7.3 Vacillation

As the night continues progressing, so do your thoughts of escape. It seems completely hopeless, knowing the amount of guards that have been stationed around the area. Your thoughts are interrupted when the door to your room suddenly swings open. Sitting up in fear, you watch warily as a dark figure enters. You can tell by his figure's outline that he is one of your guards. While normally this would bring you some relief, you're all too aware of their recent betrayal. Shirking away on the bed, you continue observing warily as the man shuts the door behind him. Pale moonlight is now the only illuminator in the small, dark room.

"Empress." You hear a low, deep voice speak out.

Still completely shaken up by your earlier experience, you remain silent. The guard moves up closer, stopping right before your bed. Swallowing nervously, you look up at the man's shadowed face, unable to make out his features.

"What do you want, guard?" You finally speak up, unable to withstand the tension.

"Are you injured?" You're surprised to hear the man ask as he lowers to his knee.

You reflexively move away when he reaches towards you. A large, warm hand brushes against your arm before you've completely pulled back. Your back tenses as you're still unable to relax.

"Not entirely." You mumble softly, still unsure what to make of the situation.

You hear the man breath out somewhat angrily before standing up swiftly. You cannot help startling in surprise at his sudden movement. Unable to move any further back, you watch helplessly as he flings the covers away from your body. Shiver softly, you weakly allow him to pull you up from the bed.

"I am sorry I have failed you." The man growls softly, his tone edging on fury. "It will not happen again, Empress."

"Who are you?" You question, suddenly aware of a sharp metallic scent in the air.

"I will explain later." The strange figure explains, leading you towards the door. "Please, remain quiet for now."

Entirely too exhausted to argue, you oblige to the man's request. Breathing in softly, you feel the man's large hand wrapped around your wrist tightly. When he finally opens the door you are somewhat horrified at the sight before you. Two bloodied bodies are laid out on the ground, both appearing to have been stabbed. Freezing in place, you stare wide eyed at the sight before you. You're unable to process the information as you're quickly dragged away. You stifle a gasp when you round a corner to reveal another bloodbath. Looking up at the back of the man in front of you only increases your alarm. Large swaths of blood cover the man, some of it running down his arm and onto your hand. Wincing slightly, you wonder if you have only fallen into ill hands again. Just as you're beginning to question the man's intentions you find yourself outside.

Another shiver passes through you as you're led past more of the fallen. You're beginning to consider your escape when the man leads you to a lone horse. Frowning, you feel yourself pulled forward. Stumbling, your shoulder brushes against the horse's side. An audible gasp leaves you when you feel the man's hand on your waist. Before you can protest, you're swiftly thrown over the side of the horse. Your protests only increase as you find yourself splayed vertically on the horses side. Without warning, you hear a loud slap and all at once the horse is off. Gasping again, you barely manage to pull yourself up right before slumping against the horse's neck. Exhaling deeply, you feel your vision begin to blur as the creature progresses forward.