Sospito {To rescue}

"Stupid girl," Arya mumbled under her breathe.

Arya could guess what had happened. After she had been a good distance away, Bianca undoubtedly got the direction from Silvia. This was not supposed to happen. There were to be no incidents travelling from the academy to the palace. This was the first time Arya had such a dilemma on her hands. Granted, when she and Lady Zelie travelled, they stayed at inns and there were at least two experienced guards with them. Arya was pretty sure that if a fight were to ever break out, the guards would be the ones that would be overpowered, not Lady Zelie.

Arya turned her focus on the scene unfolding in front of her. The two men were dragging her across the forest. Bianca was struggling against them, trying her best to set herself free. They placed her on the ground with like a heap of hay before making her bow down so she was staring at the ground. There was a sword pointed to her neck and the man in charge was grinning.

"Well, what do we have here?"

"She was scrambling around like a fish out of water." The gruff voice spoke once again.

"Were you trying to eavesdrop?" The man asked patronizingly. 

Bianca shook her head violently and stared right at him. Arya could see that she was terrified yet she was trying to be brave in front of these men so they would not be able to sense her fear.

"What are we going to do with her Sir?"

The man seemed to think about it for a moment before replying. "Tie her up with the children. Somewhere she will be worth a hefty price. If not, we can always keep her for ourselves." He let out a mischievous grin.

Bianca shivered but fought as she was being tied up with the children. Their faces displayed dried tears as they had stopped crying to see what was happening before their very eyes.

"It will be okay," Bianca muttered soothingly.

Arya knew that one good thing had come out of Bianca being captured. The children would be at greater ease then they had been before. On the downside, Arya had much more work to do now. She would have to free three captives, on her own. She wasn't going to go back for Silvia because she didn't want that girl getting hurt and she didn't want to take her eyes off the prisoners. Anything could happen in the blink of an eye so Arya had to make sure she was sharp.

She found a good vintage point and decided to run through possibilities in her head. After running through almost every possible outlook, Arya concluded that the best one would be to wait for night. She was hoping that the other two would rest and there would be only one left guarding. The night would act as a covering for her and she was confident about defeating the man one-on-one. She leaned against the bark of the tree inhaling sharply. In mere hours, her life had become harder.

Arya watched as the men ate like pigs, and talked loudly around the campfire. Arya could guess that they were probably drunk. It seemed that the men had decided to celebrate a little too early. They drank and sung songs for a while before two of the men decided to retreat to their tent while the other was left to take the first watch.

It was time for Arya to make her move. She silently crept towards Bianca and the two children that were tied to a tree. Unsheathing her sword she tiptoed closer. The guard was a few meters away but he seemed half asleep. Arya was sure that he was highly intoxicated so his agility would not be up to par.

As Arya was about to make her move, she heard a battle charge. She looked up to see three male figures rushing towards the camp with swords in their hands. One of them was wearing the military Kalvrian uniform, while the other two were dressed robes that differed slightly from the usually military uniform.  

Arya almost smacked her forehead. Who were these buffoons and why were they making so much noise? They had just made Arya's life much harder. The guard, who had been swaying on his feet, was now alert and the two men, who had previously occupied themselves in the tents, had come outside with swords in their hands.

"Guard the prisoners," the beady-eyed man commanded his subordinates.

One of the men moved towards Bianca and the children, blocking the path that Arya was going to use to free them. It seemed like she was going to have to fight. But as she was about to draw her sword, she saw that one of the newcomers had engaged the men in duel. Their swords clashed and the sound of metal echoed into the night. Based on his limited movements, Arya could tell that the newcomer was a gifted swordsman.

Taking the opportunity given to her, she slipped up from behind and stood beside Bianca. "I'm here," she whispered.

Bianca's eyes widened as Arya cut loose the ropes before proceeding to the children. They seemed terrified and Arya couldn't blame them. Anaz was a scary looking sword. She freed them and handed them over to Bianca.

"Go back to where Silvia is. Take the children before anyone notices."

Bianca shook her head, "but what about you?"

"I'm staying here to fight."

Bianca opened her mouth to protest but was harshly cut in by Arya. "Take the children to safety, now!"

The two children who look terrified grabbed Bianca's hands and slipped into the forest out of sight.

"They're escaping!" A voice cried.

Arya saw a man leaping towards the direction in which Bianca and the children had fled. She blocked his path. He was not going to get past her. The man was quiet tall, towering over Arya's impressive 5'9 frame. He looked muscular but Arya was not scared. It was time she put her hours of practice to use.

Both parties withdrew their swords while the man decided to attack first. Arya blocked his sword with her own sword. She planted her feet firmly on the ground trying to overpower his strength. Arya knew that she would not be able to hold on for much longer. He was too muscular. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw one of the 'rescuers' trying to come in.

"Stay back," Arya cried.

She was not going to let this man get the best of her. It didn't matter that she wasn't as strong as him. Not all battles were of strength. Some were of intelligence, and this was one of them. Since the man was besting her in strength, Arya would use his weakness, her speed. Arya blocked his sword for a few more seconds before quickly step siding as he brought it down into the ground, not expecting her move.

Arya took this moment to fling his sword out of his hands. It landed on the ground with a thud. She held the sword under his chin, "bend down." She commanded.

The man unwillingly did what she said. Arya could feel the gaze of the other man behind her. She ignored him and waited as he ordered the one wearing a military uniform to get the rope. The man did as he told him before handing the rope to Arya. She took it gratefully. Tying a tight knot, she led the man to where his friends had been captured.

They were cursing and spiting but she made no comment before kicking the man in his knees henceforth forcing him to fall down. She had no pity for the way she treated him. If a scumbag like him tried to hurt children and her comrade, she was willingly to make life harder for him.

"That should do it," A low voice commanded.

Arya finally turned to the people behind her. She finally took in their appearances something she had not been able to do before for obvious reasons. One of the men was clearly older as he had a beard and a scruffy looking face. The other lads were youthful but Arya could tell that they had contrasting personalities. One of them had a grin on his face and he loosely held onto his sword. Judging based on that, Arya could tell that he was more careless.

The other man held a more commanding tone even though he seemed pretty young. Arya was sure that he was only a year or two older than her at the most. There was something familiar about him that was nagging Arya but just wasn't able to put a finger on it. She wasn't sure if she should thank them or yell obscenities at them for the way that they had stormed into the camp.

She decided to go with the latter, "thank you."

The men nodded. The one with a grinning faced spoke to her, "I must say, you handled that very well."

Arya merely bowed her head in respect to his comment.

"Aaron, what shall we do about these thugs?" The military uniform clad man asked.

It was Arya who answered. "Take them to the castle for interrogation. I'm travelling to the palace anyways; they would be fine with me."

One of the younger boys grinned. "Not so fast lady, we're also going to the palace. I'm sure we can take them." He looked at the boy named Aaron who had yet to say something.

He spoke momentarily. "We're going to take them; you don't need to be worried."

Arya didn't show it, but she was pretty furious. She spoke in a deathly calm voice, one which would make sure that there were no further discussions. "These men kidnapped children, took one of my comrades hostage, and you are telling me to just let them leave with people I met mere minutes ago? I think not."

The joyful boy elbowed the older one. "I told you so," he sung.

"Shut up Damien."

Aaron turned his gaze towards Arya. "Fair enough, we can reach a mutual agreement. I shall send one of my men and you can send one of yours. Although I am not inclined to leave until the children are safely home."

Arya thought about it for a moment before nodding in agreement. "That works well. I just need to bring one of my women."

Arya strode through the forest back to the camp. They had left one of the men back with the thugs while the other two had taken upon themselves to travel with Arya. She didn't need their presences but she found that she didn't mind it anyways. That was until the boy called Damien started her asking questions. 

"What is your name?" He asked hopefully.

Spending only a few minutes with the lad had let Arya know that her first impression was spot on. He was a jolly and too eager to ask questions. It was a dangerous thing, to be so careless and trusting and someday it might come back to bite him.

Arya answered anyways. "A-Fidelem," she finished with her real name almost spilling out.

"Meaning faithful, in Latin," a low voice commented.

Arya looked to see pale blue eyes gazing at her. They were the color of the summer skies, a clear contrast from the rest of his appearance. They also held an aptitude for curiosity and learning which was mirrored in Arya's own eyes.

"Yes it is a Latin term." Arya responded. She was surprised that he had known this fact at all. Very scarce amount of people knew the Latin language yet here was someone as young as her being able to decipher the meaning of her nickname.

The man still seemed to be gazing her before turning to his companion. "Damien, does it not seem out of the ordinary for having such a Latin name?"

Damien shrugged in response. Arya knew where he was going with this and she wasn't going to play with this nonsense. "It's a nickname. I'm not going to give my name to people whom I met mere hours ago."

"That's fair enough," was his response.

They had now reached the camp. A hearty fire had been lit and it sparkled against the darkness of the night. The children had been wrapped with blankets and they seemed to be eating some kind of stew which Silvia had most probably prepared. It was Bianca who noticed her first.

"You have arrived, Fidelem." Bianca said but Arya could see the relief in her eyes.

Arya nodded. Her companions now made their way from behind her.

"You've brought company as well..." she trailed off.

Arya pointed to the men before saying their respected names. "They helped me with those bastards."

Bianca bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you for your help."

Silvia had left the children for a few moments to join the group. "We have prepared stew if you would like some." She offered.

"That would be delightful," Damien said.

They both took a seat and Silvia handed them the stew in makeshift bowls. They gingerly took small sips while waiting for it to cool down. Arya took Bianca aside.

"Have the children spoken?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes, they told us they are from Yuthx, a city west of Kathoria." Bianca replied.

Arya took out her map and found the city. It seemed that it was going to be a two day ride. Nevertheless, she was willing to make that call since the children needed to be returned to their homes.

"Take a soup bowl back to where you were captured. There you will see a man standing there. Give him the stew, and tell him that you're travelling with him. The two of you will be escorting the prisoners to the castle. Let the king know of my arrival but tell him that I will be delayed a few night." Arya commanded.

"As you wish, Fidelem." She replied before mounting her horse and galloping away.

Arya sat at the edge of the campfire. She had yet to talk to the kids but she didn't want to frighten them. Silvia seemed to be handling them well as they spoke softly to her in light tones.

The two men had finished their stews and Damien turned towards Arya. "Where did the lady go?"

"I sent her to escort the prisoners." Arya answered.

Both the men stood suddenly when they heard that. "Our horses and equipment is still back with Cray."

Arya shrugged her shoulders. "You might want to get it but it's not like anyone is going to steal it."

"We'll be back," Damien said as he was led away by Aaron.

Arya sighed before coming closer to the children. "Hello, my name is Arya what's your name?"

It was the boy who answered first. "William and this is my sister Jenny."

"Are you both okay?"

It was the little girl who spoke. "You saved us." She commented.

"Yes, and we are going to get you both home." She said.

The little girl flung her arms around Arya and frankly, she didn't know what to do. She didn't have siblings or anyone younger to take care off. She awkwardly returned the hug.

"Thank you," she whispered before her eyes got heavy and she drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

Arya gently laid her on the makeshift bed before turning to William and Silvia, "get some sleep. I'll take the first watch." 

Arya watched as the fire flickered before her eyes. Such a fire could represent so much. Fire brought warmth and heartiness, but it could kindle something which would eventually surge into a bigger flame. The blazing of the fire was mesmerizing to Arya as the flames shimmered in delicate shades of red, orange, and yellow. She could see fragments of her past, ones she tried so hard to block. 

She was woken from her trace from the hooves of horses. Arya turned around to see that Aaron and Damien had both returned. They both tied their horses to the trunk of the trees. Eclipse was starring distastefully at the other horses. He wasn't one for small chat. All of a sudden Eclipse let out a loud neigh before he tried breaking from his ropes.

Arya made her way towards the beast. "Easy boy," she whispered while stroking his glossy mane, "they don't mean any harm."

"That is one terrifyingly beautiful beast," Damien commented.

Arya ignored his comment but when he tried patting Eclipse Arya held out her hand to stop him. "You're going to get hurt. He is not fond of new people."

Damien quickly removed his hands before placing them on Aaron's horse. "At least this boy doesn't bit." He commented. 

Aaron's horse was a beautiful chestnut color with a gleaming coat and silky black hair. Just looking at him Arya was tempted to pet him but she resisted that urge and continued running her fingers through Eclipses mane. He neighed in happiness while nibbling on her fingers.

"You should go to sleep, I'm taking first watch." She said to the lads.

Damien nodded before making himself a place to sleep. On the other hand Aaron remained rooted beside his horse. Arya felt extremely awkward. She didn't know if she should say anything or keep quiet. After a few moments Aaron turned away to go to sleep but not before turning around a give her peculiar look. She didn't know what to make of it. Slowly everyone's breathing even out as they drifted off to sleep. Meanwhile, Arya sat on the edge of the tree trunk her fingers clasping the pendent around her neck. She was alone again, as usual.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yay the thugs have been caught! We also had an introduction of two new male characters! This is the first time male characters have been introduced! What do you guys think of them? What are they going to do in the future? Please vote and comment as usual! I love you all and have a spectacular Winter Break:) p.s this is a shout out to Sleeping Beauty. If you're reading this, message me. Stay tuned for updates next week.