*Closed* Royal and Not *Lady AlainXShadow Assassin*

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I smiled. "I'm fine. Good armor is always important." I said, but I wondered if I should visit one for my finger. It wasn't terribly bad...but you could never be too safe. "But my sword work is nothing without the amazing sword you made." I said, folding my hands together. It was true. I could do nothing if the sword wasn't made just right. I giggled softly, but I have no idea why. "Oh!" I pulled the small bag of coins from my pocket and held them out to Jabez. "For you." I smiled. "I don't really need them." I shrugged. I didn't, and to be honest, he was the only one I really wanted to give the money to.
 
Blushing at the praise, I lower my gaze to my feet and shuffle them in embarrassment. "Thank you," I mumble, though I doubt she heard my reply. I almost ask her if she wants me to escort her to the doctor again when suddenly a bag thrusts into my face. My mouth opens in surprise. "For me?" I repeat. I make no move to take it as my proud jaw tightens. Who was she to throw money carelessly upon a stranger? Was she pitying me? I didn't like being pitied. I didn't like charity. I can live on my own making my own ends meet, thank you very much. My eyes harden as I turn on my heel. "If you have no use for it, give it to someone who needs it," I tell her before I start to walk away.
 
"I don't trust anyone else here though." I said with a sigh. "And I figured you would know the people around here better.." I trailed off. I guess I didn't say that right. The general touched my shoulder and I jumped. He pat my shoulder gently. I suddenly felt tired, the adrenaline from the fight and the excitement of the competition leaving me. I yawned slightly, but I didn't want to go to bed yet. I couldn't just carry this around, and I certaintly couldn't give it to just anyone. Who knows, they might use it to buy something for murder. I shuddered at the thought. I rubbed my forehead, wondering why I couldn't get the right words to form in my head. Maybe it was just because I was tired?
 
I whirl around to face her as her words catch my ears. "You trust me?" I say condescendingly. I try to bite my tongue, I try to calm my racing heart, but my words spill before I can hold them in. "You don't know anything about me. You don't know anything about this world I live in. Just because a man seems nice and can make a great sword and cares about you enough to let you know you stick out of the crowd like a sore thumb does not mean you should blindly put your faith in him."

I take a step closer, hardly aware that my voice is raising all the while. I do care about Ellie. I care about her a lot, in fact. She's interesting. She's different. I don't feel...abnormal and clumsy around her and that is a big deal to me. But fear is talking now. Fear that she'll get hurt out of her ignorance of the real world, fear that she'll hurt me if I dare allow myself to open up to her. I truly am offended by the offer of coins, but that is now secondary to the rant pouring unhindered from my lips.

"You're too sheltered if you trust me so implicitly with only a few hours' acquaintance. What if I'm not who I say I am? What if I am the scary, stupid giant this whole blooming town thinks I am? Take your money to the church fathers if you don't know what to do with it, but don't you dare patronize me and excuse it as blind trust!"
 
I stood silently while Jabez spoke. The general tensed, feeling me tense under his hand. I didn't return a word, only set the bag down, turned, and walked away silently, my eyes never moving from their stare, straight ahead.
The general looked between Jabez and me. He sighed. "She may not know you well, but apparently you know nothing about her." He said quietly. He rushed after me, trying to stop me. I had already passed up the room we were staying in. Though it was dark, I could see forever. When the general caught up, I didn't stop. "I want to go home." I said softly, my voice cracked slightly. He grabbed my shoulder, but I pulled away.
"Ellie, please.." he said. "Just listen."
I shook my head. "No. I'm done. I'll just go home. Father and mother were right...no one out here is trustworthy." I could feel the sting of warm tears in my eyes.
"Ellie, please. If you return home now-"
"General. I said I'm going home." I glared at him. He knew what I was about to do.
"Eclipse Raten. You aren't going anywhere unless I say you can." He said, grabbing my arm. Immediately, the few people around us went silent. Whispers of my name was sent around and a sudden feeling of danger washed over me. He glanced around and I took his distraction to slip out of his arm. I gripped the handle of my sword, walking calmly to our room. I retrieved my own sword, strapping it to my back and leaving. The general grabbed our bag. He knew we had to leave now, it was too dangerous. By the time we had reached the door, the streets had pretty much cleared and now there were a few men, obviously thieves, roaming around. When they saw me, they smirked. "Ah, the little princess strayed from home?" One chuckled. All of them drew their swords. I drew the one I had bought. "Don't underestimate me." I said, absolutely no emotion in my voice. I grit my teeth. So this was why my parents didn't want me leaving...the bitterness swept through me.
 
My hands balled into fists and I bit my lip as I watched Ellie walk away. I wanted to follow her, to apologize, but I knew for her sake I couldn't. We were both better off without trying to change society. The manservant's words slipped past my heated thoughts and registered in my head. Know her? Of course I didn't know her. That was the whole point of my rant. I ignored the coin bag and stuffed my hands into my pockets as they left and found myself wandering the streets. The sun set. It grew increasingly colder as the night air settled in, but I didn't care. My emotions roiled inside and the walking helped clear my head. I crossed a street and halted as shadowy forms appeared up ahead. I really didn't want to run into anyone tonight. The thieves that plagued the nightly realm wouldn't bother me, I was too big a target, but a tongue-wagging villager might. I determined to slip unnoticed down a side alley when their words drifted down the street.

"...little princess...away from home..."

"Don't under...me."

My heartbeat quickened as I recognized the second voice. Ellie? Was that really her? My pace lengthened and sped up to match my pounding heart. I reached the small party as the first of the thieves advanced and without thinking, lunged at him.
 
I took a step back as someone suddenly attacked one of the men. There was a quick pause and I recognized Jabez. Two others advanced on him, but I dashed forwards, quickly disarming them and forcing them to their knees. I drew my sword in my other hand, the silver and the stones glinting in the light as I aimed it at another man who looked like he was preparing to charge, my eyes focused on the men at the tip of my other blade. The general watched, but for now, stayed back.
"What do you want?" I asked the thief in a low voice.
He spat at me and said nothing. Rolling my eyes, I drew my blade across his shoulder and pressed it against his chin, forcing him to stand. "Then leave."
And he did, along with two others. I recognized the shirt from one of the arena men. I turned towards the three remaining thrives, crouched slightly, one blade aimed up, the other horizontally in front of me. The others took a defensive stance as well. None of the sword-wielders moved, all just staring at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. The general stepped back, knowing if he stepped in now, it would just be worse.
 
I wrestled with the man, twisting his arm behind his back until he cried out with pain. The attacker begged for mercy and I shoved him away. He backed up and glanced anxiously between the group that stayed and the group that left. "Choose wisely," I growled. He left. I turned my attention to Ellie and the thieves. Another thoughtless lunge might cost her her life. I positioned myself behind the thieves, hands loose at my sides, waiting for Ellie to move first so that I wouldn't get in her way.
 
No one moved for a moment. I shifted my foot and two charged forwards. One stopped in the three steps it took to approach, realizing I hadn't really moved. The other took a hit to the gut as I ducked, his stomach slamming into my shoulder. I flipped him over me, stepping forwards and engaging in a sword fight with the second man, who was more fighting to get me away than fighting to get me.
The third man backed away.. Right into Jabez. He squeaked like a young child and fled.
I stumbled backwards as his blade passed in front of my face. The tip caught my cheek and I hissed. "If I had my parents here, they would kill you.." I muttered under my breath, my swords scratching against his. One of my blades caught his finger and he stepped back, letting go of his blade.
"I'll let you off with a warning." I finished.
He turned tail and ran. I sheathed both swords, swiping my thumb across the small cut on my cheek. I sighed.
The general bit his lip. "The King and Queen will be very upset.." He told me softly as he took my face in his hands, looking carefully at the cut.
"I don't care." I pushed him away, smearing the blood over my cheek as I wiped my face and picked up the unconscious man from the ground. He had a small gash were his head hit the stones. Laying him on the porch of the inn, I gently wrapped his head with a strip of cloth from my sleeve. I turned to face Jabez. "Are you hurt?" I asked quietly, not trying to sound too concerned... It came out a whole lot more concerned than I meant it to. I sighed again. I felt kinda dizzy, but oh well. Probably from all the exertion.
The general stayed close behind me, searching everything around.
 
My eyes followed Ellie as she moved and tried my best to move in tandem with her. I succeeded in catching one man, tossing him aside as if he were a stack of wheat, and circled around the other two in case Ellie couldn't handle them. But I needn't have worried. With not much more than a gash on her cheek, which the manservant fussed over tenderly, she came victorious from the match. When her eyes fell on me, my head dropped in a bow and I stared at my feet.

"Not hurt, m'lady," I answered her. "At least, not physically," I added softly. I lifted my head to look at her. "Are you all right?" She lacked the surety in her movements I was used to seeing and I frowned in concern. Without thinking, I reached out to support her by the arm.
 
I nodded. "I think so." I said, closing my eyes as I rubbed the side of my head. "I probably need to sleep though.."
The general started to respond, but movement caught his eye further down the street. He glanced at me and, deciding nothing would happen to me here, he set down the bag and hurried off to confront the person approaching. I waited until he was out of earshot to sigh. I couldn't seem to see straight. This was...unusual. "Did you notice anything strange on their swords?" I asked, wincing as I opened my eyes. I had come in contact before with few people who poisoned the tips of their weapons for their advantage. Last time was a strange concoction that had me sick for weeks.
 
"I was more focused on where their swords were going than what was on them," I admitted to her. I glance about the street, realizing that we were sitting targets for anyone else who might want to try anything. My tall frame only deterred attackers for so long. The stable where I sleep isn't too far away from the inn and the apothecary is not far from my room. Ellie grew more unsteady by the second and probably would not make it to the other end of the village, but she might be able to walk to the stables.

"We should move on," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I have a room not far from here if you think you can still walk." I cast another glance about before bending down to whisper in her ear, "If there are more thieves hiding about, they mustn't see you weak. It would only encourage them to attack."
 
I nodded. "One second.." I said, kneeling down by one of their discarded swords. I slid my finger ever so gently across the tip of the blade. I sighed softly. "Smart...very smart." I stood, stumbling a moment. "I'm fine." I said, louder than I really should have, just as a cover up. I wasn't. I looked up at Jabez and cleared my throat. "Lead the way." I said, glancing behind me where the general had disappeared. I hoped he was okay. "We need to hurry.." I muttered under my breath. "Sedatives..."

Meanwhile...

The general struggled against the ropes around him. He couldn't see anything, a bag over his head. He struggled, then relaxed. "Who are you?" He growled, but it came out more as 'oo aw oo'. He'd only been in a captive situation twice, and neither times did he have the life of the Princess to protect. He hoped he made the right decision in leaving Ellie with Jabez... she trusted him, which was unusual for her to trust someone so easily..but why? He sighed and laughter echoed about the room, but he kept his head down. Just stay quiet... he thought to himself.
 
Sedatives? This was a whole lot more serious than I thought. I glanced one more time around to make sure the area is clear and hooked my arm through hers to help steady her. "This way." I had to be continually aware of keeping my strides short so that Ellie could keep up easily. We make it in good time to the stables, all things considered, but a thought keeps nagging at me. Were we really safe from the attackers? Would they try again? Did they know where I dwelt? Would we be ambushed? I paused at the foot of the stairs and looked down on Ellie's pale face.

"Do you have enough strength to make it up the stairs yet?"
 
I blinked. The stairs seemed like they were moving, but I knew better. I lowered my head, taking a slow, deep breath. Looking back up, I nodded. Everything seemed to still for a little. "Yeah..." I said quietly, looking up at Jabez. I was trying to go as far as I could. I glanced behind us. It was clear. I leaned forwards slightly, taking the first step slower. Okay..I seemed steady enough. I started up the stairs, going slowly, but not too slow.
 
I supported her by the elbow, letting her clamber up the narrow stairs first. If she fell, I'd be right behind her to catch her and my broad shoulders would keep anyone from taking shots at her in the dark. When we reached the top, I shoved the door open and moved aside so she could walk in first. My room wasn't fancy, but it was clean. A single corn husk mattress sat against the outer wall on a simple wooden frame. It had a lumpy pillow and a few bear hide blankets. The outer wall also had a window just above my bed that looked out onto the corral below. A weathered looking trunk sat at the foot of my bed with all of my worldly possessions. On one side wall I had a stand with a wash basin and a towel. It was sparse, but it was comfortable. And it was home.

"Just lay down on the bed," I told her. "I'll run to the doctor's and be right back. He's only a couple doors down. If anyone tries to break in..." I wandered over to the window and opened the latch "there's a pile of hay under the window here. Jump out and it'll alert the stable master." I waited until Ellie seemed settled before locking the door behind me and jogging to the apothecary's. I tried to keep to the shadows and look inconspicuous, but who was I fooling? My height was a dead giveaway that it was me.

I made it to the apothecary's without any mishaps and banged on his door. A few lights flickered as he lit candles and stumbled to the door. "Yes?" he poked his head out.

"There's someone who needs medical attention," I said quietly. "Can you come?"

The doctor looked me over, distrust keen in his eyes.

"Please. She's been poisoned or sedated or something," I begged. Slowly, the doctor nodded and left the door to gather his bag. We were out and running to my room as quickly as we could go.
 
I laid on the bed, but the moment Jaserk's steps faded from my ears, I moved to the corner, curling up and holding the handle of my sword tightly. My eyes began to droop closed and I felt my head roll back against the wall, the dull 'thunk' barely registering in my mind as the sedatives took hold. I could hear footsteps, but I couldn't get myself to move, or if I did, my movements would be slow and uncontrolled. The door was hit by something and I held my breath. There were whispers outside, then running as several feet ran off. I relaxed again, a small smile coming to my face as it seemed like a rainbow arced across the room. "Hello..." I muttered sleepily before my eyes closed again and I relaxed, limp on the wall, asleep.
 
Something made the hair on the back of my neck stand up as we approached the stable. Shadows slipped away from the stairs before we could get there. Had they come back for Ellie? Did they get her? In a panic, I took the stairs four at a time and hit the deck of the landing just as a burly-looking man finished rolling a barrel against the door. Gas? Explosives? I didn't know, but there was no way I would wait around to find out. I launched myself at the man. He turned in response to my shout, surprise written all across his face when he realized I was not part of his team. It didn't take me long to wrestle him to the ground, but he fought back with a vengeance.

"She's in there!" I shouted to the doctor as he appeared on the landing. He nodded, eying the thug suspiciously, and set to work on removing the barrel from its place by the door. I ducked as my attacker swung wildly at my face and kneed him. Pain registered in his eyes as he gasped for breath, but it didn't take him fully down. We wrestled for control of the fight. Finally I was able to get a good hold on him. Grabbing him by the throat, I yanked him off his feet and hurled him down the stairs, but not before he landed a good kick to my gut that left me wheezing. The doctor finished rolling the barrel away and I stumbled over to unlock the door. To my relief, Ellie was still inside, though obviously unconscious.

"Is there anything you can do?" I panted. The doctor knelt down next to her and tried to pry the sword from her fingers. It didn't budge. I wasn't surprised. She had that same grip last night when I carried her to the inn. He ignored the sword and began opening Ellie's eyelids to peer into her eyes. He checked for vital signs and then proceeded to go digging through his bag.

"Well?" I asked.

"She's been drugged. I'll have to make a poultice to encourage the poison to leave the system. It'll take some time."

I sat wearily on my bed, rubbing the sore spot where the thug had kicked me. It would probably make a lovely bruise. I waited and watched.
 
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I heard people enter, but I couldn't move. I didn't hear anything for a few moments before I felt a hand on my sword. I didn't let go. I heard speaking, but no words. My fingers loosened slightly on the sword as the hand left it. I didn't move, a light in my eyes. I made a soft, slight noise as I heard more words, but I didn't do much else. I felt numb. I felt neither heat nor cold, sick nor well, tired nor energetic. I felt nothing but the wall behind me.

Outside, men gathered around their unconcscious and bruised partner. They looked up the stairs. Deciding against attacking again, they picked up their fallen friend and walked away silently.

The general returned to were he had left Ellie and Jabez. His heart stopped. "Where are they...?" he muttered to himself, looking around.
 
I didn't stay seated for long. I couldn't. Pacing back and forth in the small room, I clasped and unclasped my hands in a fidgeting manner. The words I'd overheard in front of the inn rang through my head. Princess? I cast an anxious glance towards Ellie as the doctor removed Ellie's shoes and applied his concoction of herbs to the bottom of her feet and the tops of her hands. If this woman was the princess... if she died on my watch... I grimaced. She would not die.

"And now we wait," the doctor said at last.

"How long?" I asked.

"As long as it takes to draw the blood into her extremities," he replied. "The drug had gotten a decent hold on her before I got here. Let's just hope it cleanses before it reaches her heart."

I bit my lip.
 
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