Chapter 19

When she opened her eyes, the smoke-filled air blurred her vision she was still in a state that seemed to lie within two words. She was trying to grasp to reality but, the ringing in her ears kept her from discerning between the two. 

Get up. You have to get up!

She tried to move her legs but, the sensation that filled her was one of pain. Panic began to rise in her.

Am I paralyzed!? Gods, please no. 

She moved her head gently to the right; the bodies of her men were strewn about, the floor was soaked with shades of red. She shuddered internally she swallowed her shrieks, shaking violently.

This is the end. 

"Did you find anyone significant?"

She stilled. Her stomach clenched so tightly she felt as though she were squeezing them into a new formation.

 "Nothing yet. Only Villagers Elynor Knights." another replied in an irritated voice.

"Search again. We cannot leave any survivors." The soldiers groaned but did as they were told.

Ana Sofia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to muster up the strength in her limbs. She could hear the crunching of footsteps increasing near her.

MOVE!

She slowly brought herself up using the wall as support as she shakily peered over the edge.

It's them.

They were dressed in black, and they wore symbols she couldn't decipher, her eyes grew wide as she witnessed the scene before her. They were looting the village, setting fire to the houses, and killing anyone who resisted. Screams of mercy and fear rang beneath her feet and all around her. She watched as one of them approached a woman and her child. The woman begged for mercy, but the soldier ignored her pleas and killed them both. 

Those fucking bastards!

The man moved away from the woman and her child, leaving them lifeless on the ground. His boots crunched against the dirt as he walked towards a pile of rubble. He kicked it aside, revealing a hidden chest. He grinned and pried it open, revealing a small fortune in gold and jewels. She could see him walking around getting far too close. She slowly backed away into the broken wall of the house.

Each step backward felt like one step closer to her death, she spotted the house's front door. She decided it better to crawl as she inched her way to the door, she strained her ears to listen to their conversation maybe she could find out something useful.

"Sir, do you think we should search the other buildings?" One of the men asked, "Yes, of course. We cannot leave any survivors. Burn everything to the ground." The leader replied.

Ana Sofia's heart sank as she heard their plan the horrors, she witnessed were unbearable as she struggled to push them from her mind. She needed to get out of there, but how? She reached the front door and felt she had reached salvation, she slowly stood back up she looked behind her.

Okay, we are good to go. 

She placed her shaky hand on the handle and pressed down expecting it to open instead she was met with resistance. It was stuck.

No don't do this to me right now!

She tried to turn the handle again, but it was jammed. The soldiers were getting closer by the minute. Desperation setting in, Ana Sofia kicked the door as hard as she could. The impact made her wince, but the door flew open, revealing a narrow alleyway.

"What was that?" One of the soldiers asked, his hand going to his sword. The others turned in her direction, their eyes scanning the darkness until one of them met her eyes.

RUN!

She didn't hesitate, bolting down the alleyway as fast as her trembling legs could carry her. The soldiers cursed and gave chase, but she was determined to escape their clutches. She could hear their voices clamoring behind her she didn't look back her main focus was on surviving. She had to get back to Wesleynard, to Natalia, to Ethan all the people she cared about. She ran through the winding streets of the village, her heart pounding in her chest. The soldiers were gaining on her, their heavy boots echoing against the cobblestones. Ana Sofia ducked into an abandoned building, hoping to lose them in the labyrinthine rooms. She saw the forest through the back door, she could lose them out there. She leaped over the hill that separated the village and the forest but miscalculated the depth.

"SHIT!"

She was sent tumbling down, the world spun around her. She winced in pain as she hit the ground.

"FUCK!" She cried as the pain rolled through her body. She had no time to relish in her pain as she shot up, adrenaline coursing through her right now she felt as though she were immortal. 

 She kept jumping and weaving through the trees she saw a racing river up ahead.

There! if I could just get across there, I'd lose them!

Ana Sofia ran towards the river, her breath coming in short gasps. The water was fast-moving, but she couldn't risk staying on dry land any longer. Her eyes scanned the opposite end it was too wide. Realizing she had no she took a deep breath and plunged into the freezing water. The cold shocked her system, making her gasp for air.

"She's in the River!"

Her voice was hoarse, and her breathing became uncontrollable Ana Sofia struggled against the current, her lungs burning from the lack of air. She could hear the soldiers' voices growing faint in the distance. She kicked hard, trying to fight her way back to the surface. Her fingers scraped against the rocky riverbed as she clawed her way upward but, the current was too strong. She was losing the fight within her. Just as she was about to give up, Ana Sofia's hand brushed against something solid. She grasped onto it desperately, finding that it was a branch protruding from the riverbed. With all her strength, she pulled herself up onto the riverbank, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion. She lay there for a moment, catching her breath. The soldiers were nowhere to be seen. She looked around, disoriented. Where was she? She had no idea how long she'd been in the water or how far she'd been carried by the current. She propped herself up and leaned against a small boulder. 

She laughed pitifully at herself and the situation, "This is the second time you nearly die."

She tried to push herself to her feet, but her legs gave out from under her. She fell back onto the ground, wincing in pain. She looked down at her arms and saw the multiple cuts and bruises she'd sustained during her fall.

Shit. I feel like, Shit

With a groan, she forced herself to stand once more, "I can't stay out here" She slowly began walking, more like limping as she made her way deeper into the forest.

They were still looking for her and she needed to hide. As she continued to walk through the forest, Ana Sofia spotted a small cabin in the distance. She quickened her pace, hoping the soldiers wouldn't find her before she could reach safety. The cabin was old and rundown, but it provided shelter from the cold night air. Upon closer inspection it appeared to be abandoned, she opened the door to find it still in good shape. There were blankets and firewood but, she wouldn't dare light a fire. That would only blow her cover and put her at risk. She shivered as she stepped inside the cabin, taking in her surroundings. The fireplace was cold, but at least it was dry. She sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. Her body ached from the fall and the exertion of running from the soldiers. She decided it best to rid herself of her wet clothes, she hung them out to dry and wrapped herself in the abandoned blankets. Ana Sofia tried to sleep, but the cold floor and the constant fear of being found kept her awake. She couldn't shake the feeling that they would find her at any moment. She stayed up all night, listening to the sounds of the forest and the distant howls of wolves. As the night wore on, she became more and more anxious.

I'm going to die out here all alone aren't I.

Eventually, exhaustion took over her completely and she fell to sleep as dawn broke, Ana Sofia awoke, her head was pounding, and her body ached. She realized she had no idea how long she had been asleep. She pushed herself up and winced at the pain in her shoulders. She wrapped herself in her blanket for comfort. A dusty old blanket was her only company at the moment. She hugged herself trying to calm her mind she wished she could be back in her castle. Suddenly she heard a creak Ana Sofia whipped around, her heart racing. She scanned the room, trying to spot any movement. But all was still. Her eyes darted to the door, her mind racing with possibilities. She hesitated for a moment she wanted to move but, her body was rooted in place. 

You are not dying today. 

 She decided to make a run for it when the figure grabbed her, the figure grabbed her, pulling her close. She struggled against their grip, but they were too strong for her. 

"Shh, it's just me," a deep voice rumbled, and suddenly, the figure released her.

Ana Sofia stumbled back, her heart racing as she saw the man she loved in front of her.

"Wes-W you..." She whispered.

Seeing his calm face, she ran into his arms as sobs wracked her body the strong knight wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"Shh, shh, it's alright now," he murmured soothingly. "I've got you." He gently stroked her hair as she clung to him, her body shaking with fear and relief.

"I thought I was going to die I-I thought you were dead!" She sobbed loudly.

He chuckled softly, his warm breath tickling her ear. "I'm not that easy to kill, love," he said with a wink. "And I'm far from dead." He held her at arm's length, his eyes searching hers.

"You look like hell." His response resulted in an onslaught of more tears.

"I feel like hell. You don't have to point it out!" She pushed his large frame away; she had spent the last few hours fighting for her life. She wasn't in the mood to listen to such jests.

He cupped her face in his large hands, his gaze intense. "Listen to me," he said firmly. "You are brave, resilient, and strong. You survived that ordeal in the forest, and you've made it this far. You are going to be okay." he purred.

She sighed for now that was enough to pacify her. 

"Are you ready? I'll take care of everything let's get you dressed." Ana Sofia nodded, sniffling.

"Thank you." She said, her voice still shaky.

As he helped her stand up, she winced in pain, clutching at her side. "Are you hurt?" He asked, concern etched onto his face.

"I... I think I might have broken something when I fell." Wesleynard's face hardened at the mention of her injury.

"We need to get you to a healer." He said firmly. "We're not safe here." He glanced around, his eyes scanning the area. "Come on, let's go." Ana Sofia nodded, her resolve steeling. He took her hand and guided her out of the cabin, He had brought a rather large horse, he motioned with a finger to his lips her to stay silent. He saddled her up in front of him and they took off in a slow trot. She glanced back at the cabin as it grew smaller with distance. She said a silent thank you for providing her shelter for the night even abandoned objects serve their purpose.