CHAPTER 18

[ Matilda's p.o.v ]

" EVERYONE IN POSITION " . John commanded as the ship jerked , I ran outside the room , my sword held protectively in front of me .

I moved fast , trying to be as careful as possible . I couldn't afford to attract unwanted attention .

Soon reaching where I should be , I knocked on the small wooden door in front of me , three times a row .

I took sharp breaths in as I heard the sound of the crew screaming among the sounds of arrows piercing the air and finally impaling the hard floor .

Soon Amia opened the door leaving just enough space for her to see me .

" It's me . " I whispered as she opened the door more .

Getting in , I crouched down as I sat on the small room . We were surrounded by barrels and a few weapons .

At the very corner , sat Lien , his eyes closed and his hands clasped together as he muttered something incoherent to himself.

I could see his hands shaking , he was terrified . Slowly moving closer I sat near him , one hand over his shoulder as he opened his eyes at the sudden touch .

" It's okay . They are gonna be okay . " I cooed trying my best to comfort the young boy as he moved in closer , leaning his head onto my shoulder as a tear silently left his eye .

Wiping it away . I whispered words of comfort , Mr gaze shifting onto Emlyn who sat opposite to me , right beside the door , her eyes focused on the dagger in her hand .

The room was pretty dark with just enough light to identify our surroundings .

I could understand exactly what Lien was going through .

I always used to see my parents , especially my father going to war since as far as I could remember .

He would kiss me and Oliver on our foreheads before he bid is goodbye . Oliver used to cry everytime. He was scared . Half the time , I couldn't understand why he was crying .

He was older than me by two years , so obviously he knew the risks , while I didn't .

I started to register how scary it was after I had turned six , when I saw one of the palance workers getting an arrow pierced through her chest .

She was right infront of me as she fell to the palace floor , blood seeping from her wound and her mouth as her eyes were left open lifelessly .

I was stunned . I didn't know what to do . I froze as I saw more arrows flying into the palace .

A painting of our family was pierced in the middle by one . The painting tearing apart as it fell .

Mother had picked me up by then . She wasn't crying but I could sense the fear that flowed through her veins as she hugged me tight .

She ran through the palace buildings and into a tunnel . Oliver was already there crouched down onto the dusty ground , as he silently cried just like how Lien was .

He was brave for his age .

The panic that was happening around , terrified me and I screamed , tears streaming down my cheeks as my mother hugged me tighter as she sat down , trying her best to calm my racing heart .

She knew that if someone had invaded the palace , we would most likely end up dead , because of my screaming .

I cried myself to sleep that day . Tomorrow came very soon . We were still in the tunnel , till father came .

He was not hurt much , just a few scrapes in his arms .

From then on I was scared . Each time I heard of a war , I panicked . The maiden's lifeless face scarred me .

I froze and each time father came us to bid goodbye , I made sure I would hug him tighter , praying that it wouldn't be the last .

Coming back to reality , I heard the muffled sounds of the fight that was happening above.

Looking at Amia , she seemed equally disturbed as me and that was a strange sight to take in .

Amia was one of the bravest soldiers Constance had and was proud of . She was the one who was always readier than ever to charge onto the war field along with her horse , Tristen .

I thought it was quite obvious why she was acting like this . She had grown quite close to the crew , especially with the chef .

The chef .

Agust was not a bad man at all . It was the fact that if she indeed was as close as they believe , she would run out to fight if she hears something that even sounds close to his cry .

Amia was incredibly protective of everyone she was close to and I know it very well . It was something I could say from experience .

It was not once or twice she would stick her neck out to save another and it was obvious it would happen again , if a situation comes up .

The sudden knock on our door knocked me out from my thoughts as I stared at the door .

Emlyn slowly moved forward , her hand at the door handle as I realised it was none of the crew .

" Stay back . " A whisper fell out of my mouth .

Emlyn glanced once before moving back as we took out our weapons , triggering Lien to wake up from his slumber as I kept a hand over his mouth .

Looking down at the floor beneath the door , I watched as the shadow moved away .