Aurora’s POV
The castle became hotter as the flames began to spread and my lungs became filled with smoke as I could rarely breathe anymore.
The Hallway was dark and suffocating at this point and it was so hard to see anything but I kept running. I had a life to protect, a future to save yet I managed to be as quiet as possible. I could hear my guards screaming, I could hear my maids crying and I could hear myself heaving in fear as I ran as fast as I could with my son besides me as we ran through the hallway. I encountered a maid of mine in the hands of the imposters even in the flames, the men couldn’t help but be vile creatures.
I hid myself in an attempt to protect my son , because sadly if I tried to save her that would put all our lives in danger. I covered his ears so no screams could reach him. The cries of my maid echoed through the corridors. I knew she wanted to save me but now watching what those dogs were doing to her ,made my heart ache.
We ran through the corridor and into the back rooms of the castle as the flames spread continuously , having to look at the corpses of my fallen guards. I felt disappointed in myself as a queen.
Then I saw it through the wall, it was moonlight, and from what I was seeing the path led directly to the forest and into the mountains.It was the perfect route for escape.
“Barron?”
I called out to my son
“Yes mommy?”
“You listen to me alright , run when I tell you to and don’t stop running head for the mountains and cross the river “ I said with tears brewing in my eyes.
“Okay” he said in a hesitant manner.
“I love you so much and I will find you okay?”
“I love you too mummy”
I grabbed his hands and we began running towards the forest with all our strength, the path to the forest was free of impostors . Perhaps they thought I wouldn’t think to abandon my own castle but I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures indeed.
The sky began pouring severely, and in my kingdom it was believed that whenever rain fell suddenly and often vigorously it meant the souls of the people slayed cried out for justice.
I believed I confirmed that folklore tonight. As we ran into the forest I saw him. A dark figure emerged from behind the trees in a black armor.
He knew that was my favorite outfit for him, he walked out of the shadows and looked at me giving me a sickening smile.
He tilted his head as the rain made his figure look exaggerated .He smiled as he saw me clench the hands of my son and in the rain he lit a cigar.
“Wow Rory I didn’t think you were one to play in the forest at night”. That name, he was the only one allowed to call me that.
“Please we don’t need to do this” I said begging him as I stepped backwards.
“Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do” he said as he smiled devilishly.
“Look at what you did Rory, look at how you sacrificed the lives of your people just so you can run away with that little swine in your hands” he added.
“ I’m not running away from you I am here aren’t I?” I said in irritation.
“You are one for abandoning things I suppose you just can’t help leaving the people who loved you behind and now look at you abandoning the people you left me for” He said as he pulled his sword and took a stance.
“ Perhaps it was a good decision I made leaving you behind, look at what you have become Al” I said as I pinched Barron’s skin as an indicator for him to flee.
The smile on his face died off and his eyes went dark as he ran towards me I screamed at Barron to run away and as I wanted to run as well he grabbed me by my neck and slammed me into the tree.
“Barron Run!!!!!!!”
I yelled and with tears in his eyes I watched my son flee into the forest.
He let go of my neck as I fell hard to the floor. He tried to chase him but I grabbed his ankle stopping him from doing so.
He then grabbed me by my hair and threw me to the ground.
“Do you know what will happen after I kill you here Rory? I will find your son and snap his neck or perhaps I can find him before I kill you” He said with all seriousness.
I boosted myself up from the ground with my last bit of strength and took my stance prepared to fight him , Barron needed time to make it to the River. I drew my sword from my back and pointed it at him.
“ I’m sorry it has to end this way but I must put an end to this senseless bloodshed of yours” I said.
“ You know what you have to do”, He said while looking at me with bitterness.
“Kill that filthy offspring of yours and be by my side like you should have Rory” He added without any trace of guilt.
“I guess I will just have to kill you instead” I said as I charged towards him with all my strength in a last attempt to amend my mistakes.
Our swords met and the force of it made my hands quiver . I couldn’t afford weakness in a moment like this. The blade between us was bloody but none of us had the time to check whose blood it was as he moved quickly yet without hurry he was the same as before ,a man who was nothing to.
The forest blurred around us and the roar of the castle burning, seemed to have subsided and all that was left was the space between his blade and mine. He was always stronger, but I didn’t need to win.All I needed was enough time for Barron to escape through the trees and to the shore.
His blow landed on my ribs and I felt a large amount of air escape from my lips, the amount of pain I was in was enormous. I fell to my knees with my blade beside me and hands clenching the mud.
“Get up Rory” I heard him say as I looked at him pointing his blade to my neck and the rain moving through his hair, from the look in his eyes I couldn’t tell if that was a command or plea.
