Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
I also told Leo the sad and disturbing story of how Maldor came to power. He was originally a servant of Thayla, but his greed for rule became great. He made shady deals with earthly rulers, gaining sacrifices of royal blood to grow his abilities and persuasion. It was a mission he continued to this day, because he knew if he did not feed his powers, they could dissipate, leaving him nothing more than a servant once again. He would do anything, kill anyone, or manipulate kingdoms, to keep that from happening.
We kept a steady pace on our steed, only stopping briefly to relieve ourselves in the brush, stretch out our backs, or to allow the horse to get a drink from a stream. We also ate the leftover food from the inn, giving some to the animal as well to keep its strength up.
By the time we neared the old battlefield, the sky was painted an indigo hue, and the full moon hung high, surrounded by twinkling stars. The air was cool and crisp, blowing in a gentle breeze around us.
“This is my favorite kind of night,” Leo said, his voice dreamy. “I always imagined exploring the lands on a night like this, and now I’m doing it.” He gave a small chuckle. “I never imagined being chased by an evil god, but I’m still enjoying the trip.”
I chuckled as well; even though he was in a dire situation, Leo still found humor and happiness around him. His soul was a delight.
My laughter died away when I heard the familiar sound of trampling hooves behind us. I looked over my shoulder and saw a cloud of dust rising over a small hill. From the dust burst three horses, galloping at top speed. Upon them were soldiers, dressed in breastplates and helmets. They were guardians of the royal family, and they were coming for us; for Leo.
I kicked our steed’s ribs, spurring it into a faster trot. It whinnied and shook its head when an arrow flew past its head. The soldiers were closing in on us. Leo gasped and clenched his hands over mine. He was understandably scared, and I did not know how to console him. I whistled and shook the reins, but our horse could not compete with the trained animals of the king’s guards.
I did not want to leave Leo, but I had to slow the soldiers down if my prince had a chance of escaping them. I squeezed him tightly and kissed his hair before speaking into his ear, “I will hold them off. You stay with the horse and ride as quickly and as far as you can.”
“Ansel, no! I-”
“I will find you,” I promised, before slipping off the animal’s back and slapping its rump to increase its speed. Leo looked back at me with wide, watery eyes as the horse galloped forward. I wanted to keep my gaze on him as long as possible, but I had to turn my attention to the approaching men.
Arrows whistled around my head as they sliced through the air. They stabbed the ground around me, each with better aim than the last, but I did not care. I knew that I would survive any attack; what mattered was keeping the men away from Leo.
When the men approached, I heard their yells above the sound of their steeds’ galloping. “Who is this man?”
“He matters not; strike him down!”
“We must get the prince before sunrise!”
Their words made my blood boil. They would not lay one finger on my fated one. I pulled my sword from my cloak before wrapping the fabric around me, camouflaging my body.
“Where did he go? What is this sorcery?” a guard asked in disbelief.
I pierced my blade through an opening in the cloak to strike his horse’s leg with the broad side. The animal was not injured, but it did stumble, knocking the man from its back. He rolled beneath the legs of another horse, which slid to a stop, throwing its rider to the ground as well. The two abandoned horses ran off together. One to go.
I lifted my sword high before striking the final mounted soldier with the butt of the hilt as he passed. I doubted that he felt any pain through his armor, but the force was great enough to knock him sideways from his steed, who ran after its companions.
All three soldiers stood on the ground with me, and it was my time to shine. If I were worried about a fair fight, I would open my cloak so that the men could see me clearly, but nothing was fair about this situation. They were hunting my lover, only to shed his blood for an evil master. I would have no mercy upon them.
“Stay together, men,” one of the soldiers told his comrades, and they stood with their backs together. “Keep your eyes sharp.”