Curse

Chapter IV: A Bad Idea

The midday sun could barely make its way into the thick forest, its rays stopped by the trees whose leaves were taking the sunlight greedily. Nevertheless, it didn't stop the birds from chirping happily, the chicks calling hungrily for their meal when their mother or father would come to the nest to feed them. All noises came to a stop when the yelp of a young woman echoed through the woods, many animals turning to where the sound had come from. It was followed by a sigh and the rustle of leaves as a leather boot stepped on them, the insects under them scattering about, afraid of being squashed under something a hundred times their size.
"Come on, get up," a male voice said as a tanned hand stretched itself to help the fallen girl who seemed stuck into the uncomfortable position she had fallen into. She took the helping hand, happy that her companion had stopped to aid her. Still, she couldn't help but grumble, "Tell me why we can't take a path?"
"Do you want to get caught?" Link snapped, making a scowl appear on her face while she answered by the negative. "In that case, we're not allowed to take a path."
"But I'm hurt," she whined, pointing her backside.

He could only sigh in annoyance before turning around and continuing, not listening to her rant. They had left a few days ago, and he was starting to wonder if he could have foreseen this. The young woman who had held so much maturity before they left the house looked like a six-year-old who knew nothing else but whining and complaining. What had possessed him to accept her company to begin with?
"Link! Over here!" He heard her shout. He took in a deep breath before following the sound of her voice, only to see her jump happily at the sight of a clear path. The young man backed up, not willing to go along this road, as safe looking as might be. Paths were likely to be taken by guards or mercenaries, which were probably searching for him. How long had it been since he left his home land? Either way, the people tracking him were unlikely to give up, if just for the price on his head.

Slim hands took his arm, dragging him unto the road on which he didn't want to step on while a feminine voice pleaded softly, "Oh, come on. I'm tired of tripping over roots. Just a few minutes, please."
Still, his eyes never left the path that meant danger to him. He only wanted to pull away and disappear behind the thick trunks of the trees, out of sight of this road where anyone could appear, wanting his capture to deliver him to the queen who would pay handsomely for it before going on with the sentence. He felt like jerking his arm out of her grasp as he steadily backed up from the passage as the young woman complained a bit at his retreat, "Just two minutes, please."

Sky blue eyes left the trail for the lady who held a pleading gaze and a small smile of hope. He sighed softly, before agreeing to her decision and pushing his fear aside to take a step along the path, finally able to walk normally for a time. A gentle laugh came to his side as she ran to the clearing up ahead, which only began to confirm his doubts. Warnings of all shape and size took off in his mind and he could only take a step back into the forest as she turned to him, waving cheerfully, "Link, over here!"

Cerulean eyes came to look at her and, deciding that it wasn't a good idea anymore, he went to take her back into the forest under her surprised gaze. Yet, the retreat almost stopped immediately as a yelp of fear came from behind him and he turned swiftly when her hand left his. Sky blue caught sight of the young woman being held by a man with brown hair, a dagger held against her throat. Her slim hands were trying to pry off the arm holding her against the person, but to no avail.
"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Link. You're coming with me kid," the man snickered before gazing at the girl with a look the boy could have recognized anywhere, lust that would only turn into rape if he didn't do anything.
"Let go of her," the blond growled, his hands bunched into fists, knuckles turning white.
"Oh really? Look around you, boy. You better obey, or you're gonna die right here."
Aquamarines didn't have to, already knowing that they were surrounded by the brown-haired man's colleagues. Nails dug into the skin of his palms, drawing blood, as a snarl began to appear on his face. His cerulean gaze watched the man as he whispered into her ear, her amethyst eyes widening in fear before yelping while his arm held her even closer to the man, a mercenary, Link assumed. He knew no guards that would act this way in any condition.

When the brown-haired man's moves became too daring for the boy's likes, he snapped, not holding into place anymore as he was blinded with rage. Shouting in anger, he broke the hold the man had on Elianne before kicking him, sending him sprawling on the ground.
"I'm not going anywhere and you get your filthy hands off her," he grounded while putting back his foot on the ground. "If there's anyone who merits death, it's you."
The brown-haired man shot up, hating to be seen so lowly from someone. He had caught enough people to build the reputation he had. He was not about to receive lessons from a kid who was sentenced to death for that matter. He ordered his companions to attack, not caring for the girl anymore. All he wanted was making that bastard shut his trap forever.

Seven men came out of the woods, falling on Link who gave back punch for punch, kick for kick, face torn by the rage that had taken control of him. So blinded by the hatred he felt that he missed the man coming from behind him, a baton in hand that the person smashed against his skull. Sky blue eyes rolled at back of his head as darkness took hold of the blond boy who landed on the ground in a thud, his conscience lost into oblivion.