THE ASSAILANT

Terrified screams filled the great hall as the guests panicked into a total frenzy.

They tried to flee away from the great hall's only entrance, but only ended up getting in the way of the guards, who were scrambling to engage the unknown, masked assailants that had infiltrated the palace and ruined the wedding.

I staggered backward in shock, barely aware that Andre had caught my arms to prevent me from falling. He was frantically saying something to me, but his words fell deaf to my ears.

The only thing I was focused on was locating the source of the voice that I had never expected to hear again. 

Then Andre began pulling me, and that was when I started fighting back, refusing to be dragged away as I craned my neck to see through the crowd.

And then, I had a clear line of sight to the assailants at the far back who had engaged the first line of guards.