William

I had found two of my weapons, I'd retrieved them from Westport before leaving, the great sword would have been too obvious and so I'd left it behind. I gave the dagger and short sword to Bonita, not that she'd use them both at once but the dagger was hidden somewhere on her, I'd told her to, and I didn't even know where it was.

I knew she was uncomfortable with the current turn of events but I couldn't let her suffer from torture at the hands of this man any longer.

We had already snuck inside the fortress, having ambushed a patrol and taken uniforms, and made our way to the dungeon. The only problem now was figuring out which one she was in. I heard a woman's screams from the end of the area and walked that way. The guards in the area did not suspect anything from us.

I saw her up ahead, she was chained to the wall and was bleeding from some cuts until they cauterized them, Bonita looked away but I felt the anger boiling up inside me like none I'd felt before.

One of the guards at the door smirked when he saw Bonita's reaction, "First time patrolling the dungeon? Don't worry you'll get used to it."

I walked inside and looked around, no guards in the room itself just the two by the door. I walked back over to him and spoke, "We were actually sent to relieve you."

The two looked a little shocked, "Really?"

I nodded and the same one spoke, "Well it's about time. You two are an hour or more late." He pointed to a candle used to track time. "Come on Ben let's get out of here."

The guards left and only the torturer remained, after they were sufficiently far away I approached him. He turned and looked at me, "What the matter with you?"

I held my tongue but just stared at him and he grinned, "Oh I know, you are jealous I'm getting all the fun. Well go ahead then."

I pushed him against the wall and picked him up by the neck, "Actually I was wondering how to kill you slowly enough to make you pay for your crimes, but I really don't have time for that."

I crushed his neck with my hand and dropped him to the floor. Cordell was blindfolded and hadn't heard my words or her torturer's death. I grabbed the keys and let her down but didn't unchain her as yet. I urged her forward and she acted confused but obeyed. Bonita followed behind me and we made our way out into the courtyard.

I paused, the gates were open and it would take a minute to close at least. I leaned close to Cordell and whispered, "It's me Cordell don't be afraid." She nearly jumped in her skin as I picked her carefully up and bolted for the gates, Bonita was right behind me.

I had to dive to make it under in time. Bonita made it out with time to spare because she hadn't been carrying anyone. I quickly unchained Cordell the the three of us made a run for the treeline. I knew they'd be firing arrows at us, I could even feel them leaving the bows, but I didn't expect what happened.

We reached the trees as expected and took cover as the arrows began to fall all around us. I moved around the tree and looked for pursuers but I saw someone a few yards ahead of me with a crossbow pointed straight at me.

I froze, for the first time in my life I didn't react fast enough. I heard my name being screamed through the time that had seemed to slow down and a figure appeared between me and the crossbow bolt that had been fired. The bolt hit her in the stomach and she fell to her knees. Bonita came out from behind a tree near the man and slammed a tree branch into his head, knocking him cold and probably giving him a concussion.

I dropped to my knees behind her and caught her in my arms.

"Why did you do that Cordell?" I was in tears. "Why did you take that bolt for me?"

She gently placed a hand on my face, "Because you are my reason to live. Without you I would have had no reason and I don't want to live with the memories I now have. You, my William, need to live on and be a light in the darkness of this world."

I continued to cry as she closed her eyes and smiled, "I feel at peace now in your arms, more at peace than I had ever been. Even now as I die from the poison on that arrow I can feel peace because of who you are William Thrisfalen. You are my king and my leader." She paused and cringed in pain and I shook my head.

"Don't give up Cordell," Tears streamed down my face. "Fight it."

She smiled again at me, "You are my only love in the whole world. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain." She closed her eyes and I could feel her fade and I screamed in anguish. I heard a footstep behind me and I jumped behind the tree and swung around landing a kick into the torso.

The man fell to the ground and lost his grip on the weapon. I picked it up and shot his unconscious friend. The one I knocked down began to tremble and I just glared at him.

"Let Bartholomew know who his enemy is," I replied. "Let him know William Thrisfalen is still alive and is going to find the cache of weapons first and use them to kill him and his army."

I picked up the would-be assassin and threw him in the direction of the castle.

No more hiding my identity. If the seekers want revenge for their fallen comrade, let them come.

Tears were still streaming down my face as we left her body, we didn't have time to bury her, they'd be hear shortly. Bonita didn't speak for a long time but as we were settling down for bed she wrapped her arms around me and made me put my head on her shoulder and continue to cry.

"We'll make it through this," She whispered softly in my ear and I realized I had been selfish and I wrapped my arms back around her and picked up my head.

"We'll both miss her, but I think I'd rather her dead than in Bartholomew's dungeon."

She didn't comment on that, but I knew she agreed.

"Tomorrow we'll continue on the road."

We spent the rest of the night, until we fell asleep, comforting each other about our friend's death.