Jewelry Box

CH. 16 Double Sword

Victoria

It’s been three rough weeks since I started training with Alexander, and I have to admit it’s been challenging, but fun as well.

Alexander has been an incredible teacher, or as he likes me to call him, master. The way I’ve been able to handle a sword has surprised both of us. I even managed two swords simultaneously, which was something I found challenging.

“Good,” Alexander said, standing at the side and observing me. I twirled and hit the training dummy.

Gasping for air, I smiled and lowered my arms.

“That was good,” Alexander smiled, grabbing both swords from my hands. “Have a break.”

“I surely will,” I breathlessly smiled, using the back of my hand and drying the sweat on my face.

Glancing to the side, I noticed his bareback. The man had perfect physics, as well as a few battle scars.

Blushing hard, I turned to look somewhere elsewhere. He wouldn’t notice my flushed face.

“It seems like it will rain soon,” Alexander mumbled. I nodded and grabbed some water from the jar. “We should head back before leaving with the scouting group.”

Today we will head to the duchy fields to check on things again.

The first time we went. The magnitude of the place shocked me. It wasn’t what I expected, and we hardly had time to cover most of the surrounding area. Of course, Alexander was kind enough to explain what belonged to him. And to my surprise, it was more than I expected.

So today was our second trip, so I was eager.

We both headed back in. I excused myself to get ready for the trip as Alexander gets circled by his subordinates.

“Morning, duchess,” Bee greeted. I smiled at her and got a quick bath.

It didn’t take long before I was ready with the riding clothes that Alexander had gotten me these past few days.

“Will you take a coat?” Bee asked, but I shook my head.

“I’m leaving, thanks, Bee,” I said, rushing down the hallway where the stairs were.

Alexander was giving orders. Wishing not to disturb him, I walked toward our horse.

I wanted to ride my horse, but Alexander was still skeptical about being attacked while scouting the area. He insisted I was safer with him.

“Sorry, are you ready?” Alexander said from behind. I turned, and my eyes widened.

He looked way handsome.

“Victoria?” Alexander called as my face blushed.

“Yes,” I said, looking everywhere except him. “We should go.”

I got on the horse, and Alexander followed.

I was too conscious of the position we were in, but why?

Shouting orders once again, we departed and headed to the fields. We rode for a while before I frowned. The sky had turned dark, and rain would pour soon.

“You should have stayed in the duchy,” Alexander muttered from behind me. I rolled my eyes, but I knew he was right. It would be an inconvenience for everyone.

***

“Damn it!” Alexander cursed.

We had been caught up in a thunderstorm, and things were getting dangerous.

“Are you all right?” Alexander shouted over the rain.

“Yes, let’s look for shelter,” I suggested.

Our group dashed down the forest under the heavy rain. The horses were getting tired as we searched for shelter. Making a turn, we halted in our tracks. I furrowed my brows, confused.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, wiping my face from the rain. The downpour was too heavy to see what was ahead of us.

“Damn it, retreat,” Alexander yelled, making our group move back up the trail.

The ground started shaking. In fear, I gripped Alexander’s hands.

Confusedly, I looked around until I noticed the avalanche sliding our way.

“Alexander!” I yelled. Pulling on the reins, we headed back in a rush.

“What about everyone else?” I asked, looking behind us.

“Don’t worry; everyone knows the routine,” Alexander explained.

I clasped Alexander’s hands over the reins, but as I did and looked behind, I noticed the movement of black shadows.

“s**t!” I said aloud, making Alexander frown. “Assassins!”

Everyone around us, including Alexander, looked behind. We had at least four men following us between the trees and bushes.

“Take the reins,” Alexander ordered.

“What?” I panicked.

“You take us to safety. I will help the others,” Alexander said, and pulled a bow from the side.

I nodded and did as he asked. Then, Alexander started attacking the strangers that followed close by.

“HURRY!” Alexander yelled to his men.

Some had helped to attack while others rushed right by our side, but it was getting harder to even rush down the trail since the ground was turning muddy.

Now I was troubled.

Looking for a way to escape, I saw from afar a cliff.

“Alexander, look!” I said, getting his attention.

“We can distract them and make the rest escape,” I said, making him follow my finger. There was a frown on his wet hair.

“No, you will be in danger,” Alexander hissed. There was a strain on his voice.

“Stop being stubborn and do as I say,” I groaned. Couldn’t he trust my judgment?

He quickly gave out orders.

Taking the left turn, I headed for the cliff. As predicted, the assassins followed us instead of the group. So my hunch was right.

Riding like a madman, Alexander continued attacking.

The slope was slippery, so I had to be careful not to put us both in danger.

“Whoa,” I said, pulling on the reins. Alexander confusedly looked at me.

“ Are we stuck?” he asked. I hesitated before answering.

“Yes,” I groaned. This was my idea, my plan. So what was I supposed to do now?

I looked to the side and saw a small, bushy path. Making the horse go that way, we continued. I didn’t know where we were heading, but it was our only way.

Thankfully, it was the cliff, so all we needed now was to make them fall over. And that would be possible if we blocked their view of what was ahead.

“Alexander, take the reins,” I instructed.

“What? No!” Alexander retorted.

I pulled on the reins and made the horse stop. Alexander turned angrily.

“What are you doing?” he shouts. I flinched, but straightened my back.

“Go ahead,” I turned, so I was facing him.

Grabbing the bow and arrows, I quickly pulled out the small bag of oil we had with us. Then, picking a match, I pray it works.

The rain still poured on us, but thankfully the match worked, lighting the fire.

Alexander understood what I wanted to do, so he started riding. I pulled the bow and let the arrow fly straight to the man.

It hit him straight on his thigh. His screams pierced the loud sound of rain and thunder.

I continued doing the same, but the issue now was that I was running out of matches.

“Damn!” I cursed and then looked for extra ones, but we had none left. The only things left were the swords. That’s when I thought of a plan. It was something stupid, but it was a way to end this.

Looking up at Alexander’s worried face, I sighed.

“I’m sorry,” I said, making him look down at me.

“What?” Alexander mumbled, but I didn’t give him much choice when I bounced off his lap and straight into the mud. “VICTORIA!” he yelled.

I ran the opposite way, hoping the assassins would follow me.

Finally reaching the cliff, I turned around to find two assassins surrounding me.

My eyes lowered to my hands, where my fingers grasped the handles of both swords. White knuckles appeared as I tightened my hold.

“Come, you idiots!” I sneered. I didn’t know if this would work, but I could manage two assassins with my little experience.

After all, there was something I wasn’t telling Alexander. And that was me hiding my talent.

Reaching for my pocket, I pulled the small rock and smashed it against the sword. A small hum appeared, and I lashed at both assassins.

They seemed taken aback, but I didn’t wait for them to snap out of it. Instead, I found one of their chests and hit straight across it.

One screamed, and the other grabbed his sword, so I swung it, deflecting his attacks.

“You die today,” the assassin gritted. I snickered and continued attacking him.

My arms started aching as he spared me. Taking a step back, I slipped, and the assassin reached for my arm, stabbing me on my shoulder blade.

I bit down on the scream and attacked him, but he crouched and tackled me. As I fall, I realize I’m not falling to the ground, but over the cliff.

The last thing I heard before disappearing through the mist was Alexander’s voice, screaming my name with concern.