Disclaimer: Duh me not Kresley Cole blah blah. All I own is some flu like symptoms… Also some pretty awesome cold and flu tablets *sniffle*
Chapter 20- Proof.
Dalen was running like a madman, he could see Poyon through the trees beside him, sprinting like his life depended on it… But in reality, his life did depend on it. Neither of them were stupid, and that's why they were aware that as soon as they exited the castle, that assassins; rogue members of their own race, would be dispatched to assassinate the two. Already, Dalen could hear the rapidly approaching assassins. His fear was escalating, because he knew that they could never outrun these honed warriors chasing them. Dalen caught the breeze, he could smell the ocean, they were close to the coast.
Dalen looked again, around to see Poyon looking at him with that determined look, he had no fear. Suddenly, the colour drained from Poyons face.
Dalen was tackled to the ground by a huge, mountain of a brute. Poyon stopped far off, with an uncertain look on his face, and then he saw two more assassins appear from the trees.
"Go Poyon! Take the message! "Dalen screamed, he wrenched himself from the assassins grip and stumbled forward. The two other assassins suddenly shot barbed arrows at Poyon, one grazed his face, and ripped open his shoulder. The huge assassin then lunged forward and stabbed the dazed Dalen through the chest. Dalen weakly called for Poyon to run, then slumped to the ground.
Poyon turned and sprinted as fast as he could, he wasn't far now from the coast, ten seconds? The trees were beginning to thin, and he could hear the waves splashing against the cliff face in which he was approaching rapidly. The assassins had quickly finished off Dalen, and were now chasing Poyon as if he were a game.
He could see the ledge. The rogues were barely ten metres behind him, but were slowing at seeing the ledge. But Poyon sped up as much as he could and leapt off the ledge, swan diving off. There was a determination in his eyes; swearing retribution for his fallen brother.
Senna nibbled her bottom lip; she wore a sleeveless chain-mail shirt, which was designed by sacred armourers within her clan long ago. She wore her normal black suit, but with an amazing long sword at her hip. She glanced at the crudely, but majestically engraved stone that hung from a pure silver chain around her neck, she brushed it with the tips of her fingers, and closed her eyes.
"Please give me strength, so I am able to protect the innocent ", she breathed her prayer, not aware of the presence of Regin and Lucia behind her. "I may not be in your favour dearest Dimka, you may still be displeased with me for my actions, but for the good of my people; your people. Please aid me in this battle against the rogue ones ". She gripped the stone, "May you watch over me and our people ". She opened her eyes and turned to see the two Valkyrie watching her.
Regin grinned "what a nice pebble ", she sneered at the stone around Senna's neck.
Senna raised a single eyebrow, "Indeed, it was a pebble, picked up from the banks of a sacred place of my people, by the first of my race. This is the stone of Elders, passed down from Grand Elder to Grand Elder since the sands of time started trickling in the hourglass of my kind's wretched existence. "She showed them the engraving, "This is the mark of the wise Grand Elders ".
Lucia nodded with fascination, but Regin snorted. "Did you steal it? "
Senna smiled bitterly, "No, given ".
Lucia cut in before Regin could reply, "Senna, you seem very prepared for this battle, are you well known by your sword? "She was desperate to hold Regin's tongue.
Senna smirked and stroked the hilt of her sword, "Indeed, but I am but a mere shadow compared to my Lord's swordsmanship. "
Lucia cocked her head to the side, "Did your Lord train you? "
Senna nodded, "For six thousand years, but I am still no match for the skills that my Lord has wielded thousands of years before my time. "
A sudden explosion rocked the castle, this was a regular occurrence, but the castle was fortified, and it would take more than mere explosions to take down the proud castle.
There was a sudden call through the castle, "Arms to defence positions! They are approaching! " Over and over again this desperate call sounded through the stone walls.
Senna turned to the two Valkyrie uncertainly, "Remember what I said? "She had advised all of the alliance that her people were strong and bloodthirsty, and if they came across one of them, to avoid them at all costs.
Regin nodded, her eyes gleaming with glee at the upcoming battle. Lucia nodded gravely.
Senna withdrew her sword and approached the open window; she took a step up onto the ledge, and then stepped out. It would have had to have been at least fifty metres high, but when Regin and Lucia raced to see; Senna landed carefully on her feet. She proceeded towards a group of war generals.
Lucia whistled, "You must admit, she is impressive sister ".
Regin grumbled, she was grudgingly thinking the same thing, but would never admit it out loud.
"Lady Cairn ", Nix inclined her head slightly, with fascination and a foolish grin. As Senna approached. Nix wore a golden breastplate, and her black sable hair had been braided for war.
Uilleam looked at her gravely, "You are ready for battle Sacred Warrior? " He asked. The immortals looked at her interestedly.
Senna shrugged gravely, "One battle is alike the other, and even though I shall be against my own kind, it has no difference ". She glanced at Nix, "What do you see soothsayer? "
Nix gazed at her dreamily, "The king of old is intelligent and powerful, but not a warrior. The Queen may take many pawns, bishops and knights in her line of victims. The White Queen is a warrior, but falls in soulful love with the king's bishop. Thus the Black queen was created, then defeated the White Queen in the turmoils of space. In this game, there are no kings, as there once was, but no more. The Black Queen and her bravest knight shall strive to defeat the false Black King, then all will proclaim 'shah maat`' "Nix beamed without a hint of lucidity.
Tera the fey frowned, "shah maat`? That means the king is dead ", she commented calmly, she cocked her head to the side, "Check mate is just shah maat`, you're talking about chess, is this like a chess board Valkyrie? " Tera shook her head to the side, and glanced ponderingly at Senna.
The warrior stared at Nix contemplating, "you- "She looked as if she was trying to find the right words, "You are extremely odd Nix. But I get what you are saying. The Black King must be taken down ", she had an unreadable expression on her face.
Nix nodded sunnily, "Indeed. You must put your past experience with this man behind you, you may have been a prisoner of his, but you must learn to forget, unless you will forever be his prisoner. Indeed your people are categorised by the colours of the chess board, good/evil, night/day. But you are neither of these; you are quite the orange character aren't you? "
Senna's face turned stony and reserved, "I am quite aware of that ", she said through gritted teeth, she turned to leave, but Nix began speaking once more.
"Dearest Senna, do not regret your rescuer ", Nix advised, "She died to save you, what was her name? Ro? Nice name, hmmm… She knew the price of her actions, and spent her last hours, tied to that dungeon wall, regretting her weakness, that she was unable to help you escape properly, that you had to run by yourself, weak and young. Miss Ro shouldn't have been so rash, although; she was only thirteen, so she cannot be blamed ", she said casually. "Even though she was tortured by the fiend, she kept strong, until the end ".
Senna looked around, "Stop, just stop talking, why are you saying this? "She demanded, tears were welling in her eyes. Senna walked away haughtily, unable to stay any longer.
Nix looked at Annika cheerfully, but received a jab in the side of the head.
Ahhhh I'm having a bit of fun here. Enjoy. Review or not…
LR