Love as Bitter as It Ever Was

I ran along, through the forest.

My men had pulled back, obviously expecting we were dead.

Nice of them to come and rescue us…me.

I could just about catch their scent now, they were about 10 miles away.

I ran and ran, trying to ignore my thoughts that plagued my mind.

But it wasn’t working, they kept gnawing away at my sanity.

She left me.

I loved her she left.

Why do I always loose the women I love?

Finally, I could see small flames, flickering through the trees.

They were just up ahead.

I burst through the tree line, not caring what they thought, I ran straight for Tailor.

He looked completely shocked, as did most of my men, who stood around me, mouths and eyes open in astonishment.

“Why didn’t you come and help us? Why did you pull back? You idiots!”

I screamed, as I began punching him.

It wasn’t his fault, oh no, it was mine.

I knew it was.

Actually no, it’s the fault of that wolf.

Anger built more inside me, as Tailor grabbed hold of my arms, restraining me.

He was pinned to the floor, his nose bloody, and face partly smashed.

“Where’s Kailli?” I heard someone whisper behind me.

And that’s all it took, the mention of her name.

And I crumbled like a biscuit.

I fell to the side of Tailor, pulling my knees up under my chin, my body shaking as each heart wrenching sob tore through me.

I was left there, as the men whispered around me, and some walked off, to unknown locations.

And the worst thing was, I now have to go to Tailor and explain to him, how I lost Kailli.

****

“You did what?” Emery whispered, as he fell into his chair, and it looked like his world fell with him.

“I-I-I couldn’t save her…The wolves have her, she said…she said she didn’t want to come back…”

Emery choked on unshed emotions.

He brought his head into his hands, leaning forwards, rocking slowly.

For the past day it had taken us to get back, I had not spoken to anyone.

After crying in front of the men, I felt awkward around them.

As soon as we arrived back, I had come straight to see Emery.

I had thought about telling him, she was dead.

But it didn’t seem right.

She wasn’t dead.

She was just…not here.

She will come back eventually.

“The wolves, they must be holding her captive.” Emery shouted, as he leapt from his chair causing me to jump.

“Thrax!” He called, to a large wolf who lumbered into the room.

“You are to go and save Kailli, she is being held captive by a local pack of wolves. It would appear some aren’t as reliable as I thought they were.”

I bit my tongue, rather than snapping at Emery.

He was right.

“But-But sir.” Thrax began, obviously cautious of questioning Emery.

“Won’t they kill her, if we charge in…”

Emery stood absolutely still, he had been pacing looking pleased with himself, but now he sunk back down into his chair.

“You’re right.” He began rubbing his head in frustration, his hair flying manically about.

“We will have to Organise a treaty with them, to get her back.”

I gasped at the same time as Thrax.

He couldn’t be serious.

He couldn’t seriously be thinking of making a treaty with those…those. Animals.

I now hated them, more than I hated Emery.

I stormed from the room, the doors smacking against the wall, echoing down the long halls.

I was immediately surrounded by my men, Tailor leading them towards me.

“He wants to make a treaty with the wolves.”

They all looked more horrified then I was.

“Then it’s settled,” Tailor spoke up, “We rebel.”