A/n: It's finally here... Chapter 4!
A New Experience...
"Give us the girl and we might let you live!" the leader demanded.
Lily slowly backed away. They were out numbered and she didn't trust these fellows not to give her up. She looked pass the crowd to see Edgar standing behind them looking extremely out of place. She backed into something. It was 'Sandy' and he shook his head at her indicating for her not to move an inch.
She had no choice but to obey that is… until she saw who was standing within 2 ft of her. That thing that resembled a rat was shaking so viciously she feared he'd mistakenly shoot her. She moved behind 'Mystery Man'.
"What value does she have to you?" 'Hazel Eyes' asked.
"That is none of your concern. I will ask you once more-give us the gir-" An arrow went whizzing past his ear and struck the man standing behind him in the heart. He gasped and fell back with a fatal thud.
For a moment everyone just stared at the lifeless form. Several of the men sent out prayers to the Gods.
Lily looked back to see that the rat no longer held an arrow and his eyes were widened in shock.
It all happened so fast. The men came charging and Lily did not hesitate to start running. As she ran she did a silent prayer for the four young men.
She spared a glance back and her eyes widened in terror. Edgar was right on her tail and slowly gaining. She pumped her feet faster.
"I will not let you escape this time," he shouted after her. "The fate of my family depends on your capture." He lunged towards her and she went tumbling down.
She struggled to get up but he was stronger. She somehow rolled to her back and she began punching and kicking everywhere she could.
"Unhand me you vile piece of filth!"
"Never, I'll do anything for my family."
That made Lily see red. She began scratching at his face and was satisfied to see blood but it still did nothing to loosen his grip on her.
"What about my family?" she punched him in the nose. "Didn't they deserve a chance? Didn't our people deserve a chance?"
They continued their struggle for a few more moments till his body went limp. It took her a moment to realize he wasn't moving. When she did she pushed him off her only to see the arrow sticking out his back. Her body threatened to shut down on her. She looked up and found 'Hazel Eyes' glaring down at her.
Before she could say a word he took her by the arm and pulled her up. She felt a pang in her arm as he dragged her towards his friends. She realized only two of them were standing, checking to see if all the men were truly dead, while the rat lay unconscious.
"Will he be alright?" she asked 'Hazel Eyes'.
He spared her a glance and followed her gaze. "Peter? He only fainted."
She nodded.
"We should get out of here before whoever sent these blokes comes for revenge," said 'Mystery Man'.
'Sandy' took a flask from his pack and filled it with water from the river then splashed it in Peters face. He woke with a start.
"W-What happened?" he stuttered.
Without bothering to help him up 'Hazel Eyes' said, "Let's go." He began walking up the river never letting his grip on Lily go.
After what seemed like a century of walking Lily finally tried to pull from 'Hazel Eyes' grasp but like she figured it was to no avail.
"Now wait just a minute!" She planted her feet and refused to move. To her surprise they all stopped moving.
"Is there a problem?" 'Sandy' asked.
"I am eternally grateful for your saving me back there but I will not continue on with you."
"You're not really in a position to be giving off orders," 'Mystery Man' told her.
Lily's eyes narrowed and she was about to tell him she had every right to give whomsoever she wants orders because she's Princess of Gezailya. But she could not allow these thieves to know her true identity.
"I will not continue on a journey with thieving strangers!"
"Hey! Watch who you're calling thieves."
She looked him dead in the eyes. "When I'd first met you did you not try to steal from me?" she challenged.
"We've got our reasons," Peter defended.
"No matter what your reasons you are still strangers." She looked at 'Hazel Eyes'. "Now if you'd please let me go I'll be on my way."
"Not happening," he said gruffly.
"If you do not let me go right this instant I'll-"
"You'll what?" he challenged. "Call your rich daddy on me?"
They were so close right now it was hard to see who'd strike the first blow. 'Sandy came between them. "James calm down, she's a lady."
"Some lady," he mumbled. He sighed. "You're right Remus but she owes us an explanation. We risked our lives for her and she's treating us as if we are unfit to lick her shoes." He sent her a disgusted look.
Lily only glared back. Her head was still reeling from the low blow he unconsciously sent. He'd mentioned her father. Her dead father. Her murdered father.
"I will scream," she threatened.
"And whose gonna hear you?" 'Mystery Man' challenged.
"Sirius…" Remus warned.
"What?" he asked innocently.
Remus sighed. "This isn't getting us anywhere. How about we start from the beginning? I'm Remus, this is Sirius, Peter, and James. You are?"
"I am Lily of Gezailya." Their eyes widened in shock and that's when she realized her mistake but it was too late to take it back.
"Did you say Gezailya?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," she replied slowly.
"Wasn't it just under… siege?" Peter asked. He looked around as if saying it aloud would send a bunch of men charging at them.
"Yes, I'd just escaped." Since they did not recognize her name she decided to fib her way out of her slip up. "My family was killed. I'd tried to escape but… those men. They were right behind me. They never gave up trying to find me and I'd been traveling with… that young man I'd been struggling with only to find out he was one of them. They caught me and it was by sheer luck that I'd gotten away…" her eyes began to water. Her story was bordering the truth.
"Why you?" James asked suspiciously. "You're just one lady. Why spend days chasing after you?"
She shrugged but inwardly she cursed him for his perceptiveness. "Either they wanted no spectators from the attack or they wanted the heirlooms eyed carried with me for money. You see, my father was… a successful merchant."
"So where will you head now that your kingdom has been destroyed?" Remus asked.
"I guess I'll wander and make home wherever I end up."
"No, you're coming home with us," Sirius said.
She looked at them in shock. "I couldn't possibly-"
"You have no choice," James told her.
He once again took her arm making her feel like a child. She wouldn't complain. She'd stay with them for a few moons then she'll be on her way to find out what had befallen her kingdom. But one thing plagued her.
"Where exactly is home?" she asked James.
He pointed ahead where they could faintly see a few towers, peeping just above the trees, she hadn't noticed before. "Crilzac."
"Oh." And she walked on wondering what lay ahead of her as she followed these four mysterious young men.
Okay that's it… I've finally updated this story. This chapter wasn't much but… the original one I'd wrote for this was deleted and I kind of went into a slump. But anywayz, I hope you're all enjoying the story. I wonder what will happen to Lily now that she'll be staying in Crilzac… an isolated kingdom far different from Gezailya. Find out. Oh, and don't forget to Review!
Tootles!
BabyD
