Story of a warrior

Defeated and not wanted by anyone, I trudged along, dragging Eclipse from behind when a group of four boys, racing down the road, when I heard one of them say Annaliese. They went around a corner and me and Eclipse followed close behind. When we rounded the bend, the four boys had already started a campfire and were talking around it. I hid behind the bushes to be lessseen. The first one to talk was a brown haired, dark blue eyed boy who seemed around 17.

“The king will be happy that we found the culprit who killed his minions.” Another brown haired boy, but with green eyes laughed.

“Come on, Alex. A 14-year-old killing 10 minions? That’s insane.” The other started laughing.

“But Gallus told us what happened, and even his cut leg was proof as well, Lucus,” Alex challenged. They all went quiet and stop laughing.

“He’s got a point, you know,” a blonde head with blue eyes said.

“I agree with Darius. He does have a point,” Lucus agreed. They all turned to look at the last boy.

“What about you, Shawn?” Dairius asked him. Shawn had light brown hair and green eyes and a very mysterious behaviour to me.

“I say we let the king decide on the verdict. Annaliese may be young, but she has more potential then we all do. Plus she already knows how to fight and defend herself; we didn’t know that until we were 15,” Shawn told them all. The other boys all nodded.

“Besides,” Shawn continued, “if that blubbering child can find a wife, then Annaliese is the best option for him.” Annaliese being the kings' wife? Did she know about this? I mean she obviously should know. But there was no point in going and telling her. Annaliese wanted to be left alone and to fulfil what she wanted to achieve.

“Come on, Eclipse,” I dragged her away and hid behind some trees to sleep for the night. So much for a good 17th birthday.

******

I was up even before the first rays of light started to show. I knew I was forgetting something but I couldn’t put my finger to it. I went to the stables and got Czar out when I heard the boys trotting down to the stable inn. When we came out, the boys were already there waiting for me.

“Ready, Annaliese?” Shawn asked. He had a look of glee plastered across his face, but I ignored it.

“Yes, we’re ready,” I responded, getting onto Czar’s back. I had my knife and sword strapped against my chest, and the sun bounced off them. They all noticed, because they all started whispering to each other, very loudly.

“She’s got a knife and a sword.”

“She’s going to kill us.”

“Don’t get her upset, or she’ll slit your throat.”

I arched an eyebrow and looked at them.

“I can hear you guys, you know?” They all looked at me worried and a little sheepish as well. They let me go behind them and so started the long journey.

After a few hours of a long and boring journey we reached the castle. It was tall and made with red and brown bricks. But I knew that the inside will be beyond pretty red bricks. We put our horses in the stable and went inside. The boys were still scared I used that to my advantage. We went to a room and the doors opened. The room was white, way too white, but was filled with minions. All of those black and red minions. There was a tall figure standing at the front. The king. He wore dark blue and black. His hair was messy and unkempt and he has black eyes. The four boys hid behind me, shaking in fear.

“You may leave now, boys,” the king said with a menacing voice. The boys all squealed and ran out of the room. It was just me and the king. As well as his hideous minions. The king mentioned his finger, forwarding me forward. I walked up to him undeterred. He then looked at me and smirked, and using his magic hoovered over me.

“So, you’re Annalise? The one who killed 10 of my minions?” he questioned looking over me.

“Yes, I am,” I responded confidently. The king then stood in front of me, looking down at me.

“Do you know who I am?” I shook my head, playing dumb.

“No, sir.”

“Well, I’m William Shadow Mist. The new and youngest king.” So the boys were right, but he didn’t seem the least bit frightening or scary. I just looked right at him, not adhered. He had the most amazing pair of dark blue and black eyes which were just mesmerising. William must have seen my eyes change colour to pink, because his eyes widen.

“You’re eyes are pink… they changed colour. It’s… mesmerising.” I simply stared back and blinked innocently.

“You’re eyes are mesmerising as well,” I responded back. Our “staring” competition was interrupted when a minion tripped across the floor to William.

“Your Highness, the plans have been finalised, and the minions are moving into position,” the minion told him, rather out of breath. William looked at the minion and smiled menacingly.

“Thank you. I’ll give more information after my meeting,” he replied looking back at me warmly. I blushed slightly and he looked back at the minion.

“You may go now.” With a flick of his hand, the minions ran off. I looked at William confused.

“Moving into what position? What plan?” I asked worryingly. He looked at me seriously.

“Promise not to tell anyone?” I nodded.

“Since I’m the new king and the 1000th descendant of the Shadow Mist King, it is my duty to finish what he started. I’ve sent the minions out to go and take those who do not want to help me or serve under my reign of the Shadow Mist family. And this time without those pesky warriors trying to destroy the reign. And since no one knows where they placed the gems, it’s impossible to end my reign.”

******

I had just bought a loaf of bread and started eating when the sound of familiar hoofsteps resounded. Just as I was about to look up, Annaliese jumped of Czar and ran towards me.

“We have to stop him.”

“Stop who?” I looked at her very confused. Her eyes were wide and she looked scared and worried.

“The king! The king is trying to take over the kingdom!!” she shouted scared. I held her face and squeezed her cheeks so she’d stop talking and looked at her. She looked like a puffer fish which was very adorable, but I had to pay attention.

“Tell me what happened from the beginning.”

“Bu kin ants o estry veyody,” she replied back. I looked at her confused before letting go of her cheeks, realising. She gasped for air and rubbed her face.

“The king wants to destroy everybody. He’s a direct descendant of the Shadow Mist who was exiled hundred of years ago. He said that he wants to continue what the old king had done without being stopped by anyone. He’s already sent his minions out and in position to annihilate the towns. The only reason he called me was because he wanted me to help with the planning and positions and since I said no, I’m one of the people on the list to kill,” she recalled before taking a deep breath. So that’s why. But what about those boys? Doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is that she stood up for what she believes is right instead of following the king. She then asked me a question that made my blood run cold.

“Could he be the one from the legend you always told me? Are we going to die?” she looked at me with big eyes. Annaliese was never known as someone to worry, but today, now, she had a look of extreme worry. I looked at her and shook my head.

“I doubt it and I doubt that we will die. We are both strong assassins and we will be okay. We will manage. And if it is part of the legend, then I'm sure that a strong group of assassins will destroy him..”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.” Annaliese nodded and gave me a quick hug before getting back on her horse.

“Where you going?” I asked her.

“To find more information about this.” she clicked her tongue and off they went. Annaliese was never someone to give up which was something I loved about her.