At the gates, Wellington counted the odds and they were not in his favor at all. Archers surrounded the walls with their bows and arrows, ready to shoot him on sight, the vampire foot soldiers had their silver daggers while the two human guards facing him and Brutus each had a sword bathed in silver. One slash was all they needed to end his life and he wanted to live.
"What do you want?" he asked, deciding to play it safe.
"Your head." One of the human guards said with a grin.
"I know that's what you wanted to say," Wellington dismounted from his horse, "but is that really necessary?"
"Why not? We clearly have your little castle under control. Your king is dead!" The guard spat.
"What?" Wellington's eyes went round in shock.
"Yield, creature!" came the command.
Brutus was easily forced to his knees but Wellington would not submit.
"By the order of the new lord of the de Caspian, Lord Jarlen, I command you to fall on your knees, soldier!"
"Do it, Well. There's no point in resisting. The king is dead and we will be soon." Brutus whispered to him.
"Listen to your friend. He isn't wrong, you know." said the human soldier.
Wellington knew in war politics, the weaker powers submit to the stronger one. He was the weak one here with no army.
He threw his weapon to the gravel and fell on his knees. "I yield."
"You know what they say about humans, right?" The guard loomed near him, clutching his sword tightly in his hand.
"What are you doing!" Brutus yelled.
"You're the captain of the King's guard, aren't you?" The human fisted Wellington's hair and pulled his head back to get a look at his face.
"I am. Wellington Aldebaran, Lord of House Aldebaran, Sword of the late King Fieren and captain of the Royal King's guard!" Wellington echoed.
"Nice introduction but from now henceforth, those titles will be mine," The soldier lifted his hand. "Remember this when you get to hell, Sir Wellington. The man standing before you is Sir Carlton Wales. Fire!"
Arrows in their hundreds whisked through the air, flying in on him from all directions and creating a cloud of dust.
"Hold!" Carlton ordered as he held up his clenched fist in midair.
Carlton pinched his eyelids to get a better look at Wellington. The dust settled but there was no one there, only the arrows shot at him remained on the ground.
"He escaped! Find him!" Carlton roared in anger.
"And this other soldier?" his partner asked.
Carlton mounted his horse. "Kill him."
Wellington found it hard to control his breathing. He felt like he had run a mile without stopping for a drink of water. He closed his eyes, trying to recall what had happened at the castle gates - Carlton had ordered his and he had accepted his fate but the arrow did not touch him.
"For the captain of the king's guard, you sure are weak." A masculine voice said.
Wellington threw his eyes open. "My lord."
"I want you to find Lucia and take her as far away from here as possible.'
Wellington gave a low bow. "As you wish, my lord."
Deep in the castle, Lucia raced across the hall, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
"Where do I go from here?" she whispered to herself when she got to the end of the hall.
The guard said, approaching her with his sword. "There's no escape for you now."
"Don't touch me!" she screamed at the man.
"That's exactly what I was told to do, little missy." The guard gave her mischievous smile as he approached her.
Lucia took a few steps back till her back hit the window.
"Don't even think about it!" he snarled.
"Too late!" she pushed the window open with her back and fell through.
"Stop!" he screamed.
Lucia's eyes moistened with tears as her world turned upside down. The wind roared in her ears and she wanted to scream. A rush of fear overcame her as the wool cap left her head releasing her hair into the wind. Her mind narrowed to a single thought : This is the end. Just like that her life flashed before her eyes - her memories, her regrets and unfinished dreams. With arms wide open, she shut her eyes, welcoming death's cold embrace.
"Lady Lucia!" She heard her name and threw her eyes open. It was dark now. But how? She wondered.
"Lucia!" The voice came again and she sat up, looking around. She was on a horse and there was a man leading it.
She looked to her left and found the gentleman Lord Jarlen had ordered to lock her up. She quickly dismounted. "You!"
"You talk out of spite for someone whose life was saved." he said, not letting go of the horses' reins.
"Well, I was taught not to talk to strangers." Lucia shot back.
Then she looked around. The forest was dimly lit with the moon's light. Creatures of the night howled and hooted, reminding her where she was.
She clutched her chest when she realized she should've been dead.
"We don't have much time. Mount the horse."
"That's rude. Who are you?"
"Wellington Aldebaran, captain of the king's guard. I saved your life." Wellington introduced himself.
"King's guard," Lucia's voice trailed off. "Damian."
"I'm afraid I don't know where he is but I do know he must be safe somewhere."
"Safe? He's safe but what about me? Am I not important to him? I risked my life to save his!" Lucia threw her arms in the air.
Wellington interposed quietly. "He's the one that told me to save your life."
Lucia fell quiet. "He did? Well, if he did, then you know where he is."
Wellington shook his head. "Sir Damian is now an enemy of the kingdoms. His location cannot be known to anyone."
"Even me?" Lucia asked with a scoff.
Wellington held out his hand for Lucia to take. "Yes. Even you, my lady."