Chapter 2 Part (B)
Flashback continues:
"Slow down Princess", Alexandre exclaimed running after Erica.
"Keep up Daddy, otherwise we will miss the view of the sunset!", Erica replied while smiling and running forward, ahead of Alexandre.
After some time both of them reached a cliff from where the sunset could be seen in full view.
Never have seen a more beautiful sight than this, Erica was left spell-bounded.
The horizon was illuminated brightly with many stars twinkling, starting to appear, now that twilight was approaching, the clear cloudless golden-orange sky, a cool breeze was blowing from the Northern direction, making the nearby trees and bushes sway from side to side, the sound of the leaves rustling, the sound of birds chirping and returning to their nests, and above all stood the golden-amber colored, brief but indescribably beautiful sun with all its magnificence. Her eyes moved as if trying to take in all of the light emitted by the sun. The calm and serene atmosphere made Erica's heart and entirety flutter with enjoyment and happiness…
"Woah!"- was the only thing she could speak.
Alexandre who was running behind Erica all this time finally caught up to her.
"Like what you see?" Alexandre asked Erica while smiling.
"...."
"Guess it's a 'yes' then"
Alexandre slowly moved closer to Erica and rested his left hand on her right shoulder.
"The sunset is merely a prelude to the dawn, yet its majesty fills my mind with the most beautiful of dreams. As my eyes drift to rest I am one with the stars, my skin cooled by the breeze, and when I awake the sky will be radiant with the first kiss of the new day."
Erica looked up at Alexandre with glistening eyes and her face had an ear-to-ear smile that expressed both surprise and happiness.
"How did yo-"
" 'Bow of Greatness', right? Your favorite book, the one you love to read every now and then… and even brought on our journey here, right?"
"Yeah, but how did you-"
"Well, I happened to take a look at the luggage you were carrying and while I was looking at it, this book happened to fall out of your bag, so I picked it up and just happened to read this particular quote… and it was quite good", Alexandre replied with a smile.
Not being able to say anything, Erica quickly hugged Alexandre, while the latter stroked her head lovingly.
"Now shall we head for the camp, My Princess?"
"Yeah, let's go Daddy"
{Play it}
Just as they were about to go, a sudden gust of cold wind stopped them from advancing, various sounds of wild animals suddenly quieted down, and the whole area was enveloped in an eerie silence.
"Daddy?", Erica spoke with understandable fear in her voice.
Alexandre did not reply anything for the time being instead his body tensed up.
A sudden movement in the nearby bushes was noticed by both of them.
"Quick! Erica! Behind Me!!" Alexandre replied in a low but dead-serious voice.
Erica quickly obeyed her father's advice and hid behind him, still shivering, while Alexandre unsheathed his sword from his sword belt.
"Whatever you are... COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF!!", Alexandre shouted in the direction of the bushes, for some time nothing happened.
"Hmm, maybe it was noth-", Alexandre was interrupted mid-way by a roar that erupted from the bushes, and in a few moments a weird, green-looking creature rushed out from its hiding.
It stood at least 7' tall and was a weird-looking creature that possessed the physique of a muscular man, but its whole body was colored green and had various kinds of amulets and strange accessories on it. It had sharp and pointed teeth, two of which extended out from his mouth and were visible. It held 2 long axes in its two hands and was staring down Alexandre and Erica with eyes filled with bloodlust.
It was an ORC.
"So you were the one..", Alexandre called out to it in a low voice.
"Daddyy", Erica was shivering and trembling with fear even more now.
"Don't worry darling, as long as I am here, nobody will be able to lay a single finger on you…"
Alexandre was an expert analyst, he knew taking on a creature, alone, like that would not be easy.. even for him.
"Darling, listen you do know the path that leads to the camp right?"
"Yeess", Erica stuttered with fear.
"So, while I keep it busy, you make a run for the camp and call the others for help, ok?"
"Daddy, but-"
"No 'but's Erica.. just do as I say, ok?"
"Ok"
"In 3,…. 2 , …. 1 … …Now ERICA… RUN!!"
"AHHAHR..!!!!", the orc roared and rushed at Alexandre…
"HAIYAAH!!!", Alexandre yelled back and charged at the orc.
"CLANGGHH.." The sound of Alexandre's sword and the orc's axe colliding died down in Erica's scream, as she started to run.
Meanwhile with the Others :
"No success today also huh? I wonder how long it is gonna take…", Bowood called out to Arnaud.
The group had set out for the camp, with Philip and Dawn and had gone quite a distance from their parting point with Alexandre and Erica. The soldiers were moving first, followed by Dawn and Philip, at the last Bowood and Arnaud were moving on horseback.
"..."
"What? Still thinking about Alexandre , are you?"
"It's been quite some time, hasn't it? The King should have come by now with Erica"
"You worry too much, they must be on their way"
"It's my job after all Bowood..", Arnaud sighed.
"It's not like that I am not at all worried but you know, how expert of a swordsman the King is, he can surely take on 10 men at once when equipped with his sword.."
"Yes, that's true, but what if his opponent is not a man.."
"What are you mumbling about?"
"What I am talking about is, what if the enemy is—"
"AAHAAHH"- A sudden scream was heard coming from inside the forest that made both Arnaud and Bowood flinch.
"Wasn't that Erica's scream?", Dawn called out.
Arnaud and Bowood looked at each other for a moment and quickly called out.
"ALL SOLDIERS RETREAT!!.. CHARGE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SOUND.. NOW!!!"
"Philip, take Dawn and rush to the camp… call the other attendants .. GO NOW!!"
"As you say, General Bowood"
Philip quickly mounted a horse and took Dawn with him and rushed towards the camp.
Dawn who was worried all this time, quietly prayed, "Please God, keep Erica and the King safe"
*****