Betrayal

Chapter 6

"Pardon?" Cecilia exclaimed.

"I dunno, I dunno," Her spotty faced guard was in literal tears. He was shocked out of his wits having only just been out of training."I saw nothing. There was a commotion outside and some screaming. Then there were arrows everywhere."

"Come on, we need to get him out of here," Cecilia in a flurry of skirts was at the patient's side and hooked an arm underneath the taller man's forgetting all her misgivings about maintaining a respectable distance. She motioned for Simon to do the same but her guard was too stupefied to move.

"You should hide, my Lady," The stranger seemed puzzled she was focusing on him instead of saving her own hide.

"This is not an attack against us. You are the unfortunate target," Cecilia gnawed her lip in aggravation. There was no doubt in her mind she was correct. Why had nobody believed her earlier. This was all so frustrating.

"Me? Surely you're mistaken," The man was bewildered by her declaration.

"Not at all. I told you there was an attempt on your life in this very tent. Whoever embedded those arrows in your back is determined to finish the job."

Cecilia used her entire strength to pull the man up and the stranger continued to look baffled but allowed her to help him.

"Oh, you're built like an ox. I cannot carry you. Stop dithering, Simon."

"My lady," Simon finally broke out of his spell and took the injured man's left side. The larger man's shoulders shivered at the physical exertion. The blood loss had left him as weak as a newborn kitten. His knees buckled but his companions picked up the slack.

"You should leave me behind. I cannot- my body will not move," The injured man fumbled over his words.

"Hosh, posh. I shan't be leaving you anywhere," Cecilia rolled her eyes,"I've saved your life twice. You owe it to me to live so the tale I tell everyone when I get back has a happy ending."

Cecilia peered outside and the camp was eerily calm and dark. There was no signs of the chaos Simon had described. Other than the tent on fire a distance away there was no other sounds. Was the camp overrun with the enemy? Cecilia could see no one around them.

"Get down and hush," The Lady ordered as she covered her distinct hair with her hood, "We shall be taking the peripheral route. It is easier to hide behind the tents then take the main path."

She urged her two companions soundlessly to follow her. They ducked out and took to the left where the path was narrower. This path behind the tents was only for the servants who tended to their masters and led way to the cooking area which was done out in the open to prevent afire hazard. It made life easier for the camp to hide all the hustle and bustle of the meals and laundry away from the main path.

Cecilia's tent was a few paces away but required stealth the trio did not possess. They crouched behind each tent looking around before continuing. The Lady noticed the man was very alert for someone who was only days away from such a brutal injury.

"Get down!" He hissed and his companions followed although they could not discern why.

"I can hear something," He replied after they sent him curious looks. Cecilia arched her neck to see how safe they were. After a few more moments the man nodded and allowed them to support him up and onward. The threesome staggered forward raggedly. 

Once they reached the back of her tent Cecilia was suddenly reminded of her maid. Her already fast beating heart reached dangerous speeds as she realised there was a chance her maid could have been caught in the crossfire.