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N E R I S S A
We soon enter a dark and gloomy area of the forest. It seemed to be ten times colder around me in this particular area.
"I think we're here, Oreius." I announce.
The centaur looks back at me with a nod, signalling for the rest of our army to spread out.
A hint of movement catches my eyes in a distance and immediately, I nock an arrow into my bow and set it free.
Not long after, a loud thud could be heard and I spot a Minotaur lying motionless amongst the trees.
"Good aim, Milady. But well, I'd expect no less from you." Oreius smiles as he glances back.
"Watch out!" I yelled, causing Oreius to swerve as I shot another arrow.
This time, the arrow finds itself buried in the ground before a line of fire sparks and starts to spread, encasing an oncoming group of the Witch's followers- that were getting too close for comfort, in fire.
Oreius continues deeper into the woods and it only grew more silent with every step.
"This place is suspiciously quiet. I think we're close." I whisper, "We should split up. We'll cover more ground that way."
"Are you sure that is a good idea, Milady?" Oreius questions in worry, "It's safer when we're together."
"Maybe, but we don't have all day, Oreius. The faster we get the boy, the better." I reasoned, "So, yes. I think it's better if we go our separate ways. We'll meet back here in ten."
Oreius takes a minute to think through the plan before he nods.
I hop off his back, landing on my feet. Glancing back at him one last time before I leave.
"Be careful, Milady." Oreius says.
I shoot him a firm nod, "You too, Oreius."
With that, I start my search, moving deeper into the woods with calculated steps with Nikephoros drawn and at the ready.
It doesn't take long for me to finally find the boy bound to the tree.
"Help me!" He yells as he spots me, his eyes filled with fear, "Please, help me!"
I sheathed my blade, replacing it with my dagger as I rushed forward to free Edmund from his confines.
"Come quickly." I urged as soon as he was cut free, ready to return to meet Oreius, but the boy stops in his tracks, gazing over my shoulder with fear-filled eyes.
I let out a heavy sigh, cursing under my breath, "There's someone behind me, isn't there?"
The boy nods slowly, too scared to speak as I slowly turned around.
Ginarrbrik stood behind me, "You freed the boy. You're working with the Narnians."
"Oh no, you're mistaken, Ginarrbrik. I was going to bring the boy for a little tour around Narnia, that's all." I shrugged theatrically, "You see, the Narnians agreed to help me show him around, they thought it'll be nice."
"You think this is a joke, Archer?" The dwarf questions, "I'll have your head for betraying our Queen."
I let out a groan in annoyance as I rolled my eyes, "Oh, how dramatic. I'm sure this isn't the first time. I mean, have you seen the woman? Her drapes? Absolutely hideous."
Ginarrbrik lets out a battle cry, raising his sword over his head.
"Stay behind me." I ordered Edmund.
I duck just as he brings his blade down on me, causing it to sink into the ground. Seizing as he was trying to retrieve his blade, I send a kick his way.
The dwarf stumbles forward, running into the tree that Edmund was bound to before and somehow, knocks himself out.
I dust my hands off, "Ready to be reunited with your siblings, Edmund?"
The boy smiles, clearly amused by the fight that just went down. But just as he was about to answer me, a voice interjects from behind me.
"Well, well, well." The familiar voice spoke, "Look who have here. You're becoming quite a menace, aren't you?"
"Am I? I haven't noticed." I replied as I twirled around to see the White Witch herself standing in front of me, along with a Minotaur and two wolves.
"I see you're alone." She states, "Do you really think so highly of yourself, Archer? You think you can defeat me, alone? Are you really that desperate to join that little friend of yours? Jed? Was it?"
My blood boils as the words leave her mouth and I fight back the urge to smack that smile off her face.
"I must say, it was a pleasure killing him." She laughs, "Now, are you sure you want to risk your worthless life? Look around you, Archer. You're outnumbered."
"You know what they say." I forced a smile, "The more the merrier."
I quickly nocked an arrow before setting it loose, sending it flying towards the White Witch.
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The Witch swung her wand at the arrow, turning it into stone and it shatters as it collides with the ground.
I swiftly swapped my bow out for Nikephoros, swinging it towards a wolf as it lunged onto me.
The wolf lets out a whimper before it's lifeless body falls onto the ground.
I continue my attack, lunging my blade forward and fatally sinking it into the flesh of the next wolf before I sliced my blade towards the Minotaur.
However, it had managed to block my attack with its axe.
Metal clinked as our blades collided. I managed to pull my sword free, immediately slicing my blade across the creature's abdomen and then sinking it into its chest.
I removed my sword from the creature's body, flicking away the blood that coated my blade as I approached the Witch.
The Witch's face falls, turning slightly pale as she slowly backs away from me.
"I should've killed you, you little imbecile." The Witch spat, "You're not getting away this time."
The Witch swings the blade of her wand at me and I swiftly dodge the attack before attempting to swing at the Witch with my sword, only to be met with the Witch's blade.
"Mark my words, Archer. You won't live to see another day." The Witch threatens, before managing to free her weapon.
Our blades meet a couple more times, before I successfully land my attack, slicing her across the arm and quickly disarming her.
The Witch desperately scoots away from me, "Guards!" She yells.
I curse under my breath once again as I hear the howls and growls of wolves and Minotaurs approach, in numbers far too big for me to handle alone.
I glance back at the Witch, my sword ready to plunge down into her chest. A part of me wanted to end it now, but we just didn't have the luxury of time.
"Run." I sheathed my blade, turning to the boy who was peeking up from behind the tree, "Run!"
"Get them!" I hear the Witch order.
We take off in the opposite direction and my heart sinks as I hear the Witch's army catching up with us.
"Milady!" Oreius' voice was like music to my ears as I spot him galloping beside us.
"Hold on to me!" I grab the boy as Oreius inches closer, holding out his hand to me.
I grab it, clutching tightly to the boy as Oreius pulls us up onto his back and we gallop off to safety.