Great Heads

6: Still, Running Continues

Kaleb

My brother, Alec, suggested we kept on moving no matter what. It seemed like an impossible journey, but we kept on going forward with our dizzy eyes. We had become so tired up to the point that it even became unbearable. 

Looking very tired, Alec, who seemed determined to move on before, also couldn’t hide it anymore.

“It seems we’re safe now.” Alec yawned. Maybe some shut eyes here.” He referred to the spot we halted at. His voice sounded weary as he spoke.

We did get shut eyes— but it was only for a while. Saying we were safe now was something we were wrong about and should never say. As Alec and I rested once again, we heard an abrupt sound of a tree branch crack. We were taken aback and rose up quickly to look at each other. We still stared at each other but it seemed to have not come from any of us.

'What could be in the woods?'

We didn't speak. We just nodded our heads negatively to confirm we hadn't made the noise. Slightly, my heart began to lurnch with pain and my stomach churned. We couldn’t even have proper rest. Even after we thought we were safe, we still were caught off guard. 

A burly man in a Rocainian army’s vest suddenly jumped at us from nowhere. He managed to get a hold of my brother, caging him tightly in his arms. My brother struggled so much to free himself from the grasp but he just couldn't move. Nile neighed and tried stomping on the attacker but a sword was thrown at her, giving her a deep cut.

“You hella of a troublemakers, huh?” You think you’re clever aigh? You just got lucky. This time, no escaping. You think you can escape your punishment, you deceitful creatures?”

I was on the verge of fighting this man that had attacked us, but another angry Rocainian came from behind and attacked me.

“They’re here!” He alerted the others.

I bit onto the angry man’s arm and he let go. I kicked him in the groins and he fell down on his knees, moaning loudly. As I quickly unsheathed the sword that dangled in his baldric, I didn't hesitate to use it on him. I advanced the sword at him with a wailing noise.

Meanwhile, my brother was being dragged by the burly man. The man tried tying him up with a rope, but Alec kept on struggling. I angrily ran to them and stabbed the warrior from behind. When the man finally fell with blood gushing out of him, Alec and I had a short moment of silent-staring at him, then at each other.

I was breathing harshly, and at that moment I felt a sudden surge of new strength in me. It felt like with the sword in my hands I could do anything. 

Alec gave a glance at the two lifeless warriors that were now on the ground before running to Nile. He finally let out, “We should get going now. She’s not gonna make it.” a subtle sadness showed in his voice as he spoke.

The sounds of more horses were heard coming our way. I remembered the chasers I counted were four in number.

“There’re two more!” I informed Alec.

It was dark at night so we couldn't quite see clearly nor predict our enemy’s exact spot. The moonlight was the only light available. This was a nocturnal attack.

 I felt a sudden arrow pierce through my right leg making me moan loudly in pain, falling. A warrior came down from a horse having a heavy rope in his hands, and he used it to tie me up. Alec also battled for his life!

These men didn't seem to take it easy on us. We were being beaten up to a pulp and slowly began losing consciousness. I didn't know how, but my brother managed to free himself from his attacker and came to my rescue.

I saw Alec bring out a dagger from his clothing and drove it into the man that had me. The dagger Alec had used wasn't from the attackers so it made me wonder why he had such a weapon with him in the first place. Who was he intending to use it on before now?

Well, it didn't matter now because it was what saved me. He cut down the rope and I was free again. As he tried helping me up, the man he had stabbed before took me by the leg and I fell. Also, the other warrior I thought Alec had taken care of, came out of nowhere and throttled him with the rope. 

The dagger fell from Alec’s hand as he tried releasing his neck.

While this was going on, my attacker used that knife, still struggling with his injury, and gave me a slice at my back. As I crawled on the ground, I felt it tear through my shirt and my skin. I had already gotten injured from the arrow one of them had shot at my leg. It made it difficult for me to walk. I pulled out the arrow from my leg, groaning accordingly, and punctured his eyes with it.

 The whole thing reminded me of training. We fought with any style that suited us, and were taught to fight with rage and sense of survival.

This was how Alec and I had fought, and probably why I thought we had a chance of winning. The thing that differentiated us from these men was their huge stature and also strength from being older. Otherwise, nothing.

I managed to get on one of the Rocainian’s horses; the black one. But my brother had been captured. He was tied, blindfolded and thrown into the caged carriage.

My attacker groaned in severe pain, still having the arrow in his eye and stab wound that my brother had given him. While Alec’s own capturer had now noticed I had escaped, fear hugged me tighter!

 I was injured and wasn't strong enough to fight back. It was my only chance at escaping. 

I had no other option than to ride away on the warrior’s horse at speed!