Tale of the Protectors

I watched as they herded the loved ones of my father into a different room. I hid behind one of the statues. My heart was beating faster than I wanted it to. I thought I was going to give myself away.

“Search for stragglers,” the leader commanded. Bleeks, doglike creatures, began to sniff around. Bleeks weren’t evil but they weren’t good either.

I moved towards the painting that hid a way to help the others. I lifted the frame and got inside. Just as I was about to shut it, one of the bleeks spotted me. With a blood curdling howl, all of them were after me! I slammed it against the wall. I ran. If I thought my heart was beating fast before, I was sadly mistaken.

There was a statue. I scaled it and discarded my dress. I jumped as far as I could to throw off the bleeks. I had trousers and a white button-up shirt. My riding boots were silent on the rug of dust that covered the floor. I raced to the armory.

I grabbed two swords and their sheaths. None of the regular armor fit, so I fit a shield to my back. I pulled my hair back. With swords in hand, I rushed out. There was a piece of cloth on the floor. I made eyeholes and tied it around my head. A mask would be a good thing to have.  Throw off anyone who thought I was the princess who would sit and watch.

I saw a rider on horseback at the gates. I stood among the guard for a minute or two.

From the towers, arrows showered down at the troops ahead of us. I ran to the stables and vaulted onto Dustfire. I went to meet the mysterious rider.

“Who are you?” I demanded.

“Your new king!” he yelled back.

“Do you wish to prove it to me?” I replied. He gave me a stare which I returned just as determinedly.

“Charge!” he cried. His troops of venomous goblins, West witches, and bleeks moved forward. My army of humans, faeries, fairies, and bleeks went to greet them. We would fall very soon if I did not do something quick.

The rider came up to me, sword high. I was able to grab one of my own before he sliced my skull in two.

After the blow, my whole body was vibrating. He came charging at me again. This time, I was knocked out of my saddle. I landed on my hands and knees. Screams of the fighting pierced the air around me. Already, the rivers of blood stained the once pure grounds. Rain began to fall as if Hejate herself was crying.

I was able to get to my feet when I began to fence with the rider.

We went into the castle. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his troops follow. I tried to get away but the rider kept me fighting him.

Then, the fighting was all around us. The rider kept his eye on me the whole time. An ogre fell between us and I took the opportunity to escape.

Haej awoke in a bed. Meg was sitting next to him.

“Oh, Haej, why did you run away like that?” she held his hand to her face.

“Meg, I must leave at once. My friend is in mortal danger. I promise I will explain after.” Haej said in a hurry. After his last dream, Brina was going to need his help.

He took Meg’s hands and concentrated on the place where he had last seen Brina.

Haej spotted her near a staircase and went towards her. She saw him and paused.

He came up to her.

“Behind you!” she screamed. Haej leaned forward and grabbed one of her swords. The witch behind him disappeared in a puff of green smoke.

“I have to see something. You must leave or else you’ll be killed.” She scurried up the stairs. Haej and Meg were not able to leave for they were caught up in the fighting.