DrowsyPangolin

When the Flames Die

Operation teamwork is a go.

When the Flames Die

Internally, Eva cursed to herself. She didn't know why she'd expected the gamble to work, but it had been worth a shot. Now it was fight or flight, and she knew neither would probably end well for them, but surrendering the Princess was not an option. She took a step forward, slowly, pushing Sophia with her as she went, continuing until she was barely out of range of the man's longsword. Quickly, she whispered. "I'm sorry, Princess." In a single fluid motion, with surprising speed for a woman who supposedly had no combat training, she swept her leg up, kicking Sophia in the side and sending her flying several feet into the bushes. As she did so, she moved forward, swinging the dagger in her right hand up to knock the long sword away, before pulling the longer dagger from behind her back and making a swift stab towards the man's chest. The long, narrow blade of the second dagger was likely capable of piercing his armor. Immediately after making the strike, she darted to the side, hopefully dodging any counter, as well as giving Gareth an open shot. The movement also placed her between the man and Sophia.

When she heard Eva apologize, she half expected the knife to tear through her throat. She braced herself for pain, and got it, though not as she expected. She felt a hard kick strike her in the side. The forceful strike on her petite frame sent her flying several feet, and she felt a sharp stinging sensation when she landed. She looked up to find herself lying in a rose bush. She stumbled to her feet. Her side ached, and a number of thorns were now imbedded in her arm. She watched as Eva took a step in front of her. Her eyes darted from the woman, to Gareth. They were trying to save her, just as Jezin had. She gritted her teeth, feeling useless. She was too small and frail to fight, she always had been, but there had to be something she could do. Her mind raced. Find help, she told herself. This man had cut Walden down, armed with that information, she might be able to make some allies. The fire in her heart had been rekindled, and she felt the same feeling overtake her. She turned towards the other side of the garden and ran as fast as her feet would carry her towards the center of palace grounds. It was dangerous, she knew that, but without help they'd almost certainly die here.

When the Flames Die

This, children, is called a hail Mary.

When the Flames Die

Eva glanced between Gareth, Sophia, and their adversary. Her options were few. She and Gareth could try to fend off the man, but that would likely just end in their deaths, and nothing more. They could try running, but if the man's previously showcased speed was any indication, they'd have no chance there either. The only suitable option was to try something rash. She kept her eyes locked on the man before them, but whispered hastily out of the corner of her mouth, well out of earshot of their enemy. "Gareth, trust me... and take a shot if you know it will hit." She quickly darted forward, placing herself directly behind Sophia, and putting the dagger she had been carrying against the Princess' throat. "Hold your ground. Make another move and so help me I will kill her on the spot. Better she die here than be taken." Her eyes locked with the man's, a cold seriousness emanating from behind them. Eva's free hand went behind her back and into the folds of her dress, producing a second dagger, slightly longer than the first. The weapon was held behind her, out of view of their pursuer, but in clear view of Gareth. She was betting far too much on a gamble, but it was all she had. "I will not allow you to use the Princess for whatever scheme you, or whoever it is you're working for, have hatched. I'm willing to risk being thrown to the vipers for the good of Lyok. Tell me, sir, are you willing to take such a risk?" Her eyes remained locked on the man.

Sophia froze when she felt a blade against her throat, the fire within her dying in a second. She was shocked for a moment, then she heard Eva's words. Surely the woman really wouldn't do such a thing... Did it really matter? At least her death would be quick here. What was there worth living for? No, she couldn't think that way. This man had to pay for what he had done, one way or another. Silently, she swore she'd get vengeance, for Jezin, for Walden. How she planned on doing that was beyond her, however. At the moment, she stood with a knife to her throat and a man who was hellbent on kidnapping her growing closer and closer.

When the Flames Die

Perhaps.

When the Flames Die

Well, it depends on whose point of view we're looking at it from.

When the Flames Die

Sophia shook more violently, glaring at the man. "I am not an object to be demanded! Answer my questions you bastard!" Sophia's voice was different, there was an almost feral tone to it, like a caged animal. She had no idea where this certain bravery, or perhaps stupidity, was coming from. She couldn't control what was coming out of her mouth. Finding out Jezin was gone had pushed her over the line. She stared into the man's indifferent eyes, her fists clenched at her sides. "You killed Walden, you killed Jezin. And now you have the audacity to show up again, to take me who knows where." She took a deep breath. "Answer. Answer me!"

Eva took a step forward, placing herself beside Gareth. Even in a two-on-one, she didn't think the two of them could take the man that now stood before them. He'd taken Jezin down, with only a few injuries to show for it. Their options were minimal at best. 'Why aren't you here already...' It was hopeless, no salvation would come from outside. It was just the four of them in this garden, what happened next would only be resolved by the parties present. She took another step forward with extreme caution, trying to get closer to Sophia without enraging the stranger. The Lyoki princess' mental break was dangerous.

When the Flames Die

Yeah, the reaction was justified, I just imagine she's like "What? What no? I didn't mean-"

On the plus side, Jezin died partially so I could give Sophia more development. Also something else may be coming up :D

When the Flames Die

Out of the frying pan and into the fire... and then into a volcano. Sidenote: Eva was totally just gonna drop some knowledge.

When the Flames Die

Eva raised her hands in the air when Gareth aimed the arrow at her. "Gareth, Gareth please listen to me, it's not anything like that, I assure you. Just take a moment and listen to me, and I promise this will all make sen-" Her phrase was cut short by the same man that had been fighting Jezin appearing from the shadows. The bodyguard had failed. Eva cursed to herself. "Gareth, I'm not your enemy. We have a bigger problem." She looked towards the approaching man, noticing the blood on his weapons. She could tell from his mouth that something was unnatural about the man. "Explain yourself. Who are you? What are you doing here? And what do you want with the Princess?"

Sophia jumped back at Gareth's sudden movement, tripping and falling on a root of the tree. She only had a moment to appreciate the situation before it worsened considerably. There he stood, the same man she'd seen fighting Jezin, his weapons soaked in blood. "No.... no." Her hands shook violently. Jezin was gone. This monstrosity had killed him, and now they were all alone in the garden with no hope of escape, boxed in once again. "Jezin....Jezin.... No.... NO!" She struck her fist against the bark of the tree with considerable force, speckles of blood forming on her scratched and bruised knuckles. She stood up, walking past both Eva and Gareth, and looking the man dead in the eyes. She had never felt this way before. Grief, sadness, hopelessness, rage, all these feelings had blended into a seething flame in the girl's mind. She stood a few yards away from the man, visibly shaking. "What do you want with me?!" She growled out the words. "What did I do to you?!" The moonlight shone on her eyes. She wanted so badly to kill the man, to rip him limb from limb, to tear his head from his body and plant it on a spike. "Why is all of this happening?!"