Escape the Woods

by Gabriella Catherine

  But my brother was long gone. I’d never see him again. I would die out here in the forest, cold and alone. I wasn’t even given the chance to fight. I didn’t stand a chance against those men. I’d die a torturous death at the hands of Endor. I would be seeing my mother again sooner than I thought.

  Endor came back with a large spear in his hand. “There is no one to protect you now, Lady Scarlett. You left Darrenberg and all the protection your father gave you, and now you are all alone.”

  My heart pounded so hard inside my chest, I swore I could hear it. God, please don’t let this be how I die.

  Endor pointed his spear at my chest. The head glistened in the light from the fire. “Where is your warrior brother now, when you need him most?”

  I looked up to heaven, prepared for excruciating pain, ready to die.

  A faint noise — thunder, maybe — sounded in the distance. Wait. Not thunder. Horses.

  Endor looked around for the source of the sound. He lowered the spear and strode toward me, staring in the direction of the sound. It came from behind me.

  He turned back to his men. “Arm yourselves!”

  Just when I began to think Endor had forgotten about me, he looked at me, raising his spear once more.

  Before he was able to thrust it into my chest, a huge horse charged and slammed into him, sending him violently onto his back.

  I looked up at the rider of the massive horse. “Cordel!”

  Two of Endor’s men rode up behind my brother.

  “Watch out!”

  He turned quickly and drew his sword.

  Horses coated in red and gold flooded into the camp. Malachi, Jeremiah, and the rest of my brother’s army charged over, their swords drawn. Cordel quickly finished off the two men who attacked him, then moved on to a squad of three — also all on horseback. Jack galloped over to back him up.

  A circle of Cordel’s men formed around me at Malachi’s instructions, protecting me. They stripped Endor of his spear and knocked him to the ground. Jeremiah and Kolton jumped off their horses and grabbed Endor. They forced the vile man’s hands behind his back and secured him with rope. “Watch him until you get further orders from Lord Erguston,” Kolton told four Darrenberg soldiers. “Whatever you do, don’t let him get away or anywhere near Lady Scarlett.”

  Cordel’s men dragged Endor away.

  I caught Kolton’s eye. His hair was tousled, dirt smeared on his cheek. He looked at me with pain in his eyes, then turned abruptly when one of Endor’s men charged at him. Kolton struck the man with his sword, over and over, until he slashed his throat and the man fell to the ground.

  The battle raged around me. Cold air rang with the clanging of swords and Cordel’s gruff voice barking commands. My view was limited by the flickering light of the fire and being bound to a tree, but from what I could tell, Cordel’s army seemed to be larger and better trained than Endor’s. And they had proper armor and civilized horses.

  I began to squirm and wriggle, desperate to free my arms. The chains scraped painfully against my skin. Finally, I got one of my arms free, but that was the best I could do until someone unlocked the shackles.

  Cordel rode over to me. “Are you all right?”

  “I am fine.”

  “Did they hurt you?”

  “No. Now go. Don’t worry about me.”

  His gaze landed on the dried blood on my neck, and his face darkened. “Who kept the key?”

  “I don’t know.” I shook my head.

  “Hold on.” He turned his horse around and charged back into the battle.

  The ring of men surrounding me stood their ground, fighting off anyone who came near. Soon, many dead bodies littered the forest floor, most of them Endor’s men.

  Cordel returned and jumped off his horse. His men parted to let him through. He held aloft a key. “Endor had it in his pocket.”

  The weight of the chains shifted on my wrists. The key rattled in the lock. After a click, the iron clasps released, and my bindings fell to the ground with a loud clang.

  Gratitude toward my brother flooded me as I relished my newfound freedom. I threw my arms around him quickly. “Thank you. You came just in time.”

  “I’m just glad you’re safe.” He pulled away and handed me a sword. “Go with Sir Malachi now.”

  Malachi appeared at my side.

  “Have any arrows with you?” I asked, knowing my strength was archery, not sword fighting.

  Malachi shook his head. “Just stay close to me, my lady.”

  Clutching my sword, I followed him through the camp. Several other men gathered around to protect me, including Kolton. “Are you all right, my lady?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

  He put his arm around me, shielding me from the savages, leading me away from the fire and the battle.

  I become anxious when I lost sight of Jack. I hadn’t seen him in several minutes, and I worried something had happened to him.

  Then I caught sight of him. He galloped toward me, knocking Endor’s men off their horses as he approached. I had never seen him so aggressive.

  When Endor’s men realized I’d gotten free, they swarmed around me. But because of Kolton, my brothers, and their forces, I didn’t even have to raise my sword. The Darrenberg army struck down each and every attacker, protecting me from harm.

  Before I could make it out of the clearing, nearly all of Endor’s men had been killed. The few remaining gave up their swords and raised their hands in the air.

  Silence fell in the clearing.

  Cordel pointed his sword at Endor. “Victory is ours, Endor Leopoldo. Swear you will never harm my sister or anyone in Darrenberg again.”

  I stayed close to Kolton, my shoulder pressing against his chest. Malachi stood just in front of me, his sword drawn, acting like a barrier between Endor and I.

  Endor shook his head. “I will never surrender to you, Lord Erguston.”

  “Cannot you see you have lost? Nearly all of your men have been slain. Those remaining have surrendered. The battle is over.” Cordel’s voice was fierce and threatening.

  “My men may have surrendered, but I would rather die,” Endor spat.

  “Very well. We will bring you to the king, and he will do what he wants with you.” Cordel stared at Endor for a moment, his jaw clenched, and I knew he was pondering whether or not he should show him mercy. Finally, he shook his head. His next words were softly spoken and infinitely more threatening. “I pray you get your wish, Endor. And I pray the king grants me the pleasure of striking you dead, so I can do to you what you planned to do to my sister.”

  Cordel turned from him and addressed his army. “Tie the rest of his men up. Our work here is done. We ride for Darrenberg.”

  My brother had never been one to celebrate or even to smile, for that matter. But his men gave a triumphant cheer, raising their swords in the air.

  My heart thumped with relief, and I dropped my sword. I turned to Kolton, and he threw his arms around my waist, lifting me off the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and when he set me down, I didn’t release him. I held on tight, my trembling body against his.

  “It’s all right. You’re safe. Everything is going to be all right.” His words, spoken softly in my ear, soothed me. “I’m here. No one is going to hurt you anymore.”

  But still, I felt like if I let go of him, one of Endor’s men would take me and tie me up. I remembered their hands gripping me roughly, pinning me against the tree, slapping me across the face. I remembered the fear I felt when Endor held up his spear, preparing to plunge it into my chest.

  “I thought I was going to die.” My words were muffled against Kolton’s chest, barely audible. My hand touched his muscular shoulder, and I felt his obvious strength.

  He squeezed me tighter. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

  I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe. I repeated it to myself. Nothing bad will happen to me. Endor can’t come near me. Kolton will prote
ct me.

  The men continued cheering around us. I slowly released Kolton and turned to find Jack.

  My brother looked joyful as he clapped Malachi on the back. Through the crowd, his eyes found mine. He ran and embraced me. “Thank God, Scar!” Releasing me, he studied me. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, Jack.” Tears burned as they brimmed my eyes.

  “You’re bleeding!”

  “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.”

  The men around me bowed, and I thanked them for their bravery. Malachi made certain I was all right before he mounted his horse. Kolton walked off with Jack, and they helped Cordel’s soldiers collect Endor’s men’s horses and douse the large fire.

  “We should get you back to the castle.” Cordel led me to Malachi, took me by my waist, and lifted me onto the horse. I sat safely in front of my bodyguard.

  Cordel looked intently at him. “Keep her with you. Do not let her off this horse.”

  There was no more danger, but I knew Cordel would feel responsible for me until I was safely back in the castle.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  But Cordel didn’t walk away. He stood beside Malachi’s tall horse, looking up at me with a strange, painful look in his eyes like he was thinking deeply.

  Out of the corner of my left eye, I caught a flash of movement. I turned to see Endor pull a knife from his boot and cut the rope binding his hands together. The four guards were talking to their companions and didn’t notice. I tried to warn Cordel, but it happened so fast, and a lump formed in my throat, preventing me from uttering a single word.

  Endor broke free from his restraints, and catching the guards by surprise, charged past them unimpeded.

  As the guards shouted, Cordel turned. But it was too little, too late.

  Endor ran at him, slamming his fist into Cordel’s jaw.

  My brother fell to the ground.

  Finally, I found my voice and screamed for help.

  Endor stomped on Cordel’s shoulder, then kicked him so he rolled onto his back. Dropping down on top of him, he raised his knife in the air, ready to plunge it into my brother’s chest.

  Because of Cordel’s command to keep me safe, Malachi turned his horse to retreat. My world stopped as I watched my brother face death. Cordel grabbed Endor’s wrist, but Endor was equally as strong, and the two massive warriors fought for control of the blade. Cordel’s men ran toward them to help, but I knew they wouldn’t reach him in time.

  I couldn’t let Malachi take me away. I had to get to Cordel.

  Impulsively, I threw myself off the horse. Malachi caught the sleeve of my dress in an attempt to stop me from falling, and I heard it rip just before my body was wrenched at an odd angle. I landed on my stomach, the ground hard beneath me. Pain radiated through my torso, and the breath left my lungs.

  But none of that mattered. I stared at Cordel with my arm stretched toward him. He was several feet away, too far for me to reach. Endor held his blade just inches above my brother’s neck. It was poised to slit his throat.

  But Endor stopped fighting. His eyes grew wide. His face slackened.

  Then he fell to the ground, motionless.

  An arrow protruded from his left side.

  I looked up to see Jack a few yards away, a bow raised in his hand.

  That couldn’t be possible. Jack shot Endor?

  Shocked, I stared at him.

  Cordel pulled himself up and ran to me. He picked me up off the ground. “Are you all right?” Before I could answer, he said, “What were you thinking, throwing yourself from a horse that tall?”

  “I couldn’t let him hurt you. I thought he would kill you.” My voice sounded breathy. I swallowed past the lump in my throat to hold back tears. Cordel was okay, and so was Jack —so was I — but I trembled, thinking how close we all had come to death.

  “Don’t worry about me,” Cordel said. “You shouldn’t do such things. You could have injured yourself.”

  But I didn’t care about my injuries. I was too thankful we hadn’t been killed.

  Cordel’s jaw had begun to turn purple. I reached up and gently touched his face. “He hurt you.”

  He hissed through his teeth, and I drew my hand back. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. I will be fine.”

  The soldiers gathered around, including Kolton, and Jack stood beside us. Cordel looked at him. “Thank you.”

  Jack simply nodded. He was probably just as stunned as the rest of us that he had been able to make that shot.

  The three of us stared at Endor’s bloody corpse.

  “Glory and praise,” Jack mumbled under his breath.

  Malachi dismounted. “My lord, we should return to Darrenberg and tell Duke William the good news of Endor Leopoldo’s defeat.”

  Cordel nodded. “Let us go.”

  Everyone dispersed, heading for their horses. I walked with Cordel to his mount. As I did, I realized there was nothing in the word I wouldn’t do for my family. Throwing myself from a horse was the least of it — I would give up my life for Cordel or Jack. I was blessed greatly with the family God gave me. Seeing my brothers fight to save me — fight to save each other — made me realize that. I was more than grateful we all made it out of that disaster alive.

  We reached Cordel’s horse, and he swung into his saddle. As Jack, Kolton, and Malachi approached us on their horses, a chill raced through me. I tried to use the ripped fabric of my scarlet dress to cover my exposed arm.

  Malachi looked down at my torn sleeve, a look of regret in his eyes. He then pulled a cloak from his saddle bag and handed it to me.

  “Thank you.” I smiled at him as I wrapped the warm garment around my shoulders and over my bare arm.

  Sir Jeremiah approached. “My lady, I’m delighted to find you well.”

  Relief washed over me to see he was unharmed.

  “Bring all the captives to my father. We’ll deal with the dead later.” Cordel grabbed my hand and pulled me up to sit behind him on his horse.

  Then he, Jack, and I set off, leading the entire army back to Darrenberg.

  CHAPTER 27

  KOLTON

  Dawn must have been approaching as we traveled back to Darrenberg. We left the sight of the battle in several different groups. A bunch of men stayed behind to finish securing the captives, but I had orders to ride ahead with Lord Erguston, Lord Jack, Lady Scarlett, and several others.

  The men looked tired and worn, their shoulders slouched. But I was too shaken to relax. My muscles were still on edge. Lady Scarlett rode in my line of sight, on her brother’s massive horse. Obviously, the danger was behind us. She was safe. But the memory of her clinging to me, her body trembling in my arms, made my heart slam against my chest.

  Who knew what those men had done to her? She looked frightened and bewildered. Blood was smeared and dried on her face. Did she feel safe now? I ached to reassure her again. To tell her nothing like that would happen to her ever again.

  But I couldn’t promise her that. I was only working for the duke for a short time. His directions to me were clear. Leave with the men. Find Endor Leopoldo. Capture or kill him. Wipe out his tribe. Then return to Rhineland.

  Although I was glad we defeated Endor and his tribe, I wished my time working for Duke William could be prolonged. He said if he was happy with my work, if he heard a good report from Lord Erguston, then perhaps he’d send for me again when he had more work to be done. But I still wasn’t completely sure Lady Scarlett’s brother liked me. Sure, being hired by the duke helped, but Lord Erguston was such a stone-faced man. How could anyone tell what he was truly thinking?

  Lady Scarlett had told me her father and brothers were protective, but I never suspected it was because a mad man had promised to kill her. Apparently, she didn’t suspect it either. Her father had kept it a secret to protect her.

  I glanced over at her now. Despite her seemingly complicated relationship with her brother, she held on to him, resting her head on his should
er, about to fall asleep.

  I couldn’t help but wish that was me she was falling asleep on. A selfish thought after she just almost died.

  Finally, we came to the edge of the forest. The meadow lay before us. The walls protecting the village of Darrenberg were visible in the fading moonlight of dawn.

  Scarlett opened her eyes and looked out at her hometown. A breath of relief left my lungs. She was safe.

  ###

  When we finally made it back to the stables, I ran to find Father without waiting for my brothers. The Great Hall was dark and empty. Next I tried Father’s study, but again I found no one. Then I rushed to the solar and saw a figure standing by the window, silhouetted.

  I easily recognized Father’s broad shoulders and tall stature. His hand was pressed against his face.

  “Father!” I ran across the solar floor to meet him.

  “Scarlett?” He hugged me and held me tight.

  “Oh, Father! You will not believe what has happened. I understand everything now. I know why you didn’t let my outside, why you were so protective. I promise I won’t ever run off alone again.”

  Father clutched my upper arms and locked his gaze on me. “What have you done? Where did you go? I searched everywhere, but you were nowhere. The rest of my men went out to find you, but they could not.”

  “I left the castle and went to the woods. I know I was wrong, but I was upset, so I took Cordel’s horse and left. I rode through the woods by myself, but Endor and his men found me. They held me captive, but did not hurt me. Then Cordel and Jack rescued me. They are here now.” I wanted to cry at both the joy and regret in my heart.

  “Endor?” Father asked. “They took you? Scarlett, what do you mean?”

  Just then Cordel, Jack, and Kolton entered the dim room.

  “Father, I must speak with you.” Cordel crossed the room to stand before him. “Endor Leopoldo is dead.”

  “You killed him?”

  “Jack did,” Cordel said. “He captured Scarlett and had her chained to a tree when we found him. We knocked out his army. He broke free, and Jack took him down with an arrow. Endor’s whole tribe is either dead or has surrendered to us. The threat is no more.” There was an edge to his voice, like at any moment it could crack and he could begin to cry.