here it goes...
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I stared blankly down the shrub-covered hill. A few hundred yards away, a fire danced. I wasn’t sure whose it was, or what was burning, but it was eerily mesmerizing.
A light breeze blew hair out of my face. I inhaled deeply, taking in the cool night air. Lying down in the wet grass, I closed my eyes. The calming quietness relaxed me. No thoughts entered my mind as I heard someone approach. By my guess, they were standing relatively close to my head.
“What the heck?” I heard a tired voice say.
A smile twitched onto my face. My eyelids parted and I could see Will standing above me; his figure no more than a silhouette against the dark sky.
“I swear, Zeria, you’re a very twisted person.” He sighed, sitting down next to me. “Do you even know where you are?”
“Should I?” I asked, propping myself up on my elbows and cocking my head to one side.
Will laughed lightly and shook his head. His grin dazzled as if to challenge the moon itself. My stomach fluttered.
“I’ve been watching that fire out there.” I pointed across the landscape to the distant glow.
“Wow…you are strange.”
A silence fell. The empty sound of night was broken only by a small clink.
I jerked around. All senses on full alert. My heart pounded as I glared out in the darkness. I saw nothing, but wasn’t about to calm down. Whatever was the worst thing that could happen, it was running through my mind.
“What?” Will followed my gaze and—just as I did—saw nothing.
“I just thought I heard something.” I replied, stiffly turning back around.
Suddenly, a bag was thrown over my head. I immediately flailed about and struck someone in the face. I ripped the sack from my face and saw a silver glint. A sword. It rang as it tore through the air. I ducked and watched it pass just above my nose.
Will was on his feet now. He punched the attacker in the jaw. The man flew to the ground. I jumped up and kicked out at him. He grabbed my leg and pulled. I tried to break free, but sprawled forward. I hit the ground hard on my side began rolling down the hill. I extended my right arm in an attempt to stop myself. Pain exploded in my shoulder as my arm smashed onto the hill. I felt a pop as my weight crashed down on my arm. More pain.
I held tightly onto my shoulder and stayed in the grass where I had stopped.
Sounds of combat and blows carried down to me from atop the hill. I couldn’t tell who was winning or what was going on. Just that Will and the stranger were fighting.
At that moment, my thoughts caught up with the events that were occurring and a state of panic flooded over me. Immediately, I got to my feet and ran up the minor slope. My shoulder burned and I tried to pump my arms as little as possible.
In a matter of seconds, I was behind the man. He no longer had his sword. I momentarily considered finding it, but discarded the idea and swung my fist at his head. My punch landed on his ear. He stumbled to the side.
Will barely acknowledged my presence. He wiped blood from his mouth, kicked the man in the stomach and was locked in hand-to-hand once more.
Adrenaline was coursing through my body. I hopped lightly from foot-to-foot, waiting for the right opportunity.
The man pushed Will aside and picked up his sword. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was right next to him. He pointed it at Will and then at me. And I wondered then, if I should have been scared. I stared angrily at whoever the man was. He was breathing hard and ran his fingers through his blond hair. I could hardly see the blood on his face through the darkness.
Will steadied himself and looked ready to fight again, but the man was in control of the situation and let the tip of his sword rest just below Will’s chin.
I took a slow step forward.
The blade flashed toward me now. I tried not to look as worried as I felt, though I knew I probably did.
“Come with me.” The man ordered gruffly.
A shiver ran down my spine when he spoke. I turned my head slightly in Will’s direction. I wasn’t about to do anything alone.
His jaw set and his gaze hard, Will nodded.










