Knightess

18

Before I'm clearly thinking I'm walking over to my wardrobe and pulling out a long sleeved black tunic and pants. After putting the outfit on, I march over to my pile of armor that has been discarded in a corner of the room and hastily put it on. I wrap my wet hair in a bun and grab my sword. Then I quickly walk to my door and open it quietly.

It doesn't matter what might happen when the Queen and the Knightesses discover I'm missing. All that matters right now is that I find Jackin and whoever attacked him.

My feet barely make any noise as I creep down the hallway. I stay close to the wall, where the shadows are darkest. Suddenly a high-pitched giggle erupts from behind a corner. I press my back against the wall and lower myself to my knees. Two Knightesses—Scarlet and Beatrice—appear from behind the corner. Beatrice holds a torch in one hand and a sword in the other. Scarlet laughs again at something Beatrice has said, but I see her trying to stay as far away as possible from the flames.

I take a deep breath in as the light illuminating from the torch comes closer to exposing me. Scarlet stops in her tracks. "You hear that?" she asks her friend.

Beatrice stops and goes quiet. Finally, she says, "I don't hear anything. You're just being paranoid with all the attacks going on."

Scarlet frowns at her. "I'm sure I heard something."

Beatrice shrugs and begins to walk again. "Like I said, you're just paranoid. Come on, let's check on the Queen."

Scarlet hesitantly follows her, giving one last look around the dark hallway. Her eyes pass onto me, and I shrink back father. However, it's like I'm invisible and her gaze passes over me. She continues walking. As soon as they disappear I let go of my breath, not realizing I was holding it in.

I stand up and continue on. Soon I come to the Queen's chambers and pause. I peek around the corner and see no night guards on duty. I suppose most of the Knightesses are inside with the Queen. Still, I try to go pass the door as quickly as possible.

Soon I get to the tunnel where Cosette has taken me. I press my hand against the cold block of stone and step back as the block of stones slide back. I take one of the torches with me. As I journey down the tunnel I turn around multiple times to make sure I'm not being followed. I shiver, wishing I had brought my cloak with me. I hope I get to the stables without any trouble.

A low growl stops me in my tracks. I unsheathe my sword and hold it on front of me. "Come out," I say to the shadows where the growl had originated from.

Nothing comes out. I listen hard for another noise, but silence greets me. I take a step forward, and there's another growl. I step closer to the noise, though I want to run away. Perhaps a stray dog or cat has gotten trapped in the Knightess Tunnels. I click my tongue at it. "Come out," I say again, softer this time.

Whatever it is shifts in the darkness. As it comes towards me its growl grows louder. I step back, only for my back to crash into the damp tunnel wall behind me. Two glowing silver cat-like eyes shine through the darkness as the beast comes towards me. Arm trembling, I hold my torch out towards it to get a clearer view. A giant beast comes into view. Its fur is blacker than night and its pointy ears graze the ceiling above. It's humongous paws patter against the damp floor, its sharp blood-stained claws clacking loudly. A vile dark green liquid drips from its fangs and the tips of its claws. The sharp, disgusting odor of the liquid makes me gag. Poison.

It hisses at me and raises its paw into the air. I whip my sword at it, but it dodges it. It swipes its paw at me, and before I can move away its paw is pressing me against the wall, my sword and torch getting knocked out of my hands and sent flying some feet away from me. Afraid of getting stabbed by one of its poisonous claws, I go completely still, breathing heavily from fear.