12

Cirida and Siofra were set to follow the soldiers to where the battle between Corc and the bandits was. They needed to be quick, the battle was raging and Corc needed the men back.

As Siofra stepped to run behind the soldier, her foot gave out. She tilted forward, about to fall when a soldier caught her by the arm. “Come” the soldier said as he lifter her to sit on his shoulder. He did not struggle at all, like he was lifting a child. “You’ve suffered enough, now let——me be your legs. Please don’t mind me, I’ve worn armor more heavy than you, my Lady” he said as he started to run again.

Siofra looked at Cirida running behind. Her eyes were distant, focused ahead, her eyebrows slightly burrowed, her mouth was quivering as well as her legs. “Why don’t you carry, Cirida instead” asked Siofra. “Who, my Lady?” responded the soldier. “I’m fine, we’re almost there anyways” Cirida quickly said, her running, unsteady with limps every couple of steps.

They got near the battlefield, close enough where you could almost see their faces. Surprisingly no bandit had seen them or didn’t care enough to go to them. “Here, hide on these rocks, girls, just get low enough” one of the soldiers said, pointing and walking to some rocks that were about belly height. “One of us will stay here guarding you, the other will report to the general”

“General?” Siofra asked softly. “Yes, my lady, General Corc. Er…I’m sorry your father couldn’t be here for you. He had a very important battle, you see” The soldier Said slightly hesitant. “I certainly knew father wouldn’t come…but Corc coming, that is unexpected” Siofra said softly.

Cirida had already sat, her back resting against the rock.

“Right, my lady, I must take my leave. You stay here and rest.” One of the soldier said. He stared at Siofra’s face. His eyes soften when he focused on Siofra’s dried blood. “My lady, I will make those dogs pay, I promise you that!” he said intensely, while looking into Siofra’s eyes. He sharply turned and ran steadily towards the battle. “Soldier!” Siofra shouted. The soldier stopped and turned, looking back at Siofra. “I will see you after the battle” Siofra shouted at him. The soldier put his arm across his chest and took a quick, well formed bow before running off.

From where Siofra was, she couldn’t tell who was winning the battle. It was a jumbled mess of bodies. There was a lot of movement and shouting but not that much swinging of weapons.

The soldier carrying Siofra went next to the rocks. He slowly put Siofra down, placing her to sit next to Cirida. He then hunched, getting one last glimpse of the battle over the rocks before sitting behind them, next to Siofra.

“We might be here a while. Are you injured, my Lady. How about hungry, thirsty? I got some water here” the soldier said as he reached over to her with his canteen. Siofra stared at the canteen, she couldn't remember the last time she drank water. “Yes, thank you” Siofra said softly, her voice dry, as she hesitantly took the canteen. She opened the canteen. She could see the water glistening in the dark container. She looked to her side at Cirida. She had her head was hunched, her elbows on her knees. Some strands of her hair stuck on her face and dripping with sweat. The hair by her shoulders was messy, where Siofra’s arms had been wrapped around.

“Do you want some water? Siofra asked Cirida. “I have some here” Cirida said shaking her canteen that sounded almost empty. “Oh, I see” Siofra said, before she went in for a drink. Just as the water went into her mouth she spat it out. The repugnant taste of iron still lingering on her tongue. “Are you alright, my Lady” the soldier quickly asked, startled. “Yes, I just got some of my blood from around my mouth mixed into the water. I’m fine” Siofra said, before swallowing and tasting her mouth.

“Sorry, but I don’t have any food, my lady. Also save some water, the battle might last a while” the soldier said. “How long?” asked Siofra. “Until the bandits are defeated or Prince Corc dies” the soldier said. “What do you mean, when my brother dies?!” Asked Siofra, before she tried to stand. The soldier and Cirida quickly pulled her down.

“When the battle first started, the bandits thought they could overwhelm us with sheer numbers. With Corc commanding us, we were able to endure. After a while they stopped being aggressive and fought defensively. They started to drift and gather near the gold, almost with no will to fight” The solder said. “What gold?” Siofra interrupted. “The gold that Prince Corc brought for your ransom, My Lady, many bars of it, silver too. It spilled and now Prince Corc is dueling their bandit boss, Kelso for it” the soldier said.

“And my brother, how is he doing?” Siofra asked hesitantly. “He was a bloody mess last time I saw him, but so was Kelso” said the soldier as he stared at the hilt of his sword. “The bandits have figured it out, nothing matters until one of them falls. If Kelso falls, they would have to rethink if they would risk trying to get Corc off the gold themselves. No doubt there will be some foolish enough to try. If Corc falls, well, then there is no hope for any of us”.

Siofra’s gaze dropped to the ground. The battle, Corc and everyone risking their lives was for her sake. She never asked for it. She was a prisoner, chained by her royal status. She was no one, she had no power to valorize all their sacrifices. Instead she was going to step on them with her planed renunciation of her crown.

“My lady” the soldier said softly. Siofra lifted her head to look at him. “Your brother is strong, he will not fall to no bandit. He is the son of Tidwield, future king of Genogem” said the soldier. Siofra looked at him, glassed eye. “He will be glad to to know you’re safe, My Lady” said the soldier. Just then a there was a commotion in the battle. They heard loud sudden shouting, almost like cheering.

Siofra’s eyes widen and her jaw hanged. Fighters cheering, something must have happened.