Mark Of The Dragon

Chapter 7 Run

"Princess," Maria said, running up to Fayra. "What is it.... what's wrong?" Fayra said concerned "knights from the capital have been seen throughout the woods. I think it best if you leave if you wish to let them think you're dead" Maria told her.

"Yes, of course," Fayra said. Here is a sword and a bag of supplies, enough to get you to the next village which is 3 days travel by foot" Maria said. "Allow me to go with her Aunty Maria" Ian said, appearing behind Fayra. "Ian....are you sure?" Maria said. "Yes aunt" he said simply.

Maria walked over to him. "Then go with her and protect her well my dear nephew" she told him. "Now you must quickly go the knights will be here soon" she told them. "Take these horses" her husband said walking two horses to them. "Are you sure?" Fayra asked. "The knights are moving fast, it will be faster to go on horseback," he told her. "Thank you for everything," Fayra said.

"If it wasn't for you and your village I'm sure I would have died in those woods" she said. "Go and Free us princess" she told her. Fayra gave her a nod then hopped up on the horse. "Let us go, Ian," she said, turning to Ian. He gave her a nod, and they galloped away.

"I pray we can hold off the knights so they don't suspect," Maria said, turning to her husband. "I'm sure it will be fine my love" he replied.

"Maria... Paul" a young girl yelled running to them. "The knights... they have arrived.... they requested all in the village to gather" she told them. Paul and Maria looked at eachother then grabbed each other's hands and began to follow the young girl. When they got to where the knights and the other village people were, they weren't exactly shocked to see the knights forcing the people on their knees.

"I beg if you please stop this the people aren't resisting" Maria pleaded. A knight slapped her so hard she landed on the ground. "Maria!" Paul said kneeling down and holding Maria in his arms. "Have any of you seen this girl" the knight asked holding up a picture of Fayra. "No" Paul said. "No one comes to our small and Quaint village," he added. The knight ignored Paul and turned to the group. "This girl have you see her?" He asked again.

"I did," a teenage boy around 13 said. The knight knelt down to his level. "Where did she say anything to you?" The knight asked him. "No," said the boy. "I watched as a pack of wolves dragged away her body," he added. The knight stood up. "So you're saying she was dead?" the knight asked, seeming annoyed by the boy's words. "Yes," he said. The knight turned around and walked to another of his knights.

"Tie them in their houses and burn the village to the ground" he told his subordinate. "NO YOU CAN'T DO THIS" Maria yelled as knights began to grab the people.

"PLEASE SPARE US!" they began to yell as the knights tied them up and began to drag them to different houses. "LOCK THE DOORS AND BURN THEM DOWN" the knight commander yelled. The other knights began to light torches and one by one set each and every house on fire. Screams came from the houses. Screams of pain and fear. It wasn't much longer until the only sounds left were the sounds of the fire burning and the homes collapsing. Just like that the small village of Hunda was gone as well as the people in it.

"Princess" Ian said as he saw the bright orange glow in the distance of the night sky. "No," Fayra said as she turned around. "Did they..." Fayra started but couldn't finish. "Yeah" Ian said. "They just burned down an innocent village," he replied.

Guilt filled Fayra as well as anger. "One day they shall burn to" Fayra told Ian. "I'm sorry but we should move quickly," Fayra said before galloping away on her horse.

3 days later Fayra, Armaros, and Ian arrived at Luden. "Ian!" A girl said running to him as he hopped off his horse. "You're here far too early," she said, hugging him. "The village was burned after we left. I have no clue if there were any survivors," he said. "We?" She questioned then looked at Fayra.

"Who are you?" She asked with a slight glare. "Fayra Alden, Princess of Alden" he said "the cursed princess..." the girl said shocked. "I thought you killed yourself?" She questioned. "I was a sacrifice to prevent a dragon from hatching" fayra told her. Suddenly Armaros, who was flying high in the sky, landed on Fayras Shoulder.

"Obviously it failed," she added. Suddenly Ian started looking around then looked at the girl. "Ella, where's Kyra?" he asked her, slightly concerned. Ella's face went pale. "The royal priest came and took her," Ella told him. "He said that she would help with some sort of ritual in hopes of finding a new wife or something I'm not exactly sure" Ella told him.

"They're gonna Sacrifice her," Fayra said. "They must suspect me alive and wish to use her as a sort of backup," Fayra added. "T-then we have to save her" Ella said. "I agree with you," Fayra said. She looked towards Armaros then back at ella. "But right now me being dead is an advantage which means we must come up with a plan that won't reveal me" she said. "An advantage, what are you talking about?" Ella asked.

"She is starting a revolt Ella" Ian told her. "A revolt?" Ella questioned. "The Princess wishes to free us all from the Tyranny of the royal family" he told her. Ella looked at Fayra. "If you can truly help me save my sister I will serve you princess. Help you in every matter you need. All I wish of you is to save my sister,” Ella pleaded. "Then first I need you to gather a few things," Fayra told her.

TO BE CONTINUED