On the Safe Side

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Farin's heart skipped a beat when she mentioned a knight. Of course there was one, there had to be. Celeste couldn't make so far all alone, and the man figured she didn't cut her hair all by herself, too. Taking a deep breath, Farin put the coat of arms back on his cloak, hiding it quickly. "The queen was a brave woman" he started slowly, taking a step towards Celeste. "Now, please, princess, we should go. It isn't safe here. I'll come back and let your guardian know where you are, but we need to get you to safety first."
 
Celeste shook her head. She wasn't about to abandon the man who had risked his life to help her. Even he did cause her so much embarrassment, and cut her. "..........no.....we should go and get him as well.....besides...I left something important there with him". She started back toward the inn, not bothering to see if the man followed her or not.
 
Farin looked around. It was late, really late, and there was barely anyone out on the streets, and even when someone was, that person was way to engaged in their own business to care about anything else. Besides, who would believe hookers if they tried to say anything to any guards? The man sighed quietly and followed Celeste, only to get to her in a few jumps, grabbing her arm. "I will go to him! And make sure everything is taken with him, but if something happens to you, your brother won't forgive any of us. Please, princess, we should go." Farin really didn't want to hurt the girl, but he knew he had to take her with him - there wasn't any other option. Keeping her arm in his grip, Farin glared at the girl, trying to see whether she was going to follow him or not.
 
Celeste looked at her arm where he had grabbed her, then at him. She didn't like the look in his eye. "Let go of my arm. I am going back to get him. My brother will understand." She spoke firmly, keeping her tone calm.
 
Farin didn't let go of her arm, pulling her slightly. It seemed there was no way for him to take Celeste with him without using force, and frankly, he had no more time to try and speak with her about that. Pulling her in, he placed his hand on her mouth. "I'm sorry, princess, but they will kill me if I don't-" He started to walk away with her, slowly, very slowly as she struggled in his grasp. Farin shivered heavily, feeling coldness all over his body. He had no choice, had he?

***

Talhad moved on the bed and lay down on his back, sitting up a second after he did that. Giving a quick glance to his left, afraid to see Celeste crushed under his weight, he noticed she.. Wasn't there. For a second or two, the knight simply sat on the bed, his heart racing. How did he not hear her leave? Why did she leave in the first place? It seemed all was going well so far, but of course Celeste had other plans. The man jumped out of the bed, grabbing only his daggers and the spear - the rest could wait - and ran out of the room, almost killing someone as he passed them on the stairs. Celeste wasn't anywhere in the inn, and Talhad began asking people if they saw anyone similar o her, soon enough walking out of the inn to the cold air.
 
Celeste was in a shock for a moment, having never been in such a situation. What was he saying? Did this mean he was a traitor. Celeste struggled to at least get her mouth free. She was able to bite the man's hand with all her might. Her mouth free for a moment, she let out what may have been the loudest scream she could force out of her body. It could be heard for miles. She hoped someone would come. Anyone. Even if it wasn't Talhad.
 
The scream was really loud and people had no choice but to turn their head to whenever it came from. The good thing about it was that the people moved towards the source of the sound, the bad thing was that Farin, his hand hurting now as Celeste dug her small teeth into his skin, got a dagger out and put it close to the princess' throat. "Shut up, shut up you little bitch!" He cried out, pulling her with him. He was almost crying. They were going to kill him!

Talhad froze for a second when he heard the scream. He didn't recognize the voice as the one of Celeste, but he didn't have to. The odds of having someone scream like that when she was gone out of sight were enough for the knight not to take chances and ignore it. Breathing heavily, his ribs pulsating with pain, Talhad started running, following the people around as they moved towards the commotion. He dug his spear deep into the ground with every step, trying to shift a little weight onto it.

Upon seeing Farin, Talhad slowed down a little, his eyes wide open. He recognized the man right away - after all, they shared history, spending most of their lives on the duty to the king. He looked down, at Celeste, only to see she was fine - for now. His emotions were mixed, he felt relieved and at the same time, he wished for nothing but killing the princess himself.
 
Celeste froze when she saw the dagger come out. "....you wouldn't dare........" She tried to keep her same, calm yet stern tone, but fear could heard. She tried to run through all the maneuvers her brother had showed her for such situations. None seemed to have a possibility of her getting away without bleeding through her neck. She quietly wished that Talhad hadn't taken back that dagger. At least with it, she'd have a chance of getting away. She was helpless now.
Celeste felt a breath of relief at seeing Talhad.
 
People gave Celeste and Farin another look and after noticing the dagger the man helt against her throat, most of them ignored the whole situation. No one wished to face the danger and possibly become wounder for a child they never saw before and couldn't care less about. "Don't!" Farin screeched, seeing Talhad coming closer. "Drop it." He added, motioning at the knight's weapon. Talhad pressed his lips together, but what other choice did he have? Letting out a sigh, he placed the spear on the ground. Even with his reflexes and skill he doubted he would be able to get to Farin fats enough to strike him before he would cut Celeste's throat open. Farin licked his lips. "Everything. The spear, the daggers, everything!" When Talhad did as he was told, the man gestured at him to come closer. He didn't take the knife away from Celeste. "I'm sorry, but you two have to come with me. You first." Farin growled at Talhad.
 
Celeste watched as the people turned their backs on her. What happened to those nobles citizens she had read about in stories? Just thinking about this made her want to cry. She watched Talhad give up his weapons, apologizing in her head over and over. She knew this was her fault.
 
Talhad walked slowly in front of Farin and Celeste. He didn't say anything, all he really did was take a good look on the princess, but it seemed she was still in one piece. Knowing that his spear and his daggers will be long gone when - if - they come back, Talhad's fists clenched a little. He could probably take care of the traitor if not for the fact he had Celeste, but their journey later on will be even more difficult without the knight's weapons. Still, he kept his mouth shut and simply walked, soon enough leaving the roads. The man looked behind. "Don't stop!" Farin growled, pressing the dagger to Celeste's neck. Talhad thought quickly. At this rate, they were going to die. He managed not to take any risks so far, although now it seemed unevitable. He could only hope Celeste was going to understand what he had to do. "So, Talhad, not much of a guardian, are you?" Farin giggled nervously. "Couldn't save your wife and child, now you're getting the princess killed, too!" Talhad's heart stopped for a moment. He wasn't a cruel man, but Farin had just earned himself a good beating before actually dying.
 
Celeste didn't say anything for most of the time, kinda afraid that the dagger would cut her. She looked at Talhad, still apologizing and calling herself stupid. She tensed up when Farin brought the blade closer. Talhad wouldn't let him kill her, right?
Celest was shocked by what Farin said to Talhad. "shut up. How dare you speak to him like that! He's a courageous and loyal knight. A piece of swine like you who betrays his entire country and holds women as hostages are lower than the dirt under a thief's nails should be on his knees begging for forgiveness......you're weak, and you know it."
 
Talhad barely heard what Celeste said. It didn't matter now. In fact, he knew it would be best for her to keep quiet - she was in no position to snap back at Farin, even if her intentions were true and in the knight's favour. And he was right: just as Celeste stopped talking, Farin's face got red and flushed with both anger and embarassment. "You know nothing!" he screeched, holding's Celeste's arm and shaking her as they walked. "You don't understand-" he started, staring at the girl with gleaming eyes, his teeth bare. Talhad couldn't wait anymore. Hoping he wasn't going to fail, he spinned around and aimed a kick on Farin's knee. He could have tried to punch his face instead, but the knight, with all of his honour, didn't want Farin to become unconscious. As his foot pressed itself into Farin's knee, the knife that was pressed against Celeste's neck moved a little, cutting her delicate skin a little. The man screamed as all of them heard the bones snapping, and Farin fell down, though he didn't let go of his weapon and wouldn't let go of the princess if not for the knight to dig his heel into Farin's arm. Talhad grabbed Celeste's chin and raised her head, looking at the neck. The wound wasn't deep, thankfully. Pushing her away, the knight moved to Farin who was laying on the ground, swinging his weapon. "You idiot! They would let you live! It's that bitch and her brother they want!" he cried, baring his teeth, obviously in pain.
 
Celeste shut her eyes tightly, not liking to be shaken. She didn't even notice when the knife cut her. She blinked when Talhad inspected her neck, then pushed her away. She lost her footing and fell on her butt. "How dare you call me that!" she huffed, not appreciating being called a bitch.
 
"Celeste, don't." Talhad said quietly, kicking the man in the face. It was hardly something a brave knight should do, but who cared what happened to traitors? They were the scum of the earth, there wasn't anything worse to do for Talhad than this - abandon people who you were sworn to protect when there was a need to do so, instead choosing your own well-being. He dropped to his knees when Farin screamed with pain, and pucnhed his face again, causing more blood to leave the man's mouth and soak his clothes. He put his hands onto Farin's neck, squeezing. The screams and crying was too loud and the last thing they needed now was more attention. With no idea as to where the camp that Farin was trying to get them to was, Talhad had to silence him quickly. Absolutely focused on crushint the man's neck with his solid grip, Talhad was taken by surprise when Farin raised his hand and stabbed him in his forearm, the same one he got a wound on earlier. Groaning in pain, Talhad jerk his hand away, and the knife slipped out of Farin's weak grip, staying in the wound. Still, the knight kept crushing the man's neck, and although it took time, in the end Farin lay down on the ground, motionless. But even with this small victory, it was hardly a time Talhad would celebrate anything. He noticed his vision was getting blurry and he had problems keeping his eyes open. Withh all of the strength the could muster, he kept his head above the ground and tried to whisper something to Celeste, but his body was already giving in and soon enough, he dropped onto the ground head-on, motionless, but breathing.
 
Celeste watched in silence as Talhad strangled the traitor. She gasped when Farin stabbed Talhad. Moving toward them slightly. Seeing Talhad collapse, she got up and ran over. She blushed, knowing it wasn't proper to do this, but she removed Talhad's shirt, inspecting him for wounds. "oh god....." She got some cloth from the disguise and went to find some water. She came back and tried to clean where he'd been stabbed before wrapping the wound with more cloth.
 
Talhad was slipping in and out of consciousness, his body finally giving in at the wrost moment the man could think of. But no matter how he wanted to fight it, it was inevitable for he kept pushing the pain away for so long. It was only natural to break after another jolt of pain, and the knight lay there in the mud, his face pale and his skin burning. Every time he managed to open his eyes, he saw either the sky, dark and almost starless tonight, or Celeste's face, though he could only imagine what her expression looked like at the moment. He tried to open his mouth and speak to her, but his tongue was swollen and dry in his mouth. They had to move, get out of the road that Farin was leading them by, or else there was a high chance of people coming from the other way to check on their man. Somehow he managed to raise his head and point weakly at the bushes left of the road, but became unconscious once more and didn't even know if Celeste noticed the gesture..
 
Celeste had noticed. It took her moment to to understand. She sighed and started pulling him to the brushes, ".....why to muscles weigh more than fat.....why?" she whined, pulling him along. She hid sat next to him once she'd gotten him hidden in the bushes, taking a breath of relief.
 
Talhad opened his eyes for a second and looked directly into the sky. It was dark and cold, but he felt as if his body was getting warmer and warmer every second even laying on the ground, in the mud, with his chest bare and completely exposed to the wind. He shivered slightly, his muscles tensing, and managed to keep his eyes open for a bit longer. The knight turned his head, hugging his cheek to the gooey soil, and noticed he wasn't laying on the road anymore. Moving his gaze around, he saw Celeste sitting next to him. Did she pull him here? He couldn't even imagine how hard it had to be for a girl so small like her to do that, but he wasn't going to waste the time and thank her now. Talhad closed his eyes for another moment and upon opening them afterwards, he took a deep breath and tried to sit up, his whole body protesting and sending jolts of pain to every little nerve that could pick them up. But they had to move, even if he had to crawl his way back to the inn. Waving his hand at the princess, he got onto his feet, but swayed left and right, barely keeping his balance. "We need to go back." He said, his voice nothing but a weak whisper, so different from his usual, booming voice.
 
Celeste sat quietly, wanting to let the knight sleep. She knew all of this was her fault. She was actually about to fall asleep when she noticed Talhad move. "y-you shouldn't be up right now...." she got up "see? you can't even stand up right....you need to rest......"
 
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