Five.

Christian flinched at the wolf’s hot breath beating down on his skin, tilting his head up he glared at Mourdrid. “I am sorry, sorrier than you could ever fathom but… She will be sent to the waste lands.”

Kylie fought back the tears that seemed to want to fall more and more in recent days. “What of your promise Christian? Did you not just promise me your sword yesterday’s evening?”

Christian looked at Kylie and tried to think of words that would bring her comfort but no words could ever calm her now and he knew that. “That was before I learned of my King’s wishes Kylie…”

Kylie closed her eyes and a thin smile stretched across her pale lips. “I knew as much Christian, one cannot turn his back on everything he has ever known for a mere girl,” She opened her eyes that were now filled with a steely determination. “But know this, I will not lie down and die merely because our King demands it! I may not be worth much but my life is mine alone and I intend to live it the way I see fit!”

Shocked Christian gaped at the girl before him, gone was the timid girl who shied away at his touch. Now before him stood a woman who was willing to betray her kingdom in order to live.
“Kylie…you are no match for our armies…”

This time Mourdrid spoke up. “She will soon have the power to defend herself! I’ll make sure of that!”

Christian looked at the large beast skeptical eyes. “Just how do you intend to do that? No master of the arts here will train her, give her a power, or bestow a new name upon her!”

Mourdrid pulled his black lips into a sneer and gave a cackling laugh. “Aye but I do not intend to have one of these masters teach her!”

He now had Kylie’s attention; she looked up at him with curious eyes. “What do you mean by those words Mourdrid?”

Mourdrid lowered his head and stared at Kylie through one dark orb. “I will take you to the TreeFold Mountains; there you will train with a Master of all things. He will give you a name along with a power to protect yourself with.”

Christian couldn’t believe his ears. “Do you honestly think she would survive long enough in those mountains to reach the master?”

Kylie whipped around for the first time ever a deep anger flashing in her normally peaceful eyes. “What would it matter if to you if I died? You fully intend to let the enemy have me as it stands so why would my death concern you?”

Christian wanted to say it wasn’t true but he knew itself would be a lie. “Kylie I don’t want to hand you over but I do not have a choice in this matter!” He yelled, wanting to make her understand he grabbed her by her shoulders and held tightly.

Kylie flinched as Christian dug his fingers into the flesh on her thin shoulders. “Ow! Christian that hurts!”

He ignored her and forced her to look him in the eyes. “Listen Kylie if there was anything I could do to stop this I would but it’s not that simple!”

With eyes that shone with understanding, she stared at Christian then smiled. “Come with us!”

Dumbfounded he took a step back letting go of her shoulders that he was sure were now sporting deep bruises. “You want me to abandon everything? To denounce my title as a knight and become a traitor to my nation?”

Kylie let her head fall hair shadowing her face. “I know it is a lot to ask of one man but…” She brought her head back up to look at him. “Are you not a man of honor? Or would you obey a retched King and have me thrown away as nothing more than trash? Answer me now and no matter your choice I will forgive you and move on.”

Christian stood in silence staring at Kylie, he didn’t think he could go on living if he allowed this girl to be handed over to the enemy but to defy all he’d ever known would be just as painful.

Mourdrid growled lightly as he circled in front of Kylie. “Give up Kylie he stinks of indecision and he will never have the heart to choose you over his duty.”

Blind Song stepped forward and angled his blind eyes up to stare blankly at Mourdrid. “My Master is not as weak as you so believe wolf cub, but to give up ones life for another is not an easy thing either.”

Mourdrid snorted and turned his head away from Blind Song’s sightless stare. “Hard or not he should know in his heart of hearts what is right and wrong!”

Kylie laid a gentle hand on Mourdrid side and patted him softly. “Quiet Mourdrid, we both know what kind of weight this choice bares on his shoulders, and we shan’t condemn him for his choice either.”

Mourdrid let out a puff of warm breath but pushed in no further and merely sat back on his haunches waiting for Christian to say something.

Christian was grateful to Kylie for understanding what this kind of decision did to him, but alas he still had to make up his mind. Looking up at Kylie, he smiled at the gentle expression that lay upon her pale face and in his heart of hearts he knew what was right. “Dear Lady Kylie it would be a great honor to accompany you to the Tree Fold Mountains.” Christian then knelt to one knee in a showing of respect to her.

Kylie felt tears slide down her cheek as she walked over and raised his chin to look into his eyes. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Christian felt tears spring into his own eyes but they did not fall, he rose to his feet and nodded at her. “If we are to leave we must go now before anyone learns of my treachery!”

Mourdrid stood up then leaned his head down and gently hooked his fangs around Kylie’s small body; lifting her high over his back, he placed her softly on his furred back. “Then let us go now.”

Christian nodded and walked over to Blind Song, mounting him he steered him in the direction of the mountains then glanced over at Kylie who looked paler now than she ever had before. “Are you sure of this Kylie?”

Kylie looked at Christian and graced him with one of her small smiles. “Aye I must do this, it’s as if someone is pulling me to something so much greater than I…but I will do as I must and leave my fate in the hands of destiny.”

Mourdrid gave a small yip of approval. “Trust me Kylie no harm shall come to you whilst I watch over you,” He then begrudgingly added. “Along with the meat sack and dinner over there of course.”

Kylie giggled but stopped when she saw the look of anger pass over Christian’s face. “Come now Mourdrid he is helping us, can you not show him at least a little respect?”

Mourdrid looked appalled. “Am I not showing respect by refraining from eating them in their sleep?”