FREEDOM

Chapter 1

Men bowed, and women curtsied as they returned yet again from defending the country. Swords raised in victory, they cantered through the streets with their armies behind them. Ribbons were flung in the air and trumpets resounded, and all celebrated as their mighty Women Warriors returned from saving them again. Neighbours shared their food with beggars and the poor - no one would go hungry on this night for all were happy, and another battle had been won.

The procession made its way to the castle and stopped before the king. He thanked the knights for their bravery and declared a feast in their honour. A grand table was set up in the great hall. Knights, noblemen and their wives feasted and danced turning the dark night into a place of revelry and enjoyment.he two female knights bid the party good night and ascended that castle steps to their chambers. They stripped off their gowns and climbed into bed while the rest of the castle partied late into the night.

No one could expect, though, the turmoil that would occur in the western wing of the palace where the two knights lay in slumber. No one could expect the assassin to shimmy up the walls and climb in through the window. The drapes swirled around his black-clad frame as he drew the knife from its sheath. Raylah awakened a split second before the knife came down and she threw up her arm to deflect the blow. The steel bit into her flesh and she bit back a scream. He yanked the knife free and prepare to stab her again. But she rolled off the bed and grabbed for her sword. He saw the move coming and threw himself at her, knocking them both to the floor with a grunt as the knife sank into her side. She screamed this time and wrenched the knife free. Her snarling, bloody face was the last thing that man saw.

She was found in a pool of blood. Her attacker dead beside her.

The best surgeon was sent for as her friend stood by, helpless. She had seen wounds before. But seeing such a mortal wound on her best friend was too much. She was frozen, tears pooling in her dark eyes. The knight was carried away to be treated and as the doctor arrived, he was not hopeful. The castle was quiet that night as down in the village everyone celebrated.

As Raylah lay on her bed, her head swam, and she constantly fought to stay conscious. For she knew if she slipped into the sweet embrace of sleep, she might never wake again. A figure loomed over her, and she felt cool fingers move over her wound. A searing pain shot through her side as the needle was inserted. She screamed against the pain and tried to wrench away, but firm hands held her down. Her cries echoed through the corridors for what seemed like an eternity before silence enveloped the castle. Screams had been a part of his job for as long as he could remember, cries of pain, sadness and anguish. He had been able to steel himself against them after three years of doctoring, but this girl's screams unnerved him. It wasn't the screams themselves but the girl that was screaming. She was one of the great female knights. One of the only two females to ever be knighted. She and her friend had saved their king from an assassination attempt. People said they had pulled long knives from beneath their skirts and fought the two men. It was said the fight only lasted thirty seconds before the assassins were on the ground pleading for their lives. The king was so in awe of their feat that he had knighted them. They were strong. They showed no weakness. No emotion. Yet here was this girl laying here, sobbing and screaming. She couldn't have been older than 19 or 20. He looked down at his hands covered in blood. Her blood. He was just washing them when the second knight appeared.

Her face was pale and drawn and he could tell she was incredibly worried. She went over to the bed and knelt beside her friend. Grabbing a cloth and wiping her cheeks and brow. Her soft voice reassuring not only the girl but herself.

"You're going to be ok," she muttered to herself. Over and over again.

He was surprised to find that her eyes were dripping with tears as well. These beautiful strong girls. He moved next to the knight and handed her his handkerchief.

"She's going to be alright," he whispered to her, "She's strong. She'll make it. " The girl blew her nose and nodded before settling next to the bed. Holding her friend's hand, she fell asleep within minutes with her head on the blankets.

He ordered another cot brought in and he picked up the knight laying her next to her friend. She moaned and reached for her friend. He gently lifted her hand and put it in her friend's. Grasping her hand, the knight settled back down into slumber. He slipped into the adjoining room and stripped off his bloody apron. He washed his face and crawled into bed. Her screams still echoed in his head as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Hi!! This is my first time posting on Wattpad. I hope you like this story. 

Hopefully I'll be able to update bi-weekly.