It was silent now, there was no shouting or loud clangs of the swords from outside of your hiding spot. You could only hear that sharp intakes of your breaths and the shaky exhale of them, you could only feel the trembling in your hands as you held tightly onto the small dagger your trusted guard provided you with.
Only mere moments ago, the halls were washed in shouts and an abundance of noise, each heightened noise causing your body to flinch. Your head against the wall as you basically cradled your pathetic dagger to your chest. However, the shouting ceased, and there was no longer any noise coming from outside.
This was one of the few moments that you had wished that you had listened to Farah, when she showed you some basic moves in combat. Although, you assumed, even with the limited knowledge you did have on combat, you wouldn't be able to defend yourself for long, or well.
You were hoping for some sort of sign that your dear guard was safe or on her way to give you the all clear that it was safe to come out of hiding. You wanted her, needed her, to explain to you what the Hells was going on.
All you knew was that one moment you were in the study, minding your own business. The next, Farah was dragging you by the arm into your current hiding spot, commanding you not to move an inch until she, and she only, came to find you.
With the certain look in her eyes that you rarely did see, you knew you had to listen to what she told you to do. Wait, and come out only when she told you so. You had only wished that she would come sooner and not leave you with a racing heart and a wondering mind.
You heard three sharp bangs on the entrance to your cramped, little hiding spot. You gasped under your breath, flinching at the harsh noise against the door, your trembling hands tightened around the dagger.
“Farah…?” You called out, desperately trying to keep your breath level.
There was no response…
You hesitantly pushed open so you could poke your head through to check if it was actually Farah who was banging for you to come out.
Though, before you could even realise what was going on, a rough hand grasped onto your hair and pulled you fully out of your hiding spot, causing you to yelp out in surprise.
“Let- let go of me!” You cried out, being forced onto your back as this mystery person dragged out, your hands reaching to where the hands clasped around your hair.
“Shut up!” A deep, harsh voice yelled at you, you couldn’t get a good look at your attacker, a hood over their head and a mask over their face.
“Farah-” you tried to call out again, but was met with a hand over your mouth and the only thing that could be heard was your muffled cries and yells.
“Shut up, you little bitch!” The man yelled once again, he huffed quietly, attempting to drag you out of the room where you hiding spot had been located. “Godsdamnit, fuckin’ royal assholes.”
You could feel your breaths hitting the man’s hand and back onto your skin, you tried to squirm and fumble within your attacker’s bruising grip. Your hands attempting to get his arms off of you, head moving side to side as you tried to get his hand off of your mouth.
However, the attempt was fruitless. The man was twice your size and you were incapable of getting out of the harsh grasp, you could only cry out muffled sobs.
Well, that was until there was a sharp, loud noise and, suddenly, a warm liquid splattered across your face. There was a thud beside you and the hand fell from your mouth, you gasped out and quickly squirmed away.
It was an unexpected sight, a blade covered in that crimson liquid that always made you nauseous when your eyes laid upon it. The steel was a mere few inches above your face, a single droplet of blood falling from it and onto your shaken-up face
“Princess.” Farah quickly said, you could hear the neat ‘slice’ as her sword retracted from your attacker’s throat.
“Farah.” You breathed out, eyes landing on her light brown eyes. “Farah, by the Gods…”
She pushed the attacker further you, he landed to the side and you saw his lifeless head was lying idly with his lifeless face facing yours. Your breath caught in your breath at the horrid sight, the blood pooling on the wooden floor under the man.
“Oh, Gods- oh…” you panted, you couldn’t pry your eyes away from the ghastly sight.
“You’re okay.” She reassured, helping pull your to your feet as she sheathed her sword. “You’re okay, you’re safe.”
You were wobbly as you were brought to your feet, your hands grasping onto Farah’s arms. Her hands were tight around your arms, she was cautious over you, she always was.
“What was the about? What happened? Why- why was..?” Your voice was painfully shaken, it wavered as your eyes darted all over Farah’s face, she was injured. “Farah, your face, you’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.” Farah dismissively said, shaking her head slightly, her hands moved to your shoulders. “Are you hurt?”
You shook your head quickly, taking a deep breath in. “No, no, I’m not. What happened here?”
“There were a group of assassins.” I she quickly answered. “I told you to come out when I told you so.”
“I- I thought it was you.” You said with a panicked voice. “I called out, I though-“
She sighed quietly, you were sure her annoyance at your inability to follow simple instructions was overran with her concern for your safety. “It doesn’t matter anymore. You’re safe, we have to get you to the King.”
“What- why?” You quickly asked. “Now?”
“Yes, he wants to make sure you’re safe.” Farah said, before turning around and heading to the door, expecting you to follow.
“Farah, wait!” You quickly called, grabbing her wrist.
She turned around, she was going to tell you that she didn’t intend on keeping the King, your father, waiting. However, when she saw that look in your eyes, she hesitated.
“I- I was scared.” You said with a broken voice. “I didn’t know whether or not you were coming back, I- I heard the yelling and thought you were… were…”
“Dead?” She finished for you.
You nodded slowly, tears prickling at the corners of your eyes.
She sighed faintly, quick to bring you into a tight hug. You didn’t expect it at first, you took a few moments before your wrapped your arms around her as well.
“You underestimate me, Princess.” She whispered, but paused for a few moments. “I’m not going to leave you just yet.”
