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I wrapped my arms around him to both keep him secure and grab the reins. We received a strange look from the man who sold us the horse, but he didn’t say anything; most likely because I overpaid for the animal, but I did not care.
I bumped my heel into the horse’s side, and it began a steady trot across the open field. At first, Leo bounced and slid around the animal’s back, since he was unaccustomed to riding. But I steadied his hips in my hold, keeping my arms tightly around him, and soon he looked like he was born to be on that horse.
“Can I ask you a question?” Leo spoke once we had been riding for a short while.
“Of course, my prince. Please ask me anything.”
“I don’t wish to sound rude, but…how do you have the money for the inn, our clothing, and the horse?”
I smiled even though he couldn’t see my face. He was so gentle and sweet in his questions, but my life was an open book for him; we were intertwined in every way, and I had no secrets from him.
“I have lived a very long time. Throughout the years, I’ve worked many jobs, traded, and saved. I’ve been preparing for the day when I would meet you, to make sure that all of your needs are taken care of.”
“Youaremy every need.” Leo rested back against me and I kissed the top of his head. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to a very special place; the battlefield where my life would have ended so long ago, had I not met Thayla for the first time. It was a new beginning for me. Since that day, I’ve visited the area often. It helps me to feel close to the goddess. Sometimes she visits me there, to give me encouragement and advice. But even if I am there alone, it brings me peace.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me. Everything which is important to you, is also important to me. And I want to know more about Thayla; I am ashamed that I know so little about a being which has made my life so wonderful.”
“There’s no need to be ashamed; it is not your fault,” I assured him. “Your parents kept you blind toward much of the world. They did not want you to know of the goodness and light, because they were so wrapped up in the dark. But I will tell you everything I know.”
As the day stretched on, I told Leo all about the goddess who had shaped my future; how she herself had crafted humans to care for her land and each other, and how we were meant to live in harmony. He listened intently to every word, asking many questions and thanking me for the information and conversation. It was unnecessary; I enjoyed talking to my fated one more than anything else in life.
I also told Leo the sad and disturbing story of how Maldor came to power. He was originally a servant of Thayla, but his greed for rule became great. He made shady deals with earthly rulers, gaining sacrifices of royal blood to grow his abilities and persuasion. It was a mission he continued to this day, because he knew if he did not feed his powers, they could dissipate, leaving him nothing more than a servant once again. He would do anything, kill anyone, or manipulate kingdoms, to keep that from happening.
We kept a steady pace on our steed, only stopping briefly to relieve ourselves in the brush, stretch out our backs, or to allow the horse to get a drink from a stream. We also ate the leftover food from the inn, giving some to the animal as well to keep its strength up.
By the time we neared the old battlefield, the sky was painted an indigo hue, and the full moon hung high, surrounded by twinkling stars. The air was cool and crisp, blowing in a gentle breeze around us.
“This is my favorite kind of night,” Leo said, his voice dreamy. “I always imagined exploring the lands on a night like this, and now I’m doing it.” He gave a small chuckle. “I never imagined being chased by an evil god, but I’m still enjoying the trip.”
I chuckled as well; even though he was in a dire situation, Leo still found humor and happiness around him. His soul was a delight.
My laughter died away when I heard the familiar sound of trampling hooves behind us. I looked over my shoulder and saw a cloud of dust rising over a small hill. From the dust burst three horses, galloping at top speed. Upon them were soldiers, dressed in breastplates and helmets. They were guardians of the royal family, and they were coming for us; for Leo.
I kicked our steed’s ribs, spurring it into a faster trot. It whinnied and shook its head when an arrow flew past its head. The soldiers were closing in on us. Leo gasped and clenched his hands over mine. He was understandably scared, and I did not know how to console him. I whistled and shook the reins, but our horse could not compete with the trained animals of the king’s guards.
I did not want to leave Leo, but I had to slow the soldiers down if my prince had a chance of escaping them. I squeezed him tightly and kissed his hair before speaking into his ear, “I will hold them off. You stay with the horse and ride as quickly and as far as you can.”
“Ansel, no! I-”
“I will find you,” I promised, before slipping off the animal’s back and slapping its rump to increase its speed. Leo looked back at me with wide, watery eyes as the horse galloped forward. I wanted to keep my gaze on him as long as possible, but I had to turn my attention to the approaching men.
Arrows whistled around my head as they sliced through the air. They stabbed the ground around me, each with better aim than the last, but I did not care. I knew that I would survive any attack; what mattered was keeping the men away from Leo.
When the men approached, I heard their yells above the sound of their steeds’ galloping. “Who is this man?”
“He matters not; strike him down!”
“We must get the prince before sunrise!”
Their words made my blood boil. They would not lay one finger on my fated one. I pulled my sword from my cloak before wrapping the fabric around me, camouflaging my body.
“Where did he go? What is this sorcery?” a guard asked in disbelief.
I pierced my blade through an opening in the cloak to strike his horse’s leg with the broad side. The animal was not injured, but it did stumble, knocking the man from its back. He rolled beneath the legs of another horse, which slid to a stop, throwing its rider to the ground as well. The two abandoned horses ran off together.One to go.
I lifted my sword high before striking the final mounted soldier with the butt of the hilt as he passed. I doubted that he felt any pain through his armor, but the force was great enough to knock him sideways from his steed, who ran after its companions.
