Middle Ground

Chapter 10

A/N I've never ever written anything as short as this but felt like the best place to end it. The next chapter will be here tomorrow. Now, I only just saw the winners of the 2012 Greg Awards and I won! I am so truly, truly honoured! Best Fiyeraba...wow. Thank you so much to those who nominated and/or voted for me! Considering my lovely competition, you understand I was very surprised to have won and Best Original Character I didn't even know I was nominated for! I am so happy :)

Thank you. I am ridiculously proud!

Dammit.

She hissed a little as she stretched out her arm as far as it would go.

She was bleeding. And it hurt. It hurt like hell.

Stupid, damn trees with their stupid damn branches. Stupid assignments that made her leave her cloak behind.

She swore loudly and passionately enough that it would have made both her sister and her father have a stroke if they'd ever heard it.

Of course, they had both probably suffered one already, after what she'd done.

Best not to think about that, though.

It was definitely better to think about the wound on her shoulder, with blood seeping into her dress and the pain that it brought her. She hadn't had a chance to take a look at it. She'd been too busy getting out without being seen by anyone else.

She'd needed blueprints, and she'd gotten them too. Only one of the guards had seen her and had aimed a shot after she'd refused to heed his warning to stop, turn and explain. Of course she hadn't. If she'd had, she would have been dead by now, probably. Or at least be enjoying a cushy stay in Southstairs.

She was sure the guard hadn't seen who he'd really shot at, though. It had already been dark and he hadn't had much of a chance to see her skin. She'd been wrapped up from neck to toe, with only her face showing and barely that.

Plus, if he truly had seen her, he would have called for more men. He would have made some sort of noise.

But he hadn't, the bullet had only grazed her and she had the blueprints.

So all in all. It was a pretty good day.

She supposed the fact that she was on her way to see Fiyero helped matters too. He'd worry himself over that silly wound, maybe, but she was fine and they'd spend another few hours with absolutely nothing of any importance.

Which made it so utterly invaluable.

A/N To make up for the past two short ones, I will post a longer one tomorrow. Does that help?