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Chapter 6

Author: Nneka
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

They came to halt at midday for food andto swap horses for new ones. 

Lisa almost fell off her horse when she dismounted, and she could barely hide the tremors in her legs. 

She swallowed down the meal they passed her, unconcerned about her appearance. 

Then she stood there watching while the men surrounding her unpacked everything and transported it over to the new horses. 

No one appeared to be paying attention to her. 

She cast peek at the Prince, who was busy conversing with the horse seller, swapping out their worn horses for new, fresh ones that appeared to be ready to go. 

She looked at Mark, who was crumpled on the grass beneath tree, kneading his visibly painful legs. 

Now is the time, she reasoned. 

She took step back, secretly looking around to check whether anyone had observed. 

She took another step, but no one moved towards her. 

She took deep breath, mentally preparing herself to run barefoot. 

She waswilling to go through whatever suffering ittook to get away from these people. 

She slammed into man behind her, her face crashing into his chest. 

She gulped and moved away from him, but she could smell his body odor. 

He took stride toward her, bead of sweat running down the side of his face. 

"What do you want?" Lisa questioned loudly, hoping no one would notice what she'dplanned or how strange he was acting. 

He snarled as he seized her wrist and took blade from his waist. 

Lisa screamed in an attempt to get free, but his fingers drove deep into her skin as he drew her closer. 

"Every Fate is freak of nature." 

He spat ather and lunged at her with the blade as she desperately struggled not to be stabbed. 

She tried to deflect his punches, oblivious to the fact that he would cut her arm. 

"Leave her alone." 

Mark's voice rang out behind her, and her assailant whirled her around, sword to her throat, facing him. 

All of the soldiers had arrived. 

Swords drawn, they prepared to strike, but there wasnothing they could do as he held the dagger to her throat. 

"She must perish." 

Her assailant remarked as he pressed the blade against Lisa's throat. 

She could feel it tearing into her skin as itwas sharp on her skin. 

She closed her eyes and didn't dare to move. 

Not even dare to breathe. 

She heard whoosh and then thump as another dagger flew by. 

Her assailant exclaimed and let her go before collapsing to the ground. 

As he gurgled up blood, shenoticed the dagger in his throat. 

She turned to see Prince Philip standing behind his men. 

He locked his gaze on her, and she knew he was the one who had thrown it. 

Gritting her teeth, she drew her cloak around her like shield, suddenly realizing how exposed she was. 

"It's time to get rid of the body." 

Prince Philip gave the command. 

"And prepare the horses." 

"Who the hell allowed one of them to join the squad?" 

One of the troops inquired. 

"There are bloodthirsty Agnai everywhere." 

Another person mentioned kicking the now-dead man before hauling the body away. 

"Good thing they didn't get you, eh?" 

As he assisted, the first retorted to the other. 

"They assassinate Fate. 

"Why would they murder me?" 

"Aww, you're cute and dainty enough to bemistaken for the Fate." 

The first man stated that, and half the men laughed with him. 

Lisa looked around, still shaken, and realized that no one was paying attention to her. 

Even Mark looked busy with loading his belongings onto his new horse so they could flee. 

She didn't think about it this time. 

She didn't pause. 

She simply fled.

 

Her heart was hammering in her chest asshe ran faster and faster, tripping half thetime. 

As she raced, she could feel the stonesand earth beneath her dig into and cut herfeet, but she disregarded it. 

Had they even noticed she'd left? 

She didn't dare to turn around. 

All she knew was that someone had attempted to murder her. 

To truly murder her. 

This wasn't game anymore, and she wasn't going to just go along with it like Mark had advised. 

She didn't know which direction to run in, or how far she was from the house,but she knew she had to be days away. 

But she wasn't thinking about that just now. 

She was only concerned with getting away. 

Getting away from these insane people, and then finding her way back, even if it took her days. 

Something sprang at her from behind, and she was on the ground hard with someoneheavy on top of her in seconds. 

She kicked out and attempted to lash out with herhands at the person, but he held her strong and wrenched her arms above her head. 

She looked into his eyes and realized who it was. 

Prince Philip, the High Prince. 

"Please let me go." 

She sobbed, knowing it was pointless. 

"There's no way." 

He retorted with sneer. 

As she pushed against him, she could feelhis entire weight on her. 

"What exactly do you expect from me?" 

She admitted that she had finally caved in. 

"You already know what want." 

He stated. 

"I don't think so." 

She sobbed. 

"You belong to the High King, and I'm taking you there." 

He stated this. 

"Unless one of your pals murders me first." 

She exploded. 

"I have no friends among the Agnai." 

He snarled. 

"As if care about who your pals are." 

She retaliated. 

"Because I'm the only thing keeping you alive right now." 

He said this while narrowing his gaze. 

"Well, you're doing terrible job. 

"Did youforget almost had knife in my throat justnow?" 

She responded. 

“Almost. 

You were on the verge of getting knife stuck in your throat. 

You have reason to be thankful. 

Remember, saved your life." 

"I'm sure I'm grateful." 

You bring me halfway to who knows where and expect me to be thankful." 

She struggled against him once more. 

“Enough. 

I'm not going to debate you." 

He responded by taking her cloak by the collar and pulled her to her feet. 

"We need to get started." 

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Lisa cried as she yanked herself free, but he caughther before she could even step back andtossed her over his shoulder, hauling herroughly back to the others while she beat at his back the entire time. 

"Bring her horse." 

He murmured this while still clutching her closely before slipping her onto the saddle. 

"Tether her to it." 

He gave the instruction while holding her so she couldn't get away and couldn't struggle. 

"I cautioned you." 

He spoke gently so that only she could hear, his arms around her, encompassing her completely, while anotherman fastened her legs to the saddle. 

When he was finished, he seized the reins and walked back to his own horse, pulling her along with him. 

"We don't stop until it's dark." 

He remarked this after mounting and checking to see if everyone else was ready. 

He drew Lisa'shorse with him, kicking his horse. 

Lisa gripped the saddle with her hands, but her legs were too secure for her to get off. 

At the very least, she reasoned, she wouldn'tfall to her death off the horse. 

The thundering of the hooves resonated in her head as they rode on and on and on. 

She carefully felt around the rope with onehand, sensing that the knots were too tight for her to undo. 

There was no way for her to flee. 

There was no way she could get away from him. 

He had her completely cornered.

 

 

 

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