Disclaimer: I do not own Tortall, nor its original characters.
The dark shapes of the mountains loomed up before them as they raced farther and farther away from the setting sun. To an observer, it would have looked as if the hooded girl and her companions were headed to the mountains, or perhaps across them to Scanra. As it was, Arie's stomach was clenched tightly, and her hands were shaking as she gripped her horse's reins, remembering the stories of her childhood. "The mountains be dark places," she remembered Herof saying. "There be bandits, who wouldn't think twice of snatching a wee thing like you."
A snapping sound lurched her back to the present, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow, trying to penetrate the darkness that blinded her like a veil. A knot unclenched in her stomach as she realized it was just her horse stepping on a twig. All the same, she continued to cast furtive glances behind her as they rode on. Herof showed no signs of worry, but his rigid posture to another story.
Suddenly, the scarce moonlight glinted on metal.
Then it started.
"Bandits!" Cried Herof as he drew his sword. Following his lead, Arie drew a knife from her belt. Although the sounds of metal meeting metal clanged beside her, she was focused keenly on the fight. A quick glance around made her grimace, they were outnumbered, and by a lot. But she couldn't think like that. Not if she wanted to survive. A deep breath later a single opponent became sharp and clear. Arie looked down at the knife in her hand, and for a moment, saw it piercing flesh.
No. She wouldn't kill, not unless she had too. Arie look around once again. She guessed that she had less than five seconds before the first opponent reached her. Painfully, agonizingly slowly, she made the decision. She must use her magic.
From deep within in her, she drew out the power. Her brow creased as she molded it, brought it under her will, and threw it out over her attackers. Instantly, all but three fell to the ground. Arie knew without looking that they were unconscious, and unable to move, but alive.
A cry reached her ears through the haze that was the rest of the world, and she whipped a round. She felt a sharp pain in her stomach as she turned to see Herof go down, bringing his opponent.
With a cry of fury, Arie sped toward the remaining two bandits. She didn't care about hurting them now, as her knife whipped and slashed. She caught one in the arm and he fell with a grunt. Looking down at the knife in his arm, hope rushed through her, then terror hit her like a brick wall. She no longer had a weapon.
A shudder rippled down her spine as the last man spoke.
"Don't worry girlie, I'm not going to hurt you. Yet."
Using a length of rope, he proceeded to tie her to a tree using her cloak. Arie's heart was pounding. She had heard of men doing this. Playing with their food before they ate it. Despite her constant struggling the man's slimy hand was soon beginning to unbutton her shirt, and his other one was already in his pants. She didn't want to feel this. She couldn't just sit there while he…No. Making a decision, she smacked the back of her head, as hard as she could, against the tree.
Everything went black.
(--------)
Her head was on fire. Every nerve in her body screamed to fight, or to run. But from what? With an immense effort she wrenched open her eyes. Arie caught the briefest glimpse of the clear, bright blue sky before it was obscured, by the most handsome face she had ever seen.