11

Siofra and Cirida ran on slightly inclined up, narrow path that was almost flat, didn’t curve much and led straight to the battle. They were half way there but, Siofra was exhausted, her body was starting to give. She was hunched forward, the arm that Cirdida was not pulling on swung limply with each heavy breath. Her face was flush, sweat was dripping into her cheek scratches making them burn. Her feet were heavily shaking and her steeping was wobbly.

She turned to see the bandits eye’s focused on her as they hopped over rocks on the way, running towards her. She looked again again, taking some painful steps. The next time she looked back, the bandits had closed the gap so much she could clearly see their faces, like dogs salivating while chasing a bone.

Siofra pushed her self to try and run faster, but her body wouldn’t respond. It was impossible, the bandits would catch her, she could not go any faster.

Siofra then suddenly pulled her hand hard, trying to let go of Cirida’s hand. With her free hand she gave Cirida a small push on the back “go!” Siofra said in a wimpy, fading voice tone.

Cirida didn’t let go of Siofra’s hand. She glimpsed back, then pulled Siofra’s hand so hard it almost took it out its socket. The force made Siofra’s body leap forward. Cirida went to one knee, her back towards Siofra’s incoming body. Siofra’s limp body landed on Cirida’s upper back and was quickly clasped, and held there by Cirida’s hands as she lifter her up and ran.

Siofra could hardly move, she put her arms on top of Cirida’s shoulder and around her neck, trying to hold on as Cirida carried her along.

Siofra’s eyes were distant and dull as she rested her head atop Cirida’s bumpy shoulder. She did not understand, for all she tried why Cirida was doing this for her. They were not friends nor had she discussed payment. She could have guessed Siofra was a princess, but she had not abandoned her, even in great risk to her life. All this trouble would not be worth it for someone seeking only fortune. Beyond that, Siofra had nothing to give. She could hear Cirida’s steady but heavy, racy breathing. She could see trails of sweat on the side of her face. Every once in a while she would hear a feint, muffled cry as she stepped.

Siofra could not move but she could still hear the bandits, the swaching and soft thudding of their armor, their heavy stepping, their animalistic, piercing shouts of excitement. They were closing the gab faster than Cirida can carry. In that moment Siofra felt a strong connection to Cirida, one like she had never felt before, of two people who shared the same destiny.

Something caught Siofra’s eyes. It looked like two of the fighters had left the battle and were headed their way fast. As they got near, Siofra recognized their armor, the same light leather and Chest steel plate that was common throughout the kingdom of Genogem.

She lifted her heavy arm, and waved as much as she could to them.

As the two fighters came running they dropped their swords, unbuckled their chest plate armor, throwing it on the ground. They were faster without them. But it was too late.

Siofra could hear that one of the bandits had caught up to them and the rest were not far behind him. She heard his voice like he was shouting in his ear then felt his hand grip her shoulder and slip down her back. He couldn’t hang on.

Cirida glimpsed back then threw herself on the down, her back landing on Siofra’s belly and Siofra’s back landing on the ground.

The bandit went up to them. He made a nasty smirk then he threw his hands at Cirida wanting to grab her, but Cirida who was body shielding Siofra threw a mighty kick up that skimmed his gut, up to his cheek. The bandit tried again, this time getting kicked on the chin, but that didn’t deter him. Cirida quickly threw a couple of more kick ups to follow up, that barely missed.

The bandit, frustrated took a wobbly step back. He put his hand on his chin, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Cirida with intense hate. Then he drew his sword. He was raising his sword and about to step when he hesitated. He tilted his head slightly and his eyes wondered behind. His eyelids opened more as he realized he was alone. He turned to see the other bandits running away. He then quickly turned to the two fighters that were running towards them. He took a shaky step backwards. His face slowly changed into a fearful grimace, his arm so became so limp he almost dropped his sword.

The two warriors were running towards them, their imposing presence almost quaking the ground as they stepped. Their eyebrows deeply burrowed, their eyes piercingly fierce, their mouth rigidly clenched wide around their teeth. The long veins in their neck and side of forehead were popped out in their skin, flushed in a hostile red color.

The bandit shook slightly before he turned and sped off, running back from where he came from. The bandits knew, even if the two fighters weren’t armed, they wouldn’t go down without doing some serious damage of their own.

Siofra and cirida laid on the ground, stacked. The two fighters were going to so fast the could only stop a little past them. They looked back at Cirida and Siofra from head to toe “Are you two ladies alright…who are you girls?” said one of the fighters as he struggled to catch his breath, placing his hands on his knees. “We were captives who were escaping from them” said Cirida, breathing heavily as she crunched her body to sit up.

The two fighters eyes soften and their jaw hung when they got a good look at Siofra. Her gown that had started pink had turned to a dark charcoal that seemed to have smudged its color all over Siofra’s skin. Her white silk stocking were also dark with dirt, there were jagged tears and dried blood that had soaked into the fabric. Her brown hair was tangled with dirt and embedded with pebbles, mud had formed at the roots from all the sweat. Her face was heavily smudged with dirt, on the sides her sweat had turned to muddy water and left dry mud trails as it ran down her face. From the bottom of the nose to her chin was a smear of dried blood. Some had started to flake, some had dried while dripping off her chin.

“My goodness, what have those monsters done to you, girl” said one of the fighters softly and slowly, almost quivering. Siofra rolled on her belly before getting on her hands and knees, then on one knee she pushed herself up into a slightly hunched stance. She lifted her head, looked at Cirida who had gotten up. Cirida was breathing heavily but other than that was uninjured.

Siofra then looked at one of the soldiers, stood up as straight as she could “I am Princess Siofra Ivanderuth. Is your army here to rescue me?” Siofra asked with as clear as voice as she could.

“Princess?! You’re the princess?” The fighter looked at her up and down with a doubtful, shocked face. The other soldier stepped in, eyes wide open, looking at Siofra. “Wait, it is her. Those eyes of her, like a lake in autumn reflecting the deep blue sky. I’ve never forgotten them since I saw them in the palace” he said.

“Princess!” they both exclaimed, putting their arm across their chest, and bowing slightly.

“Quickly, we must let the general know, this will change everything, please come with us, my lady” said one of the soldiers.