Chapter Four:- The Chase Is On
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The little group proceeded ever deeper into the dense forest where the sky was almost cancelled out by a canopy of high branches, thick with foliage.
Only then did Sir Robert halt, turning to face his young protégées, his grimy cheeks sporting two long-dried trails of tears.
The princes had never seen Sir Robert in any state other than that of gruff instructor and the thought of him having cried sent chills down their spine.
They all just stood there; it seemed that no-one wanted to be the first to speak and confirm what they had been witness to; then the older man began to explain.
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"They came not long after you two left. The Castle was at its busiest; the gates were open to the comings and goings of the peasants and tradesmen, and no-one anticipated anything other than the usual day's activities.
That was our undoing!
We weren't expecting to be attacked. Too many years of peace had left us incautious. It was just too easy for them.
They entered through the secret passage that leads directly into the King and Queen's quarters, and with them as hostages,they swarmed through the entire castle before we even understood what was happening..
Those who tried to rebel were cruelly cut down where they stood, despite your parents' pleas for clemency. Then the leader sent out a signal and his troops, who were waiting on the outskirts of the realm, moved forward laying waste to the land and killing all those who tried to oppose any kind of resistance. It was all over in a minute, one of the best attack strategies I've ever seen," Sir Robert sighed.
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Dean was the first to find his voice. "Are our parents still alive? How did you escape?
How did they find out about the secret passage? What of the Lady Ellen, Caleb and all the others?"
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Robert held up a silencing hand." I know you have many questions but they must wait until we get safely away from Lawrencia. It's already night-fall and we must hurry"
"No," was the curt reply from the youngest member of the group.
"We aren't going anywhere. We're staying right here and we're going to retake what is ours and wreak vengeance on who has dared to put their hands on our parents and kill our friends," Sam broke in.
Sam's voice had a finality that brooked no argument, and the eyes that met Dean's were no longer those of a carefree young teen, but of a man avowed to vengeance.
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Dean recognised the look for what it was; the one that his easy- going little brother got when he was going to be stubborn, and when that happened there was no changing his mind.
He himself wanted nothing more that to head back to the Castle, throw himself into the fight and take back what they had just lost, but he had Sam to think about.
His little brother was his to protect and that came before everything else!
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"Sam." was Sir Robert's pained reply. "We cannot stay here. Their troops are already combing the country-side looking for you two. It seems their leader was furious that the princes were not amongst the Castle's occupants. He killed his own soldier in a fit of rage when he referred the news.
We must go! If we are captured there will be no hope for the kingdom and its inhabitants.
My lady wife begged me to leave her side and escape; to find and protect you both
I do not know what her fate is, or even if she is still alive, so I have as much desire as you for vengeance, but now is not the moment.
You two must not be taken!"
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The sound of barking and clanking of metal echoed through the woods and Sir Robert hissed urgently. "Come, my children. We must hurry, if it is not already too late..."
"This way," yelled a rough voice."The dogs have got their scent."
The barking got louder and more agitated as the pursuers came closer.
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"Take your weapons from your saddles. We'll have to get rid of the horses." was Sir Robert's whispered command.
"What, no…!" the brothers exclaimed in unison.
"Do as I say! We will be lucky to avoid capture as it is. Take your weapons."
Sam and Dean did as they were ordered, their trust and obedience in Sir Robert ingrained into them since childhood.
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"Now climb that tree as far up as you can and hide amongst the branches!"
"But the dogs.…!"
"Obey!" was the curt reply.
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Sir Robert gave both horses a mighty slap on the rump and sent them careering off through the forest. He fervently hoped the two noble steeds would not have the misfortune to break a leg on their mad dash but he couldn't spend time worrying about that now.
He fumbled in the leather satchel at his waist and pulled out a ceramic container from which he quickly spread a vile-smelling unguent around the base of the tree-trunk.
As soon as he'd finished, he hastily joined his charges in the heights of the tree, the three men hidden amongst the thick foliage.
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"Listen, horses!" The voices of the searchers were raised in alarm. "They're making a run for it. We have to capture them or Lord Azazel will have our heads. You, with the dogs, continue to sweep the area; it seemed as if the mutts had picked up the scent a moment ago!"
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The three occupants of the tree-top felt their hearts beating like war-drums as the dogs sniffed right beneath their hiding place, and then moved on.
"It must have been a false trail," they heard the dog-handlers say.
"It could be that it was the scent of the horses they picked up. Come on; let's get back to the Castle, it's too dark now to continue the search"
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The three fugitives waited until the forest had fallen silent again before climbing down from the tree.
By now the sky was inky black; no moon illuminated the trees; the branches reached out like skeletal fingers turning the once-green forest into a child's nightmare.
"We can do nothing else for now. It's too dark to proceed. We'll hide amongst the undergrowth until first light and then…" Sir Robert began tiredly.
"And then, what," Dean interrupted angrily." We have no money, no horses and we're hounded by enemies. How can we ever hope to take back our birth-right and free our parents and our people?"
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Sam gripped his sibling's shoulder turning him face-on "We will free our lands from this unknown enemy but we must first find out of what we're up against. What Sir Robert advises makes sense. I would love nothing better than to rush in but the three of us have no chance against an army."
Dean's scowl turned into a half-smile at his brother's earnest expression.
"Come on then, Sammy. We'll sleep now, and make our plans in the morning."
So saying Dean pulled his young brother down beside him and placed a protective arm over his chest. If anything came near Sam, it would have to kill him first.
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Sir Robert had lain down too, at Dean's insistence, but as soon as he saw the princes fall asleep he got up and sat himself down on a nearby tree-stump.
What he had to guard was very precious, and he would allow nothing, be it animal or human, to disturb the well-being of his charges.
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TBC