Chapter 16 – Leck Strikes Back

"It's...beautiful," Katsa gasped, as the sight of Lienid appeared. To Katsa, it was so unreal, with the cliffs jutting out from the sea, and sprinkled generously with snow. And in the distance was Ror City, glittering brightly like golden treasure and unlike any city that Katsa had ever seen.

"Wow. You've been struck dumb," Kaide smiled, as Katsa continued to gasp at Lienid. Kaide had had a similar reaction to Lienid when she had first seen it, but there was no way she going to mention that fact to Katsa. Bitterblue's head popped out of nowhere and stared at Lienid hungrily, absorbing every sight with her eyes.

But soon Po's castle appeared in the distance, and it was here that Kaide seemed to see Katsa's true delight. Po's castle was nowhere near the size of Ror's castle – rather it was made of whitewashed stone, and the colours matched those of the sky. Its position was also strategic, and Kaide could almost see Katsa thinking on how to fortify the castle.

"Where will we land?" Kaide asked a deckhand, who pointed to a small beach in the distance.

"There. The path winds in circles, but eventually you will reach the castle," the deckhand chuckled, as Kaide suppressed a groan at the thought of walking with her wobbly sea legs.

At the mention of the castle, Katsa's face seemed to darken. "I am really not going to enjoy explaining this whole Leck saga to Po's servants. And they'll be even more thrilled to cut off contact with the rest of the world in order to protect us."

Kaide rested her hand on Katsa's shoulder. "It's the only way. Just think of Po."

Katsa nodded, as the small beach got closer. "Although, I reckon we'll all have horrible sea legs once we hit ground."

Katsa's prediction was true. As soon as Bitterblue, Kaide and Katsa stepped foot on land, everything seemed horrendously off balance. Katsa held Bitterblue's hand, knowing that the sea legs would be worse for her, and watched as Captain Faun's boat sailed out from the beach into the ocean. Nearby, Kaide was clutching onto a tree, breathing deeply, her Grace making everything feel five times as worse.

"Kaide?" Katsa asked curiously.

"I'm getting rid of the sea legs. Although usually, the mere thought of land and getting off those damned boats can get rid of them," Kaide replied, continuing her pattern of deep breathing.

Katsa couldn't help but agree. She and Bitterblue had been slightly shocked by the amount of times Kaide had needed to throw up her food overboard. It seemed that no matter how long that they were at sea, Kaide simply couldn't get rid of her seasickness.

"Let's go," Kaide finally announced.

Together, they trudged up the steep path to Po's castle. Everything around them was showered with snow, and it did seem as if they path they were travelling on was going in circles, going nowhere. But it was the appearance of the thick wooden door of Po's castle that made the trio sigh in relief.

"It would be so nice if the castle was heated right now," Bitterblue smiled.

Kaide's joy at seeing the castle disappeared, to be replaced with a feeling of foreboding. Katsa caught the frown on Kaide's face, but continued stomping towards the entry to the castle. The door was pulled open before Katsa could knock by a servant who looked out of breath.

"Greetings," he said hurriedly, the trio sighing as they felt the warmth warm their bodies. "Please come into the receiving room."

The trio ushered into a dark hall, where all Katsa could do was admire the castle. Beside her, Kaide didn't seem as awed at the castle, but Katsa could attribute this to Kaide probably breaking into most of the castles in the kingdom and having already seen their inner beauty.

"I'm Katsa of the Middluns-" Katsa began, only to be interrupted.

"Follow please," the servant interrupted. "My master awaits."

At this statement, Kaide's foreboding grew. She grabbed Katsa's wrist, pulling her to a stop.

"There's something wrong here," Kaide said urgently, but Katsa shook her off.

"Po? Po is here?" Katsa said, the hope lighting up in her eyes. Beside her, Bitterblue seemed to share the same joy.

"Katsa!" Kaide growled as Katsa followed the servant, expressions of shock, hope and disbelief flooding her face. "There's something wrong-"

The servant opened the door to the receiving room, only to reveal a long room filled with members of who had to belong to Po's family, and at the head, Leck with Blaire standing by his side.

"How wonderful," Leck grinned, the full force of his Grace behind every word. "Welcome, my friends! Come in and take your honoured place among our happy circle!"

"Leck!" Kaide screamed in anger, as Katsa's eyes looked confused, and Bitterblue let out a cry of horror.

"He's lying, he's lying," Bitterblue repeated, clinging onto the words and onto Katsa. "Katsa, he's lying, he's lying..."

Kaide took no notice of this and grabbed the first object she found nearby, a knife, and threw it directly at Leck with a yell of anger.

Swinging into action, Blaire drew out a dagger and deflected the long range attack.

"Blaire, get rid of this nuisance for me," Leck commanded, motioning towards Kaide. He then turned to another woman and said, "Help your niece."

Kaide barely had enough time to look at Po's mother scurrying towards Bitterblue before a dagger whistled towards her dangerously. Kaide swiftly dodged to the left, not wanting to let Katsa or Bitterblue get hurt in the battle. Considering Katsa's blank gaze, Kaide knew that she would not be able to defend herself should an attack come.

"It's time to die, Kaide," Blaire said emotionlessly, drawing out another dagger.

"And I'm going to save you," Kaide promised, drawing out her beloved sword. Kaide was aware of a shriek of terror in the background, but knew she couldn't afford to be distracted. Trying to get around Blaire without hurting her to reach Leck would be a massive challenge.

Kaide leapt forward, attempting to knock Blaire out with the hilt of her sword, only for Blaire to throw another one of her dagger at her to force her backwards, and away from Leck. It was only through her Grace that Kaide caught the whistling noise behind her that was Blaire's dagger flying at her from behind. Swearing, the dagger cut slightly into her face, just as Bitterblue's pleas could be clearly heard.

"Please don't tell him!"

Kaide only had enough time to realise that Bitterblue was completely free from Leck's Grace before dodging another dagger.

"Had enough?" Blaire said, this time drawing out two daggers. Kaide was forced to do a weird somersault to dodge the daggers, only for them to fly back towards Blaire like boomerangs.

How do the daggers keep returning to her hand? Kaide thought, annoyed, as Leck's booming laughter echoed around the long room. Kaide had a swipe at Blaire's head, but Blaire blocked, crossing her daggers together to form an X and trap the sword.

"I don't think so," Kaide snarled, ripping her sword away and sliding back before Blaire threw another dagger. Another part of Kaide's mind was keeping track of the conversation between Katsa and Leck, and she was aware that conflict was probably only seconds away.

"I'll enjoy my daughter's company, later," Leck said with satisfaction.

"I'm your opponent here," Blaire said, catching on Kaide's distraction. This time her dagger flew true, landing itself deeply in Kaide's left shoulder.

"Gah," Kaide hissed, the pain making her eyes water but adding to her determination to kill Leck. Kaide had to resist the urge to want to see her sword buried deep in Blaire's chest. Blaire was under Leck's Grace. Kaide was here to save her, not to kill her, no matter what Blaire had done.

"Grace, Grace, Grace," Kaide muttered. Kaide cringed as she forced her left shoulder to her belt to snatch one of her own daggers, and threw it at Leck. Leck didn't even look worried as Blaire, once again blocked it, but Kaide saw how open Blaire now was and leapt forward. Blaire would do whatever it took to protect Leck, because that was what Leck had ordered her to as well. That was her weakness.

"I believe your Po has been hiding a secret from you," Leck said, scanning the room with anticipation. "Tell me if I'm right, Lady Katsa, that Prince Po is actually-"

Several things happened that second. Firstly, Blaire once again managed to duck and render Kaide's attack useless. The confusion in Katsa's eyes faded as she realised exactly what Leck was going to reveal, as she reached for her dagger and threw it at Leck. But as Blaire was attempting to stand up after blocking Kaide's attack, she never had enough time to stop Katsa's dagger from embedding itself in Leck's mouth.

"Katsa," Kaide said in shock. Part of her was glad that the menace of Leck was gone, but part of her was upset that she never got the chance to kill him herself, to avenge her family and friends and everyone else that Leck had wronged.

In response to Leck's death, Po's family stood up, some yelling, some screaming, but there was only one voice that Kaide heard.

"KAIDE!" Bitterblue screamed in terror, as Kaide, her sword resting loosely in her hand and in no position to defend her, saw Blaire, still not free from the influence of Leck's Grace throw her dagger at point blank range.

Kaide saw everything in slow motion, as the dagger flew true and embedded itself in her chest.

"What?" Kaide choked, unimaginable pain blossoming in her chest as the dagger shattered her rib cage. It was so difficult to breathe as Kaide felt everything fade away. Blaire must still be under Leck's Grace and Kaide had forgotten...

Blaire stared emotionlessly at her fallen friend, the fog in her mind beginning to clear. The pieces of the puzzle came together. She had been angry at Kaide. Kaide was Graced and didn't tell her. Kaide was...lying on the ground with a dagger in her chest?

At that moment, Blaire threw off Leck's Grace and ran towards Kaide, screaming. "KAIDE!"

Blaire's shout seemed like a dagger piercing through the fog that Leck's Grace had created. The confused members of the Lienid royal family looked around the receiving room, spotting the two assassins on the ground, and finally looking at Leck. It was only Bitterblue's intervention that stopped them from attacking Katsa.

"Stop! Katsa did right!" Bitterblue said. Katsa ignored the family around her, and rushed towards Kaide, who seemed to be currently coughing up blood.

"Kaide! Please, forgive me," Blaire cried, as Kaide struggled to remain conscious. Blaire was cursing her lack of memory under Leck's Grace, but considering Kaide's haunted expression, she guessed it was nothing good.

"I...forgive...," Kaide whispered, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth. "I...should've..."

"Hush," Katsa said, running over. She eyed the dagger lodged deep in Kaide's chest and gave Blaire a despairing look. "There's nothing I can do..."

"You mean, she's going to die?" Blaire shrieked. "Because I couldn't stop myself from falling under Leck's Grace?"

"Tell...her...everything," Kaide whispered to Katsa. "Not your fault...Blaire."

"Kaide, stay with me!" Blaire screamed in terror, as the light faded from Kaide's eyes. "Stay with me!"

In the chaos, Bitterblue had run towards Kaide, looking horrified. "Will her Grace save her from this?"

Blaire looked up at Bitterblue, desperation in her eyes. "What's her Grace? Will it save her? Please!"

Katsa looked down at Kaide, who had finally lost the battle with unconsciousness, her head falling limply onto the ground. "Her Grace defends her. I don't know if it accelerates her healing rate. But unless her Grace heals her instantly, she won't make it."

"She could," one of Po's brothers said. Katsa looked at him, and noted the resemblance between Po and him, apart from the eyes. "That dagger missed the vital points. Subconsciously, I think you were trying not to kill her."

"Which brother are you?" Katsa asked.

The brother grinned, his cheekiness reminding her of Po.

"I'm Skye. But we have pressing worries. We need to help her," Skye said, leaning towards Kaide. "I think we should get that dagger out."

"What?" Blaire choked. Katsa, however nodded, pulling off her tunic and tearing it into strips.

"A needle and string? We should seal the wound. If your dagger was any longer, you would've severed her spine," Katsa said, as Skye brought forward the mentioned items. "You-", Katsa pointed at Blaire. "-hold her down. It's better if she stays unconscious."

Blaire remained silent but proceeded to do as Katsa asked. Holding down Kaide, Blaire watched as Katsa deftly pulled the dagger out of Kaide's chest.

"Skye, quick staunch the blood!" Katsa said, grabbing the needle and beginning to sew, while letting Skye wipe the blood away.

Blaire was astonished by the speed at which Katsa was sewing, as the wound was revealed to be a slim, but deep gash in Kaide's chest, with clear flecks of bone visible. Katsa looked down at her handiwork, unsure that the stitches would keep the wound together. She knew that she had only sewn together the skin and not the muscles that had also been cut apart. Beside her was a small pile of shattered bones that Katsa had been forced to take out.

"What can we do?" Blaire asked, letting go of Kaide.

"Skye, keep the pressure on but don't push too hard," Katsa commanded as Skye continued to press down on Kaide's chest. "And as for what to do... we must hope."

"Skye," King Ror interrupted. "Take Kaide to one of Po's rooms. She'll do better in a bed and on the floor. There are several healers, including a Graced one, that may help at this moment."

"Thank you," Blaire said, helping Skye to carefully lift Kaide off the ground. Katsa and Bitterblue followed and watched as Kaide was carefully placed on a clean white bed, and several healers moved frantically around her.

"Let us do our job," one of them said to Blaire, who was anxiously watching Kaide.

Waiting was one of the hardest things that Blaire had ever done. It was horrible simply waiting in silence, knowing that one of your closest friends was dying, and it was because of your own lack of ability to resist a stupid Grace that caused that to happen. Nothing that anyone said would make Blaire feel any better about the situation.

There was a loud yell of shock from within.

"Kaide," Blaire whispered. "Hold on. Please."

Beside her, Katsa looked sad and glad, but Blaire who had been staring at the door with tears welling up in her eyes, believing that Kaide had just died. Blaire sank to the floor, crying, as Katsa looked at her with confusion.

"Why are you crying?" Katsa said. "Kaide just woke up."

"How?" Blaire breathed in astonishment as one of the healers opened the door to Kaide's room.

"She's alive. That must be some Grace," the healer muttered, letting them into the room.

"Kaide!" Blaire whispered, running forward to where Kaide was lying, grasping her hand. "You made it."

"Bit early to say," Kaide whispered. "Hurts like hell. Grace can only go so far..."

"I'm sorry...I'll promise you ten years of servitude and not annoying you for this," Blaire said, smiling as the tears continued to fall.

"I'll hold you on that promise," Kaide laughed, wincing as she felt the pain from her ribs. Kaide probably wasn't going to be wearing a dress anytime soon, considering the damage to her chest. "Katsa! Bitterblue! It's all over. We can go and find Po sometime too..."

"Yes," Katsa said, preoccupied. "I hope he is okay."

"Po will be fine, Katsa," Bitterblue said. "We'll find Po next."

Comforted by the warm feelings in their hearts, the four watched the sun set in Lienid, feeling better than they had felt in weeks.

One more chapter to go! :D :D :D. The next chapter will be an epilogue to everything, and please make sure to leave a review on the way out :D