Myra POV
After realizing that Cronus was not planning to actually turn me over to the king I actually began to trust him, even cried in front of him. A choice I know I will come to regret. I am now in his arms pretending to be unconscious so his new "friends" don't try to kill me, again.
They were the same men that chased me from the inn where I was staying and then proceeded to nearly beat the life out of me until I smashed their friend's skull. Another life I took that will endlessly haunt my being. I have come to learn that the man's name was Tom.
Cronus carefully sets me on the ground. I keep my eyes closed and try to drift back into unconsciousness. As soon as I start to fall asleep I noticed that there is a presence coming closer to me. I slightly open my eyes to see Clara lying down beside me. She is looking up to the sky, her beautiful, blue eyes staring with amazement. She hasn't seen the sky for years, to her its something brand new.
Everything in this moment is perfect. I know that the circumstances may be shit but, I am here with the girl I have loved all my life, and she may even feel the same. Cronus doesn't hate me for betraying him, I have even started to trust him... barely.
"Why don't you guys go hunt for some dinner," Cronus tells the men.
"Fine." One man grumbles. "But if there's any funny business then we will kill you and your two little bitches."
They storm off cursing all of us out. When I no longer hear their footsteps I open my eyes. I sit up but my head hurts still from Cronus knocking me out cold. I did deserve it but I'm still pissed. Not at Cronus, but at myself, for not being able to defend the princess.
"Are you okay?" Clara comes over to me. She scans my head, looking at the sizeable lump that has now formed.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Cronus says nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. I stare daggers at him. "If looks could kill," he mumbles.
"If they could you would be dead a long time ago," I say, raising my voice.
"Cronus, what's going on?" Clara asks. "Why are you after Myra? Who are those men? What has happened over the past eight years?"
Cronus and I make eye contact. She hasn't missed anything important, especially because my life ended the day she was taken. But now I feel as though I can finally breathe again.
"Myra is a wanted criminal," Cronus says. My head drops, Clara deserves better than me. "She was a thief, she disobeyed the king's orders, and now she is a fugitive with a huge bounty over her head. But all that aside, she has done everything she can to make something of herself and she is one of the bravest, most selfless people I have ever met and that includes knights."
I look up at him questioningly. Why would he help me even after all I have put him through? Clara lightly takes hold of my chins and pulls me to face her. In her beautiful eyes, there are tears forming.
"Thank you." She wraps her small arms around my neck and she starts to sob. After hesitating I slowly wrap my arm around her tiny frame. Pulling her frail body even closer to me.
I look over to Cronus who lightly smiles at me, but I can see that sadness is in his eyes. I motion him to come over to us and he brightens up slightly and walks over and kneels beside me. I wrap an arm around him and whisper my thanks, he nods. We sit there for a moment in each other's arms. I feel like its eight years ago and we are children again without a care in the world. I can't help but have a big grin.
"What actually happened with those guys?" Cronus finally asks. Clara is now staring intently at me too.
"I was at an inn and they thought I was some defenseless kid that they could mess with. They chased, beat me almost to death. Then I smash their friend's skull with a rock, they ran off with their tails between their legs." I said. Clara and Cronus just looked at me, with sadness in their eyes. "I really rather not talk about it anymore," I mumble.
"Okay, well then how did you get the old knight gear?" Cronus asked, thankfully changing the subject.
"Oh yeah, well after I was attacked I found an old barn. Then this old couple helped nurse me back to health. Then they gave me their son's old armor. They said that king had wrongfully killed their child and then they gave the dagger that ended his life." I held it out for them to see. "They told me to use it to kill the king. And then they gave me a small painting and a... note." I felt around until I found the small pieces of paper. I handed the picture to Clara and Cronus. But I kept the note to myself. I had never finished reading it. I slowly unfold the paper.
"To my dearest mother and father,
I am sorry. I regret to tell you that if you are reading this than I am dead. I have been denied the right to marry Grace because she is not of noble blood. This is a problem because she is with child now. I had dreamt of being a father and watching a child of my own growing up but that does not seem to be my reality. No matter what happens to me, I want you to know that I will always be your son and I will fight till the very end for the life my child deserves. Grace says she is positive that the child is a girl. She is on the run now, heading out to your place. Please keep an eye out for her and protect her and the child. And tell that child the moment she is brought into this world that I love her very much. And I will always love my beautiful daughter Myra."
Your son,
Lance.
My heart stops. I rip the painting out of Cronus's hands. He and Clara look at me confused.
The women, Grace. Long blonde hair and brown eyes. The man has curly blonde hair and bright green eyes. These are familiar, I see the same whenever I look into my reflection.
"What's the matter?" Clara asked.
"These people... they aren't just Lance and Grace," I say, talking to myself. "This is my family, these are my parents. The king, h...he killed them." I clench my fists.
"Wait, how do you know?" asks Cronus. I had them the letter. "Oh, God." They say in unison.
"Myra, I am so sorry." Clara takes my hand and I instantly relax a little. "I knew my father could be cruel, but this, this is just unforgivable. I have never truly loved him because of the cruel, sick things he has done. I am given you my blessing. You can kill him. Take his life just as he took your family's just as he wants to take yours."
I just nod my head, my anger not allowing me to speak. Then we hear rustling in
the bushes. I push Clara behind me and both Cronus and I unsheathe our weapons. Then the evil men that attacked me not so long ago came sprinting towards us. They stopped and smiled.
"Just in time." Says the biggest man. "We brought friends."
Out of nowhere knights came pouring out of the woods surrounding us. There was at least 20 or 30 on horseback. Then they charged.
Cronus yelled at them trying to get them to stop. He resorted to just knocking them out instead of killing them. I tried to follow his lead but we were being overpowered. Then from behind me, I started seeing arrows flying and embedding themselves in the knights. I looked behind me to see Clara shooting my bow and never missing. I forgot she was an incredible shot.
But all too soon she was caught and she was weak and it only took one knight to keep her restrained. Cronus and I kept fighting but soon enough we too were stopped. And even the evil men were captured, even though they lead the Knights to us. Then I weird smelling rag was placed over my face. I tried not to breathe but I was too late and I was gone.
********
I slowly open my eyes but I can't see anything.
Drip.
I am laying and something hard, and when I tried to move I realized my hands have been bound above my head and my legs get trapped as well.
Drip.
I can feel something tapping on my face.
Drip.
"This is an ancient form of torture designed to make even the sanest person go mad. Instead of killing a perfectly beautiful girl, will a hellfire spirit. We decided to make you into a mindless slave. We will break you down to the point where you won't even remember your name. You once called my knights 'my bitches.' You have no idea what you're talking" The king's cold voice whispers. "Welcome to hell, my little bitch."
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.