Still Not Ready
Kirigan's POV
When I got there, I opened it to see a tied up Jane.
"Jane?!" I whispered sharply, my voice echoing. "What are you doing here?"
Her mouth was covered with stuffings which I removed as she spat out saw dust.
"Someone kidnapped me!" She screamed as I shushed her.
"Who did?"
"I did," something said behind me as I turned to see a hooded and cloaked figure in darkness.
My hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of my sword, ready to strike.
The figure smiled towards me, a smirk curling upon their lips. "Ah, so you've found me," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But it's too late, dear ruler. Step away from my bounty and let me have what I came for."
"You're the one who has been getting into my home?"
"This trash is what you call a home?" He laughed. "No wonder it was easy to get into."
Rage burned within me, fueling my strikes to protect the woman.
With a swift motion, I lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air. But the figure was swift, pushing aside my blows with ease, his movements were different from the others.
We moved through the chamber, his attacks driven by darkness, my defense fueled by my desire to protect my family.
The clash of our blades echoed through the chamber. I tried my best to pin him down but he was faster than I would have liked.
His fighting skills were unorthodox. They were different from what I would normally expect from a warrior.
Blood stained the floor, wounds opened as we tore through each other.
The figure's cloak fluttered in the air, revealing glimpses of their twisted smile. But I would not be pushed back with fear. I fought with my royal strength, pushing myself to the limits of my abilities.
Finally, a moment of opportunity presented itself. The figure's guard momentarily faltered, and I seized the chance.
With a surge of energy, I launched a devastating attack, my blade finding its mark in his chest as I made sure to stab it deeper until it caused him excruciating pain. It pierced through the figure's defenses, blood spilling forth, staining their cloak.
A grim satisfaction washed over me as I watched the figure stagger backward, he was surprised even with the pain on his face.
He clutched his wound, his dark eyes filled with a desire to live but it was too late. I knew victory was within my grasp.
I advanced towards the man on his knees, my sword gleaming with his blood on it.
"Who are you? Who sent you? Answer these questions," I hissed, my voice laced with venom but he refused to say anything.
I looked back to see a terrified Jane still tied in the sack.
She shrugged to me before screaming to look behind me.
Turning around with lightning speed, I saw the man with a knife heading for my neck as I parried the blow and pulled the knife from his hand, stabbing him in his chest with it.
Without giving him time to rest and with a swift and brutal stroke, I delivered the killing blow with my sword, severing his head from his body.
It rolled across the floor, getting to Jane who squealed before throwing up over the head.
"Oh shit, that's a dead head," she cried, still vomiting her insides.
Silence enveloped the chamber, broken only by the labored sound of my breath with the vomiting sounds of Jane.
I stood amidst the battle, my body covered in sweat and blood.
As I surveyed the scene, my gaze fell upon the fallen figure.
I still did not understand why he had stolen into my kingdom. What his aim was and why he had tried kidnapping Jane?
"Are you okay?" I asked Jane who had fallen to the ground exhausted.
Suddenly I heard sounds coming from the entrance of the place I had come in from and I readied my sword for another fight.
Soon, my guards joined me.
"My liege, what are you doing here?" A general asked.
"I should be asking you the same question."
He looked at Jane who now pretended to be blind. "And her…"
"She was abducted. That is the reason I am here. Something is going on and I don't know what. The other day I was attacked in my study and now my blind maid is being kidnapped. Have my guards grown so stupid they cannot see what is going on?"
They all kept quiet as my rage increased.
"I pay you all to do your duty. I give you all the best of healthcare and provide shelter. If I had not been on sentry duty myself, who knows? By now she would have been taken away from the kingdom. What are you all good for if someone can enter this place and steal from you within your very grasp?"
No one said anything as I took in deep breaths before helping Jane to her feet.
We started out of the cellar, heading to her room.
"I'm so sorry for what happened," I said as she shrugged.
"I wasn't expecting it myself. I was sleeping when that happened."
I nodded. I could tell that she was the target. The last time I had engaged with the criminals, one of them had gone to take her from her room but I had intervened just in time.
Now I knew that I had to do something about these people or it would not end well for anyone.
"How's the cure coming?" I asked as she nodded.
"Like I said, it's already ready. A few finishing touches here and there and it is fine. On the other hand you are not ready for the cure yet."
We got to her room as I followed her in, shutting the door behind me.
"I am more than ready. What more do you want from me?"
She sighed. "I'll tell you when you're ready, my prince."