In This Life And The Next

There were no words for Alec to say to Aurora when he was astride his horse. There was a carriage for the women and children, though Laura and Hazel were on their own horses. Ben, Victor, Sam, and Ash were nowhere to be found and when Aurora turned to Alec, Alec only kissed her and Aurora understood not to ask.

“I will see you soon. Take care of yourself and our baby.” Alec murmured and pressed Aurora’s forehead to his own. “In this life and the next, I will be at your side.”

“Don’t say such things. They sound too much like a goodbye.” Aurora breathed deeply. “You are only off to win a war.”

“Only.” Alec said with a gentle smile. He kissed Aurora. “In this life and the next. Swear it to me.”

“In this life,” Aurora kissed the corner of Alec’s mouth, “And the next.”

Alec, Liam and Caspian spoke to Laura and Hazel for a few moments before bidding everyone else a farewell.

Laura was crying openly now and when she held Alec’s face in her hands, she knew her fear was not singular. Alec said something to her and she gave him a small smile and said gently, “Have faith, my love.”

Alec wiped his mother’s face and nodded and then stood back and watched Aurora disappear on her horse, trailing the carriage that was driven by George.

“My fear is less knowing that Aurora is with them.” Liam confessed.

“Mine is doubled. She is with child.” Alec replied.

“That’s amazing news, brother.” Liam smiled. “Does mother know?”

“No, but she will. Soon enough.”

“Let’s kill them all and return to our family.” Caspian said. “I believe I am ready for a wedding feast.”

“Two of them.” Alec replied and clapped Liam on the shoulder. “Come. Let’s ready the men.”

***

They were riding for near half a day when a single rider left the forest on Aurora’s left and rode up next to her.

“I didn’t know that I would get the easy part for once.” Ben said with a grin. Bobby, Marc and Earl joined them at different paces. Ben stayed at Aurora’s side, Marc rode with Hazel and Bobby and Earl stayed with Laura. Their group surrounded the carriage and though they were slow enough for the carriage to keep up, it was still a punishing pace.

Aurora was near the front, having memorized their route and no one questioned her.

“How many days ride until we reach our destination?” Ben asked.

“Three days at this pace.” Aurora replied.

“I’ll send Marc ahead to scout a spot to camp.” Ben murmured and fell back. Moments later, Marc rode ahead.

That night, they laid their bedrolls out under the stars. Sleep did not come easily to anyone.

They got up at first light and after a breakfast of dried meat and fruit and water to wash it all down, they continued on. The women and children were not keeping up as well, crammed into the carriage as they were. True as they were, they did not voice a single complaint.

Aurora’s entire body ached from the near ceaseless riding and even then, she suggested riding after the sun had begun to set. Ben remained her companion throughout the ride and rarely left her side. She slowed only when the forest cleared into a large flat meadow. Aurora brought her own stallion to a slow canter.

“What is it?” Aurora asked.

Ben shook his head, held out a hand. He looked over to Marc, on the other side of the carriage. George caught Aurora’s eye but said nothing, only pressed his lips together in a thin line.

The only sounds around them were their horses breathing and the soft words from the carriage.

“It feels like a trap.” Ben whispered.

“We can go around.” Aurora suggested.

Ben shook his head. “If they have done this, they might have followed us as well. Around offers no sanctuary. Or they are pushing us to go around.”

The sun was dipping below the treeline. It looked peaceful.

“What do you suggest we do?” Aurora whispered.

Ben looked around. “Ride. Hard and fast.” He looked up at George who nodded. “Keep low to your horse. Stay close to the Princess.” Ben said to Aurora. He looked around, at the children who were peering at them through the small windows. “Whatever else, do not leave her side, and protect your stomach.”

Aurora didn't have time ask how he knew as he took off before she could get the words out.

They were not halfway through the meadow when they heard the snap of an axle and the muffled cries of those in the carriage. George was thrown from his perch and the horses skidded and danced against the sudden uneven weight.

“Shit.” Earl hissed, riding up along the side of the horses, calming them with a hand. George stood slowly. Blood trickled down his forehead.

A crossbow bolt slammed into the carriage next to Aurora, causing her horse to rear, as it caught the carriage on fire. Hazel was pushed back as well as three more bolts slammed into the carriage.

“Go!” Aurora yelled at Hazel as she swung off her own horse. Marc did the same, unhooking the horses from the carriage. Ben jerked the door open and pulled the children out, the women stumbling out on their own.

Aurora gave up on the straps holding the horses to the carriage and pulled her blade out to slice them free. Marc freed the last horse on his side, swung up in his saddle, reached for Hazel, and snapped at his horse. His gray stallion took off, leaving clumps of mud and grass in his wake. Men charged out of the woods and Earl and Ben threw themselves into the fight.

Aurora freed the last horse, watched as Bobby pulled Mary from her horse and leave. An arrow whistled past her ear and she startled, but when she turned, a man was falling to his knees, an arrow planted in his throat. She looked around, but saw none of his companions with a crossbow. She had to leave the mystery for a minute but soon the arrows were felling others around Ben and Earl, clearing the way for them.

“Up, up.” Aurora hissed at Anna and put Amy on the same horse. The others scrambled for horses and left as soon as they were seated. Claire was the last one left and Aurora had to help her to her feet. She had injured her ankle when the axle broke. Earl had left with Jessica on his horse.

Ben limped over to them, his horse trailing him. She pulled a strip of bandage from her pack and tied it around his leg. “This is going to make riding unpleasant.” He remarked, tone light as always. “Who has the crossbow-”

“Watch out!” Claire screamed and that’s when Aurora saw a man rear up and slam a gauntleted hand into the back of Ben’s head. Ben crumpled to the ground and Aurora reached for Claire, pulled her to her feet and put her behind her. Aurora wrapped Claire’s arms around her waist, something for her to keep steady.

The man was bleeding from an injury Aurora couldn’t tell the source of.

“Where are they going?” He demanded.

Aurora shook her head.

“You are the king’s whore. Tell me and I’ll let the girl live.” The man bargained.

“I would rather die.” Claire hissed.

Aurora put her hand over her stomach as the man rushed in and slammed into Aurora. Claire fell to the side, barely avoiding getting crushed beneath them. Aurora got one blade out but the man punched her in the stomach and she gasped, lost her grip on her blade, and she hoped that Alec would forgive her this.

Claire screamed again and there was a spray of something warm and wet on her face. The man on top of her stopped moving and his weight was removed.

Someone stood above her and with the carriage fire to the person’s back and a hood over their head, she couldn’t tell who they were or their intention.

They extended a gloved hand.

“Come with me if you want to live.” They said. Aurora saw a crossbow over their shoulder.

Aurora gave the person, her hand.