We were surrounded - Ep 3 - part 6

We ran as fast as we could. Our legs moved like lightning, driven by fear. But no matter how fast you try to be, a hundred men on horseback, are going to catch up with you sooner rather than later.

Just before crossing a small stream, we were surrounded by dozens of knights and soldiers around us.

"Bachué Quispe!" The battalion commander roared. "She is under arrest in the name of the Duke Al-Thule! "

"Under what charges?" Delilah asked.

"Treason."

Treason? Who exactly did I betray? Marco? The Derderián family? myself?

"Delilah Oxoa," continued the commander, "you too must accompany us to face the Duke's justice. If you ask about your charges, they are conspiracy along a traitor to the Crown. "

Delilah brought her hands to the sheathed sword. I grabbed her arm very tightly as if begging her not to do anything crazy.

"Please do not resist," the Commander requested, seeing that Delilah was ready to fight.

"I promise nothing," she said, drawing her sword.

"Delilah, no!" She screeched.

"Bachué, I promised I would protect you. And I will, even if it costs me my life. "

I saw everything slowly. I swear.

Delilah threw herself at one of the soldiers. It didn't matter which one, there were too many. They laughed, they were already with their bows in hands, ready to shoot her.

Crimson butterflies flew over and between us. There were hundreds, maybe thousands of them.

Delilah saw them. The soldiers saw them.

«Can you see them?»

BOOM! The ground shook so hard that some soldiers fell from their horses.

BOOM! Another jolt.

Some horses screamed.

Delilah and I looked at each other, confused.

The Commander's eyes were sunk in terror.

BOOM!

I ran to hug Delilah. Her body was so cold.

BOOM! BOOM!

I heard that metallic sound of swords drawn.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

It was huge. As big as the tower of a castle in the capital. With red eyes and sharp ivory fangs.

"It can't be ...," Delilah stammered.

The Mapinguarí brandished its long claws and smashed dozens of soldiers to pieces.

"Attack!" Yelled the Commander.

All the soldiers launched themselves to attack the Mapinguarí. But they were like ants against a lion. The beast slashed and annihilated men like papyrus in water.

The most horrible thing was not seeing the bloodshed; it was hearing the screams of pain.

And the smell. The smell of blood ... disgusting.

"Bachué?" Delilah hugged me back. "What's going on?"

We were both paralyzed by fear. A holy beast, which was supposed to have died hundreds of years ago, was in front of us. Alive, tangible, and tearing the bodies of dozens of soldiers to pieces.

When we realized that the Mapinguarí hadn't seen us and that the Duke's men were very busy trying not to be killed, we decided to resume our run.

We drifted away until we could no longer hear the roars of the beast, nor the screams of pain.