into a comforting gaze. Her words gave him satisfaction. He always wanted, wanted someone who can protect Lycaon. He can't always keep on protecting him. Having Cressida as his shield, he can have peace of mind. He knew she was strong enough to do so. Being trained under his brother also made her the right person for him to trust.

Hitting the reins of his horse, he took up the pace. Raising his hand in the air, he signaled the army to follow him. During his way, his eyes were all around. Though he was in this war, his mind was somewhere else. He knew the queen very well. If he doesn't do the task, she would assign anyone else to kill him. He needs to search for the people assigned by her. The man whom he encountered at the tent was not strong enough to work as an assassin. He was a mere messenger. The queen is well aware of the war, she would use this opportunity to kill him. She won't let this chance go. All these years, he made her wait, now she won't. Before those assassins get Lycaon, he needs to find them and kill them. Lycaon's safety was in the reliable hands.

Speeding up the horse, he wandered his eyes around. The environment around him took the aspect of the war. Dust around him made everything blur. The clashing sound of swords echoed in the air. Heavy voice of horses thud around. Cries of men screamed with a high pitch. Zorion knew Lycaon will not lose this war. He doesn't even need him. Slipping away from the battle zone, he rode his horse in search of the killers. They will be hiding somewhere around. He halted his horse and jumped down from it. Tying his horse to a nearby tree, he took out his pipe and ignited it. Keeping the pipe in his mouth he turned around to begin his search.

The moment he turned around, two kids came to his sides. He glanced at the boy, he hardly looks like seven years old. His silky white hair was covering half of the forehead. His eyes were white as snow. A round face with a small nose and pink lips give him the aspect of a doll. Zorion then averted his eyes at the girl. She was as old as the boy. Her silver hair was tied into two ponies. Her one eye was black and the other was white. She was wearing an off-shoulder dress, revealing the mark of a wildlife.

'Who are these kids?' Zorion thought. He then tried to take a step forward. His legs froze in the middle way before he could take a step. Meeting his eyes, the girl smiled at him.

'No...' Zorion widened his eyes.

.......

H. LOCKHART.