Jewelry Box

Ch. 17 The Unexpected Downpour

Victoria

Something cool slid down my face as I scrunched my nose at the uncomfortableness I felt. I slowly breathed as I winced in pain.

The first thing I saw were the dark clouds that covered the sky and the mist that descended around the mountain. It was raining, a big downpour.

“I’m not dead?” I mumbled, confused, while holding my throbbing head. Sitting up, I noticed I was in front of a river. Did I survive because I fell in the river?

I confusedly watched the waters surrounding me. I did not know where I was.

Looking around me, I noticed I was all alone. It seems the assassin died or escaped.

As I move my hands over my body to check for any injury, I notice something red pouring out of my thigh. Lifting my leg, I wincered again.

I had a wound; it seemed a branch pierced my skin. Now, this would be troublesome.

Ripping my jacket into shreds, I put half in my mouth and half on the side.

I grasped the broken stick that stuck out of my thigh. Biting down, I mustered all my courage. Then take a deep breath and pull.

The tears that disappeared with the droplets of water that washed my face muffled my screams.

Studying the wound, I noticed it was pretty deep, so I quickly washed it and then wrapped the piece of cloth around it. This should keep it for a while.

Looked around me once again. The terrain is confusing. I didn’t know where I was or what direction I should head. My only choice now was to look for cover and wait for the rain to stop.

Standing carefully, I groaned at the pain. I needed to look for shelter quickly before I got a fever from all this.

I walked around for a while before resting under an enormous tree. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good idea since it was a thunderstorm and alighting could strike any moment.

Glancing around, I noticed something like an opening at the far end of a small path. It was a small cave up on a slope. It wasn’t the same one we saw before, but it was better than nothing.

I limped my way until I finally reached the entrance. Not that big, but it would help for now.

Checking for any animal, I sighed in relief once I saw it was empty. Then, taking a seat awkwardly, I looked out over the forest.

I felt tired. The need for rest was taking over my aching body, but I wasn’t about to doze off in this place. Not when I know nothing.

What if someone, an assassin, appeared or if an animal attacks me because I invaded his place?

Reaching for some sticks, I quickly make a stack and light them up. Thankfully, I knew all this, and it wasn’t hard for me to keep myself safe.

Leaning on the rocky walls, I stared at the dancing flames. I felt cold, and those wet clothes weren’t helping at all.

Reaching for my pants and shirt, I undressed and put them to dry over a rock. I shivered as a breeze swayed into the cave.

I wrapped my arms around myself as the chilly breeze passed by.

“Where are you, Alexander?” I whispered before small tears slid down my cheek.

***

A rustling sound has me opening my tired eyes. For a second, I felt confused about my surroundings. But remembering where I was, I sat up and looked outside. There was a noise, and I didn’t like it.

I waited quietly while turning the fire off.

The rustling sound continued for a while before a shadow appeared out of nowhere. I grabbed the first thing on my side, a rock.

I had no weapons on me since I lost them on the river, so now I would have to fight my way using rocks.

As I stood up with wobbly legs, I saw the shadow approaching the cave. I cursed under my breath because of the pain in my leg that throbbed rebelliously.

I knew that over one assassin was out there looking for me.

From the moment they appeared, I knew they were coming for me and not Alexander. I even had an idea who sent them. That bastard will pay for this soon.

As I tried to merge with the rocky wall, the shadow went into the cave and sighed. I frowned for a second, worried the smell of smoke would pick on his nose. But now I was curious about why he did sigh?

“Where are you?” I heard the person mumble, which made me frown harder. I couldn’t recognize his voice.

The person ruffled his hair in desperation. Was it someone from the duchy that knew me?

I couldn’t trust him, especially since I couldn’t see the assassin’s face, either. It was troubling to decide what I should do next.

On cue, another shadow appeared on a horse.

“Anything?” the man on the horse yelled to him.

“No, nothing. She must be around,” the man responded.

“Let’s go; we have to find her no matter what?” the other man answered.

The man in the cave nodded and pulled the hood on. I watched as they left the shelter.

Now I was sure those were the assassins and not Alexander’s men. With a sigh of relief, I leaned on the wall, letting my body slide down slowly until I felt the cold ground on my buttocks. I could barely hold myself together.

I shifted my eyes outside the rain. It seemed I would need to leave this place soon before another assassin appeared.

Grabbing my clothes quickly, I dressed up and, mustering strength, ran out of the cave.

With every step I take, my lip bruises more. I muffled my painful cries the most I could as I bit on my lower lip. There had to be a way to find Alexander soon. I had no idea how much longer my body could hold it together.

If they had come this way, it meant there had to be a road or something that led me back to Alexander’s duchy.

Careful not to be noticed by anyone. I kept running near some bushes, following the path I had seen before.

Catching my breath near a tree, I heard some distant noises from the horses. I quickly crouched, hiding my presence in the bushes.

“Anything?” someone asked tensely.

“Nothing. What about the duke?” someone else demanded.

“He killed three of our men. So I think it’s best we leave before reinforcements from his side arrive,” someone explained.

“Are you sure she is still alive? She fell from that cliff, and we only found our comrade’s dead body,” another man commented.

There was a silence before someone laughed.

“Well, I think she is dead. It’s pouring hard, so she must have drowned in that river,” another man scoffed.

I remained still behind the bushes, unable to see their faces from the rain.

“Let’s go; there’s nothing else for us here,” someone said, shouting orders.

I remained hidden until the horse’s footsteps disappeared under the rain. Once sure they were gone, I got out from behind the bushes.

I kept running on the path they had left. Then, with an aching body and tears on my face, I finally saw the open fields and the magnificent duchy, my home in the distance.

I don’t know how long I had run for to reach the training ground, but finally, I was in our territory where no one could harm me.

As I step into a puddle, I hear voices in the raining sky. The pouring rain had subsided, so their voices were clearer.

Men ran and shouted here and there. By now, I was losing consciousness. My body was reaching its limits.

“I NEED YOU TO FIND HER!” I heard Alexander’s grave voice shout. With relief, I stepped forward. My feet must have stepped on some rocks or branches because all eyes fell on me while I held the side of my stomach pains.

“Alex…” I mumbled, as he finally turned and looked at me in shock.

Never have I felt so much relief at seeing someone like him.

“V-Victoria?” Alexander stuttered, still in disbelief.

My lips curled into a smile as I wobbled my way toward him. Taking a step hurriedly, I felt my leg give out. My pain brings me down.

I fell on all fours when he ran up to me and caught me in his muscular arms.

“Victoria!” Alexander called as I let out a chuckle.

“It’s so nice to see you,” I whispered as my eyes closed.