The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 173: Ambush

Chapter 173: Ambush

Later that evening, Prince Edward stepped into the princess’s tent. The guards bowed as he entered, and Anastasia, seated near the brazier with a fur-lined cloak draped over her shoulders, looked up at him.

He had not stepped into her tent for two days and he suddenly came over. She felt that nothing good would come off his visit.

"Your higness," Rosa bowed as she placed the cup on tea beside the prince.

Prince Edward nod and signal her with his hands for her to leave.

Rosa bowed and walked away.

"How do you feel?" Prince Edward asked in a calm voice.

Anastasia looked at him, her face showed no expression. She has heard from Rosa how Dorothy has been visiting his tent. She did not know why he would not even give her basic respect as his wife.

She had risk her life to ensure the seal and septal of authority got to him but he could not even show her respect.

"Thank your higness for his care," she emphasize the words care that it made the prince guilty. He had thought that his interactions with Dorothy have been careful. He did not expect it to be known all through the camp.

The room became quite for a while, prince Edward felt guilty. No longer having the confidence to discuss the real reason of his visit.

"Your higness, are you here to check my heath or do you want something?" Anastasia said. Seeing the prince standing so awkwardly she could not wait for him to leave.

"I came to speak with you," he said, his voice measured but low, as though reluctant. "About a plan." he added with a guilty gaze.

"Your highness needs me to do something?" Anastasia asked. She understood that the prince would not come to talk about a plan if it did not involve her.

Prince Edward really felt guilty but since he already said he would discuss with the princess, he could only bit his lips and explain the situation.

Anastasia tilted her head slightly after listening to him. "You mean to offered me like meat to lure out the wolves?"

Prince Edward jaw tightened. "I don’t like it. But the council believes it’s our best chance to turn the tide. And truthfully..." He hesitated. "So do I."

After saying those words, he felt guilty, after all, most of the council members thought it was enough to use Dorothy who has similar body structure as Anastasia as the bait

But he was worried that if those people find out she was fake they would kill her without mercy. On the other hand although Anastasia might also be killed by this plan, he felt she had a better chance.

Actually, he was just unwilling to risk Dorothy’s safety.

There was silence between them, heavy with the weight of what he was asking. Then Anastasia stood, wincing in her heart She took a breath, steadying herself.

"Why don’t we find a substitute?" Anastasia asked.

Prince Edward frowned, of course he knew that a substitute was the best option but there was no time to find another and he was unwilling for Dorothy to take the risk.

"We are bound by time, there is no time to find substitute. It’s is best to make a move now," prince Edward said unable to look at her face because of guilt.

"I’ll do it," Anastasia said.

Prince Edward frowned. "You don’t have to—" He began to feel guilty the more he thought about it

"I do," she interrupted, her voice firm. "If this is the only way to strike back, then let them come for me. I’d rather risk my life with purpose," Anastasia understood that she had no real backing. If she dared to risk her life for this plan she would win the respect for herself. She also wanted to the prince to owe her something.

He stepped closer. "If anything happens to you..."

"I’ll survive," she said softly. "I did before."

..

And so the plan began. They leaked false information to Gube’s spies, rumors that the princess had been found, her convoy lightly guarded and on the move through the old forest path near the border. It was said that she was being excoted to the military camp of Nixel.

"This might be a trap," the scar face man said.

"So what if it is a trap? We must take the opportunity to act. Do you not want to return home?" The masked man asked. This bait was irresistible.

The two exchanged a look. They have been hiding from the soilders looking for them for three days. Although this might be a trap but even if they refuse to take the bait they have already been surrounded. By taking this bait, there might be a chance to break the circle and return home.

"Send a message for immediate back up," the Scar face instructed. The mask man acknowledged. After the message was sent, they immediately made a move.

The ambush was swift. Scar face and mask man were both very swift. The guards protecting Anastasia werr kill or seriously injured in a few moves.

The hidden guards had not expected just too men to be so swift. They hurried over as back up.

Anastasia felt that her heart was in her throat, seeing that her carriage was already hijacked by the people of Gube

The Hidden soldiers pursuit and rained arrows down on Gube’s advancing force, and flames lit up the darkened woods. The Gube soldiers, who had just received sigh for back up were caught in confusion, fought desperately but were pushed back.

But amidst the chaos, disaster struck.

Scar face held to the ring of the horse and continue to move the carriage forward. He believes that as long as he could cross to the other side with the crown princess, nothing else matters.

"Cut the rope of the carriage," Ernest ordered. Since this was his plan, he had to see to it that everything goes as planned.

Someone immediately obey. Soon the horse was running ahead. Scar face gaze turned cold as he was forced to jump off the carriage seeing it was heading to a sloop.

Anastasia held on to the edge of the carriage. She closed her eyes in fear and prayer. "Oh gracious father, have mercy and save me."

Just as her carriage was about to fall down the slope it was held back by a large rock on the side causing the carriage body to be hanging.

"Chase," Ernest ordered see that the princess carriage was temporary safe.

"Your highness, do not move stay out," he said in a loud voice as he killed a Gube soilder who was running over to the carriage.

Anastasia swallowed deeply, she was about to move when she heard the instructions so she stayed put. Moreover, she felt that voice sounded very familiar.

She began to think of who could have the voice but she was unable to remember.

Ernest then arrived at the carriage and helped Anastasia out of the carriage.

Ernest had his back turned to the battle, so he did not know that while he was trying to help Anastasia out of the carrige that scar face was sneaking up on him.

"You highness, move slowly and give me your hand," he instructed after opening the carriage careful.

Anastasia nodded, she did not know why but hearing that voice made her came. It was late at night so she could not see the face of the person clearly.

She obeyed and was soon help out.

As soon as she got of the carriage, it tremble and fell of the sloop.

Anastasia unconsciously tighten her grip on Ernest, at that moment her instinct kicked in. She raised her head to see the man with a raise sword.

"Careful," she shouted in horror.

At the same time Ernest hugged her and dodged the sword. He had shield his sword to help Anastasia out of the carriage, so apart from dodging there was nothing he could do.

The scar man did not give up. He lodge another attack forcing Ernest to take another step back. He protected Anastasia behind him while he tried to draw his sword.

Yet another attack came and the two retreat again, now they were not standing firmly. If it’s was just Ernest he would have risk his life to fight head on with scar face but he fear that’s once he was injured the man would kidnap Anastasia.

Moreover, he could tell that there was another man hiding behind the bush, as long as he took one step away from Anastasia, she would definitely be kidnapped.

Since the king dead, he only had another goal, protect Anastasia.

He looked ahead and realized that there was no one heading there way. Even if there was, there step can not be faster than the man’s sword.

In that desperate moment, Ernest mad a decision he hugged Anastasia and rolled down the slope.

"Mad man," scar face cursed. He had seen Ernest fighting and he knew he would not win him head in. He just wanted to injure him or distract him to get an opportunity for mask man to kidnap Anastasia he did not expect him to roll down the slope instead.