5. The Witch

In the bustling courtyard, a mix of civilians and soldiers created a chaotic scene, their murmurs and hurried movements adding to the tension in the air. Determinedly, I navigated through the throng, the air thick with fear and agitation, straining to catch a glimpse over the inquisitive onlookers. The distant echo of orders being barked and the metallic clank of armor amplify the sense of urgency.

Suddenly, a desperate scream pierced through the crowd—a woman's cry, raw with fear and anguish. Enclosed by soldiers, a female figure emerges, her face hidden beneath disheveled strands of hair, and she is forcefully subdued in the soil. The harsh sunlight casting dramatic shadows on the unfolding tableau, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Navigating through the throng, I advanced with a sense of urgency, feeling the scene's pulse quicken as I strived to grasp at the scene unfolding before me.

I forcefully pushed through the front line of the chaotic crowd, and the harrowing scene unravels before my eyes. Alena, trapped beneath the weight of three soldiers, her arms forcefully pressed against her back. Ropes cinch tightly around her ankles and wrists, accentuating the bone-chilling fear etched across her features. Tears streamed down her face in a desperate cascade.

Soldiers, with swords drawn, loom ominously over her, restraining the fervent crowd. As they hoisted her to her feet. Shouts emanated from the people around me, a man's voice cutting through the chaos, vehemently declaring, "Kill the witch!" His sentiment is emphasized by the launch of a rotten vegetable into the circle of soldiers.

Amidst the clamor, a woman, holding her child to her chest, aggressively yelled, "Just hang her!" The air is thick with tension, and the chaos intensifies, amplifying the sense of impending doom in the turbulent square.

I let out an echoing cry, overpowering the yelling that surrounded me."ALENA!!!!" I grabbed the pitchfork from a bystander's hand and launched it like a javelin at the soldier that is just moments away from striking Alena across the face. Alena looked up at me, horror across her face as her mouth gaped wide in a silent scream.

A pulsating energy coursed through my veins as I charged at the first soldier. My fist connecting with his jaw, sending a shockwave of pain through him. In a seamless dance of combat, I pivoted to the next adversary, unleashing a forceful kick that reverberated through the air. The urgency to reach Alena fueled my every move, but the soldiers, relentless in their superiority, formed an unyielding blockade. Their strength and advanced gear become apparent as they countered my every strike. Despite my resilience, they converge with synchronized precision, encircling me like a pack of wolves closing in on prey. With no defense but my wits, I attempted to evade their strikes and weaved through the encroaching circle.The clash of metal and the thud of boots echoed as I desperately tried to evade their advances. Despite my agile movements, the soldiers' coordinated efforts gradually closed in.

Two soldiers, their faces tense with exertion, gripped me firmly on either side, their hands straining to restrain the fury surging through me. My relentless struggle created a chaotic dance, causing them to stagger and strain against my unyielding resistance. In the heart of this struggle, my eyes locked onto my captive sister, held in the clutches of multiple adversaries.

Her desperate gaze meets mine, and an unspoken plea resonated between us.The air crackled with tension as my rage became a palpable force, fueling my determination to break free. Nerves tense, muscles bulge, and the soldiers, though disciplined, find themselves grappling with a force beyond their expectation. Despite their combined strength, I was a tempest of emotion, each movement fueling my rage and sending more power through me.

"Keep him steady!" commanded one of the men, his grip vice-like on my arm as he attempted to restrain me in place.

I felt the strain in my muscles as I dropped to my knees, a sharp pain radiating up my spine. "Let her go!" I shouted desperately, my breath running thin as I resisted the overwhelming forces around me. My face seared with rage as I looked up at Alena, blood now trickling down her face.

A menacing figure loomed over Alena, a wicked grin spreading across his face, relishing the sinister pleasure of the battle that just unfolded. As he approached, a stoic silence hangs in the air, his words carrying a veiled threat. Unyielding, I keep my gaze fixed on Alena, who intensifies her struggle against the captors, seeking reassurance in the chaos.

"This must be your lover?" he taunted, noticing my lack of reaction. Undeterred, he continued, "No? Ahh," his eyes shift between Alena and me, "I do see a resemblance. This little creature must be your sister then. I see where she gets her fighting spirit." Laughter rippled among the soldiers as the man, evidently their commander, knelt just inches in front of me.

"Don't you dare lay another hand on her," I hiss through clenched teeth, resisting my captors once more.

"You wield no power here, boy," The commander delivered a punishing blow to my stomach, robbing me of breath. "This witch," he spat with disdain, "will be collared then be transported to the capital for judgment on her crimes." Adjusting the wrinkles on his pants, the man stood and turned, signaling his subordinates to usher Alena towards the awaiting carriage that just rolled in. "We all know what awaits the likes of her in Aurelia," he sneered, turning to me as Alena is lifted and tossed into the back of the barred carriage. "She will hang."

A surge of fury erupted from within me, my eyes ablaze, searing heat coursing down my face and across my body. An audible gasp swept through the crowd as the ground beneath me started to crumble. The two soldiers, still gripping me, strained to maintain their footing as I seized the opportunity to grab them. With a swift motion, I clenched a fistful of their armor and catapulted both soldiers into the onlooking crowd.

A growl escaped me and I lunged at the commander, teeth bared and claws elongated. Claws? When did I get claws? The thud of a blunt weapon impacting my skull brought me crashing to the ground face first. A pair of muddy boots filled my blurring vision. The murmur of voices could be heard addressing the crowd.

"Not so strong after all," the commander taunted, his words a venomous whisper in my ear. The world blurred around me, lying still and motionless, eyes barely open as the throbbing pain in my head intensified. "Let's move this trash; we have places to be." The carriage wheels rolled steadily on the cobblestone, carrying Alena away, her screams fading into the distance.

"What about him, Commander Yates?" Another soldier approached the commander from my peripheral vision.

"Just leave him here in this filth. He's of no use to me," Commander Yates sneered, his disdainful tone fueling the fiery rage within me. Despite the paralysis from the impact. "I'll enjoy seeing the look on his face when he watches his sister hang from the noose,"

Numbness coursed through my body as the soldiers vanished, and the crowd dispersed. Moments later, a shadow looms over me. "Are you planning to lie there all day?" Julien said nonchalantly, extending his hand, waiting for me to grasp it.

"They've taken her," panic tainted my voice. Looking down at my hands, the once-present claws are now absent, replaced only by bloodstains. Rubbing the back of my head, I felt blood from the fresh wound left by the sword hilt's impact. "I have to get to her." Scanning the now empty courtyard, I searched frantically for my bag of supplies. "I can't let them hang her,"

Hands grasped either side of my head, lifting my head upwards where I met with Julien's prying eyes. He was looking intensely into my eyes, his gaze darting from one eyes to the next. He was mere inches from my face and my personal space was very much being impeached.

Julien's lips were pressed together as he let go of my head, unsure if he should speak.

"What's wrong?" I asked, rubbing my head.

"It's nothing" Julien turned away from me, "I heard the soldiers say they were bringing her to the capital, Aurelia." Changing the subject as he relaxed his posture.

The memory of our mother being dragged through the street, just like Alena had just been, soaked into my words as my hands trembled. "It'll take three weeks to get there if we walk."

"Who said we're walking?" Julien's eyes darted toward the small stables adjacent to the tapestry stall, mischief gleaming in his gaze.