"Aston, Duchess get down!" Sir Aaron yelled as he went towards the two to protect them. As he stood infront of the two he drew his sword out ready to fight. It was when two arrows came flying towards them and Sir Aaron struck them to the ground.
Aston let out a scream in fear. " What's happening ?" he asked concerned.
"We're being ambushed but I can't tell exactly where they are coming from so stick close to me." Sir Aaron explained as he stayed on guard, watching the trees and bushes ahead for any sign of movement.
Aryas' heart grew heavy in fear. Had these assailants found out the Crown Prince is here? It was always a fear at the back of her mind. Her and Cedric had made great efforts to ensure Aston was always safe on these visits. However there was always a chance you could make a mistake. Arya moved closer to Sir Aaron so Aston was covered on both sides but the two of them.
Another set of arrows came down again and Aaron struck them down but in that same moment a figure came into view from the vegetation. The figure was tall and large and wore a mask to cover their identity all they could tell was that it was a man at the very least. The masked man immediately charged at Sir Aaron sword in hand and the two engaged in a sword fight.
Arya and Aston watched in horror at the fight ensuing before then. Arya wondered when other knights and guards would arrive at the scene they usually patrolled around the estate so hopefully they heard the commotion and were coming to back Sir Aaron up. Arya just continued to hold on tight to Aston. Aston held onto his mother's arms around him.
Afraid of what was about to happen.
Not before long another figure came out from the bushes a sword in hand as well. He quickly joined in the fight between Aaron and the first assailant. Now it was 2 assailants.
"Help!" Arya screamed for the guards that were supposed to be near by to come. She wondered why they hadn't they come yet.
"I think there are only 2 assailants the arrows stopped ever since the second person approached run for help!" Sir Aaron yelled" I'll fend them off as best as I can! " He knew there was no way he could continue fighting both of them and be able to protect the Crown Prince and his mother. Though he had a feeling about the ce that no help had come yet
Arya knew Sir Aaron but still she wondered why no one had come yet. They were making a lot of noise that he nearest guards should have heard.
She grabbed Aston by the hand "let's go." she said to him as they turned to run. Sir Aaron did his best to fight the 2 but they both extremely strong throwing powerful blows at him. It was evident they were trained experienced knights. Sir Aaron was using all his strength and getting more tired with each strike.
When Arya and Aston ran away one of the men yelled "Get the woman and the prince! "
Aaron became alarmed at this order. "No!" As he fought harder against them trying to stop them.
"Stay out of our way." one of the assailants spat out as he struck a blow so hard it knocked Sir Aaron off his feet and he fell to the floor. "You're about to reach your limit anyway."
With Sir Aaron temporarily down one of the assailants ran for Arya and Aston.
Arya ran straight to where the other guards was supposed to be but to far from where. Upon reaching the place Arya and Aston stared in shock. It became all too clear why no help had come before. The guard lay flat in the ground unconscious. Arya thought had the assailants done this? It was most probably them. But when had they done it?
However, she didn't have time to ponder she needed to get the mansion. As she was about to continue moving she was stopped by someone forcefully grabbing her arm. Aston cried out in fear.
Arya turned to see it was one of the assailants. He lifted Aston of the ground held him under his arm. "You're coming with me." he said to them as he began to go back where they'd come from dragging Arya with him.
"Let go!" Aston screamed as he wriggled in his arms. Arya screamed and tried to force him to let her go by hitting the man. However, he was too strong and handled both of them with ease.
Sir Aaron tried to get up from the ground but the assailant had a sword pointed at his throat. Sir Aaron had to think quickly if he wanted to save Arya and Aston.
Soon the other assailant returned Arya and Aston in his grasp. "I've got them" he said when he returned.
"Good, we can go." the other replied.
Sir Aaron had an idea with the remaining strength he had left.
Then suddenly loud footsteps could be heard from the distance. Arya looked behind and saw a group of knights coming towards them and at the front of the group was..... Cedric?
Arya wondered was doing back at the estate but at the same time she was glad to see him.
"Your majesty company's on the way" one of the assailants said referring to Cedric and the knights that were in the way.
'Your majesty?' Arya and Sir Aaron both thought. Who exactly were these people?
"Fine let's just leave the woman." The assailant ordered as they made to run towards the forest.
No! Aston! Arya yelled "Give me back my son!"
Sir Aaron tried to fight back but his injury held him back. Still he tried to run and managed grab onto Aston's leg. He planned to slow them slow down until Cedric reached them. However, one of the assailants easily kicked him on the ground as they ran into the forest again. Aston in their hold.
Arya watched in horror as her son was being taken from her. Her mouth became dry as she couldn't bring herself to say anything any more. Her body began to shake.
Cedric reached Arya in a moment he glad to see she was alright. Then instantly noticed how visibly shaken she seemed. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he pulled her to him.
"what happened?" He asked.
Arya was now trembling. "A-Aston..." she started in shock before she was interrupted
" The Prince, they took the prince and ran into the forest." Sir Aaron breathlessly explained in pain on the ground.
He looked around noticing the prince truly wasn't with them. "Search the forest now! They can't have gone far!" Cedric ordered his knights.
All the knights immediately went into the forest to look for the assailants. He then turned back to Arya.
"I'll be back." He told her "I'm going to go look for our son." He left Arya in the company of other guards that had just now arrived.
As he ran into the forest sheer determination on his mind. He was going to kill whoever did this.