Chapter Two

Never in her life had she felt so insignificant until she stood alone, faced with the prospect that she was not going to survive the onrushing hoard of bandits, intending to take over the village and kill every last inhabitant. Very soon, the heavily armed army came so close to her that she could see each individual face, each man wearing a triumphant grin on their face, as they grew certain of their victory. As she sank to the ground and closed her eyes, accepting her fate, the unmistakable creak of a door opening sounded, ringing through the stillness.

"Serena!" cried a voice in the distance.

Serena's eyes snapped open and she raised her eyes to see her master beckoning to her, his frightened eyes reflecting the bandits who had almost drawn level with the girl. "Quickly, child!"

Inspired by his kindness, Serena stumbled to her feet and sensing the nearness of the invaders, she ran towards the haven with a last burst of strength that had been gifted to her. However, the bandits, intent on capturing their pray and killing her ruthlessly, quickened their pace as she ran up the steps, and were barely three paces behind the girl but as Serena gained the open door, reaching out to grasp her master's hand, she felt one of the blades being sliced across her shoulder and gaining the sanctuary of her master's house, slammed the door behind her.

Serena sighed and paused to lean against the heavy door, clutching her shoulder whilst her heart raced at the prospect of escaping certain death. A heavy pounding on the door made the girl realise that danger was still at hand and as she ran to gather heavy objects to prop against the door, all the while listening to the bandits outside, a sudden thought sprang to her mind. She raised her eyes to her master's.

"They are trying to break down the door!" she exclaimed and as her eyes finally found his, the fear and desperation that Serena perceived there confirmed her thoughts.

The roars and sounds of thudding steel on wood outside became more frequent and as Serena and her master continued to pile everything that came to hand against the door, they recoiled as an axe was thrust through the wood with tremendous force and a face appeared at the newly-formed crack, grinning maliciously at the frightened pair.

"Serena, go and hide in one of the rooms upstairs!" yelled her master, pulling off on of the table legs and brandishing it in front of him like a weapon as he turned to face the bandits who, encouraged by the weakening door, were attacking at the wood frantically, causing the furniture to be pushed further back into the interior of the house.

"But sir-"

"Please, just go," interjected the man, his expression softening as he spared the frightened girl a glance over her shoulder. "Do not worry for me. I know that you are a kind-hearted girl, but I have lived my life. You, on the other hand, have your whole life ahead of you. I will hold them off as long as I can."

When Serena hesitated, her master gave her a gentle push towards the staircase. "Go!"

Biting her lip, she nodded incompliance, her heart beating furiously as she mulled over her master's words. "Do not worry for me…" He was willing to sacrifice his life in order to let Serena live hers… Even though he was her master, he was willing to let his young charge survive this ordeal. He truly was a benevolent man: not many masters would sacrifice themselves for anyone, let alone slaves. As she gained the top of the stairs, an almighty crash informed the girl that the bandits had gained access to the house. She momentarily stiffened a she heard wood clash upon steel again and a scream piercing the air. She knew that it could not have been her master that had fallen or she still head the resounding clash of weapons and enheartened, Serena pushed open a door, peering inside and looking for a sufficient hiding place. If her master were to fall defending her honour, Serena would ensure that he had not died in vain. As she heard footsteps breaking away from the others and racing up the stairs after her, the girl began to panic as he pushed open the last door on the landing and flung herself under the bed just in time to see her pursuer pause in the doorway.

Serena held her breath as the man entered the room, his breath heavy in the still air. His boots clattered noisily on the wooden planks, echoing threateningly and enticing a shiver of fear to roll down the girl's spine. Slowly, the figure crouched, his hand reaching towards the bedsheet, his broad fingers closing around the material which hid Serena from his view…