AN: Surprise! Lucky for you, lovely readers, I'm on a writing binge. Here's another chappie for you!
Chapter 10 - Just a Little Skirmish
Zela was breathing hard as she pressed her back against a low brick wall. Flynn dove and crouched beside her, just barely dodging two crossbow bolts.
"Just a little skirmish, huh? You forgot to mention that Lord Hawkson was the King's nephew!" She peeked over the wall and nudged Flynn into motion. Together they vaulted over and sprinted up the hill to an overturned cart.
"How was I supposed to know? I never even saw the guy." Flynn stood, taking quick but careful aim before firing a bolt. There was a rattle of chains as the winch holding the drawbridge failed. Guards scrambled to get out of the way before it crashed. Zela & Flynn were halfway across while the soldiers were still regaining their feet.
"Well between assaulting the royal family and blowing up the border outpost just to get IN the country, I'd say we have officially overstayed our welcome!" There were more soldiers on the other side of the gate and Zela twirled her braid like a whip, her dagger held in a reverse grip in her other hand.
"Hey, the twins were the ones that roughed him up! Although the bastard certainly had it coming." Flynn parried an attack and lunged to retaliate. "And we didn't have time for paperwork! If we had been late..." Luckily two guards charged in to fight so Flynn didn't have to finish that thought.
"Well if the boys don't get here soon, you'll have wasted the trip." She snagged the ankle of a man sneaking up on Flynn with her hair, yanking his feet out from under him. He knocked out another soldier with a blow from the butt of his crossbow.
"You know," He disarmed one man and kicked back another. "This would be a whole lot easier if you'd just let us kill them."
Zela grunted as her back collided with Flynn's, and for a moment they used each other for support before diving back into the fray. "I feel bad enough that we're hurting them. Any more blood and I'm gonna start singing."
He barked a laugh, "Well, that would at least throw them off!"
Suddenly a rope dropped down from the balcony above. "Grab on!" Si's booming voice echoed in the small gateway.
"About time!"
"What did you do, stop for a pint?"
"Shut it, Rider. You try scaling a cliff in this wind. Come on, Pat's got the portcullis on the far side up, but I don't know how long he can hold it alone."
Zela's vision was abruptly blocked by a green blur. Pascal had leapt from Si's shoulder and attached himself to her face. She giggled and carefully peeled off the little chameleon, patting his head as he settled onto her shoulder.
"Aw, I missed you too, Pascal." The lizard turned blush pink and wrapped his tail around her hair as they made their escape.
Zela kicked off her boots and collapsed, face first onto her bed. They had finally arrived back at the Snuggly Duckling. The boys had regaled Hookie and the gang with the tale of their daring rescue, but Zela was exhausted and quickly excused herself from the celebration. The sun was just beginning to rise over the valley, so Zela rolled over and threw her braid around a catch-hook in the ceiling. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and cast dappled shadows on her bed. She really needed to bathe, but the sun's rays felt too good on her skin and she drifted to sleep.
It was just after sunset and the chill of dusk finally woke Zela. She stretched with a yawn and sat up on the side of her bed. There was a tingle on the back of her neck and she had the overwhelming feeling that something wasn't right. She dropped to the floor and spun on her heel, avoiding a blow dart by inches.
Her attacker dropped down from the rafters. His dagger gleamed in the twilight.
"Let me guess, you were supposed to make it look like an accident, but since that failed you're allowed to do anything to finish the job."
The assassin said nothing, he just hurtled the bed, lunging forward with his knife. He probably expected her to run. Instead he was met by a fairly large, solid iron frying pan. His momentum coupled with her swing meant that his skull made a rather loud clang.
He landed in a rumpled heap at her feet. She nudged him with her toe, making him groan.
"Ok good. Not dead. That's a relief."
Her door flew open with a BANG that made her jump. "Zela!" Flynn stopped short but the twins did not. They bowled him over, resulting in a tangle of limbs and a flurry of curses. Zela couldn't help but laugh.
"It's alright boys. I got him. Now help me tied him up. I want to know who wants me dead, and why."
AN: So what's your theory? Who's got it out for Zela? Does this have anything to do with her being kidnapped? I will keep writing, but I won't be posting again until I hear from you all! ;) Fave, Follow, & Review my lovelies!