When Cailean opened her eyes, the sky and tall spruce trees slowly passed by. She felt no pain but an unbearable pressure in the back of her head. It took her a good while to recover from the harsh blow and realize she was being dragged. Cailean turned her head until she saw huge black boots that trampled any debris that lay ahead. She tried to raise her head to get a better look but the choking on her neck hurt terribly. She soon found they were pulling her by her hood, as it was still tied around her neck. She fumbled with the knot only thinking to get away until she remembered Ahura.

She looked desperately around in all directions until she saw only a glimpse of him, being drug more carelessly and he was still unconscious. She felt around silently for her dagger but it was gone. A mistake she had carelessly made for when she moved the man grabbed her and thrust her up firmly. The loss of blood weakened her, because she almost immediately dropped to her knees again. Confederate Soldiers stood staring at her with curiosity and anticipation. Cailean thought it wise not to speak without Ahura’s guidance.

“Stand up straight girl” he shouted. A low moan was heard from the left and Ahura stirred, the soldiers lifted their rifles and aimed it at him. At first Cailean thought they were only being cautious and prepare themselves of an attack but they began putting a little to much pressure on the trigger. She ran and leaped in front of the still recovering werewolf and sheltered him.

“Don’t” she screamed her voice echoed violently among the forest. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned, seeing Ahura kneeling on the ground holding his still bleeding chest.

“It’s ok” he said it blankly and she knew he was in severe pain.

“Think this is him?” one soldier whispered to another. The commanding Officer raised a hand to silence them. He laughed, a sickening laugh that made her own human self want to rip his throat out. He finally controlled himself and narrowed his eyes at Ahura.

“Heading to Bathazar, are you?” her asked devilishly, the werewolf didn’t answer.

“Yes, I figured” he began. “ We destroyed the village, or I should say your Kingdom”

Cailean looked up at him and he looked painfully down at her, it was obviously something he didn’t want her to know, at least at that time.

“We left none alive” his voice seem to strengthen.

“Come for the King but he wasn’t there” now she understood. Ahura was a king. The officer cleared this throat and thrust a hand towards them.

“ Tie their hand to each a tree” he ordered and three men were on them.

Leather thongs were tied tightly around their wrists until they bled. Cailean wondered what tomorrow would bring and realized if it was the last thing she wanted.

To be continued…..