The Assassins of Araluen

The Final Straw

Horace lay unmoving on the soft, wet grass. His long, silver sword lay motionless on the ground— Horace's muscular hand wrapped limply around it. Warm, red blood slowly trickled down his muddy face. The young knight was in trouble. His tall bay horse, Kicker, trotted around uneasily. He whinnied uncomfortably and nudged his soft head against Horace's flaccid body.

Close by, Alyss Mainwaring, a King's Courier, rode her white, lean horse along the muddy trail. Alongside her were three armed escorts. They each fingered their sharp, ornate broadswords. Alyss was on her way back to Castle Redmont after delivering important messages to several nearby fiefs. She yawned softly and smiled, but the smile was quickly wiped off her face as she heard a horse's distant whinny.

Alyss frowned. She recognized that whinny and halted her horse. Max, the leader of her guard pulled up beside her. "Is something wrong, Lady Alyss?" he asked.

"Did you hear that?" Alyss asked softly. She strained her ears to pin point where the distressed call was coming from.

Max nodded. "I did. Is something wrong?" Max repeated his earlier question. Subconsciously, he reached down to his scabbard and gently rested his hand on its leather pommel.

Alyss frowned and bit her lip. "I think so," she answered decidedly. "C'mon."

Alyss then urged her horse into a fast canter and tore off through the shadowy woods. Caught off guard, Max and the other guards struggled to keep up with the determined and curious Courier. Alyss quickly slipped out of sight as she forcefully veered left, nearly tumbling off her horse.

"Lady Alyss!" Max called out anxiously, but Alyss didn't hear him. She brought her horse to a commanding halt and her mouth dropped. She saw the unconscious knight sprawled out on the ground. The anxious Kicker looked up and immediately recognized the bewildered Alyss. He whinnied expectantly as Alyss cautiously dismounted, letting the reins drop haphazardly.

"Oh no… please… don't let him be…" he voice trailed off as she crossed the clearing. She fearfully held her breath as she knelt down beside Horace. Kicker nuzzled up against Alyss arm, trying to comfort her. Tears swarmed in Alyss's blue eyes. She gingerly turned the body over and sighed in relief as Horace's chest slowly rose.

"Oh Horace," she murmured tearfully, "please be okay."