Blood and Ice Ch. 10

Michael and Damien joined me in the stable.

"Michael, why is it impossible to get your son out of bed in the morning?"

Michael just laughed just as Peter came running into the stables.

"Ah! sleeping beauty is here now can we go?" I said as I mounted Spirit.

I told them, "We need to head south to the mountain range. Beyond the mountains is the execution ground. There is a secret passage to the execution ground that the light raiders do not know about. Our horses can traverse that path with little difficulty."

I nodded and we set off at a fast pace. We sped through the forest as quickly as we could. It took us about half an hour to get out of the forest. The mountain range was then in front of us. The mountains were breath taking. They were covered in snow and seemed to be as high as the sky.

Peter said, "There's a path that the light raiders use but we can't take the horses they wouldn't make it up the steep climb."

"I know about that path, Peter. Grandfather's letter told me of it. There is a better way. Follow me."

We made a five mile trip parallel to the mountains until I saw the large rock described in grandfather's letter. We approached the rock and passed through a narrow "fish hook" bend onto a very narrow path. The path led gently upwards. As we approached the end of the path, I looked down and I saw it for the first time. The execution grounds were in a large coliseum. I could see that it was crawling with light raiders.

Peter said, "I think were going to have a problem getting in."

"Getting in isn't the problem; it's getting out that's going to be the problem. Peter, how often do the guards here receive instructions or news from Gabriel's headquarters?"

Peter responded, "These guys up here don't communicate with Gabriel very often."

I saw what we had to do. We all dismounted and "ground hitched" our horses. Then I changed my outfit slightly.

"Right, who wants to be the look out?", I asked.

"I will", Damien said.

I nodded. Peter, Michael and I set off for the execution grounds. We bound Michaels wrists and mouth with cloth. When we reached the gates we were greeted by a guard that I'd seen once at the light raiders council.

"Ah well, if it isn't the new general who have you there?" he asked.

"A member of Lucifer's council. Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to let us in?" I asked.

He yelled at someone to open the gates. We dragged Michael in.

"So where's this one going?" he asked.

"Straight to execution along with Lucifer so in with him I guess.", I said.

"Here's the keys. Lucifer is down on level five, right at the back."

"Thanks!" We headed to the stairs. We followed the stairs right down to the bottom. I realised Michael from his bonds and lit a torch. I went right to the back.

"Well it's about time you got here!", I heard father say.

I ran over to him. "Father! Thank heavens we found you. I wasn't sure if you were here." I opened the door and gave my father a hug.

"I'm glad you're safe, Alexandria." He gave me a hug.

"We're going to have to fight our way out of here. Are you prepared to do that father?"

"Fighting is my middle name!"

Michael handed him a sword.

"Alexandria, where did you get that sword and shield?", father asked.

"Grandfather's grave. It's also how I found you."

"Michael is it me, or is Alexandria getting more and more like her mother every time I see her?", father asked.

"She is getting more like your wife with every passing day; and I'm proud to serve her.", Michael said.

I said, "Enough of this. We need to get out of here and its not going to be easy."

We all nodded.

A guard said, "General, are you okay?"

I had an idea. I went out to the stairs "Yeah, everything's fine." I said, as I went up the stairs. I joined the guard at the watch tower.

"Tell me what's your name? We were never formally introduced."

"It's Christian and you're Alexandria, right?"

"Yes that's right. So tell me, how many guards do we have here?"

"There are only about twenty. We don't need as many as were needed for the princess' wedding How is the princess?"

"Didn't you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"The princess was killed by the shadow raider's princess."

"What? We didn't hear anything about that! How do you know?"

"I was there." I could hear the muted footsteps coming up the stairs.

"But, I thought we killed the shadow raider princess!"

"They used a decoy. The person we killed that night wasn't her."

"What's Gabriel doing now?"

"He's trying to find their princess, to kill her; although his attempts have failed so far."

"How do you know so much general?"

"Because I'm the shadow raider princess!" I said as I pressed my sword to his throat.

"Now, you're going to open the gates and let us out.", father said.

The guard nodded and opened the gates. I threw him down the stairs and we made our way to the gates. We were met by Alexander and Damien.

"Your highness, we fought them off for as long as we could. They're headed here and they're not happy!", Alexander said.

"Right! Everyone get inside and head to the execution area."

"Why there? The place is crawling with light raiders as it is.", father said.

"This is one of the battles leading up to the final battle, and it needs to be fought on bloodied ground!"

Father nodded and gave the order. When inside we were met by the captain and his guards. We had to fight through them to get to the execution grounds. When we got there the light raiders surrounded us. Swords were flashing and light raiders were falling every where. The only thing that stopped us from fighting was Gabriel's voice.

"Enough!", he shouted.

Gabriel said, "Well, well! You're smarter than I thought little princess."

"Hello Gabriel, long time no see."

"Tell you what Lex, Why don't we settle this like adults. Why don't you and I have a duel. If you win, you can all go home untouched. If you loose, you and your father will be executed."

I thought about it. Then I tapped into my visions and saw what I had to do.

"You know what Gabriel, I'd rather settle this the traditional way."

"Well then, as you wish! Attack!" he shouted.

The gates opened and the light raiders flooded in. As they were reaching us I looked round and saw her standing at the top of the mountain

"Damien do you have a bow and arrow?" I asked.

"Yes, of course your highness."

"Light and arrow and aim for that person that's standing were we came in from; but don't hit them."

Damien nodded lit his arrow and set it loose and hit the snow beside the figure. I heard shouting and people started to flood down the mountain path.

"Alexandria do you know them?" father asked.

"Yes I do, there from my school and there here to help us. Now lets show them why we're the most feared beings on this planet!", I shouted and all the men lunged into the battle.

I didn't care where I swung my sword as long as it connected with the skull of a light raider. I got lost in the fighting. When Lauren and the rest of them joined us the battle just turned into a brawl. It was difficult to tell who was on who's side. In the middle of the chaos I met Andrew.

"Well Andrew, how's Jason?" I asked as I laughed.

"You're evil bitch!", he said as he swung his sword. I met with his sword and blocked him. I slid my sword into his hilt and twisted sharply he gave a yell. I was about to plunge my sword in through his heart when Gabriel shouted above us; "Stop right there!"

Everyone stopped what they were doing. I pulled Andrew to his feet and pushed my sword to his throat.

"Care to bargain for his life?" I shouted to Gabriel.

"Name your price princess." Gabriel said. Father came up next to me and took Andrew from my grasp.

"What should we bargain for?", I asked father. He thought for a moment.

"Immunity from them until the final battle. They're not allowed to come near us and were not allowed near them."

I nodded. "Okay Gabriel, we'll let your father go but we want immunity from you. We won't bother you and you don't bother us until the final battle. How about it?"

"Very well you have my word. If you release my father unharmed we will grant you immunity form us." he said.

I asked, "Can he be trusted father?"

"If he gives his word, yes! They can never brake that."

"Do I have your word on it Gabriel?"

"Yes, you have my word now release my father."

I turned to my father and nodded to him. He let Andrew go. Andrew went running to Gabriel.

"Now get off our land before I change my mind.", Gabriel shouted.

I nodded and we left the execution grounds.

"Lets go back." father said. We started to leave. As soon as we left the execution grounds Gabriel shouted after us,

"By the way I said that we would grant you immunity, but I never said when it would come into affect. After them!"

"Alexander, get father back to the castle.", I shouted.

"No way Alexandria! you're going and I'm staying!", father said.

"Not a chance father. Look what happened the last time you stayed to fight. You're going back with Alexander, that's an order."

"Fine, but if your not back by midnight I'm coming after you."

I nodded. Father and Alexander left as the light raiders came at us again. This time I didn't care which way my sword went nor who it connected with. We fought and ran at the same time. Peter stayed at my side while we fought.

"Lex are you all right?" Peter shouted.

"I'm fine Peter, but I'm a bit busy at the moment."

I tackled a light raider.

"I need to ask you something" Peter shouted.

"Can it wait, I'm busy." I shouted.

"It's now or never Lex." Peter shouted.

"What is it then Peter?" I shouted. Peter spun me round to face him and took me in his arm,

"Marry me Lex!" he said.

"I don't think now is the right time to ask me Peter. Duck!!", I shouted as a sword came flying towards his head. I rolled away from him as he dealt with his assailant. Peter came running after me and helped me up.

"So will you?" he asked.

"Of course I will Peter." I said.

We kissed and Michael shouted over to us, "I don't think now is the time for kissing Peter protect the princess at all cost."

Peter nodded. The battle raged on into the night until the last light raider was silenced. Gabriel fled, along with his father.

"We better get back before father starts sending troops after us."

Michael nodded. I found Lauren in amongst the soldiers.

"Lauren, thank you for coming!?"

"We received your letter telling us where to be your highness."

"Very well, follow me please."

I led her to where the horses were tied up. Peter, Michael and Damien were waiting for me.

"Do we have a spare horse?" I asked.

"Yes we do. It was supposed to be for your father, why do you ask?"

"It's for Lauren, she's the one in charge of the reinforcements."

"Thank you for coming to our aid, Lauren, it wouldn't have been a victory without you and your troops!", Michael said.

Lauren just nodded. She mounted the horse next to me. We set off at a slow pace as most of us had injuries. Peter was walking next to me with Lauren at my other side.

"Your highness, if you don't mind me asking where is your father?", Lauren asked me.

"Lauren, you can call me Lex. He's at the castle waiting for us to return. How many people did you get to join us?"

"About twenty or so, most didn't believe me until we got the letter from you with the royal seal on it."

"Well I'm very glad that you came. Do you remember Peter?"

Lauren nodded.

"We're almost there." I said.

I dug my heels into Spirit and charged in front of every one. Peter was just behind me. I reached the castle first, and dismounted Spirit, and put him in his stable. As I was doing this father came in and gave me a hug.

"I was so worried Alexandria thank heavens your okay"

"Thank Lauren for that, the battle wouldn't have been a success without her."

Father hugged me tighter as the rest of the people came into the stable. When Lauren came in I took father over to her.

"Father, this is Lauren."

Father took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Thank you for coming to help my daughter so quickly!"

"It was my honour, my lord." she said.

Father said, "Come, let's eat. you all must be hungry. I've already gotten our medical people on hand to help patch up those of you who need medical attention."

Father put his arm around me and guided me to his room.

"So tell me what happened when I was away Alexandria.", he said as I sat down on his bed. I told him everything that happened while he was away.

"There's just one more thing, when we were on the battle after you left. Peter proposed to me."

"And what did you say?"

"I said yes".

Father almost ran to the bed.

"Congratulations Alexandria! I'm glad you have said yes to Peter. There's no one finer for you. When do you plan on having the wedding?"

I had never seen my father so excited before.

"I don't know. I will have to talk to Peter about it."

There was a knock at the door. Michael came in "Ah, Michael, just the person! Did Peter tell you the news yet?", my father said.

"No, Peter hasn't told me anything. I haven't seen you this happy since Melissa gave birth. I've come to tell you that the food hall is ready my lord." Michael said.

There was another knock at the door, it was Peter this time.

"Ah, father, I need a word.", he said giving me a quick glance.

"Right, what's going on Peter?", Michael asked.

"I asked Lex to marry me and she said yes.", Peter said with a big smile on his face.

Michael was gob smacked! He couldn't say anything.

"I think this calls for a celebration!" father said.

We all nodded. Peter came over to me and slid his arm around my waist. We all went down to the food hall. Michael never said anything all night. He was still in shock.

As the food was being served I asked Michael, Alexander, and Damien to take Lauren's group and teach them the arts of war. That put a grin on Lauren's face.

That night we all spent celebrating our victory over the light raiders and my engagement to Peter.

When I woke the next morning, Peter's arm was round my waist, and flash was at my door trying to get in. I got up and let the pup in. She ran in and jumped on the bed and gave Peter the fright of his life.

"Bloody hell, were did that wolf come from?" he shouted.

"Relax Peter, its just flash." I said.

"Please come here, we have something to discuss Lex."

"And what's that exactly Peter?"

I climbed back into bed beside flash and Peter.

"Our wedding of course. We need to set a date!" Peter said.

"When would you like it?" I asked Peter.

"How about Halloween?" he suggested.

"Could you wait that long?" I asked .

"I would wait years to have you as my wife!" Peter said.

I kissed him. "I love you Peter"

"I love you too Lex." with that we fell back asleep in each others arms feeling very safe and secure.