The Fugitive

"Where do you think you're going? If you leave now you'll be killed!" She warned him.

Whisking his hand away from her he retaliated, "If I stay I'll get killed either way!"

Before they could continue their argument, they heard gallops coming from the woods near the entrance of the village.

Soldiers...Leo and Reina both thought as they wore serious expressions on their faces.

From the sound of it there seems to be five of them. The wounded boy looked around for a place to hide and found a dark-alley way, out of sight from the public. 

"H-Hey!" Reina followed him to make sure he wouldn't leave. 

Near the entrance, five soldiers clad in silver-plated armor hopped off their horses and was greeted by the old man who spoke to Leo earlier. 

"What brings you here today good soldier--" but he was cut off.

"Where is he, huh?!" the soldier that led them yelled, "Where is that fugitive you have hiding here?!" 

The villagers looked around with confused looks on their faces wondering what the soldier was talking about.  

With his free hand, the old man stroked his beard and closed one eye to examine the reactions on the villagers' faces.

They don't suspect a thing...These soldiers are definitely after Leonardo. 

"I apologize sir, but we don't have someone like that here," he politely said.

The soldier walked up to the old man and grabbed his collar, "Don't play dumb with me, I saw the trail and it led it here," he said menacingly as he shoved the bearded man to the ground.

"Old Man Toto!" the villagers went to help him.

The bulky man that had his hand on Leo's shoulder in events earlier, went up to the soldier and told him off.

"We don't know what you're talking about, so how about you leave if you're going to treat us this way, huh?" despite his intimidating voice and build the solider didn't flinch.

With a smirk on the soldier's face he punches the bulky man in the solar plexus, causing the man to collapse on the ground gasping for air.

"You should respect your superiors, else the next time it won't be just a punch," he threatened the villagers by drawing his sword.

Watching the commotion from afar, Leo looked away from the pitiful sight. They shouldn't mess with those guys. Say the wrong things and they definitely won't hesitate to cut anyone down. He just stood aside.

Near him, Reina had an angered look on her face. She ignored Leo for now, and made her way to the center of the commotion.

What is she doing? Don't tell me she's going to confront them?! Leo raised an eyebrow.

As she pushed through the crowd, she confronted the soldier that was causing them issues. 

"Can't you see that we don't know anyone like that here? Or are you too dumb to figure that out! Don't use fake evidence to push around the villagers here just because you're soldiers!" She was pissed.

Even from afar, Leo noticed the nervousness in her voice. 

Looking at the young lady, the soldier wore a smirk on his face, "Playing the hero, little girl? Then explain the trail of blood that ended here," the man got up in her face.

"There was no--" she paused, "..such thing..." Reina slightly turned her head in Leo's direction. 

Blood...She remembered Leo's injuries from when she picked him up. 

"What's wrong, sword got your tongue? Or did you catch yourself lying?" 

"I'm not lying! It's the truth! So leave!" Reina lied for Leo's sake. 

What is she doing? She could've sold me out and saved the villagers from anymore trouble...Leo couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

“Then how about I beat the truth out of you like the others!” Once more the soldier resorted to violence, and punched Reina in the stomach, causing her to fall onto her knees.

“This is what you get for messing with the wrong people!” He then kicks her in the same place.

Reina’s whimpers as she got beat were the only things heard the entire time.

What is this? Nobody is helping her? Why? After she did her best to stand up to those fools? Help her! Leo clenched his fists, trying to hold himself back from doing anything stupid.

He then recalled the moment he was helped by three other boys in order for him to escape the palace. 

“You…aren’t soldiers…” Reina gasped.

“What? Your final words? Fine, I’ll make this quick,” the man lifted his sword with the intent to kill.

“All of you are rubbish!” She yelled back with no sign of backing down.

“Shut your mouth!” The soldier swiped down with all his might. 

The sound of flesh being cut resounded in the ears of those who watched in fear. 

“Wha—” the man in armor was in shock. Not only was his sword stopped, it was being held by someone’s hand.

The blood dripped onto the ground with no signs of stopping.

“Clench your teeth,” Leo said as he clenched his left hand into a fist as hard as he could.

Taking a step forward he sets himself up to be in a power position, then rails his fist into the man’s jaw with enough force to knock him back and drop his weapon.

Picking up the loose sword, Leo glared at them and pointed the sword at their necks.