184 Mistakes (1/2)

Shirley's head throbbed. It was dark. It was cold.

She tried to move but noticed that her arms and feet were tied. She tried to shout but her mouth was gagged.

She then remembered what happened. She was just cooking dinner when armed men dressed in cloaks burst through their thin wooden door. They were fast, dragging her and her mother out. Her small body was slung on one of the men's shoulder. She struggled as hard as she could. Her mother was also dragged, her already soiled clothing further damaged. They were powerless.

That was afternoon. Now it was evening. She felt the floor with her cheek. It was marble. She then looked around. The huge halls and towering columns confirmed one thing- she was in the headquarter of the knights.

Shirley wiggled to one side. Her mother was also gagged and tied. She was still breathing- or at least Shirley hoped.

A few steps from her mother was a man. His face was bloodied and swollen. A closer look and Shirley recognized the man to be Captain Rain of the royal guards.

Shirley heard footsteps- fast, heavy and many. Down the white marble stairs came several men in armor. She didn't bother counting. They were many and that's what she knows.

”They have breached the walls Grand Master. The Castonians are currently pouring inside” said one of the men.

”And the city guards?” Asked a knight with a special armor. On top of his helm was a crown broken in two. The slit of the helm was narrow and the whole thing looked marvelous.

”Most of them are fleeing sire”

”Damn them. The bribes we paid meant nothing at all” Said the senior knight. He leaned against one of the columns ”The militia?”

”They...” the junior knight struggled to continue.

”They?”

”They joined Princess Emily and the Castonians. The militia are currently fighting against our forces”

The senior knight slammed his fist against the column. ”Damn it all! I was hoping we could hold the city until the Calgarians and our noble allies arrive. And Lutan...” he paused ”Damn them. Once the news spread that Castonia and Vanadis are joining this mess, they retreated like the cowards that they are”

”We should escape Grand Master”

”That's the plan, yes. Order the third Century of knights to cause some trouble in the ghetto. Make it big and make it loud” he then looked at Shirley ”And bring these people with us. Are you sure they are Henry's family?”

”Yes and we should just slit their throats. They are heavy baggage sire”

The man went to Shirley. He knelt to match her. He grabbed Shirley's chin. She just shut her eyes.

”Yes, the resemblance is there. She looks like First Spear” He rose and went to Captain Rain. He pulled the Captain's head up by the hair. Captain Rain grunted lowly, mixture of saliva and blood drolled from his mouth.

”We should bring them with us. I need the Captain in case the Princess comes after me and I need these two for Henry”

He rose, patting his hands together. A few knights then carried Shirley, her mother and Captain Rain.

Outside the headquarter a few knights were waiting beside some carts.

”Is everything ready?” asked Balian.

”Two caches left sire” one of the armored knights answered.

”Leave it” Balian said. He pulled the cloth that covered the top of one of the carts. Shirley saw gold coins heaped in the cart. They were shining.

The knights nodded. Shirley was put on another cart next to the one that have the gold. Her mother and Captain Rain were beside her. After a while they started to move.

**********

”Erik!” Henry called. The Marquis was on top of his horse-directing his men.

Henry went closer, raising his arm as high as he could. ”Marquis Erik!”

Erik looked at him. He dismounted from his horse and approached Henry. They both held each other's arm.

”They told me you're dead” Erik eyed the the blood that trickled from his thigh ”Never mind that. Let's get you on a horse”

A horse was brought and Henry was propped on top. His own knights followed him from behind.

”We will secure the city Henry. You should go and cut off the head of the snake. Go to the Headquarter directly. Find him”

Henry provided a single nod. It might be curt but they were running out of time.

”I'll be seeing you after this Marquis”

Henry pulled the reins. His horse's hooves ticked against the cobbled road. Several separated pockets of enemies tried to stop them but couldn't. Henry's force demolished them in one go.

It was chaos everywhere. Civilians were running around. Some of the city guards and Balian's knights were still resisting against them and the militia.

A lone rider then went to meet Henry and his men. The rider was one of Erik's scouts.

”Report” Henry demanded. Scout reports during battles are common so he didn't give the scout too much attention.

”About a hundred knights are attacking the ghetto sire”

With a sudden pull, Henry's horse stopped. His knights also stopped. Henry's face had a deep frown.

”Change course. We will go to the ghetto first”