The princess's scream gripped Ethyn's heart with fear.
He rushed forward, out from the archway and into the open courtyard. As he did, the fighting rippled to a standstill.
The men's faces were a mix of shock and confusion as they looked up at the top of the wall. Ethyn quickly found out why. His worst fear had come true. 'I'm too late!'
At the apex of the inner curtain, in front of the signal pyre, Fed stood with a triumphant smirk. His sword was pressed against a lady's delicate neck.
Rose's.
"You thought you could fool old Fed? No little wench gets the better of me." the surly soldier hissed in the princess's ear as he looked out at the crowd.
The archer who had been by the Rose's side now lay hanging halfway off the wall with his eyes forever open. He had given his last breath in protection of the brave blonde.
The clanging of metal stopped. "That's right! I have your princess right here! Put down your weapons, or I'll end her and toss her body onto your sorry little swords."
Murmurings passed between the soldiers, trying to confirm if the woman was indeed the princess. Ethyn began to worry that if they did not believe Fed's words, they might choose the well-being of their country over one woman's life.
The knight could not take that risk.
"She is Princess Rose," he confirmed. Calling up to Fed, he added, "And you will unhand her now!"
"No, I do not think I will. I think you will all put down your weapons and surrender. Or else." Fed winked at the knight.
Ethyn's ears suddenly matched his hair as he gripped the hilt of his sword with his good arm.
"Don't surrender," Rose squealed. The rest of her speech was cut off as the man squeezed her abdomen. If not for the sword in his hand, he likely would have choked her with the other palm.
The knight was torn. He was sworn to protect the princess and Birle, and right now, he would have to choose between them. His face darkened.
"There are more of us than there are of you," Ethyn called up at him. Even now, more soldiers were streaming in, presumably from the fort, and filling the courtyard of the keep to the brim.
The knight searched their faces, looking for any that might be able to help him, but there was no one among them who had what he needed. The best he could do was spot another archer on the wall who had his weapon drawn.
But realistically, the man could not shoot without hitting Rose. There was nothing to be done.
And Fed knew it.
"There could be three times as many of you, but I have the crown jewel. Put down your weapons or she dies." The brutal man moved his sword just long enough to cut rose once on the shoulder. A light stream of blood stained her dress, giving everyone a visual of what was to come if they did not obey.
"Is there not a solution that is good for both of us?" Ethyn took a step forward until he was almost directly below Fed. Looking down, the soldier eyed the knight carefully.
"You do not seem keen on keeping the girl alive. Last call!" Fed slowly pushed Rose forward against her will. her shoes scraped against the stone, trying fruitlessly to gain purchase. Pebbles fell off the wall and flew into Ethyn's face.
Just as he saw Rose's toes peek over the edge, the knight yelled. "Stop! We will put down our weapons."
After measuring the upward angle and deciding there was no good way to toss his sword, Ethyn reluctantly lowered the blade. Around him, the other soldiers of Birle followed his lead.
Ethyn's shoulders slumped. It was disheartening to hear the weapons all thud the ground. His eyes were trained steadily on Rose's, hoping she would understand how much he cared.
The woman did not look scared. If anything, she looked determined.
Ethyn bit his lip. He knew that look. Rose was about to do something foolish.
-----
Although Rose had been doubted in her initial claims, the sudden attack when she lit the signal fire convinced the soldier's of Birle that she was at least telling the truth about the invasion. By her bearing, enough of them had gathered that she was not a simple maid as her uniform suggested.
She had gained enough prestige that the soldiers of Birle rallied at the stairs to protect both the wall and her as well.
Alas, it was not enough. When the men of Lakyle were finally able to overwhelm the steps, Rose had not been able to get away fast enough. This was in part because men from farther down the other side of the wall had come to join the engagement, blocking her exit.
All the princess could do was press her body up between the pyre and the wall, suffering against the blazing heat of the flames. The archer, who had been beside Rose, put arrows in as many of the enemy as he could, but the weapon was made for long range, not hand to hand combat.
The princess watched helplessly as the archer was struck down by Fed. With no weapon of her own, Rose had tried to hide behind the signal, but to no avail.
Fed had figured out who she was and was intent on gaining back his dignity after her escape. She could have run to the ends of the earth, and he would have still tried to find her.
The smug soldier of Lakyle dragged Rose out of her hiding spot by her hair and lifted her to her feet. She screamed in pain.
Placing his sword at the princess's neck, Fed gathered the attention of both armies. Even as he threatened them, she hoped to encourage her troops not to listen. She valued her life, but she loved the people of Birle more.
A few of the people in particular. One of which was looking up at her from below.
'Don't do anything foolish,' she wanted to tell him.
Fed shoved her forward. Rose struggled against his overwhelming strength, but did not manage to slow her path at all. Soon, the edge of her feet were hanging over the ledge.
Rose hated being used as a pawn in this way. There had to be something she could do. Anything! If she didn't want Ethyn to make an unwise move, perhaps she needed to make a crazy move herself.
Looking down at Ethyn, she tried to convey her resolve. He tried to shake his head at her, but it was no use. The princess had already made up her mind.
Rose stopped struggling against Fed. "Loosen your grip, please," She asked a little too calmly.
"No," the soldier laughed at her.
"You are pushing out the contents of my stomach. If you don't..." Rose pushed her back against him and made a retching sound.
Not wanting the woman's vomit on himself, Fed instinctively flinched. It was all the princess needed. She pressed her body against his front even more and tilted up her chin. Then she let her knees give way.
The soldier tried to reclaim his prize, but the sword merely cut the tip of her chin and slashed at a patch of blonde hair as her head slipped out of his grasp.
Rose teetered on the edge of the wall for the briefest of moments as her heart raced.
Then, she jumped.