The Girl in the Woods

Chapter 13

My legs couldn't find their bearings. They tripped and stumbled and wobbled as the faeries hurled volley after volley of something gigantic at the mountain face. Although I was extremely anxious at the idea of the walls collapsing, none of the mongools seemed perturbed - they had absolute faith in their stronghold. After a while, when the shaking kept going and the walls stayed sturdy, I minutely relaxed.

"This way!" Prenjaw called from in front of me, his tail flicking around a corner. I followed breathlessly, his dagger held awkwardly aloft in my right hand.

"Prince Prenjaw!" A mongool grabbed Prenjaw's arm. "You're needed at the mountain base - "

"I cannot." He replied firmly. His eyes met mine in the shadowy and trembling tunnel. "I need to guard our guest with my life."

The mongool he was conversing with just stared at me.

"You go on, Taff." Prenjaw clapped the mongool's shoulder, a movement a lot like his father's.

Taff blustered. "I'm just a messenger - "

"You're the finest knife wielder in your age group." Prenjaw interrupted. "Go now. I have complete faith in you, soldier."

Taff drew himself to his full height, nodded importantly. and rushed past us. Prenjaw beckoned to me, and we continued down the tunnels. The tunnels were a flurry of activity. Mongools hurried by in both directions, calling or yelling in Chinese to each other and brandishing knives and swords and clubs.No one had time to bow to Prenjaw anymore.

Finally, my breath ragged, we reached another hidden opening. The smell of impending night was sharp and sweet, mixed with what smelled like rust and smoke. Prenjaw paused and looked around the mountainside, his eyes searching for something my weaker eyes probably wouldn't see. I leaned over the edge carefully; tiny dots were moving in a flurry at the mountain base. Fires dotted the battle here and there, and as I watched, two more broke out.

"Where are all the women and children?" I asked Prenjaw hoarsely.

"On another mountain, for their safety." He replied promptly, his eyes still flicking keenly. "I'm taking you there now."

I couldn't help but sag a little in relief. Maybe I wouldn't have to use his dagger.

"Aha!" Prenjaw suddenly leapt over the edge of the opening, his giant feet gripping the rocky face easily. He moved a couple yards down and picked up a rock that was roughly the size of my head.

"What are you doing?" I called down to him.

He was turning the rock over in his hands, peering at it closely. "Hagal is in charge of moving all the women and children. She leaves behind stones at every entrance alerting us to which mountain they have sought refuge in. We're not supposed to look till after battle.  Its better if we don't know where they are if someone tries torturing the location out of us."

That was super smart. They can't tell their enemies if they didn't know, and the lack of information kept the bulk of the population safe. The stones could be found easily after everyone was safe, and the weaker mongools would be untouched.

"Alright." Prenjaw muttered. "According to my sister's terrible writing - "

I had the breath knocked out of me as something collided with me.

I hit the mountain face so hard stars exploded in my eyes and my whole body felt like it was shattering. My attacker let go of me, and I slid to my feet with a moan. My eyes fluttered and I looked up to see my scared reflection in two round, black panels of glass.

It was the hooded figure again.

The sword in his hand glinted in the fading light, and I saw with horror that someone's silver blood was dripping off its curved edge. He seemed to be watching me from behind those two black circles; neither of us moved as we stared at the other.