Two weeks later my muscles still ache and I am sleeping more than I ever have before. I must not over use my magic again. The consequences are definitely not worth it. My muscles protest as I once again attack the empty coat of armor I have been "fighting" for the last two hours. Pushing my sweaty hair out of my eyes I set my knives down so as to easily be able to put the armor back. The heavy metal in my arms I set off, barley three steps from the entrance I feel something solid knock into my shoulder setting me off balance. With loud clangs and bangs the armor falls creating a small cloud of dust.
"Greetings weakling." the menacing voice comes from behind me. I turn and see three of Thors newest acquaintances rarely seen with him except for large social events. They attempted to enter into the same level of companionship as Siff and the warriors three but failed miserably.
"And to you." I keep any aggression out of my voice, there are after all three of them.
"We were not seriously pleased to see you." the tallest one comes forward obviously meaning business.
"I actually understood your meaning I was simply trying to-" my thought is cut short with a sharp elbow to the gut. I ignore the pain and carefully select a spell which will not require to much energy having thoroughly learned my lesson. The knees are knocked out from him with three uttered words. I am unable to enjoy my victory however when his friends outraged grab me: one pressing there hand firmly over my mouth preventing speech and subsequently spells.
"Not a word." one says unnecessarily and were I not in this situation I would have rolled my eyes. To my anger my body begins to panic, my heart beating faster and faster. They have me. I can only complete a handful of spells without words and none would be at all useful. Lashing out I attempt to kick anything I can reach. For my efforts I receive two sharp blows one to the head the other to the stomach. My eyes water from the pain and I have to bight my lip to keep from crying out.
I must attempt to get away. Or at least not be the easiest target imaginable. That would only solidify there belief that I am week. I bight down hard on one of the fingers pressed over my mouth; with a howl the hand is swiftly removed. Before I can think of a spell I am grabbed again, this time by the tall seemingly leader of there small group.
"What were you thinking?" he snaps holding me tightly. I repeatedly slam my foot down onto his but he hardly seams to notice. He finishes telling the other two off before turning back to me. "So little prince... What shall we do with you?" each word contains an unspoken threat, his eyes glistening maliciously. Unable to speak I settle for glowering back and stamping my food down with all the force I can muster. "Its just you against all of us. No one to protect you. But there never is is there? Who would waste there time to protect a week runt like you?" His words sting me though I attempt to ignore them, thrashing in his grip to no prevail."it is about time someone punished you. I take that burden upon myself." his smile widens terribly.
The blows start out bringing merely dull pain which I ignore demanding my thoughts to wander elsewhere. A sickening crack brings me sharply back, unable to stop myself I cry out trying to curl up around my rib which is throbbing with sharp bursts of pain.
"Did that feel good?" the leader laughs hitting me repeatedly where the ribs feel to be broken. Soon my legs will no longer support me and I fall to the ground. My mouth is no longer covered but can not form a single thought over the pain blossoming all over my body. The boy continues ruthlessly kicking me again and again. Moaning on he ground I simply attempt to protect m ribs and hope desperately they will get bored soon. Kick kick kick...
Relief fills me when with one final kick the boys leave laughing over their victory. Unable to move I stay on my side slowly catching my breath. Each breath I take is shallow to reduce the amount of pain. I vaguely feel something drip down my face, a hand brought up comes away crimson. He must have hit my nose at some point. That is hardly important now though. Afraid someone will come along and find me I force myself to relax and focus reaching for the magic. I do not have the time to heal my ribs but an able to set them back into the proper position. Gasping in pain I carefully push myself to my feet. The world sways but I refuse to let it bother me, not now. Some servant will come along and clean this up. I glance down at the armor which picking up at the moment seems impossible. Instead I return to the clearing and pick up my knives, and begin the walk back to my quarters. To my pleasure no one is in the vicinity and I am free from having to make up an excuse for my injuries. Not that anyone would care. I think as I ease my door open.
Once in my room the first thing to do I decide is to remove the blood. With a basin of water I carefully wash my face wincing at the sensitivity of my nose. Inn too much pain to care that I am dripping, hopefully only water, every wear I go to one of my chests and dig through it. The herb am looking fore is luckily on top. Rip off four leaves I chew the bitter green plant. Relief slowly fills me and as the pain becomes manageable I sit back on my bed finally able to think again.
These boys went farther than the others who simply used insults. There will be bruises I will have to work to hide. But then another thought hits me. They will not be difficult to conceal for who would look? My heart begins to feel cold and empty. Perhaps they were right there is no one who truly cares, because I am not worth caring about.
Sorry for the rather short chapter I know what I want to do with the story but it is fighting me a bit. I do hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading!