A horrifying scene, but she is there to save him again.

The warrior was standing there, her spear held low. Around her, all four soldiers lay slumped on the ground. Marcus gasped in shock. None of the men were even twitching. Were they all dead? The thought made his stomach turn, but they'd been trying to kill him too so it was alright, wasn't it?

The young prince found his gaze fixed on one of the bodies, an older man lying on his back. His face was slack, his eyes dull, and there was a massive hole through the front of his armor where the warrior's spear had split him near in two. Blood was oozing from the wound and Marcus felt his head start to spin. He wanted to look away from the awful sight...but he just couldn't.

"Little one, I told you not to look." The warrior's voice, gentle and chiding. Gasping hoarsely, Marcus managed to tear his gaze from the dead man and turn towards his savior. She was staring at him with concern in her dark eyes. With a little sob, Marcus found himself stumbling towards her. She caught him in a flash, crossing the distance between them in what felt like an instant. Her hands were on his shoulders, gently holding him there with all that soothing strength. "This is why." She murmured softly. "It is not meant for one like you to see these things."

"I'm sorry..." Marcus whimpered. "I got scared and..." He buried his face in the front of her armor, not wanting to look at the awful bodies anymore. His hands found her waist before he could think, gripping her under her armor and hugging her closer. She shivered then, taking in a sharp, gasping breath. "Are you hurt?" He asked, lifting his head to stare up at her anxiously. She looked okay, but her cheeks were quite flushed. Was she sick?

"No." This amazing, beautiful woman smiled, holding him there so gently. "The likes of those men were not enough to touch me. Come, we need to leave. It will be faster if I can carry you again. Is that okay?" Her strong voice wavered slightly at that last question.

"Yes." He whispered, longing for the safety he'd felt in her arms. Letting her spear rest against one shoulder, she reached down and lifted him up by the waist, settling him neatly in the crook of one arm. As she straightened again, he clung to the front of her armor, wishing the hard plates would disappear so he could rest against her properly.

She carried him down the passageway, leaving that awful sight behind. There, against the far wall there was a small gate, no doubt meant for the servants to enter and leave the castle without getting in anyone important's way. The warrior stepped lightly forward and eased it open, her gaze narrowing as she glanced through. Trembling anxiously in her arms, Marcus craned his neck to see as well. There was a small path leading into the darkness, empty and silent.

"Good." The warrior murmured, nodding with satisfaction. "Your uncle's men have not yet thought to secure this place. We can escape through here." She started forward into the cold night air, carrying Marcus so carefully in her arm, like he was made of glass. She'd killed four men in seconds, she was strong enough to lift all his weight with just one hand, but she was somehow still so gentle with him.

The young prince stared at her gorgeous face, his cheeks starting to go hot and his heart quickening. He'd only just met her...but already he felt like one of those boys in his books, falling in love at first sight with a brave lady knight. And he didn't even know her name yet.

Marcus really wanted to ask, but it felt silly trying now when they were still in danger. He'd look so stupid to her if he started babbling about her name now. She probably already thought he was a clumsy idiot after he'd stumbled around so much, knocking over those pots and putting her in danger. He bit his lip hard, wishing he'd been smarter then and shown her he could be good instead.

"This is far enough." The warrior said suddenly, pulling to a halt. They were just off the road now, in a sheltered patch of trees. She slipped her spear up and rested it against her shoulder. With that hand she reached under him to her belt and drew out what looked like an elegantly carved wooden whistle hanging on a string. The young prince watched curiously as she lifted it to her gorgeous lips and blew hard. Instead of the shrill noise he'd been expecting, there was a kind of high-pitched whining that he could only just about make out. "It's a sound only my partner can hear." The warrior explained, obviously noticing his confusion. "He'll come find us now."

Marcus froze, those words sending a sharp and very unpleasant shock through him. Hold on! She already had a partner? A man? He felt his heart start to ache, and his lips curled into a very upset little pout. How could she have someone? She'd already acted all amazing and beautiful and made him nearly fall in love with her! He turned his face away from her chest and stared into the cold darkness, feeling like he wanted to just run away in tears. Why was she even bothering to save him if she had some other guy she was already with?

There was only one reason he could think of. She'd done it because he was so weak and girly. To such a fierce warrior he must seem like some kind of useless kid she had to carry around because he couldn't do anything for himself. Otherwise why would this amazing and beautiful woman even bother with a pathetic, girly boy like him? Her partner was probably some older knight, big and strong, who she knew could protect her. He sniffled slightly, his eyes already starting to water. Was he going to cry now too? She'd think he was even sillier then!

He tried his hardest, but Marcus couldn't quite swallow the hoarse sob working its way up his throat. As it escaped, he felt her arm shift under her, and heard her sharp gasp of concern. Just as she took in a breath to speak, there was a sudden piercing screech from up above them, like the shrill call of a very large and angry bird. Marcus froze, the wooshing beat of wings shaking the air. A huge shadow passed overhead, cutting across the silver face of the moon, then something very big indeed landed with a thump in the clearing ahead.