The Criminal and The Princess

Rays from the scorching desert sun beamed down on Iska's dark skin. He sat awake in the cell that was placed in the center of town, the noise from the crowd made it impossible to sleep. 

Many faces stared up at the prisoners, awaiting the announcement of their punishment. Some people looked at them with contempt and fear, hoping they would be executed on the spot. Some looked up at them with tear-filled eyes as they watched their friends and family members await their fate. But no matter which type of person they were all of them knew the decision made here could change the fate of Assarimah Kingdom.

"They need to hurry this up," The big and burly Amin scoffed. 

"Yes I agreed, they should just execute us already," The delicate yet ruthless Raiha said.

"Would you quit complaining and quiet down? Just cause your siblings doesn't mean you both gotta be annoying," Iska mumbled the second part under his breath though deep down he felt the same way they did. He was tired of waiting.

...

...

Hours passed before the voices in the crowd finally died down. Judgment was finally gonna be passed. The entire city was watching as Princess Lailah Qishan, the eldest daughter of the king walked onto the platform where the cage was situated. Her long, dark hair swayed as she walked with bewitching majesty, catching the eyes of all in attendance, even Iska who just wanted to sleep looked up to admire her beauty.

"Quiet everyone!" Yelled Princess Lailah. "I will now read off all the crimes of these seven prisoners. Starting with the ringleader Iska."

Hearing his name snapped him out of the spell of love that was put on him. He listened intently as his crimes were read off.

"Plotting to overthrow the king, The murder of 4 nobles and 24 soldiers, The theft of the legendary sword Zulfiqar, The interception of multiple trade caravans and the involvement in the incident that took place in Quzet just north of here. Iska you are to be executed immediately after this ceremony ends." The crowd began cheering loudly after hearing that the despicable criminal, Iska was finally set to be executed.

Iska was relieved that this was the punishment he was receiving. He was sick of this kingdom and if he wasn't able to change it then he wanted nothing less than death.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Haha congratulations Iska, going out just the way you wanted," Raiha said from behind him in an upbeat tone

How can she be so cheerful all the time? Iska wondered as he shook his head at the ground.

"Now onto the next criminal, Raiha"

"Guess I'm next," She said, cheerful as ever.

"For the attempted assassination of the king, the murder of 1 noble and 7 soldiers, and being the lead role in the Quzet incident. You are also sentenced to be executed.

"Yes! Looks like we're going out together Iska!" Raiha said as she looked over at Amin "You're probably next," 

Amin nodded as he looked up towards Princess Lailah.

"And now for the last of the main trio, Amin. For attempting to overthrow the king, The murder of 10 soldiers, and your involvement in the Quzet incident you are also sentenced to be executed."

...

The princess read off the names and crimes of the other four members and the execution stage was set up. The crowd watched closely as the leader Iska stepped up to the execution platform.

Iska looked down towards the crowd and saw many different faces. Some were young and old, male and female but one thing they all had in common was they seemed to have a hopeful flare in their eyes like they were hoping that this would fix all the atrocities that have been happening throughout the kingdom.

"Move along!" one of the guards who was escorting him said as he began pushing Iska violently.

Iska was pushed onto the platform, and his head was aggressively pushed into position. 

"For your crimes against Assarimah and her people. Iska you shall now be-" Princess Lailah couldn't finish that thought as she was interrupted by a soldier who ran frantically towards the platform.

"Rebels! They're everywhere!" The soldier yelled towards the princess.

"Execute him quickly!" Lailah commanded.

Iska watched from his position as the crowd became a frenzy. Thousands of people left the area at once. The streets were crowded, from where Iska was they looked like little ants scurrying away from a massive threat though he didn't exactly know what this threat was yet.

The executioner readied his axe and swung down with force.

ZZZSH! Thwap! 

The sound of many arrows splitting the air and colliding with their targets rang through Iska's ears.

The pressure around Iska's neck was released. He quickly shot up and looked around. The executioners were lying on the ground with arrows all throughout their back, blood pouring from the wounds onto the wooden platform that he stood upon. His gaze left the bodies as he looked back to where the crowd was, now there were hundreds of soldiers fighting where the lively crowd once stood. An unknown force though heavily outnumbered clashed bravely with the Royal army.

Princess Lailah who stood just a few meters away on the same platform screeched at her guards. "Don't let them leave alive!".

"Iska we have to go," Amin said before tapping him on the shoulder and leading the way with Raiha and the others close behind.

The group ran into several soldiers who guarded the only way off the platform.

"We won't let you through!" One of the soldiers said.

"Go on ahead, leave this to me" Iska ordered the rest of the group to move ahead.

"Your gonna do that here?" Amin asked.

ZZZSH!

Dozens of arrows rained down from the sky clearing the path of enemies.

"Looks like I won't have to" Iska scoffed.

The group made it to the stairs before being cut off by the princess and two of her guards.

"Princess we need to get you out of here!" The guard said as he tried to grab her. Lailah shook him off easily and angrily looked Iska in the eyes. He stared back but this time he wasn't enchanted but more fearful, it felt as if her glare was burning through his eyes and staring directly into his soul. 

"Iska you won't get away with this!" She said before turning and making her escape with her guards.

Iska was too shook to move. It took Raiha slapping him in the face to finally snap him out of it.

"We have to go!" She said, Scolding him.

Iska nodded and took the lead. He was unsure where he should be leading them to so he decided to head where the least fighting was.

"Wait up!" A voice in the distance yelled. Iska turned around to see one of the soldiers from the unknown force running up to them.  

"You guys gotta leave this area. My name's Oz, I'll escort you to our headquarters. It's a long way through the desert so it'll be a tough trek but just stay close and you'll be fine".

With no other choice, Iska nodded and the soldier cut them loose.

"Alright just follow me and try to avoid any fighting!" Oz said as he began leading the way.