Author's notes: So here it is, chapter 2. sorry for the long wait, i've just had so much going on, but thanks for waiting and reviewing!! this next chapter is set just after Rasler dies. Usual disclaimer rules, i don't own the game, blah blah blah. Enjoy!!
Chapter 2: Widow's Flight
"Lady Ashelia, Lady Ashelia!" Sobbed Minta in terror.
Ashe raised her head slightly, her face taut as the tears had begun to dry. She stood like a sentinel beside her husband's open coffin. A widow at only 17. They had barely been married a month.
There was an ache inside her, twisted and bitter. It was still fresh, and the grief still had a firm hold on her, but once the shock had gone, what would she do? How would she carry on?
"What is it now?" She asked hoarsely, her voice barely a whisper.
"The king, your father," Minta wept.
Ashe rushed forwards, taking Minta by the shoulders.
"What of my father?"
"He has been murdered, by our own Captain!" She cried.
"Who?" Ashe demanded, her jaw clenched in anger.
"Basch fon Ronsenburg," she replied. "A boy, Reks, he saw Ronsenburg do it, before the traitor got him too!"
Ashe spun round, falling to her knees beside Rasler's coffin. All of her family were gone, by the same man who had brought Rasler in, dead. Had Ronsenburg killed her husband too? She sobbed quietly, trying and failing to restrain herself and be strong.
"My Lady," Minta said quickly, tugging at Ashe's arm, "you must escape, 'tis not safe here for you."
Ashe nodded as Minta took her hand. The young maid lifted her dangling apron and tossed her plaited hair over her shoulder. They set off at a run down the corridor, Ashe tripping over her dresses. She allowed herself to be led like a child, down the maze of corridors to the stables.
Minta threw a saddle onto a nearby chocobo and handed Ashe a maid's cloak, a suitable disguise. Ashe mounted the animal, and gripped the reins.
"Come on!" She cried to Minta.
"No Miss, I'd only be a burden,"
"Nonsense!" Ashe cried, reaching down and taking the maid by the arm. She yanked the girl towards her, and reluctantly Minta clamboured aboard the chocobo. She wrapped her arms about Ashe's waist, and the princess kicked her heels into the chocobo's sides. It reared it's feathery head, before smashing it's way through the stable door and into the stormy night.
Dark clouds blackened the skies. Rain poured relentlessly over the glittering city. The chocobo hurtled past the crowds, not caring about masses of people going about their daily business.
Ashe had no idea where it was going, she just hoped that it was wise enough to know the way to the Aerodrome. They turned down a deserted back street. An arrow tore into the chocobo's neck. The huge bast flailed helplessly, collapsing and scattering the litter in the street. Ashe and Minta were thrown off, landing into a heap off stinking waste.
Ashe got hastily to her feet, Minta clinging to her arm. All around them was lifeless. She shadowed the edge of the street, with the unnerving feeling that they were being watched.
"'Ello there, ladies." Sneered a slimy voice.
She turned slowly, seeing a man completely covered in armour with a deadly sword. He wasn't a Dalmascan soldier, she knew that much. Ashe pushed Minta behind her, bracing herself for a fight. With all the dresses she was wearing, fleeing would be futile. She lowered her voice, so that the soldier could not over-hear.
"You distract him, Minta, I'll do the rest."
"Alright Miss," she whispered, trembling.
Ashe threw herself aside, landing painfully on the stone floor. She kicked off her expensive shoes, staring up at the bemused guard.
"What do you want?!" Minta cried, sidestepping slowly, so that she was opposite Ashe, with the soldier in the centre. He turned the face the hysterical maid. This gave Ashe the opportunity to find a weapon.
She got awkwardly to her feet, snatching up a jagged iron pole. It was heavy and cumbersome, but better than nothing. She edged forwards, ignoring the grit and glass that were biting her bare feet. The soldier raised a hand to strike Minta, but Ashe was faster. She heaved the pole off the floor and swung it into the soldier's head, knocking him off his feet.
He lay on they floor near the chocobo. Ashe didn't know whether he was dead or just unconscious. She didn't want to know. Ashe offered Minta the iron pole, and the maid took it with less difficulty than she had. As Minta wore a practical tank top and baggy trouser tucked into her boots like so many other Rabanastran women, it would be easier for her to wield the pole than for Ashe.
Ashe instead took up the soldier's sword. She tore frantically at her skirts, ripping them until they fell just below her knees. Now it should be easier to make her escape. She used one of the scraps from her dress to tie her hair back. Clutching the sword, she dashed down the empty street, Minta following close behind. Ashe wasn't sure where the Aerodrome was from this backstreet, but it couldn't be far.
Three soldiers emerged in front of them. Ashe stumbled to a halt. She glanced back the way they had come to see another three or four soldiers. She fought the panic as it rose uncontrollably within her.
"We have to try and fight," she told Minta. "It's me they want, so I want you to run, first chance you get. Don't argue, there it no other way!"
"I'm at your side, my lady." She answered resolutely.
The soldiers encircled them.
"We want the blonde." Instructed their leader, who wore slightly more decorative armour. " She's the princess of Dalmasca...or should I say she's the Queen now?"
Ashe raised her sword defiantly as he approached swinging his blade towards her. She lifted her sword, just blocking the blow, but the force of it almost knocked her over. She made an attempt to hit him, but he parried her attack with ease.
Ashe felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist. She tried to swing her sword into her attacker, but he gripped her wrist, twisting it until she was forced to release the sword. It clattered to the ground. She clawed at the iron-clad arms, but it had no effect. He seized her arms, locking them in a vice-like grip behind her.
She turned to see Minta, fending off a number of soldiers with the pole. They seemed wary as she swung it wildly, catching one soldier in the leg. He howled in pain.
"What do we do with this one?" Asked a confused soldier.
"Kill her. We only need the princess." Replied the Captain icily.
"No!" Ashe exclaimed. "Stay away from her, she is the true princess, not I. This is a disguise!"
"Do you think me stupid?" He snapped, gripping Ashe's chin like she was a naughty child. "You should know better than to hold compassion for some filthy little chit."
One of the other soldiers grabbed Minta by the hair as she paused to catch her breath. He drove his sword into her stomach. Minta shrieked a sickening scream that mingled with Ashe's cires of despair. Minta clutched her stomach, but the blood still seeped through her fingers. She slumped forwards, another victim of the Archadian's merciless conquest.
Ashe screamed , struggling against the guard holding her. Another soldier approached to silence her, but she leant against her captor, and thrust both feet into the approaching soldier. He stumbled backwards, cursing at her.
"Come on!" Snapped the Captain, "we have no time for this folly."
This was all Ashe's fault. Minta should be safe, back in the palace, not here, slain in an alley like some rat. Everyone Ashe loved seemed to die.
She cast her gaze about, hoping to spy a Dalmascan soldier. Where were they? These streets were meant to have soldiers on patrol; had they all been called out to war?
She screamed once more, and her captor shook her aggressively to cease the cry for help.
"Halt!" Cried a familiar voice. "Release her, and we will not kill you."
The enemy captain guffawed, turning to face the new arrivals. His soldiers copied this action, including Ashe's captor. Ashe saw several Dalmascan soldiers rallied behind a tall armoured man. His spiked brown hair and rugged face were unmistakable.
"Vossler?" She breathed. Could it be?
"Let her go," he repeated.
"I don't think so, Dalmascan." Replied the enemy Captain. "She's our prize. She's wanted by the powers-that-be, nothing you can do about it. So, I suggest you leave, before we kill you."
"You had your chance." He answered coldly, drawing a Dalmascan blade. He signalled his men to attack.
Ashe's captor threw her aside so that he could equip his own weapon. She scrambled over to where Minta lay, feeling for the girl's wrist. There was still a faint pulse. Ashe's heart grew warm with hope.
"Minta?" She whispered, gently turning the maid onto her back. She cradled the in her arms, ripping more of her dress away so that she could try and bandage Minta's wound. She racked her mind for the spell to stop bleeding. Her father had taught her a long time ago, but the memory eluded her. She grew aware of a searing pain in her foot.
Ashe released Minta, drawing her foot close to examine it. A large shard of glass was embedded in the sole of her foot, a sharp point protruding from the bloody wound. Crimson blood trailed from where she had fallen. She hadn't felt it up until now though; the fear must have numbed the pain. She clawed at it, trying to pull the glass free, but it was too slippery, and too much was lodged inside her foot.
A shadow fell over her. Ashe gazed up, relief washing over her as she saw the kindly face of her old guardian.
"What are you doing here, princess?" He asked.
"My father,"she choked, "and Rasler, they are dead, all dead. Basch fon Ronsenburg, he killed my father!"
"What?" Vossler cried, aghast. His face clouded with shock and disbelief. "Are you sure it was him?"
"Of course!" She answered, hurt that he even had to ask. "Minta, she's been stabbed."
Vossler signalled and one of the Dalmascan soldiers swooped forwards, lifting Minta into his arms carefully.
"What are you doing here?" Ashe asked him breathlessly. "I thought you were all in Nabudis."
"When I heard that the King had been murdered, I knew you were not safe, so I came to take you to Marquis Ondore, where you will be safe."
She nodded, hoping that he would realise how grateful she was that he and his men had come when they did. If it had not been for them she would probably be a prisoner, waiting for death, and Minta would already be dead.
"Can you walk, princess?" Vossler asked.
Ashe struggled to get to her feet, leaning against him and wincing as she placed the injured foot gingerly on the ground.
"I'll carry you," he offered.
"There's no need." Ashe replied, biting her lip as she stepped forwards.
"Princess, remember when you were younger, and broke your ankle when you fell from the chocobo?" He asked.
"Vossler, I really don't think-"
"You let me carry you then. I helped you then, as I will help you now. Do not forget princess, that I swore an oath to protect you, and that I would follow it to my death."
Ashe nodded, touched by his little speech. "Let us hope it does not come to that."
Vossler wrapped an arm around her waist, swiftly scooping her up into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder, feeling more like the contented girl she once was.
Author's notes: Well, that's chapter 2 done!! please review and tell me what you think, good or bad, i don't mind, just no flames!! chapter 3 will hopefully be up soon!!