The minutes seemed to drag by, finally the order to move out was given and the gates were opened.
Keeva gave her horse a nudge and followed the man in front of her.
Within seconds Keeva was outside the gate. She forced her gaze to stay straight ahead, even though she desperately wanted to turn around and make sure the plan was working perfectly.
The morning passed without incident.
Just before they stopped for lunch, Keeva saw two people walking down the road.
The order to halt was given. From were Keeva sat she could see and hear everything going on.
"Where are you headed?" The commander asked the man.
He was tall with dirty blond hair. His eyes were the color of a deep mountain pool, so blue you could get lost in them. He was dresses in tattered clothes, though he did not look like a peasant. He carried a large bag.
"I asked you a question, where are you heading?" The commander repeated, hand now on his sword.
"My apologies sir," The man said bowing slightly. "We are on our way to Redhaven."
The commander looked from him to the woman standing beside him. "What are your names?" He asked a suspicious look crossing his face.
"Better yet, what is in the bag?" The commander asked as he dismounted the horse.
He reached out and tried to grab it, but the man held it back. Trying again the commander got a piece and began to pull.
Suddenly the bag ripped and armor spilled out! The armor had the mark of the Vardon on it, as well as the dragon rider symbol.
Before Keeva realized what was happening, the commander was dead and the man and woman were leaping from horse to horse killing those on them.
Keeva turned her mount and broke into a gallop.
Seconds later Keeva felt the horse trip, felt herself flying through the air, she covered her belly with her arms and tried to turn so her feet would hit first, hopefully sparing her unborn babe.
She landed feet first, and felt pain ripple up her left leg. Ignoring it, she began to run.
"There is no point in running!" She heard a mans voice call out. "I am going to catch you, just give up."
Keeva turned her head to look over her shoulder, the man was ten feet back and quickly closing the distance.
Keeva could feel the slap of her sword against her leg. She pulled it free of the scabbard and turned, she waited for the man to catch up.
He had already drawn his sword and now stood ready to fight her.
"This isn't fair to you sir, I am quicker and younger." He said
Quicker you may be, but younger, I doubt Keeva thought to herself.
She stood ready holding the heavy sword up with two hands. Her thoughts ran crazily through her mind. She might be able to escape if she dropped the sword and ran.
She was no match for this man in sword to sword combat, and knew he would kill her before five minutes had elapsed.
He stood a little over six feet away, waiting for her to advance.
In one solid movement, Keeva dropped the sword and broke into a full run.
She could hear the the man behind her rapidly closing the distance.
Panic welled up inside of her, she turned her head and looked behind her. He was less than three feet away now.
As Keeva turned her face forward, she tripped over a tree root and went flying. She covered her womb and turning on her side, braced for impact.
She hit the ground hard, and within seconds the man was on top of her. He was grabbing for her helmet. Keeva fought desperately, trying to get the man off of her, but it was no use.
He was to strong, Keeva felt as though she would be sick. She went limp trying to feel any movement inside of her womb.
She could feel the man still trying to get her helmet up, but tried to ignore him.
There! She had felt a small flutter and a kick. The baby was fine.
Thank you Lord! Please protect us from this man, I don't know what to do." Keeva prayed silently.
Unable to get the helmet off, the man pressed his hands down on her throat.
Keeva struggled, but was to weak. "Stop," She managed to cry out.
The hands quickly let go at the sound of her voice.
Keeva groped for her helmet and got it half way off. Her arms fell to the ground.
She was loosing consciousness quickly.
She felt the helmet come the rest of the way off and then she heard and felt no more.