Disclaimer; I don't own Crown Duel, but you know that, I'm just messing with Mrs. Smiths characters and her world
Ok I was rereading Crow Duel and I got to the part where Shevaerth tells Mel about the public execution, and I thought 'what would happen if Azmus hadn't come, then inspiration struck and this is the finished work, so far anyway.
I refused to surrender when I was dragged into court that day, I said I would rather die, that is I would rather die than have to face my brother and all the people that had helped us in this war. The wicked king gladly granted me my wish.
I was lead by two guards to my place of execution; we were walking down a road laden with curious people. None of them yelled or were violent as they would be with a real criminal, they simply stared.
As we neared the end of the road, and the end of my life might I add, the village people thinned out and nobles took their place. When we passed them, they looked at me sadly and to my surprise, it seemed none of them wanted to be here at all.
I was lead up a ramp to the wooden platform where I was tied by my wrist and ankles in such a way that I could be standing but not run. I looked at the crowed before me and after a quick scan I found Shevaerth at the front looking up at me, his face was as usual, blank, but there was a strong determination in his grey eyes. Standing next to him was a young lady who's face was also blank but she had his hand in a death grip. Maybe he was determined not to cry.
A guard picking up a whip and handing it to the masked executioner made me look around the platform. I saw the other devisees, besides the whip, they planned to use, a bow and arrows and throwing knives. There was no way I would last all day. The executioner readied the whip, everyone's eyes were on me, I barley had time to brace my self when I heard a crack and then pain coursed across my back. He struck me three more times then a laughing king came onto the platform and stood before me. "want to reconsider your surrender?" he asked, I couldn't lift my head but I managed a small "no" he brandished the bow and said, " to bad for you , don't worry this wont hurt me a bit." He took aim at my left foot and then it all happened so fast. I found my self looking at the woman who was standing with her face buried in Shevaerth's shoulder. The king was just about to fire when he jumped up and knocked the arrow away from me and before the king could react Shevaerth punched him in the face and sent him to the dirt.
He then brandished his sword and came at me. The guards were to dumbfounded to do anything but the executioner was not. He grabbed a knife and ran headlong into the marquise's sword, not the smartest thing on his part. I watched as dumbfounded as the guards as he cut the ropes holding me in place and hauled me up into his arms. He sprinted across the platform and jumped onto his grey. Had he planned this? Before anyone could decide what had just happened, including me, we were off.
The pain in my back which had been forgotten I promptly remembered when we were safely lost in the woods. I started to cry, I didn't want to in front of him but I couldn't help it. "I'm sorry," he whispered I felt something hot and wet hit my head, was he crying? "I hate you." I said I didn't know why but I did. Then I felt a pang of sorrow for my words to my rescuer who had risked his life for me, so I added, "thank you."
A/N well what do you think? Stupid, wonderful, not worth reading? Needs improvement? Please tell me!