Thunder. That's what the sound reminded her of. The sound of thousand of horse hooves colliding with the solid ground beneath their feet as they charged into the unknown.
They ran, solely relying on their riders to guide them and ensure they would remain safe.
Alaina knew that only few would return. They were mounted warriors charging into a camp of men on foot. You would be a fool to assume that men on foot did not go for the horses first.
That was why she fell back, aware of what would happen if she rode at the front. Her horse meant a great deal more to her than risking his life at the front of the line. Besides, she had been tasked with a whole other mission, unlike the rest. The mission to find Mary.
"Is everything alright?" Bash rode up beside her, his own black stallion dancing anxiously, aware of what was going on, while he tried to keep him still.
"Yes," she replied as she watched some horses fall to their death and a few men dismounting to prevent the same faith happening to their horses.
"Would you like me to stay near you?"
"No Sebastian, I will be fine." She assured him with a quick smile.
"Alaina, there is something I wish to tell you."
"Bash, is now really the time?"
He stared at her in disbelief. "You just called me Bash."
She rolled her eyes, but still smiled as she turned her head back to the battle taking place. "Did you not have something to tell me?"
"Yes, of course, but you have never called me Bash," he said as his horse started to move closer toward her's. "Not since before you became Queen."
Alaina couldn't avoid looking at him, "I'm sorry," she said barely above a whisper, the cries of men and horses drowning her words. "Look, I must go find Mary, promise me you will be safe?"
"Only if you promise to marry me after this is all over."
Her horse jerked his head, not liking the fact her grip on his reins grew tighter as she tried to steady him. Alaina's eyes grew wide as she stared at him in disbelief. "Bash, you're married to Lady Kenna!"
"I know," he sighed as she turned back to the action, debating about riding off and taking part of it himself. "You know how things with Kenna have been. I have agreed to stay married to Kenna for her protection, but now..."
"Now is not the right time to discuss this," she sat up in her saddle to see a large wolf running toward her. Beneath her, her mouth snorted and stomped his foot, he was all too familiar with this wolf. "Did you find her?"
The wolf barked in response, quickly turning back around and waiting for her to follow.
"At least allow me and some men to clear the way for you."
"Very well, she turned to the few men closest to her, the ones that awaited her word to join in. All it took was one look. One look for the men to fall into formation in front of their future Queen.
Swiftly, they rode as if they were not about to engage in a battle, but were simply going for a casual stroll through the local village. Alaina couldn't help but admire the Spaniard's horses. She'd have to convince her uncle to give her one, discreetly of course.
"The path is clear now," Bash returned to her side. "Please be safe."
"Do not worry about me," she said as she dismounted from her horse. "I shall return shortly."
Peter returned to her side, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for any little surprises Alaina may have missed. So far, all was well. He led her safely, and without confrontation, to a tent. He looked up at her and she down at him.
"I don't suppose you'd like to come in?" She asked. "In case there are others, of course."
He turned back to the tent, nudging the flap open with his muzzle. It was a struggle at first, but Alaina didn't leave him hanging for long.
"Mary?" She called out as they entered the tent. "Oh God, Mary are you alright?"
Mary was on her knees, hands soaked in blood and tears running down her cheeks. Beside her laid Conde, whether alive or dead, Alaina did not care to check. "I am fine," she said, her voice slightly shaking from shock. "He's dead." She added. "I killed him."
"But why?" Alaina looked for some cloth to wipe the blood off Mary's hands with. "You could have married him and ruled Scotland together."
"I love Francis," she whispered. Blue looking into brown, Alaina sat back on the heels of her boots and stared at Mary. "Is it selfish of me to say no?"
"Yes," Alaina then smiled as she took one of Mary's hands into her own to clean it. "And no, you love him. That is all I ever wanted you to realize, well that and you could have a happy country if you wanted."
"I don't understand, do you not want to be with Francis?"
"I love Francis, but I refuse to marry a man when his heart does not belong to me."
"You never intended to marry him, is that why you told me? You knew I wouldn't allow it?"
"I did," she said. "Mary, you rule with your heart and only your heart. This is good and bad, as you have seen." She then turned toward Conde's corpse. "My offer still stands, to form an alliance with Scotland."
"What about Elizabeth?" She gasped.
"She should have considered me before attacking my family. I will keep my alliance for the time, but taking you as an ally is punishment enough for her."
Mary threw her arms around Alaina, something neither had really ever expected would have happened.
"There is something else," Alaina's eyes darted back to Conde's body. "Something I must admit." Mary pulled back from their awkward hug to look at her. "I have killed men before with my own hands, but I don't think I could have ever taken the life of my lover. Especially when I was told just before that I could be with him."
"I didn't mean to," she admitted softly.
"Mary!" Both women turned to see Francis entering the tent. "Alaina? Is everything alright? What happened to Conde?"
Alaina climbed to her feet, Peter immediately on his and startling Mary. "I shall leave you two alone," she smiled softly as she turned to Francis. "Also, Conde is dead."
"Dead? You killed him?"
"No," said Alaina."
"I did," said Mary as she slowly looked up at Francis.
