A dense forest was the only witness to the fear and anger that consumed me. With every step I felt the sharp branches cutting into my skin a burning pain that seemed endless. My breath grew heavier and heavier but I ignored the ache. I had to escape. My only possessions were an old dagger a water container and the identity amulets that were the last remnants of my family.
"You'll pay for this Josefa! I'll be back!" I whispered to myself trying to bolster my courage.
Despite my exhaustion I didn't stop running. From my home to this dense forest I had been running non-stop. I estimated that this was the third city I had passed through but I didn't linger in any place. I knew I wasn't safe anywhere Josefa had her people watching every corner. My eyes scanned every movement around me terrified that a wrong turn would expose me to her assassin.
I still remembered the last day we were together Josefa the former nanny I considered a second mother. She had been with me since childhood supporting and nurturing me during times when father was busy with his business and forgot that he had a daughter who needed him. But when the day came that I learned she was pregnant and carrying my father's child that was eleven years ago and everything changed. From being attentive and caring Josefa became cold, hard, and abusive.
There wasn't a day that I didn't feel her anger and hatred an anger I didn't understand back then. I never expected that my once kind and gentle nanny would attempt to kill me.
I tried to push away the memories of those days as I journeyed through the darkness. It was difficult to rest but my body was weakening. I had no food or money and the water I carried was running low. I had been moving from city to city for days hiding hoping that Josefa's people wouldn't find me.
Ahead there's a light appeared before me. I concealed myself behind the trees. I'm holding my dagger tight ready in case I needed to use it.
I held my breath trying to hide in the shadow of the trees. I spotted a small hut with light coming from within and two guards outside looks like knight warriors who looked ready to kill anyone who dared to approach.
I clapped a hand over my mouth in shock as someone was thrown out of the hut. An elderly man lay sprawled on the ground. Moments later a man emerged from the hut. His long cloak billowed in the wind. His aura was serious and intimidating but his beauty was undeniable. His powerful stance and posture accentuated by his uniform that's screamed authority.
"You know the punishment for betrayal," the man spoke coldly his voice low but echoing around.
The old man knelt before him trembling. "Please forgive me... I didn't mean to—"
The elder didn't finish his sentence. In an instant the man's sharp sword ended his life. The body fell to the ground defenseless.
My body shook as if my soul had left me. A heavy silence enveloped the surroundings. I was filled with fear and dread. Who is this man?
"I need to get away from here," I whispered to myself.
I slowly stepped back trying to make no sound with each step. But my foot slipped on a dry leaf. A sound with no escape.
I quickly glanced at the warriors outside the hut. My heart pounded as I saw them begin to move. Their eyes swiftly searching for the source of the noise. I hid behind a tree clutching my dagger praying they wouldn't find me.
"Who's there?" the man asked. His voice sounds like a judge delivering a sentence.
I swallowed hard. I knew I had no other choice.
I didn't hesitate. I ran as fast as I could ignoring the fatigue and pain in my body. But with every step it seemed my luck was fading on this dark night. They saw me the knights guarding the hut had started chasing after me.
I quickened my pace but in the darkness I failed to see a protruding tree root. I tripped and lost my balance, and the last thing I remember was tumbling quickly down a steep slope. Before I could resist I felt my body hit the ground and everything went black.
I awoke to the sharp sting of my injuries. Two people were gripping my arms tightly harshly pulling me up as new pain surged with every movement. My body was utterly weak but I forced my eyes open.
I could hear that cold voice that had already filled me with dread. The man... the high-ranking man I had seen earlier now stood in front of me his gaze full of authority and icy indifference. Despite my blurry vision I made out his fierce expression as he approached me.
"You," he said. His voice sharp as a dagger. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my territory?"
I struggled to push out the words forming in my mind but before I could respond darkness consumed me once again.
I forced myself to sit up from the wooden cot fighting the aches in my body. Silence surrounded me. This room seemed miles away from any outside noise or commotion. The four walls were small almost bare. There is a small table beside me holding a covered bowl.
Slowly, I lifted the cover and inhaled the savory aroma of warm broth. "If they were going to kill me... they would have done it last night." I muttered to myself trying to convince myself it wasn't poisoned. Overcome by hunger and the weakness from days of running I didn't hesitate. I spooned the broth feeling the warmth spread through me offering a momentary respite to my weakening body.
After a while I felt a little stronger. But the questions returned. Why did they save me? What do they want from me? My mind raced with anxieties possibilities I couldn't yet define. Was I lucky or unlucky to be caught?
Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside the door. It creaked open and a woman entered carrying medicine and cloth. Her attire suggested she was a healer or a caregiver.
"You're awake," she said with a gentle smile though a cautiousness lingered in her eyes. "I'm Lira. Our leader ordered me to treat you. You have nothing to fear."
"What… what do you want from me?" I asked trying to hide my fear and confusion.
"Our leader has questions for you," she replied beginning to clean my wounds. "But for now you need to rest. Your injuries are quite severe."
I nodded silently but her last words echoed in my mind. The leader. The memory of his icy gaze. His brutality and ruthless.That powerful warrior, that cold-blooded killer... sent a fresh wave of panic through me.
Fear and anxiety surged again as I recalled what he'd done. How he'd killed the old man without a second thought. I had to escape.