The Lost Princess

Racing through the trees he steered his horse as if they were one. His men behind him as they tried their best to keep up.

"Sir! Sir...might you slow down before we ware the horses out? If we continue at this speed we won't even break free of the woods before nightfall." Gidens yelled to him through the sharp winds.

"Nonsense Gidens, we will make some great time if we keep pressing on at this speed. We must reach the end of the woods by nightfall if we plan to get to Ay Su by morning two days from now." Vestin yelled back.

"But sir, it normally takes about four to five days by horse if we stick to the main route."

"All the more to make haste. We've orders to see if the daughter of the late king is still alive and bring her back. Do you wish to go against orders."

"No, sir! I just worry about someone getting hurt because of the speed we are going. The horses can only go at such a speed for so long."

"Just a bit further and we will slow our pace. We just can't miss this opportunity to get our hands on the princess before anyone else finds her."

"Yes, of course, sir. She has been missing for some time now and thought to be dead even. To hear the news that she lives and that she resides in Ay Su. I wonder if she even knows of her origins."

"The sooner we get there the sooner we can find out for ourselves."

"Sir, do you happen to know how we will be getting the princess out of the school. I'm sure whoever put her there is now her legal guardian. If she were to just go missing it would seem suspicious."

"Young man you ask a lot of questions. In some cases that can cost you your life and the life of those around you. Trust me on my actions and judgment. You need not worry about anything else."

"Yes, sir. I will watch my words more carefully."

He looked over at the young man and smiled. The young lad had to be about five years his junior. So young to be heading out into the word with a sword.

"Relax, boy, this mission is an easy one. There should be no trouble waiting for us in Ay Su." Vestin said.

The boy's face was easy to read as his jaw relaxed and his widened a bit.

"You really think this mission will be easy?" Gidens asked.

"Yes, the main portion will be done solely by me."

"Then the rest of us are just merely backup?"

"More or less. That's why I only took a few with me."

The sound of horns could be heard right behind them just then and the whole company became alert.

"What has happened?" Gidens yelled behind him.

"There is trouble in the rear. Seems like a band of Hitchers is on our tail." another soldier yelled from behind Gidens.

Vestin scoffed and clenched the reins in his hands tightly.

"Who holds the rear?" Vestin asked.

"I believe its Jensek, sir." the soldier yelled up to him.

Vestins eyes narrowed and he looked behind him. He could see the Hitchers about making their first move. He looked over to Gidens and sighed.

"Crap...alright, lad, I need you to continue to lead the men on. I will fall to the rear and help keep the lads back there safe. Whatever you do keep pushing forward. No one is to stop or come for me." Vestin said.

"But sir..." Gidens said.

"No time to argue the matter. Remember to keep moving forward and don't try to be a hero."

Vestin pulled his horse to turn about and raced towards the Hitchers his hand on his sword at the ready.

The Hitchers were a number of tribal clans of creatures, the hybrid offspring of elves and fairies, that were once majestic and peaceful until they went mad a long time ago due to a toxic smog they breathe in close to the swaps they inhabited. They were violent and highly intelligent savages, and some of the tribes practiced the act of eating the flesh of their own kind. It was a pity to watch such a once respected race fall so low. The minds of a race that surpassed even the zoonamians at one point now dying from a mistake of their forefathers.

Vestin saw one of the creatures take aim with an arrow for Jensek and he pressed his horse to move faster as he pulled his sword from his sheath. He moved his sword through the air and blocked the arrow with only a short distance to spare.

"Jensek, move your a.s.s, boy, or are you trying to die on my watch?" Vestin bellowed.

"Sorry, sir, my horse is going as fast as it can. It may need a rest." Jensek replied.

Vestin saw that Jensek's horse was too tired to keep up made the decision to halt his and Jensek's horse. They wouldn't be able to outrun the Hitchers and the men in front would end up dead if they did nothing.

"No time for a rest, unfortunately. Are you as good with your sword as they say you are?" Vestin said.

"No, sir, I'm even better," Jensek replied with a weak chuckle.

"Cheeky brat, well let's test your arm and ego right now."

"With honor, sir."

Jensek pulled his swords from their sheaths quickly and held them with such fierceness that it gave chills to Vestin.

Vestin held his sword firmly and waited for them to attack.

Sweat trailed down both their faces as the Hitchers closed in on them.

Gidens leading the rest of the men as the rest made their escape looked back briefly and saw his captain ready to fight off the creatures to protect his men.

"Gidens, don't you dare try to be a hero. Get these men out of here, now!" Vestin yelled.

Gidens shook his head and snapped back to reality eye opened wide.

"Yes, sir!" Gidens yelled "You heard him, men! Move out on the double! Anyone who falls behind will have to worry about me skinning them!"

Vestin watched as they pasted a bag around to each other and took something out of it. He saw a few from either side vanished off into the trees and looked at Jensek to see if he was in the right mind for battle. His breathing was off and he was starting to show signs of panic.

"Jensek, I need you here with me. Get out of your head and think only of the now." Vestin Said

"Yes, sir..." Jensek Replied

"Alright, they seem to be planning to capture us alive. Most likely for a tribal ritual in need of a few sacrifices. I can hear the ones on my left getting into position. Can you make out where the two on the right are?"

"Not completely, but I have a general idea of where they might be."

"It seems the ones that are still visible are supposed to detract us and then they will make there move. If we time this right we might be able to use this to our advantage."

"Just let me know when, sir."

Vestin nodded his head and closed his eyes. Remembering his training from Gotte he listened for his cue.

The Hitchers slowed their horse down and he could hear them speaking to each.

"Get ready..." Vestin whispered.

Jensek gripped his swords and took in a deep breath.

The Hitchers in front then sprinted forward at them yelling with blades in the air. Vestin opened his eyes and looked to his left,

"Block the darts there poisoned."

At that moment several darts came flying from either side at them. Using their swords they deflected the darts and Vestin was able to aim a few at the Hitchers in front of them. With five of their party down the four hidden in the trees came jumping forward. Jensek got knocked from his horse and Vestin was able to stab one of the two that jumped out on his left.

"Filthy rotten savage get your muddy hands off of me!" Jensek yelled as he managed to push off the creature with his swords and foot.

Jumping up to his feet quickly he looked for the Hitchers and took his stance.

Vestin jumped down from his horse and slowly made his way over to him.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, sir, just when we reach Ay Su can we please visit a bathhouse first."

"Still cracking jokes after getting the wind knocked out of you."

"Its how I deal with stress, sir."

"There's only five more left. I got the three over here can you handle the two on your right?"

"The first to finish wins a pint at the bar."

"I'll take that bet. I like a wet ale so don't think of buying any of the cheap stuff."

"Remember your words."

The five Hitchers came rushing in on them one by one and the two men swung their swords clashing with the Hitchers.

Moving as if part of a dance the glided through the air and moved their swords with grace.

With only one Hitcher hanging on to life Jensek held his sword to its neck and stared it down.

"Sila...sila..." The Hitcher whispered.

"What is it saying?" Jensek asked.

"For death..."

"You wish for mercy when you know not how to give it? Filthy creature..."

"Sila...sila gon paté fo neh..."

"I don't speak hitches."

"Just kill the thing and let us be on our way. She is the last of her clan, they all wished for death. Says they have to die in order to be reborn into a new self."

"We should take her along with us as our prisoner. It would teach the other tribes to steer clear of us."

"And what if she breaks free and tries to kill us in our sleep?"

"Captain, think about it. She could be useful to us."

"The damn thing is half dead. Now end her pain and lefts be off."

"Fine, if you want to show her mercy by giving her a quick death and you kill her."

"Jensek, I think you misunderstood something about me..." Vestin walked over to the creature and with a swing of his sword took her head clear off her shoulders. "I am not showing mercy by getting rid of a threat, but showing I will kill whoever and whatever interferes with my main objective and that is to secure the lost princess of Serenity for her highness."

Jensek looked at the headless Hitcher and then at Vestin.

"Message received loud and clear, sir."

"Good, let's not have to repeat this conversation again. Now get your horse we may be able to catch up to the others if we make haste."

Jensek sheathed his swords looked once more at the headless hitcher shook his head then went to look for the horses.