"Snow, we have to leave now."
"But Ford, what about the maids and guards? What about the king?"
"They will be fine, they are strong."
Clashing of steel and war cries slowly fill the room. Picking up her resolve half-heartedly, Snow takes Ford's hand and they left the room, castle and everything they know.
The wintery wind blows softly as Snow and Ford trudge on towards the forest. Sounds of fighting slowly die down and the serenity of the forest engulfs them. The magical enchanted forest that was supposed to be brimming with wild life is now eerily quiet. The wind is dead, life is still, and everything looks frozen in place. The only sounds that echo are the rustling of leaves made by the pair, seeking sanctuary within the forest, unaware of the shadows stalking them.
A distant sound catches Ford's ear and he immediately pause in his tracks. With alertness he scans his surrounding, realising that the forest was far too quiet. Deep in thoughts about the people in the castle, Snow continues to walk in a daze.
"Snow, stay close to me. I have a feeling we are not alone. Snow, Snow!" Ford whispers as he grabs Snow's hand.
There was a shift in the air and Ford pulls Snow towards him as an arrow wisps pass her. Fear strikes Snow like chains and the sword on Ford's belt soon found its place in its owner's hand. Eyes furiously darting around like a cheetah looking for its prey, Ford immediately parry another arrow aimed at him, and another aimed at Snow.
A man garb in foreign wear appears before them, commanding an air of superiority. With mystery and danger surrounding him, the man strolled towards the pair, like a hunter collecting his kill.
"Oh, look at what we got. Why, it is the knight in shining armour, and the fairest maiden in the land." The man mocked.
"Who are you and what do you want?! Are you in league with the people who attacked our home?" Ford demanded, looking around in hopes of an escape.
"Give up the thought little prince, you might try if you were alone."
Truly, Ford realises the danger for Snow if they are to flee from their pursuer and he soon resign to his fate, yet hoping for a miracle.
"Don't misunderstand me. I don't have a grudge against you." The man spoke whetting his blades against each other. "A job's a job. A man needs to work to eat you know."
The moment the blades separate from each other, Ford instinctively put up his sword, saving his neck from a deadly thrust. Ford motion Snow to keep a safe distance away before plunging into the fight. With leaves rustling as the men furiously parry strikes, each looking for an opportunity to wound the other, while at the same time defending themselves against attacks coming for the lives.
Flurry of attacks made by the men soon left Ford at a disadvantage. With each passing attack, a graze appears on Ford. The grazes soon became cuts and eventually Ford was at no position to endure the fight. All this time, Snow was behind a tree, fuelling her desire to jump out and protect Ford but held back by the thought of being a burden.
Mustering what strength he has left, Ford prepared for the attack that might mortally wound him. The man smirked as his blades rise up high into the air and fall like thunder, only to jump back to avoid a bolt fired straight at him, anchoring itself into the nearby tree. Another bolt fired at the feet of the man made him distance himself from Ford.
"This bolt, this accuracy, it's you isn't it, Drie!"
"Vulcan, it has been too long, old friend." Drie said, walking out of the shadows of the canopy.
"Drie, is it really you Drie?" Snow muttered under her breath, with a tear in her eye.
"You were alive all this time."