19

Siofra’s skin flushed red at the thought of marrying Artas. “She is kind of cute, my Lord” one of Artas men jested. Siofra glanced at Artas who was also flushed red. He had his eyes half closed as he sighted.

“Siofra!…” Corc called out. “This is a waste of time. You have always been a waste of time. Go, if you so wish it——but know this, I will not come to rescue you no more. This war I will wage will be very costly and I am willing to sacrifice everything——everything for victory. Artas do no think you will be able to use her as a weapon against me!” Corc announced, the veins in his neck and forehead popping out in his slightly red flushed skin.

Siofra always knew this is how Corc felt about her but it still hurt.

“You’re right, this is a waste of time. I got what I came for, I’m leaving” Artas said. He gazed down, locked eyes with Siofra who had tears running down her cheek. As Siofra looked into Artas’s eyes, she noticed they had changed from before. His eyes had become soft, the darkness that was cast over them was gone. His eyes were now like crystals, clear, like staring at the water flowing in a shallow river.

Artas put his finger up in the air and did a twirling motion. His horsemen began to turn as Cirida come up behind Siofra pulling on a horse’s rein “climb up” she told her. Siofra glimpsed at Artas, who was staring at Corc’s direction, then she looked at Cirida “but, is it alright?” she asked. Cirida looked straight at her with sneaky eyes “I think it’s more than alright. I’ve never seen him look at someone like he did you” Cirida said as she gently put her hands behind Siofra’s back and pulled her to the side of the horse then as Siofra put her foot on the stirrup, pushed her up.

“Look, the princess is coming along” one of Artas’s men called out. Many turned their heads quickly, some cheered and waved their swords in the air.

Artas’s men were starting to march out through the narrow path that lead away from the fort. “Artas!” yelled Corc “no doubt your master, King Tomasan had a hand in my father’s demise. Next time we meet, we’ll be enemies. For your sake and for the sake of your vassals don’t interfere with what I’m going to do to King Tomasan or you’ll meet the same fate” Corc warned, his tone menacing.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself there, prince. If you look too far ahead, you’ll trip and Jorgon will have your head” Artas lectured. “Prince?” Corc immediately replied “no, you call me for what I am. King Corc” Corc demanded.

“Well, we both have affairs to take care of it seems” Artas said as he pulled on his reins and started to turn his horse. Siofra was near him with her horse, she hadn’t taken her eyes off Artas.

Artas looked at her, their eyes locked. “After you, princess” Artas finally said as he gestured with his arm toward the road where his army was riding on. “…Right!” Siofra said as she gave a quick tug on the reins of her horse and sped off, getting in the marching line of Artas’s army.

Artas turned to look at Corc over his shoulder. “Well farewell, King without a kingdom” He said.

Artas rode behind Siofra’s horse through the narrow road that lead away from the fort.

As they turned on a mountain bend, Siofra glimpsed back one last time to the fort. The fort had been lit on fire. Its walls engulfed in flames that bit into the wood. Embers violently sparked from the top. Thick, black smoke rose, drifting up slowly past the mountain face and into the sky. She could barely make out from the distance a soldier touching the wood of the gate with their torch’s fire, lighting the last part of the fort. Siofra clenched her reins tighter and set her eyes ahead, on the riders leading the way.

As the road opened up, leaving behind the mountain ground and the fort in the far distance, Artas moved to the front of the Army.

Siofra always used to stare off into the distance as she rode her horse on the practice fields. She wondered what was beyond the green wall of shrubs, beyond the green hills in the distance. She would make her horse go faster as she thought about it.

What did the rider galloping into town from the endless road see on his long journey, what had made him so tattered? Her eyes would walk the long road, far out from town while——she continued to stay in place.

The cool, crisp air blew on Siofra’s face as she followed the galloping horsemen through rolling fields of green. She breath in the faint scent of grass as the horses in front heavily stomped the vibrant, green grass beneath. The horses huffed, their manes swayed and their hooves thundered as they made their way into the distance, beyond where the eye can see.

Many fields of riding later, Siofra realized she was getting left behind. She tried to get the horse to move faster by pulling on the reins, but it didn’t work. She gazed at the horsemen getting further and further, perhaps they decided to leave her behind. The horses hooves were loud, if she screamed they would have trouble hearing her. She tried to pull the reins again this time she gave it a real yank. Her mouth opened and she could feel her heart beating rapidly.

She looked ahead again to see if anyone had finally noticed her. Artas was stopped, looking over his shoulder at her and had his hand up in the air with his palm open. The rest of the army slowed to a stop behind him.

Artas rode to Siofra. She was still flushed red from struggling with the horse.