So Chapter 2, the introduction of a mysterious hooded figure and lots and lots of perilous fun! Not much to say about this chapter, it's a new addition, all written recently. I had to think of a way for Arine to escape, in my original notes she was mysteriously just let off. Just a "Oh, you killed someone? That's bad. Death!" Then a moment later "Wait, hang on a mo', exile!" The theory was that there's this old fairy who knows best and she needed Arine so she saved Arine in the hopes something would happen to the younger fairy...Or something? Bah, it's getting rewritten anyways!
Chapter 2:
A scream echoed throughout the land, loud and ear piercing. Blood pumped all over the weathered boards but the blood was not from Arine, no the blood and screams of pain came from the executioner as his hand fell limp and the sword clattered down. An arrow had shot straight and true through the executioner's wrist, shattering bones and ripping the skin apart. The arrow was now embedded in the big wooden door, quivering slightly from the impact.
The Captain's head shot up towards where the arrow had come from, an angered look of pure fury spreading across his face. He then began to bark orders to guards; some disappeared behind the now open wooden doors, others drew their swords. The few that had held Arine down were now scrambling to their feet as a few more arrows embedded them selves within the wood of the tree. The Captain pointed sharply to where the arrows were coming from and barked for some guards to get up there.
Within moments three guards flew high into the thicket of branches and leaves while more guards pored onto the platform from all around, some flying in, some storming through the door. The Council members were given cover and escorted away, deep into the tree to be protected.
While all this was going on Arine had managed to shuffle her way to her knees, but the wretched Captain kept a short leash on her neck rope, wrapping it twice around his fisted hand. The young female fairy was furiously working her bonds though, pulling and tugging her feet to free her ankles. With all the commotion no one was paying her any attention, not even the Captain. He was just sending more and more guards up into the tree tops with sharp tongued barks.
Then there was a creak, a snap and the top of the tree gave way, sending it plummeting along with the unconscious bodies of the many guards the Captain had sent up there, all of them knocked out clean, swords in their hands still. The weight of them all piling up had broken the branches and sent them all plummeting. In the action of it all no one saw a shadow leap from the falling branches, bounce of some intact branches and land down onto the platform before rolling out of the way of an unconscious guard.
It was a cloaked man, with no wings that could be seen, who kept his hood tight about his face. As soon as the dust settled from the fallen branches as many as forty guards began to rush this man. He had no sword, no daggers and no arrows left within his quiver; instead he used his wooden bow and a short thick pole. He took each guard as they came, taking a blow and giving three back. But he was never fatal; it was as if he merely wanted to knock the men unconscious than to kill.
Arine had little time to catch a glimpse at her rescuer, she was squealing in frustration as she worked at her wrist bonds, rubbing her hands and stretching her wrists as hard as she could. As the branch fell the Captain had dived away, dropping her leash. Arine had rolled twice, faltering both times, bashing her shoulder each time, but as her leash fell so did the sleeping guards, on top of it. She had tried pulling with her neck, using all her winged power would give but the rope wouldn't be freed. So she needed her hands back.
She glanced around every so often to see what was happening, the cloaked man was fending him self very well, he seemed to be enjoying himself almost. And the Captain had recovered, he made eye contact with Arine, her tear filled brown eyes connecting with his hate filled green. The world seemed to stop for a moment for Arine, she could see the Captain gathering to his feet, grabbing a weapon and taking flight, ready to shoot towards her. It was then Arine saw a sword in a guards grasp sticking out from the pile.
The fairy turned, lined her arms up and sliced her bonds away with a cry as the blade sliced her skin too. She didn't have enough time to undo the noose from her neck but she flew to safety from the Captain's fatal blow. Using some very precious time Arine slipped the rope from her neck but felt no relief as the Captain was at her again. He flew into her middle, sending her sprawling out on her back.
Just as Arine made it to her shaky hands and knees he sent his boot hard into her stomach. She felt sick as he did that, bile coated the back of her throat. Then a kick to the face and another to the side had her down, on her stomach, clawing at the wood, scratching it.
"You're nothing more than a traitor." He spat violently, grabbing a fistful of her hair. "Killing your own kind," He spat again. "Traitor." He dragged Arine by her hair, her arms flew up, trying to claw him off but he dragged her still, towards the edge. "You'll still die a traitor's death!" He pushed Arine so she was facing him and her bare feet balanced on the edge of the boards. He held her throat in a death like grip and readied himself to plunge his blade deep inside her chest.
In the rush of it all and the way her mind was rushing Arine didn't see behind the Captain, she didn't see the piles of bodies, some clutching wounds, other out cold, she didn't see the dark cloaked shadow quickly work it's way towards the pair or see the glint of a blade within it's hand. But the Captain did out of the corner of his eye, he heard the silence and had become suspicious and he had reason to.
But before the Captain had any chance to make a move the shadow's blade was cool against his throat. The Captain made no move of retreat, he still held Arine by her throat, tightening his grip by the second. The shadow upped it's game and bit the blade harder into his neck, forcing some blood to trickle down the metal. When again the Captain made no offer to free Arine the shadow, quick as lightening, stabbed the Captain in the shoulder with an arrow. It was a dirty move but necessary. Howling with pain the Captain released Arine immediately but the shadow held onto him with it's blade.
Then all three heard heavy foot steps and roars of the cavalry guards that had been called. Again, some were flying in and others climbing the tree. The Captain smiled menacingly and chuckled a little to himself, but the shadow twisted the arrow and it put an end to his laughter. The shadow lifted his head quickly, and nodded to Arine. He had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever set eyes on, sharp and bright but tinged with so many emotions.
Arine went to say her thank you-s but he silenced her with a gruff "Go. Now." Arine stopped, nodded and jumped from the platform, plummeting down into the shadows of the undergrowth.
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