Growling, Alexzander’s grip on Sedrick only tightened as he glared at her, ignoring Sedrick’s flinch. “You little shit-”

Bryony glared back. “I said leave him alone!” This time she kicked Alexzander between the legs. Whimpering as he let go of Sedrick to grab his groin while the other boys winced, and Bryony tugged him back. When Alexzander spoke again, his voice was higher in pitch. “You’re dead, princess. No one gets away with – with that!”

“You wouldn’t leave Sedrick alone!” Bryony hoped he didn’t hear the tremble in her voice. “And I’ll tell my father about this!”

Surprised by her sudden courage, Alexzander stood taller. “He won’t know.” He gestured between the two groups. “He’ll only hear our story, how,” he reached down to scoop up a stone, “that servant threw rocks at you two, and when you tried you to fight back, he made you promise to lie. Thankfully, we,” he waved a hand to his friends, who all stepped forward, “stopped him. We’re so sorry we couldn’t stop him early.” He grinned at Finn wickedly, and Bryony shivered. “How does that sound?”

“M-My father won’t believe that,” stammered out Bryony.

“Never say never!” someone crowed, and his friends laughed.

“No, she’s right.”

Alexzander tried to turn towards the voice behind him but was gripped by the back of his shirt, and he yelped in alarm as he was lifted up.

“Master Arthur,” whispered Finn.

“Who?” questioned Sedrick.

The knight that help up Alexzander with little effort had hair as silver as a coin but was no doddering grandfather; he looked to be in his late thirties, and the slashing scars on his face were more frightening up close. He frowned, blazing blue eyes narrowing. “King Aharon would never believe such an idiotic story.”

“Put me down!” snapped Alexzander, squirming as he tried to escape. He glanced back at his wide-eyed friends, unsure what to do, before turning back to the knight. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yup,” Arthur stated simply, giving the boy a shake to earn another yelp, suddenly making Alexzander not so terrifying to Bryony. “A bully too big for his britches.” Lifting up the boy until they were practically nose to nose, the knight growled, “Who will leave these children, and anyone else you’ve been picking on, alone. Unless you want me talking to your father,” he added, making Alexzander pale. “You understand?” When he got no answer, Arthur shook him again. “Well?”

“Yes sir,” ground out Alexzander.

“And all of you,” Arthur looked at the other boys. “Don’t think I won’t go to your parents, too.” He let go, Alexzander landed with a wobble, face red with anger and embarrassment. “Get going,” the knight growled when he glared at him.

Huffing, Alexzander stomped away, his friends scrambling after him like rats. Watching them, Sedrick stuck his tongue out at them, and suddenly Bryony started giggling, so surprised she slapped her hands over her mouth. The two boys looked at her with bewilderment, and it just made Bryony giggle again. “What’s so funny?” asked Sedrick, confused.

“You – you stuck your tongue at them,” Bryony forced out, and Sedrick turned pink.

“Don’t mind her,” rumbled Arthur, stepping up. “Just a case of nerves, I wager.” He went down to one knee, eye-level with Bryony as he said, “Take a deep breath, hold it to ten, then let it out.”

Doing so, Bryony did it twice until she felt calmer. “Thank you for saving us.”