The rain fell without remorse. The horse had reached its limit and collapsed. I staggered through the trees within the shadows. Unable to see within the darkness, I struggled to maintain any hope of survival. From behind, I could hear their shouting. They’ve yet to give up chase. A sudden eruption of lightning lit up the skies. From afar, I saw the outline of a house. Like the horse, I was nearing my limit. The wound on my arm continued to drip away. It would be the death of me if they catch me now.

As I stopped to catch my breath, leaning upon a tree. Another strike of electricity lit up the area. And as the shadows hid momentarily, the Templar who had hidden within its veil was thrown out into the light. Stripped of his cover so suddenly his eyes widened as he swung his sword. A straight trajectory towards my neck. Plunging myself towards the ground, dodging the blade I thrust my dagger into the gap under his helmet. He staggered backwards taking my blade with him to the ground. I pushed myself towards the building, abandoning my blade as I did with my horse.

Leaving the density of the trees and entering an open plain I approached the house, I threw my body onto the door. Failing to open it I dropped, slumped against the timber I stared into the shadow of the trees anticipating their arrival, and with it my end. This was as far as I could go. There was no longer any strength in me to command. It was then the door opened. I fell backwards into the building to see a lady and behind her, a child with blonde hair and sleepy eyes. The lady’s eyes widened when she saw the wound on my arm. The two pulled me inside towards the fireplace. The woman bandaged my arm as the little one dried me off.

Outside, the rain continued to batter the timber. The thundering pitter-patter dulled as the sound of iron beating against the ground drummed louder and closer. The men were at the door. They knocked twice. “My apologies for coming during moonlight my lady, but we are searching for a fugitive of the Kingdom. She is armed and dangerous, she has killed many before escaping the Kingdom. My lady, if you have seen her would you please be so kind as to let us know?” The voice had uncertainty, completely different when compared to their earlier shouting of insults and orders during the chase. The woman peered back and forth between me and the door. As she finished bandaging my arm she went to open the door. My eyes darted around the room desperately searching for a weapon, but there was nothing.