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Ch. 21: The 5th Soldier
“I had five guards. I don’t think the fifth is here; he should have attacked already. If he’s still back at the castle... I don’t know what he’ll do. Try to kill people, presumably, since they’re here to provoke war.”
He paused. “I... am sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. I should have warned you, warned your parents. I just... wasn’t sure what to do. We should get back to the castle. If we’re lucky, he hasn’t had the chance yet.” He finally took a moment to look at his own wounds, the arrows sticking out of his arm and chest. There was, thankfully, little blood.
“I probably need a doctor, too, at some point. This is painful.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him from the shop. She’d come back later to rectify the mess they’d made, but for the time being, they needed to get back, fast. “I’m really sorry Mister Evermore! It’s safe to come out, and I’ll send someone to clean up!
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Hayward rolled onto his back. He glanced briefly around, seeing the terrible shape the Elven guards were in. It looked like one of them might make it, if the doctor got to him immediately, but Felix had been a skilled and efficient killer: there was no hope for the rest. The prince held up his arm again and looked at the arrow stuck in it. “I think I need to see a healer, or doctor, or whatever you have...” he trailed off, then pointed at the badly wounded elf. “But not as bad as that guy.” Then he put his arms down again and shut his eyes. “Oh yeah... this... hurts...” As far as he was concerned, his life was no longer in danger, but the adrenaline was wearing off, and he was going to crash soon. But he’d survived. Thankfully, her brother’s wounds were minor. Kohl appeared to be in shock, standing
Catalyst Ch. 23: The Talk
As soon as she was out of sight, she leaned against a wall, letting everything wash over her. She took a shuddered breath as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Why? Why were her emotions betraying her? She didn’t want to feel. She wanted to remain closed off, but the adrenaline was gone, and it left in its wake all the things she pressed down that day. She’d never seen so much death in her life. Sure, Hayward’s ‘guards’ deserved it, but her own guards did not. She had tried to push it to the side like they weren’t important, but she knew each one of them by name. They’d been in her family’s service for years. If she had allowed herself to acknowledge it in front of Hayward... he would’ve seen she was still a weak woman. And that was unforgivable to her. She finally straightened herself up, wiping away the few tears she’d allowed to fall, and headed downstairs to the kitchens, requesting food and drink to be brought up for the prince. She then grabbed two glasses of wine. Even if
Catalyst Ch. 24: Get Comfy
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Catalyst Ch. 25: You're the Worst Princess and My Favorite
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Catalyst Ch. 27: Stories
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Catalyst Ch. 28: How 'Bout a Dance?
What good is it going to do to even ask it? Let it be a game. Let it be fun. Don’t ruin it...Then she looked straight at him, and despite her inward pleas, her mouth opened anyway. “Why not? Why wouldn’t I?” She raised an eyebrow, looking at him, her heart feeling like it was going to beat out of her chest. At least she had a decent poker face on, she hoped.You don’t want to ask that. Why in the hell did you ask that?He blinked a few times. “Why wouldn’t you what?” He furrowed his brow, thinking back over what he had said, trying to figure out what she’d be responding to. “Oh. That. Well, I guess I just assumed... I mean... you don’t want to come live in the desert with me. I guess I could come live in the mountains, but...” he shrugged. He didn’t have a suitable answer. He’d mostly been saying it to avoid the opposite, given that, just the day before, she’d seemed rather uncomfortable with the idea.He smiled playfully at her as a better answer came to mind. “Because it would give
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