our home that was now burning. The smell of smoke hung heavily in the air, it was so thick I had to tear a piece of my clothing to wrap around my face. All these destruction, all of these only for one man!
My eyes landed on Corion who was chained with silver on his wrist that now seemed red. He slumped against the pole where he was tied to. He also had dried blood around the side of his head, I couldn't tell if he was still bleeding or not but one thing was clear Corion was weak. I moved deeper into the bushes when one of the men stepped forward, holding an animal skin bottle.
"Hey, dog boy!" He called, "Want some water?"
I felt my heart break when Corion's eyes opened weakly. I watched how his shoulders heaved with each breath he took as he fluttered his eyelash up at the man who was now opening the bottle.
"Here, open up, come on boy!" The man taunted and at that moment I could have shot an arrow at his stupid mouth.
How dare he treat him like this? How dare they treat him like this? Do they not know who he is at all? Besides why on earth did he allow them to capture him so weakly? He knew about all of this so why one earth is he allowing himself to be treated like this?
These series of questions raced through my mind as I continued to watch the man who now grabbed Corion's mouth forcefully and force the bottle in it. I watched Corion swallow for a minute before he yanked himself out of the man's grasp. His body convulsed as he retched, vomiting the water and the last meal he had.
"Wolfsbane!" I whispered to myself as I watched the scene unfold me in horror!
It was clear whoever this man was they weren't ordinary townsfolk. They were hunters! Skilled one at that which makes me wonder where on earth my family had met them and how much they paid them? But looking at the men who were camped outside our house, laughing gleefully as they toasted to their victory while sitting around the fire, I realized that these sort of men didn't need to be paid. They had their grand prize!
Killing a werewolf and not just any werewolf but one born of royalty!
I waited for a few minutes as the men rounded the corner of the house. I heard them talking about some boats and preparing to leave as I came out of hiding. Running towards Corion, I immediately sort to lose the chains that were wrapped around him, but I couldn't do that because it was locked.
I needed a key, fuck! I mentally cursed as I tugged the chain, hoping it would magically fall off!
"Anessa?" I heard Corion call me through my frustrated thoughts.
I immediately moved to stand in front of him, "Corion? Are you okay?"
He was drugged, beaten and tied up to a tree with silver chains while being forced to consume Wolfsbane? Yeah, he is just fine! My subconscious yelled at me and I winced a little at my stupidity.
"I'm so sorry," I apologized, "I'm going to get you out of here I promise!" I said resisting the urge to burst into tears.
"You came back." Corion said, his tone filled with surprise.
I tugged on the chain harder, "I promised to serve you, didn't I?"
"I let you go…" Corion breathed out weakly, "I said you were free."
Sniffing, I looked around then noticed a stone. Without hesitation, I went to grab it then began using it to hit the chain, hoping the padlock will give way. It didn't, so I tried again and again, not willing to give up.
Corion turned to look at me, smiling weakly, "You do know what this means right?"
It was best to keep him talking like this, this way he won't be able to think about the pain. So, I decided to engage him. "What does it mean?"
"You belong to me now."
My hand immediately stopped what I was doing and I stared up to look at Corion but his eyes were already closing, a resigned smile on his face as he slumped backwards in against the pole.
Oh no, no, no, no, no, no! I thought to myself as I grabbed Corion's cheek and I was about to wake him up when I suddenly heard a voice from behind me.
"And who are you?"
Shit! I turned around only to meet a man with ginger beard glaring down at me and he wasn't alone. Slowly, I stood up and turned to look at the men who looked very angry. There were at least six of them here, six very armed hunters against one. Not a very fair fight!
"Isn't she the Fritzgard girl?" I heard one of the men ask me.
The ginger beard man narrowed his eyes at me, "Shouldn't they all be on the boat to the next town by now?"
"Yeah, you are right." One man said stepping forward, "Then what's this one doing here?"
"Oy, this is no place for a little girl, you need to leave!"
I stood protectively in front of Corion, "Not without him?"
"Without him? Who are you talking about?" A man asked his brows furrowed with confusion, "Is she talking about the dog?"
"Do not call him that!" I hissed at him taking a step forward.
"Or what?" Ginger beard asked me stepping forward.
"Or I'm going to kill you!" I threatened, "Now, let him go!"
Ginger beard grunted softly before he took a step backwards but then his gaze hardened as he stared at me. "You really should leave now little girl, I won't tell you twice!"
"Call me little again, I dare you!" I said glaring up at him and I was a little surprise at the tone of my voice, it was cold and there was also something else lying underneath it, a hint of darkness.
Ginger beard and I stood glaring at each other. His green eyes narrowed as he stared me down and I stared back at him, not willing to back down. He was tall and huge, would probably take a few blows to knock him out but I meant what I said, I wasn't going leaving, not without him and I do not care if I have to kill, but no one is taking Corion!
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Mr. Finn?" I called my brows furrowing in confusion as I stared at one of my oldest friends, what the hell was he doing with these people? He hunts animals not people like Corion!
Mr. Finn stepped forward, his hands on his waist as he stared at me. "You really shouldn't be here kid!"
"Mr. Finn, you know these people?" I asked feeling more confused than ever.
Offering me a smile, Mr. Finn stepped forward to clasp me by my shoulder. "Good people, they are." He said as he led me forward, "How about you and I have a little talk?"
"I'm not leav…"
"Your friend," Mr. Finn said and I didn't miss the way he winced as he said 'friend.' As if the word left a bitter taste in his mouth. "Will not be harmed, you have my word!" Mr. Finn assured me with a warm smile, "Stand down boys!"
Yeah, stand down! I thought to myself as I glared at Ginger beard who now looked like he would start removing smoke from his nostrils and ears as he stared at me in anger. He was no doubt wishing that he could do something, like kill me and Corion. Too bad for him though, I meant what I said.
If he touched a single blonde strand on Corion's head, I'll kill him and I don't care who else was in the way, I'll kill anyone who touches him!
I swore to protect Corion and that was what I was going to do!