57 Chapter 56 - The Knight and the Maiden
124 AC
The twentieth day of the tenth moon
Ulf Pov
The relentless rain continued to pelt down upon us, making it challenging to leave our pursuers behind. Jeyne clung to me tightly, her arms wrapped around my waist, as Vedros galloped with all her strength. The mountainous terrain proved treacherous, and maintaining a proper balance on horseback became increasingly difficult.
The mountains towered above us, their peaks obscured by dark clouds, as if nature itself conspired against our escape. The roaring thunder echoed through the valleys, competing with the thudding of hooves and the urgent beat of our hearts. I strained to catch any sound or movement from the mountain clan men who were relentless in their pursuit, determined to capture us.
Just when I thought we might escape their grasp, the twang of bowstrings filled the air. Arrows whizzed past us, leaving deadly trails in their wake. One struck my shoulder, just below the armor, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.
"Fuck!" I yelled, gritting my teeth against the agony, but there was no time to tend to the wound. I knew we couldn't afford to slow down; we had to push on if we were to have any hope of surviving this ordeal.
Jeyne's concern was evident in her eyes, but she knew as well as I did that stopping now would mean certain capture, or worse. With determination, I tightened my grip on the reins and urged Vedros to keep going, despite the pain searing through my shoulder.
As I scanned the rugged terrain, hope flickered within me as I spotted a faint path branching off the main road. "Jeyne, listen to me," I said, my voice strained with pain and the rumble of thunder.
"They will catch up to us soon. That's why I need you to keep going ahead and not look back, please," I pleaded, knowing that every second counted. Jeyne's safety was my priority, and I couldn't let her be captured by our ruthless pursuers.
Vedros sensed my urgency and came to a gradual halt. I had to make a difficult decision. I dismounted swiftly, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, and urged her forward with a firm slap on her flank. "Go, Vedros!" I commanded, knowing she would take Jeyne to safety.
"No, Ulf, you can't do this alone!" Jeyne protested with tears in her eyes, her hand reaching out towards me.
"I must," I replied, my heart torn between the desire to keep Jeyne safe and the duty to face our pursuers head-on. "Go, now!", I said.
As the riders closed in, their savage appearance sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly counted five of them, their wild eyes and unkempt hair suggesting a life lived on the edge of danger.
Their taunts and jeers only fueled the fire of determination within me. "You made a mistake by trying to sacrifice yourself, for you are going to die by the hands of the Stone Crows," one of them snarled, while another joined in with a cruel laugh.
My heart clenched as they spoke of their intentions towards Jeyne. She was an Arryn, and her noble blood was coveted by those who sought power and influence. The leader, a menacing figure, spoke with a sense of superiority, claiming their skinchanger had been watching us from the moment we entered the treacherous mountains.
My voice rang out, unwavering despite the fear gnawing at my core. "You need to pass through me first if you want to lay a hand on Jeyne," I declared, my grip tightening on my sword.
In response, the leader let out a malicious chuckle, revealing crooked teeth that matched the malevolence in his eyes. "Or do you need your companions to kill me?" I taunted, hoping to rattle him, even if just a little.
His face contorted with rage at my words, and he sneered, "You low lander knight. I, Marga, son of Starga the chief of the Stone Crows, will end your pathetic life."
Without hesitation, I raised my sword, ready to face the impending attack. Marga lunged at me with a ferocious roar, his axe swinging down with the intent to cleave me in two.
I met his attack head-on, deflecting his blow with my sword, sparks flying from the clash of metal. Marga was strong and relentless, his attacks fueled by the desire to vanquish me and claim his prize.
As we dueled, the other riders circled around us, eager to witness my demise. But I refused to let them intimidate me. With each strike, I countered, pushing myself to the limits of my skill and strength. I had to protect Jeyne and myself at all costs.
We fought with an intensity that echoed the storm above. The thunder roared, as if the gods themselves were watching this test of wills. My shoulder wound throbbed with every movement, but I pushed through the pain, my focus unyielding.
In a moment of opportunity, I deftly parried Marga's attack and launched a swift riposte, slashing across his arm. He howled in pain, but his fury only intensified. I knew I had to end this quickly, before he could land a fatal blow.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I unleashed a powerful strike, aiming for Marga's exposed side. My sword found its mark, and a deep gash opened along his ribs. He stumbled backward, clutching the wound with a mixture of shock and anger.
But I didn't relent. Pressing my advantage, I followed up with another strike, this time aimed at his shoulder. With a resounding impact, my blade connected, and Marga fell to his knees, his axe dropping from his grasp.
The other riders watched in horror as their leader lay defeated. As Marga fell defeated at my feet, the remaining Stone Crows, seething with fury and driven by vengeance, charged at me. They were no strangers to battle, and their determination to avenge their fallen leader was evident in their wild eyes.
I knew I couldn't afford to hold back. Drawing upon every ounce of training and skill, I deftly unsheathed a couple of throwing knives from my belt and hurled them with precision. One of the blades found its mark, striking a rider in the leg, causing him to stumble and fall from his horse.
But the others pressed on relentlessly, their savage war cries echoing through the mountain pass. I braced myself, meeting their onslaught head-on. My sword became a blur of movement as I parried their strikes and countered with my own. Each clash of steel sent sparks flying into the air, accompanied by the cries of battle and the pounding of hooves.
I danced among them, my movements fluid and calculated, turning their collective strength against them. My shoulder wound throbbed with each swing, but I ignored the pain, my focus unwavering. I couldn't let myself falter; too much was at stake.
One of the Stone Crows lunged at me with a ferocious swing of his axe, but I sidestepped his attack and delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him crashing to the ground. Another tried to flank me from the side, but I anticipated his move and blocked his strike, following up with a well-aimed punch that stunned him momentarily.
The riders had underestimated me, thinking they could overpower me with their numbers. But I fought with a determination. My heart pounded in my chest, and the blood rushed in my ears, the world around me fading into the background as I focused solely on the battle.
With a quick twist of my wrist, I disarmed one of the attackers, his weapon clattering to the ground. Before he could react, I delivered a swift blow to his jaw, sending him sprawling. The remaining Stone Crows hesitated for a moment, their confidence wavering as they witnessed the swift defeat of their companions.
As the battle raged on, I continued to fend off the attackers with calculated precision. With each swing of my sword, I managed to disarm and incapacitate three of the Stone Crows, leaving them sprawled on the ground, bleeding to their eventual death.
But just as I thought I had gained the upper hand, the last attacker, driven by desperation and fury, caught me off guard. With a swift and brutal strike, he hit me from behind, knocking me off balance. I stumbled forward, struggling to regain my footing, but it was too late to defend myself from the incoming blow.
As I fell to the ground, I braced for what I believed would be my final moment. But in the fraction of a second that seemed to stretch into an eternity, I heard a piercing sound. A sword had cut through the air with deadly intent, and it found its mark in the attacker who had almost taken my life.
The Stone Crow fell to the ground with a thud, a look of surprise etched onto his face. My heart raced as I turned to see who had come to my rescue, and there stood Jeyne, her eyes blazing with determination.
"I told you not to come back," I said, trying to hide the mix of emotions welling up inside me. But my stern facade crumbled as Jeyne stepped closer, her eyes filled with worry and relief. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.
"I couldn't leave you after what you've done for me," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "You risked your life to protect me, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."
In that moment, all the walls I had built around my heart came tumbling down. I returned her embrace, feeling an overwhelming rush of affection for her. It was true; in the face of danger and near-death scenarios, a bond had formed between us that felt unbreakable.
"We have to leave," I said, gently pulling away from the embrace, my eyes locked onto hers. "It's not safe here."
Jeyne nodded in agreement, understanding the urgency of our situation. The Stone Crows might return with reinforcements, and we needed to put as much distance between them and us as possible.
As the sun set over the mountains, casting a warm glow over the landscape, we found a secluded spot to make camp for the night.
"Ouch," I winced as Jeyne carefully removed the arrowhead lodged in my shoulder. The pain was sharp and intense, but I bit down on my lip to suppress any cries of agony. Her touch was gentle, despite the urgency of the situation, and her expression was filled with concern.
"I'm sorry, Ulf," she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "This is going to hurt, but we need to get it out."
"I know," I replied, my gaze locked onto hers, finding solace in her comforting presence. With a deep breath, I braced myself, and she swiftly extracted the arrowhead, causing a momentary rush of pain that shot through my body.
But as she bandaged the wound using supplies we had carried on Vedros, her touch was soothing, and her tenderness made the pain more bearable. My heart swelled with gratitude for her care and affection. In the face of danger, she remained unwavering in her devotion to me.
"Thank you, Jeyne," I said, reaching out to gently touch her cheek, my fingers brushing against her skin.
"It's the least I can do," she replied, her eyes meeting mine with warmth and love. "You've done so much for me, Ulf. I couldn't let you suffer without helping."
As the rains subsided, a sense of relief washed over us. The storm had been unforgiving, but it had also brought us closer together. We sat by the campfire, the crackling flames casting a warm glow over our surroundings, and I couldn't help but feel a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the moment.
"Oh, fuck," I cursed under my breath, realizing my mistake. I had built a campfire to keep us warm and provide some comfort during the night, but in haste , I had forgotten the risks it posed.
"What is it?" Jeyne asked, concern evident in her eyes.
"I've just given away our position," I admitted, my heart sinking with regret. "The smoke from the campfire will make it easier for our pursuers to find us."
Jeyne's expression turned serious as she understood the gravity of the situation. "We need to leave," she said, her voice firm. "Now."
I nodded, and without hesitation, we swiftly gathered our belongings and mounted Vedros. With a last look at the smoldering remains of the campfire, we set off again, the moonlight guiding our path.
As we rode through the night, the moon shone brightly, casting an ethereal glow over the rugged landscape. I stole glances at Jeyne, her features illuminated by the silver light. Her brown hair, now slightly straightened due to the rain, framed her tired but determined eyes.
"You know," she said, breaking the silence, "your hair looks really white under the moonlight."
Hearing her observation, I chuckled softly. The pink hair dye that I had used to blend in with Arnolds group had indeed washed away in the rain, revealing my natural white hair.
"I guess the dye didn't hold up as well as I hoped," I replied, a hint of amusement in my voice.
"It doesn't matter," she said with a warm smile. "You look... unique."
Hearing her I just chuckled.
As the night wore on, exhaustion started to take its toll on both of us. We knew we couldn't afford to stop for long, but we needed to rest and regain our strength.
"I spotted a small cave ahead," Jeyne said, pointing to a dark crevice in the mountainside. "It should provide us some shelter."
I nodded in agreement, grateful for her quick thinking. We dismounted and sought refuge in the cave, finding a safe place to rest for a few hours.
As the cold air blew through the cave, we sought comfort in each other's warmth. My wet clothes clung to my skin, and I noticed that even Jeyne's garments had become soaked from the rain. But despite the chill in the air, we found solace in our shared proximity.
"We should stay closer," I suggested, trying to hide the subtle blush that crept onto my cheeks.
Jeyne smirked playfully at my bashfulness. "It seems that the White Knight wishes to be closer to the Maiden of the Vale," she teased.
I attempted to defend myself, but before I could respond, she inched closer and nestled her head against my chest as we lay down together. The beating of our hearts synchronized, and I felt a rush of tenderness for the woman in my arms.
"Jessamyn would be pissed if she saw me like this," Jeyne chuckled, her laughter echoing softly in the cave. "Although she knows that I do appreciate the male form in that sense."
The comment caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but cough awkwardly. I had known that Jeyne Arryn was a lesbian, but her playful banter stirred feelings within me that I hadn't expected.
"Of course, I knew that," I stammered, trying to regain my composure.
Jeyne's laughter continued, and I found myself drawn to her carefree spirit. Her ability to find humor even in the darkest of moments was a testament to her strength and resilience.
"Before you rescued me from Arnold," she began, her voice turning soft and introspective, "I had made my peace with this life. My last thoughts were that I would meet my family again."
Her vulnerability touched my heart, and I held her close, offering a comforting embrace as she spoke.
"Do you know that it was the Stone Crows who killed my father and brothers all those years ago?" she revealed, her words heavy with the weight of painful memories.
I couldn't fathom the depth of her grief, but I understood that her journey had been marred by tragedy. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of responsibility to protect her, to be a source of strength when she needed it most.
"I am so sorry for everything you've had to endure," I whispered, my voice tender and full of empathy.
Jeyne clung to me, seeking comfort and finding solace in our shared vulnerability. She cried softly, and I held her gently, offering silent support. In that moment, the walls that had kept us apart crumbled, and we found a connection that transcended words.
After some time, Jeyne curiously asked, "What about you? Have you been with a woman before?" Her question caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Why does everyone ask me that question?" I replied, trying to hide my slight embarrassment.
"Well, is it a yes or a no?" she inquired, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"It's a no," I admitted with a sheepish grin.
"I believe many women would want to ride the White Knight," she teased playfully, causing my cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of red.
"What about love?" she asked, her voice growing more serious.
The question weighed on my heart as I thought about 'her' once again. "I have been in love," I confessed, my voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and sadness.
"It seems to me that you are still in love with this mystery woman," Jeyne remarked perceptively.
Her words struck a chord within me, reminding me of the unresolved feelings I had been carrying. I had kept my emotions buried, unwilling to face the pain of my past.
"You should move on, Ulf," she said gently, her hand resting on mine in a comforting gesture.
"I know," I replied softly, feeling grateful for her understanding.
"Anyways, we need to get some sleep," I suggested, eager to divert the conversation from the topic of my past.
Jeyne nodded in agreement, and we settled in, embracing each other as we drifted off to sleep. The warmth of our bodies pressed together chased away the chill of the night, and as I closed my eyes, I felt a newfound sense of peace.
Three days had passed since that fateful night, and we had been making steady progress, edging closer towards safety, away from the territory of the mountain clans.
"You stink," I said with a playful grin while teasing Jeyne about her appearance. She gave me an outraged expression before playfully chasing me, and for a moment, the weight of our situation felt lighter.
However, as I glanced up at the sky, I noticed a falcon staring at us intently. It struck me that this same falcon had been following us for the past couple of days. My instincts told me it was the skinchanger, the one who had been spying on our every move.
"Jeyne, we have to leave," I said urgently, my heart pounding as I sensed imminent danger. I rushed towards her, and as I did, I came face to face with mountain clansmen, holding Jeyne hostage with a knife to her throat.
"Let her go!" I screamed, my heart in my throat. But the man holding her pressed the knife closer to her neck, drawing a bit of blood.
"Did you kill my son, Marga?" a gruff-looking man, whom I recognized as the chief of the Stone Crows, asked.
It dawned on me that the leader himself had come to confront us. Around him, I could see more than fifty men, all ready to defend their chief's honor.
"You can do whatever you wish to do with me, but let her go," I pleaded, my voice trembling with desperation.
The chief released Jeyne, and she ran towards me, her eyes filled with fear and relief as she embraced me tightly. I held onto her, my heart racing, grateful that she was safe for the moment.
"You let her leave unharmed, and I will let you kill me without even raising a sword," I offered, trying to negotiate a way out of the dire situation.
The other men laughed at my audacious proposition, but the chief raised his hand, silencing them. "She can leave," he finally said, "but you will fight me, so I can avenge my son. The moment you die, I will send my men after her."
Jeyne begged me not to go, her tears falling freely as she feared for my life. "Ulf, you cannot fight him. You're injured, and you will die," she pleaded.
"Do you trust me, Jeyne?" I asked, searching her eyes for reassurance.
She nodded her head, her voice barely above a whisper, "Yes, I do."
"Very well," I said, mustering all the confidence I could, "I promise to come back safe and sound."
She embraced me tightly, and I kissed her forehead gently.
As I saw her riding Vedros away, my heart swelled with a mix of emotions. I felt joy and relief, knowing that I had saved her, but at the same time, the weight of the upcoming battle weighed heavily on my shoulders.
I unsheathed my sword, and the clansmen formed a circle around us, creating a makeshift arena where I faced their leader, Chief Starga. He was a formidable opponent, skilled in combat, and I could feel his strength overpowering me. We clashed swords for what seemed like an eternity, each strike sending tremors through my arm and jolting the pain in my wounded shoulder. But I refused to yield.
My determination drove me forward, fueled not only by the need to protect Jeyne but also by the desire to face my fears and prove my worth as a knight. The intense struggle continued, and I could see the gleam of sweat on Starga's brow, reflecting the same fiery determination he had to avenge his son.
Despite my exhaustion and the pain gnawing at my body, I mustered every ounce of skill I possessed. Dodging his strikes, I managed to land a few hits of my own, causing Starga to grunt in pain. The crowd of onlookers roared with excitement, their cries echoing off the stone walls of the mountain pass.
As the battle raged on, the weight of my past and the unresolved feelings that had haunted me seemed to fade away. In that moment, all that mattered was the dance of steel between Chief Starga and me.
But as much as I fought with valor, I couldn't ignore the reality of my injury. My shoulder throbbed relentlessly, weakening my stance and slowing my reflexes. Starga sensed my vulnerability and pressed his advantage, forcing me into a defensive position.
In the midst of the battle, my mind wandered back to Jeyne, who was waiting anxiously for my return. Her unwavering belief in me provided the strength I needed to keep going. I could hear her words echoing in my mind: "I trust you, Ulf." Her faith in me was a guiding light, pushing me forward even in the darkest moments.
With newfound determination, I managed to regain my footing, gathering every bit of energy left within me. My sword clashed with Starga's again and again, the metal ringing out like a symphony of defiance.
Then, in a brief moment of opportunity, I struck a powerful blow, catching Starga off guard. His sword flew from his hand, and he stumbled back, dazed and defeated.
"You fought well," I said, my voice strained but steady, "but your quest for revenge won't heal your pain."
As Chief Starga charged at me, ignoring my words, I could see the fierce determination in his eyes. Our swords clashed one final time, and in that intense moment, I found the strength I needed to prevail. With a swift and calculated strike, I disarmed him, and before he could react, I delivered a powerful blow, ending the fight. Starga fell to the ground, defeated.
The clan members were shocked by their chief's demise, and their anger surged like a tidal wave. They rushed to avenge their leader, their cries echoing through the mountain pass. My heart pounded as I braced myself for the onslaught, knowing that I had to face their fury head-on.
In the midst of the chaos, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to center myself. I wondered where 'she' was, my mysterious past love, the one who had haunted my thoughts. For a fleeting instant, I longed for her guidance, her strength, her support.
But just as I opened my eyes, a deafening roar pierced the air, drowning out the chaos around me. The ground trembled beneath my feet, and I knew that 'she' had come to save me.
