Disclaimer: I own nothing, and only borrowed these characters for a little while.
A large crowd gathered in a circle.
Standing at opposite ends were Taybur Sibigat and Mekai, son of Strom. Cocky Mekai worked the crowd, throwing up his arms as he garnered support. In complete opposite, Taybur turned on his heel and walked in a direct line to where the ladies stood.
Dove heard the whispers around her. She bit her lip as she looked up at the tall man now before her. He ignored all around them as he clasped his cheek with his large warm hand. He ran his thumb over her bruised lip and leant down. She thought he was going to kiss her before she felt his warm breath at her ear. "You know what you need to do."
He took a step back and removed his hand from her face. She looked at his uncertain form for a long moment – having never seen him so uncertain before – and then heard him mutter something under his breath. Even having known it might happen, she was ill-prepared for when he brushed his lips over hers very gently.
It might have been quick, but she had not expected the sparks to be there still. Dove brought her fingers to her lips as he backed away. Her gaze was locked on his and she could feel the orders he was directing to her wordlessly. You know what to do.
And so she did.
As Reyes spoke in a booming voice and outlined to one and all present just what this fight represented, Dove forcibly pushed down the sinking feeling that this was a fight to the death. As the large man checked that her man (her man? her mind retorted obstinately) and the other man were ready, and the crowd roared loudly that they were, Dove inconspicuously edged backwards.
She made it to the outer ring of spectators when she heard the first clang of metal on metal. She stopped momentarily, concerned, then ordered herself to keep moving. This was not the time to go all sentimental.
Her eyes kept peeled for any strays not at the fight, she silently made her way to the makeshift corral where the horses were all tied up. Making her way directly to the horse she had been riding with the royal procession yesterday – was it only yesterday? – she quickly ran her hand down the chestnut's nose, reassuring the mare with softly spoken words that she was friend.
"Oi, what you doin'?" came a voice behind her.
Dove reacted instinctively. The instant the man placed a heavy hand on her shoulder she gripped his wrist, tilted her body and flung the man to the ground. She pulled his arm upright, positioned her foot at his throat and held pressure until the man passed out.
Leaving the unconscious man on the ground, she turned to the horse with a beating heart, but determination in her face. She had hoped to have time to saddle her ride, but she couldn't take the risk that the man she had just assaulted had friends who would come looking for him soon.
Untying the knot at the picket in the ground, Dove led the horse over to a fallen log nearby, away from the crowd. It was times like these that she wished she had the natural horse riding talent that her sister so often displayed, and she knew her mother had once upon a time.
Taking a deep breath, she mounted. Riding bareback was awkward and she struggled to keep her balance and guide Misty with the rope she had been tied up with.
She knew that Taybur would be furious with her later, but instead of continuing to head away from the mercenary camp, she turned her horse with some difficulty and faced where the fight was still raging. The men and women were three or four deep in a circle, children sitting on various shoulders as all cheered.
For the first time since she'd slipped away, she was uncertain of what to do. If she stormed forward now, she would hurt people. Whilst she knew she needed to get away, she wanted to do so with very little bloodshed.
In the distance a wolf howled.
The company was alert instantly, several people stepping away, freezing and surveying the woods around them. Taking advantage of their momentary distraction, she galloped – minding that no children came underfoot – and headed for the two men, swords locked.
The hooves pounding on the hard earth broke the deadlock as both men pushed at the other and fell back. She saw the expression on her captain's face and ignored it, thrusting a hand down to him. The element of surprise would only work for so long. The decision was made for him when a loud voice called out.
"Halt!" roared Strom.
Taybur grasped his Queen's hand, bunched his muscles and jumped onto the horse behind Dove, already kicking the horse's hindquarters to get moving. Startling when the horse suddenly took off, Dove lost grip of one side of her makeshift harness.
"Stop them!" boomed Reyes.
Taybur slipped one arm around Dove's waist as he dipped his body quickly to the right and snatched up the rope. Together, they headed for the trees. Dove's every nerve was crying out for her to slow down and check where they were going, but she swallowed and tamped her fears down.
"That was a reckless thing to do, Do... Your Majesty." Taybur caught himself just in time.
They ducked to miss a branch and veered right simultaneously to guide Misty to miss a log. They could hear people and animal alike coming after them. Hooves and feet pounded as a battle cry went up.
"I don't leave my people behind."
Suddenly there was a new sound. There were more galloping horses and a voice familiar to them both sounded in the woods. "Surrender, in the name of the Queen."
Dove and Taybur slowed their mount down to a trot upon hearing Fesgao's voice. Looking around, neither could see in the dense forest. Tugging at the temporary halter, Misty coming to a heaving stop, the Queen and the Captain of the Queen's Guard slid to the ground, on the ready.
Almost completing surveillance in a full circle of the trees nearby, their eyes fell on a person at the same time. This person was propped up against the tree, her arms crossed over her chest, an eyebrow raised above an eye.
"I just can't let you out of my sight, can I?"
Next chapter:
Epilogue.