An audience

Shit, shit, shit! I shoot through the trees. They're right behind me. I can hear their horses. Their hooves' hollow beats follow me, and they're getting closer and closer. The loose legs of my pants hit against my shin and leave a burning sensation. I duck away from a low stick. Glide in the wet grass. The moisture creeps in to my feet and leaves a disgusting feeling. My hair flies around me and a metallic taste spreads in my mouth.

The beats are getting closer, but now I can see my goal. My final destination. There I'll be safe. An arrow flies close by my ear. The air hits me, and it hurts. I run more to the right. I'm almost there now. Behind me, I can hear something fly towards me. A burning sensation runs through me. I stumble. My hands hit the ground and another fire shoots through my leg. I look down towards it. A huge arrow has found its way all the way through. Slowly I stand up. I'm about to start running again, but before I can do much, I'm surrounded by the king's men. There's no way around it. I'm going to an audience with the king.

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As they lead me through the doors to the throne room, I pull my arms from the guard's grip. I'm standing in front of the throne. The king is looking down at me from his seat.

"That how you treat old friends?" I ask, venom lacing my words. He raises an eyebrow but says nothing. "I'm guessing you need my help, right?" No reaction. "What if I refuse?"

"You can not refuse me, sorcerer." His voice is low yet fills the room with hidden anger. His eyes are alight. "You swore an oath, years back."

Shit. The oath.

"When I gave that oath, I was young and desperate for your acceptance. To show my worth. Now I know the truth about you and your lies. You killed my family! And now you expect me to help you? Forget it!"

He nods and the guards come back to my arms. Their grips are tighter than before as they pull me out in the halls. "Enjoy your time in the tower, Asra, You'll be sitting there for some time." The doors close and the guards escort me to my old room in the tower.