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Secrets and Stolen Swords(Bloodkiss/Raziel)

B

Bloodkiss

Star
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Location
In your freezer.
Caoimhe hurried down the hall, rushing from her father's room. He was delirious, in and out of fever dreams for days. And now his walls were being attacked. With him on his sickbed and his best knights away, his men were at their wit's end. It was utter chaos in the barracks, and they would all pay if the men couldn't get their heads straight. It had been foolish of her father to send off all the worthy knights. Now the men had no leader. Well, she would see that an end was put to this nonsense. She ducked into the armory, dimming her lantern. All of the men were either on the walls, or asleep, giving her just enough time to spirit away some equipment while it was still dark. She snatched up the things she would need and made her way out of the castle proper. She pulled her hood up around her face and snuck out into the village with her things and her horse. When morning came, she would assume the guise that might very well save them all. But it needed to appear real. She needed to go out into the woods, and from there she would dress as her father's most favored knight, and she would bring order to this madhouse.
 
The general of the other side looked over the castle that would soon be his. Nobody messed with the Rosencreux, nobody. And these pitiful souls would be spread along the walls for putting up such a weak defense to his assault. They were demoralized with their king ill and practically on his deathbed. His lord would be generous with taking out a rival so easily. No wounded.

"Give them no rest. No hope." He said in a low voice to his second, waiting for the command to spread over the troops. There were two waves ready to take the castle, flanking them. They were outmatched and outnumbered. Sweet victory.
 
She hurried to don the armor, the sun already peering over the horizon. She tugged her hair up and pulled the helmet over her head, slapping the visor down. If anyone paid enough attention to her, they would see right through her ruse. She was short, much shorter than the man she impersonated. And she was far too feminine to ever be mistaken for a man. So she padded herself with several tunics, and she would have to stay upon the horse to appear taller. She was riding a huge warhorse, and the damn thing made her appear small even after all of her preparations. She only hoped that her guise would last long enough to lead her men to victory. She kicked the beast into a full gallop for the castle. The men at the gate knew the knight's flag she bore and allowed her entry without hesitation, cheering for the man that would organize their ranks. She made quick work of gathering everyone in the bailey and directed men to posts and lined up their ranks. She hoped they wouldn't think it queer that she had given not one verbal command, only signals. But no one seemed to question it. She glanced around the bailey, surprised at how quickly they had worked. They were ready.
 
A scout came up to the forest hold quickly, almost out of breath. "My lord!" He said, quickly gaining his breath back from the trek. "There has been a sighting! The Knight Alexander is back and he is organizing the troops!"

There was a low growl from the General. "He is back already? I thought he was busy up north with the main forces! Capture him and kill everyone else! The Knight is the first priority!" There was rallying cries, and now the Man, so confidant in victory, was starting to feel the stale taste of defeat. "Send in the warriors, now! I want it to be over with quickly!"
 
She led the men out through the porticullis, ready to meet their rival's forces. She drew her borrowed sword from its sheath, glad for all those moments spent watching her father's men practice and for having snuck off and practiced on her own many days, when she should have been studying. She had disliked her tutors, and she was intruiged by swordplay, and had secretly practiced it when she could for many years. She raised her sword and motioned for the men to charge forward, eager to be done with this ruse quickly. If she were injured badly enough or captured, everyone would know her secret. She would no doubt be put to death for such an impersonation, and she would rather not die.
 
The troops were all lined up, and on the signal, they charged at the same time, easily able to flank the positions of the enemy. But, the moral was dropped by the presence of the Knight Alexander, and there were many killed. They swarmed, easily taking 'Alexander' from his horse and carrying him away, but the damage was done. This would be a rather painful mark on the Rosencreux.

"We have him, Commander." The knights were saying, and their leader couldn't smile more. "Tie him up, we head back to the castle."
 
Caoimhe struck out with her sword, but was not quick enough, encumbered by the padding she'd worn to appear like Alexander. She was dragged from her horse and across the field to their leader. She fought back the tears that rose to her eyes, wishing she had died on the battlefield. Her secret would be found out, and they would doubtless do worse to her than end her life. The few men that were left fled, hurrying to the castle keep to regroup. She didn't blame them. But she had to find a way to escape before they knew her identity.
 
They were willing to give up the keep for the knight, and they rode for half the day to get to the castle. The Dark General himself carried 'Alexander' in, hoping for a reward from his lord. Through winding stone corridors, they soon entered what looked to be the throne room, and on the throne was young and ambitious Lord Rosencreux. He stood as he slowly walked towards the two, The knight being thrown onto the ground. "Knight Alexander."

Rosencreux smirked as he walked forward. "So what do we have here..."
 
Caoimhe took a deep, shuddering breath, wiggling her wrists in their bonds. They had tied her hands too tightly, and watched her too closely. There was no way she could escape. And now she had to face her fate. She was on her knees before these men, but she would not beg or plead. She held her back straight, her chin high, and would face her captors with defiance to the end.
 
Rosencreux's eyes narrowed as he got closer, looking towards his General, then back to the knight. "Are you sure this is the knight? He is rather short compared to what I remember." He simply got a nod back, but unsatisfied, he grabbed the help and roughly tore it off 'Alexander's' head. The room grew quiet afterward, slightly in shock.

"I knew it wasn't him." Rosencreux said, tilting her chin up to look into her eyes. "Princess Caoimhe. What a wonderful surprise. Your stupidity will cost you dearly."
 
Caoimhe spat at his feet and made a move to bite his hand. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands." Her hair had tumbled out of the helmet and fell across her face and shoulders, the red-gold strands bright against the dull grey armor. Her arm ached where she had been hit and knocked from her horse. She wouldn't be surprised if some of her ribs were broken. Her horse had run off after she was wrenched from the saddle, and she could only hope that he lived.
 
He pulled back his hand as she tried to bite, her teeth grazing some of his fingers. "You little bitch." He said in a low, dangerous voice, his hand coming down hard against her cheek before he turned away from her, to one of his aids. HE looked rather flustered, angry that she would try anything against him. "Send a message, we have the princess, we want the old man to give up his kingdom if he ever wants to see her alive again."

"Yes, m'lord." The aid bowed, before quickly getting out of the room to send the message by pigeon.

(sorry it took so long, holidays.)
 
She winced, the blow sounding throughout the room. Her cheek throbbed, the pale skin bright red from his strike. She glared, watching as he sent the man to deliver the message. There was no way for her to escape now. Her only hope lay in her father's men. Mayhaps they would remain organized, even in the face of defeat, and come to her rescue.
 
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