The cold wind swept through the forest, rustling the leaves above as Elira stumbled backward, her frightened eyes fixed on the soldiers closing in around her.
The soldiers spread out, their swords gleaming beneath the moonlight.
Elira’s breathing became uneven.
She took another step back until her foot caught against a root.
Before she could regain her balance, the two soldiers lunged toward her.
Suddenly Thwack!
An arrow sliced through the air.
It pierced the chest of the first soldier.
Before the second soldier could react, another arrow buried itself deep into his throat.
Elira screamed in shock, her gaze fixed on the two men that lay lifeless on the ground.
Her body shook violently as the woods fell Silent, but the silence lasted only for a heartbeat.
Someone stepped out from behind a tree, it was a soldier.
Another stepped in and before Elira could blink twice, she was surrounded with soldiers heavily guarded against the unseen archer.
She could feel something more than fear rising in her chest.
She wanted to scream.
To run.
To do something that could save her at that moment.
But all she could do was stare with wide eyes, not getting over the shock she just experienced.
She was doomed!
That’s the only thing that she could consider her situation right now.
But before Elira could cry, a shadow descended from above the tree like a predator hunting his prey while shielding her.
His black cloak fluttered behind him as his boots struck the ground.
His arms were not idle as his hands held two silver swords that glittered under the rising moon.
And her body shook.
“Adrian!” Elira called out.
But Adrian did not spare her a glance.
Rather, he stood before her.
Daring them to step forward.
It shocked Elira to see him like this.
The gentleman she had come to know now stood before her like a seasoned warrior.
Glomon slowly stepped forward and seized him up with his gaze.
So this was the man who princess Elira chose.
Such a shame.
“Do you know the punishment that goes to a commoner who dares crosses the same path with a royal blood?” “Do you know the punishment for anyone who dares lay a hand on my woman?” Adrian spat.
Glomon was annoyed, how dare a common man challenge him.
Does he have a death wish because he was ready to grant it.
“Kill him!” Glomon ordered and three soldiers moved like wind towards Adrian.
Steel flashed.
Glomon stood by the side and watched.
His brows furrowed at the sight before him.
The man was fighting like a mad man.
One of the soldiers barely managed to raise his sword before Adrian drove a blade through his shoulder and spun, slashing another across the chest.
Blood sprayed across the fallen leaves.
And Glomon’s eyes widened.
He had underestimated this commoner.
Was he even a commoner or a….
His thoughts were silenced by a scream.
“Adrian!” Elira cried, fear flooding her heart.
Did Adrian just kill someone.
Adrian never answered.
Instead, he raised one hand without looking back, gesturing for her to move away.
Elira understood.
She hurried behind the thick trunk of an ancient oak tree, peeking out just enough to keep him in sight.
She wasn’t sure when, but she knew she was going to faint from the sight unraveling before.
Five soldiers charged at once toward Adrian.
And he met them head-on.
Their swords came from every direction.
And he gave it back to them.
He ducked beneath the first strike, caught another blade with his own, twisted his wrist, and disarmed its owner before driving his elbow into the man’s face.
Bones cracked and the soldier crumpled.
A spear thrust toward Adrian’s ribs, he sidestepped effortlessly, seized the shaft, yanked the weapon from its owner’s hands, and hurled it backward.The spear pierced another soldier who had been rushing from behind.
Glomon didn’t make a move.
He just watched the man kill his soldiers as though he had a grudge against them.
And of course… Adrian does.
He was fighting like a demon.
The forest echoed with cries of pain from the soldiers.
But they didn’t yield.
“Surround him” one soldier shouted and few more soldiers rushed in.
Still, Adrian moved like flowing water.
Every swing of his sword was precise,every step was measured and no movement was wasted.
Elira clasped her trembling hands together as fear evolved her while watching Adrian cutting the soldiers down like they weighed nothing.
She wanted to help.
To run to him.
To run away or surrender.
But looking at Adrian fighting for her.
She couldn’t do anything stupid.
Glomon was angry.
He wanted to join the fight.
He wanted to stab this monster to death himself but right now, all he needed was to take Elira back to the palace.
His gaze shifted towards Elira who was weeping behind the tree.
He turned to Phillip standing beside him “we will take her away while the remaining men distract him” he said and Phillip nodded.
Darkness was closing in, and it’s obvious that his soldiers couldn’t defeat this man.
Glomon gestured to the remaining soldiers and they attacked him together.
“Try not to die.” He commanded and they ‘Aye’ before dashing towards him.
Adrian leaped onto a fallen log, sprang into the air, and spun ,his blade swept through the moonlight in a silver arc.Three soldiers dropped before their weapons could even touch him.
And he locked gaze with Glomon for a brief moment before going back to the fight.
The remaining men hesitated.
Fear flickered across their faces but they couldn’t turn back .
Glomon narrowed his eyes.
“Go around and get the princess.” He ordered the three soldiers with him and they disappeared into the darkness without a sound.
Elira could no longer see clearly from behind the tree, she just crotched down and buried her face between her legs.
Her eyes were swollen from crying and her throat hurt.
But when she thought everything was going to be okay, rough hands grabbed her from behind and closed her mouth from screaming.
“Mmm!” She tried to shake it off but the arm felt stiff.
She was lifted off the ground as she struggled violently to escape from their hands.
But it was to no avail.
They dragged her deeper into the forest.
Tears streamed down her face as she kicked desperately.
She tried calling Adrian’s name, but every cry was swallowed beneath the hand covering her mouth.
Branches scraped against her skin as they pulled her farther away and She twisted around one last time before giving up.
Through the trees she could still see his shadow fighting.
Still believing she was safe.
“Faster!” one soldier barked.
They disappeared into the darkness.
Back at the woods, Adrian drove his sword through the last remaining soldier and the man collapsed at his feet.
The forest finally fell silent, only Adrian’s steady breathing disturbed the stillness.
He lowered his sword and immediately turned toward the great oak.
“Helise” No answer.
His eyes searched the shadows but the tree was empty.
His heartbeat stopped.
“Helise!” He sprinted toward the tree.
The ground bore signs of struggle,Fresh footprints, a torn piece of her dress caught on a thorn bush.
Adrian picked it up.
His grip tightened until his knuckles turned white.
“They took her…” A violent rage erupted inside him.
With a single punch, he shattered the trunk of a nearby tree, sending splinters flying into the night.
His chest rose and fell with barely restrained fury.
And he didn’t care about the blood running down his hands cos of the impact.
“They dared to take her from me.” He slowly closed his fist around the torn fabric.
His eyes burned with murderous intent.
Without another word, he disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind nothing but fallen soldiers.
**** ***** King Budegha sat on his throne as he waited anxiously for Glomon’s return.
He was furious, yet deep down he knew Elira only followed her heart.
The way she had cried flashed in his memory but he couldn’t help her.
His poor child!
Different things kept running through his mind as he paced around the throne chamber without taking a break.
Mirelle wanted to marry Zareth, not just because it was her right, but because she wanted power.
Zareth won’t treat her right as long as she is offered as peace stand between the two kingdoms but she would still have a status even if she never became queen.
But Elira, he still wonders why he chose her.
According to the rules of Elarion, an illegitimate daughter cannot be a queen, but instead a concubine.
And now he fears the fate of her daughter.
Even though he doesn’t know the rules of Nebuzza.
‘If only he had treated her right instead of being selfish’ Still deep in his thoughts, he heard the voice of the royal messenger announcing the return of the army.
The door was pushed open and the king waited to see the man who stole his daughter’s heart.
But seeing Glomon walk in with four soldiers and Elira on his shoulder made him pause.
He slowly stepped forward.
Eyes fixed on Glomon as he put Elira down and met his gaze.
“My king!” Glomon bowed.
“Forgive me your highness but he was stronger” he said and the king fell silent as he understood what had transpired.
His gaze moved from Glomon to Elira whose eyes were swollen.
“Why Elira ?” He asked but she didn’t reply.
Instead, she cried more.
“Elira I am trying to protect you.
I’m trying to protect Elarion too!
Do you think running would have saved you?” Elira was silent and it frustrated the king more.
“Lock her up in her chamber and make sure she doesn’t get out!” “No father you can’t do this!” Elira tried to struggle but she was held tighter.
“I just did!
You will be in your chamber until your wedding day!” He signaled them to take her away.
Elira screamed as she was being led out.
“What happened!” King Budegha turned to Glomon.
“My king, whoever she was seeing was no commoner!
He fought and took down our soldiers as if we’re ants.” Glomon Said.
“We will find him!” King Budegha said.
sounding determined but Glomon shook his head “I’m afraid he would be too dangerous for that my king!” With that he bowed and left.
King Budegha looked around and took a deep breath.
A commoner fighting like a warrior.
That can’t just be a commoner.
He didn’t settle in his chambers that night, rather, he stayed in the council chambers letting his own thoughts run wild.
******* Early morning.
King Budegha received the news that a messenger from Nebuza has Arrived in Elarion.That was an unexpected visit.
He thought of many reasons as to why a message was sent but nothing came out as an answer.
Zareth is a cunning bastard and Budegha knew he had his spies around Elarion.
Now he wonders, what if he has learned of Elira and the commoner?
“My king, the royal messenger cannot be kept waiting” The guard that announced of the messenger reminded him.
And he fell silent for a while….
“Let him in” he said.
The guard nodded and bowed before leaving.
A heavy footstep sounded fiercely as it marched toward the throne.
He stood before king Budegha and paid a respect.
“I am Raven, the messenger of Nebuzza and I’ve come to deliver a message from king of Nebuzza to you!” He said and raised his hands which held a letter.
Glomon stepped forward.
He took the letter from him and handed it to the king “King Zareth of Nebuzza will arrive at Elarion at dawn to claim his bride” Raven said and a heavy silence befell the great hall.
King Budegha slowly clenches the armrest of his throne till his knuckles turned white.