Chapter 4

The fight was bloody and wild. I ran off the way I came, completely useless. I even stumbled over a rock as I ran, falling flat on my face. 

"Come, Justine," Ruby said, pulling me to my feet by hoisting me up by my armpits from behind.

"Quickly, into the forest!" he shouted.

From nowhere, an arrow flew and lodged itself in Ruby's right thigh. Ruby grunted in pain and stumbled. I tried to reach for him, attempting to pull him to his feet, but then—

A sword descended suddenly into my vision. I hadn't noticed the man on horseback approaching until his blade was poised just a few inches from my face. I stood there, frozen and covered in mud, completely petrified.

This will surely be where I die, I thought.

Then I noticed it. Just below the knight's cloak, embroidered on his chest plate, was my family's seal.

the the Sword embroidered on his chest was like sunrise in that moment. Not like before this was like that real thing.

a real Orwil knight.

I looked up at the knight's face, it was covered by an iron mask.

"Commander Olaf! We found this one hiding in the bush!" one of the soldiers called.

They dragged Russ and pushed him onto Ruby, who was still crawling on the ground. Russ fell over Ruby, landing in the mud as the surrounding soldiers on horseback laughed.

"Who are you, girl? You look familiar."

I could barely make out the knight's voice, but still, I mustered the courage to speak.

"I… I am Justine Orwil of House Orwil," I said, tears gathering in my eyes. "Get this sword out of my face."

The knight on horseback quickly moved the sword and sheathed it. He paused, staring at me as the others around us fell silent, having heard my answer.

"Commander Olaf, what is your orders, sir?"

The commander dismounted his horse and raised the front of his mask. He stared into my eyes, and I saw the recognition dawn on him.

In that moment, he knew. He knew I was the little girl he had once guarded all those years ago. It must have been hard for him to recognize me, caked in mud and barely standing, but now, there was no doubt.

"Forgive me, my lady," he said, bowing slightly. "Please, take my horse."

He turned to the soldiers. "Make a small detachment and scout the road ahead. Clear it of any bandits. We must make a way to camp for our lord."

With great difficulty, I hoisted myself onto the saddle of Commander Olaf's well-groomed horse. I sat as comfortably as I could manage, looking down at my subjects.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and gritted my teeth.

"Thank you, Sir Olaf."

"It is my honor, my lady," Commander Olaf said. "The encampment has been searching for you. All the men are scouring the countryside. Now that you are back, there is hope."

"Hope, Sir Olaf? What do you mean?"

Olaf stood quietly for a moment, choosing his next words carefully.

"I think it better you go to the encampment and find out there, my lady. All I will say is: make haste. You are needed."

Even in my sore and lethargic state, I felt a surge of energy course through my body. A determination stirred within me, urging me to move instead of quarrel with Olaf for answers. I had a horse, and I had men sworn to my father's court at my side.

"What should we do with these two?" a random knight asked, gesturing with his sword to Russ, still soaked in the mud.

"Lady Orwil, are these your captors or saviors?"

I sat there on the horse, staring into Ruby's eyes. He was covered in mud from head to toe.

Pause.

Ruby sluggishly pulled Russ down, forcing him to bow low before me.

"If you let us live, my lady, we will serve you with our lives," Ruby said, his head pressed into the mud, pleading.

"Take them with us," I said finally. "Both of them. Tend to their wounds and imprison them."

"Yes, my lady," Sir Olaf said.

"Which way?" I asked.

"Follow the road and stay in the center of the formation. The knights will escort you. Ride safely, my lady. We will meet you there."