Heart Over Sword
Chapter 194: A pretty slave boy

Chapter 194: A pretty slave boy

Hiding behind one of the tall blades of grass, Evanna craned her neck and tried to look past Garrett and Arawn, but it was pointless. Her view was obstructed by them. The metal screeching continued making her clench her teeth and her body involuntarily shudder. Garrett and Arawn looked at each other and then at the pair behind them; with a single nod, Garrett jumped ahead and rolled to the side, followed by Arawn.

Evanna slid into their original position and assessed the rock they hid behind in the sudden open clearing. Still, she could not see around the bend where the sounds rang from. Swiftly, she followed suit and knelt on one knee beside the two elves and peered over the rock.

Evanna pulled back slightly, startled by what she saw, but Ronan’s appearance behind her pushed her head back down while Arawn placed his finger to her lips. That action alone made her quieten by his sudden touch, but her attention went back to the grimy-looking creatures sharpening their falchion blades. There were five of them, two seated talking to each other. What Evanna found bizarre was that she could understand them. They spoke of making a stew while the other three argued about what they would do with their treasures.

Without needing to look in her book full of creatures, she knew from the darkened shade of mossy green, slick skin, warty faces, bright yellow eyes, and pointed ears that these were goblins. This was the first Evanna had seen them in person, of course. They never ventured to the human realms of Dunhurst and Hatherland, but she knew what they were from her mother’s descriptions and the books she’d read about them. They were much bigger than she anticipated and were the same size as any man, if not a little taller, broader.

"*In our state, it will be best to go around them,*" Garrett muttered. Arawn whipped his head to look at him, then followed his gaze to where Evanna was.

"You know, not all of us speak Muranthian," Ronan said irritably.

"I’m sorry, Roach." Evanna patted his shoulder, smiling apologetically. Ronan’s ire seemed to melt as he gazed at her.

Before Evanna could repeat what Garrett said, Arawn was the one to inform Ronan of their decision. "We will go around them-"

"Afraid you’ll mess up that perfect head of hair?" Ronan goaded, his blue-green eyes flashing in a challenge.

Arawn smiled a smile that did not reach his cold gaze. "My hair never gets messed up. That is beside the point. Unlike some.. We make our decisions based on what is best for everyone in the group." His gaze moved to Evanna, who glanced between them, confused.

"I am fine if you want to slay.." She trailed off after the five creatures moved as one around the bend. They returned, pulling on some chains, and Evanna gasped, almost bolting upright and revealing their position. Arawn’s hands clasped at the top of her arms and pulled her back down. Ronan followed her gaze and almost did the same, he started to move, but Garrett tackled him to the ground.

Ronan struggled on the ground beneath Garrett’s weight. "We can’t just let them-"

"Quiet," Garrett growled, glaring at the pair of them. "They won’t do anything to them yet."

"Let us strategise. Evanna, do not worry." Arawn comforted her, his lips brushed against her ear, and his soft breath fanned her face, making her all the more aware of his closeness in such a situation. Evanna gulped and nodded, though she pursed her lips and slightly leaned into Arawn, unaware she sought more comfort from his touch.

That comfort didn’t smother the chills running down her arms and the need to jump into action and help. There before them were three figures shackled in manacles and being dragged by the goblins. Two of them she recognised, one large with a mighty beard and the other leaner, his dark blue eyes sharp and lips set in anger. Axel and Ger walked in a single line, their chains connected to another being in front of them, one Evanna was all the more curious about.

Two goblins guarded Axel, one by Ger and two beside the small woman in front, whose skin was pale yet, in certain lights, reflected back a slight blue hue. Evanna leaned closer to the rock as though she was captivated by the being. She was ethereal, with navy cropped hair, revealing pointed ears and sharp cheekbones, and her eyes, her eyes were like nothing she had ever seen. Black with golden pupils, like starlight in the night sky.

Evanna understood why there might be two goblins surrounding Axel because of his size but was this woman deadlier than Ger?

After following his gaze, Arawn cleared his throat. "Night fae. An albino one from the looks of it."

"Nasty creatures," Garrett added.

Night fae? A fairy of the night? She looked for the woman’s wings, but there were none.

"All I’m saying.. is we don’t need to sell all three to the slave traders!" One of the goblins at the front shouted, yanking on the chain powerfully so all three of them, the night fae, Axel and Ger, fell on top of each other.

"Get. This. Oaf. Off. Me," the woman snapped as she kicked Axel away from her.

The first goblin pointed his sword at the woman’s face, sneering at her. "I won’t mind eating this one. She’s been nothin’ but trouble."

"Don’t touch it," another goblin tapped the sword away from her face. "that one will fetch us a fancy price... But slaves don’t need tongues..." He leaned towards her, grinning and revealing sharp yellow teeth protruding from his mouth. "Shut it, or lose it!"

The night fae glared back at the creature but remained quiet as she leaned away in an awkward position.

"What about the smaller human? He won’t cost more than this one." The first goblin, who Evanna now could distinguish from the others because of his two hooped earrings on one side. He was also chubbier than the others, and the small amount of clothing he did wear, the rags barely covered his lower region. The goblin kicked Ger’s boot as he pointed him out to who she assumed was the leader.

"He has a pretty face. He’s a pretty slave boy." The one standing beside Ger commented, and it took Evanna a moment to realise it was a female goblin. She wore a dress made of rags reaching her knees and had white-blonde hair pulled back in a bun. She winked at Ger, stroking under his chin, who was looking to Axel for help and in response, the night fae giggled before glaring back at the goblins.

Two goblins pulled at Axel’s chains and grinned wickedly. "What ’bout the fat one!? He’s not pretty, right, Sesh?"

The female goblin shook her head with a shrill laugh.

"Enough. We are selling all of them," the leader announced and started to build a fire.

Ronan turned to the two elves. "We need to get them out of there. Now! Wait.. where’s Raven!?" As he called out her name, all three of them looked back at the small campsite the goblins had set up. They instantly stood the moment Evanna dived from atop the cave and sliced the goblin leader in half with her swords.

"Axel is not fat or ugly!" Evanna roared in defence of her friend.

"Evanna!?" Axel and Ger called to her, mouths gaping at her sudden appearance.

The goblins were frozen for only a moment before they roared and surrounded Evanna. She changed stances, ready for the onslaught of a fight, but the goblins all spun around as Garrett and Arawn flipped onto the scene, and Ronan tackled one into the cave wall beside them. The clanging sounds of swords broke out as Evanna slid away, not wanting to waste a moment, her energy quickly depleting again. She had to lean against the cave for support, gasping for breath after her little stunt.

This is ridiculous!

But Evanna couldn’t scold herself for long. She knew her energy had been depleted, and most likely her stamina as well from lack of sleep and from using her powers too much the previous night.

"How.." Ger started walking towards her, then was pulled back from the chain straining.

Evanna pushed off from the cave and patted down her gloved hands on her trousers, her eyes flicking between her friends, then lastly landing on the night fae who was also standing once more. Raising her swords, Evanna spun on the spot from the slither of ice running down her spine, but as her swords clashed with the female goblin’s, the creature fell forwards. Evanna stepped back, looking up to see Ronan, who sheathed his sword and smirked at their comrades before searching the dead goblin’s rags for the keys to their chains.

The sounds of fighting had subsided now, with only the wind rustling through the grass and howling through the cave.

The princess approached her friends, glancing between the pair, feeling her heart swell from seeing them alive and healthy. "Thanks for sticking up for me. I’m really not fat," Axel thanked and complained with a frown as Ronan unlocked the shackles from his wrists. Evanna couldn’t help but smile at the first comment leaving his lips. Then within seconds, the friendly giant swooped Evanna up and swung her around in a hug. Evanna couldn’t help but squeal in delight.

"We have missed you, lassy!" Axel squeezed Evanna tighter to him again, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Put the poor girl down," Ger scolded as Axel released her. As soon as her feet were on the ground, Ger pulled her into an embrace, one hand going to her plaited hair, sighing as he whispered, "I’m so glad you are safe, Evanna."

Evanna patted his back comfortingly after hearing his shaky voice. He was not fearful for his life; he feared for hers this whole time. She could not comprehend what these two must have been through. There was much to catch up on and discuss.

Ger tightened his hold on her, suddenly straightening. "WHAT," he growled. "Are they doing here?"