The Last Shot

I could still see the cloud of smoke billowing from the monastery way off in the distance, my home, or what was my home.  A feeling of grief and loss welled up inside me and tears almost came to my eyes, but I pushed them away.  I had to be strong, I had always been strong and this was no time to lose myself to despair.  I looked behind me, as I had every few moments that day, to make sure Emory was still behind me.  The poor lad, our flight after the attack had been more taxing on him due to his young age of about ten.1

"Might we rest for a bit Willa, I cannot go on."2

"Yes, I need a rest too, but only for a moment.  We must continue on.  I can carry you on my back for awhile until you regain your strength."3

We found a spot under a mighty oak tree.  It reminded me of my old mentor and friend Darach, whose namesake was the oak tree, and I felt safe for the first time since we fled the monastery.  4

Why had I been ordered to flee with Emory?  Someone older and with more fighting experience should have done that, for Emory was not just any boy, he was our hope for the future, the last in a line of Kings long forgotten.  Darach hoped we would one day see him placed on the throne of Silvaland, or the North Country, which had been but a conquered territory under the Tamaran Kingdom for the last two hundred years.5

I should have been allowed to stay and fight, to die protecting my home and people as I always knew my fate would be.  Instead, I was charged with taking this boy to the outlaws and praying they could find a way to keep him safe.6

"Willa," came the voice of the tree, "Hurry!"7

No, I was not surprised to hear the giant oak speak.  Darach had taught me long ago how to listen.8

"Come Emory, we have lingered too long."9

He nodded and I hoisted him onto my back, setting off again at a brisk walk.  My mind wandered again to my current dilemma.  How far did I have to go to find the outlaws?  Would they even be able to do anything?  If they did take Emory, what would I do next?  I am a lone archer, I don't really belong anywhere.  Though the monastery had been my home I had never truly fit or belonged there.10

The wind rustled the trees, "Hurry Willa, HURRY!!!!!"11

I increased my pace to a quick jog, then I heard it, drums, coming closer every second.  I began to run but the sound of the drums still came ever closer, and then I heard the sound of marching feet.12

"What are they, demons?" I thought.13

Then I saw the glint of metal to the right of me.  I dropped Emory, pushed him aside and ducked out of the way just as the sword slashed the air where we'd been but a moment ago.  I rolled onto my back, kicked him in the groin with one foot, kicked the sword out of his grasp with the other, drew my hunting knife, leaped up and gutted him with one swift stroke.14

"Run!" I shouted to Emory as I drew my bow and followed.  Every time I saw the shimmer of armor I shot, never missing my target, all the time praying for help to come.  Then I felt it, a searing pain as an arrow punctured the back of my shoulder.15

I whirled around to face my attacker and was greeted with an arrow in the chest.  "Fool" I thought, grimacing with the pain.  I instantly knew it was fatal and that I had failed at my task.  I looked up into the face of my killer, a knight clad in the deepest, darkest, most despairing shade of black.  I knew at once that it was the most vile and evil man in all of Tamar, Lord Denman.  He began walking towards me, but he wasn't looking at me, he knew I was finished, instead he set his steely gaze on Emory, who had turned back to help me.16

The boy stood frozen in fear, despair filling his young eyes, but Lord Denman made a mistake.  He didn't finish me off and I would protect Emory until the last breath left my body.  I pushed the pain away, stood straight and tall, and took my final shot screaming "For Silvaland!  For the King!" and then collapsed.  The force of my arrow pierced through Lord Denman's armor into his heart, killing him instantly, but not before I saw the look of shock cross his face.17

Emory ran and kneeled at my side, tears emitting from his eyes.  "Go....quickly.." I choked.  Life was leaving me fast and more soldiers would come soon.18

"No, you saved my life and I'll not leave you, even if I must die as well."19

Stubborn fool of a boy.  I wanted to smack him but I had not the energy.  Then I heard the sound of a horn close by and men clad in green and brown streamed out of the woods.  "Good....you are safe," I sighed, and with that my last breath left me.  Emory leaned over my body and wept bitterly as I felt myself being pulled away.20

I looked down on the raging battle.  I looked down on my body.  It's strange to see your own body...lifeless.  The battle went well for the outlaws and I knew Emory would be safe, I had not failed him.21

"Willa"22

I turned around and saw a very handsome man with curly coal black hair and misty blue eyes wearing a robe of the purest white I'd ever seen.23

He smiled and held out his hand to me.  "I've come to take you home.  I've come to take you to where you belong."24

I smiled and took his hand, "Yes, where I belong."25