"We've got a captive on our hands," Kevin said, as he and Nick walked into their camp. He tossed Sam to the ground. "The little princess Serpentia wants."Sam struggled against her bonds and mumbled against the gag.
"What was that, princess?" Kevin laughed as he untied the gag. "Mad? Maybe you can work some of that anger out in my bed."
"Rot in the hells of Enotio." Sam's blue eyes had darkened with anger. She spat in Kevin's face.
He slapped her. "Bitch." He grabbed her arm in a fierce grip and shook her. "No little slut spits in my face. You're going to regret that."
"You'll be the one regretting it if you lay a hand on me."
***
Nyx brushed up against Justin's leg, when he walked in the grove. She was bleeding from a cut on her side, and limping slightly.
Justin kneeled down, rubbing her ears. "What happened, Nyx?"
"She can't talk, Justin," Joey said.
Justin ignored him. "Did someone take her?"
Nyx purred against his hand.
"Show me where, girl."
Even with her wounds, Nyx was able to move swiftly through the small grove of trees and soon, they were nearing the edge of the woods, east of their camp.
Justin, staying out of the circle of light cast by the fire, and careful not to make any noise, circled the camp until he spotted Sam. She was bound and gagged, sitting right next to Kevin who seemed to be the leader. His arm was thrown over her shoulder and he was groping at her. Justin's eyes narrowed when he saw that. He'd kill the bastard for touching her like that.
They were passing around a bottle of ale not paying attention to anything going on. It would be easy to sneak up on them.
Justin made his way back to the others. "We can easily sneak up on them, but only a few of us can, because we don't want to make any noise."
"I'm going," Josh stated.
"Josh, you can't fight," Lance pointed out.
"Me and Joey and Chris will go," Justin said, looking at the other two guys.
"I'm going," Josh said. "She is my sister."
"Don't get into this right now, Josh," Willow hissed. "Otherwise Sam'll never get out of there alive."
"Fine," Josh muttered.
Justin, Joey, and Chris circled them camp, and, when everyone was ready, attacked. The five men weren't prepared for it. They made quick work of Howie, Nick, and Brian, killing Howie and badly wounding the other two. The only two that weren't hurt were AJ, who was standing with a sword in his hands and a mocking smile on his face, and Kevin. He was holding Sam in front of him, a dagger pressed to her throat.
"We knew you'd come for her," Kevin said. "You're all stupid fools. Drop your weapons or I slit the little princess' throat.
They dropped their swords, knowing that if they didn't Sam died.
"AJ, gather their swords. We can use them."
AJ did as Kevin instructed, smirking at them as he took picked up the three swords. They were all ornate swords, with hilts made of gold and silver and imbedded with jewels.
"These are worth a pretty penny," AJ said, studying Justin's sword. The hilt was made of silver, and there were sapphires and diamonds in the pommel.
While AJ was inspecting Justin's sword, Justin pulled the dagger he'd hidden out of his boot and lunged for AJ. A struggle occurred, and AJ was trapped by Justin, the dagger held to his throat.
"I'll kill him if you don't let her go," Justin said.
Kevin laughed, a cold, wicked sound. "Go ahead. Not like I give a damn about the bastard. Don't expect to see your love alive again." Kevin whistled and from the shadows appeared a blood-red bay, with a black mane and tail. "See you in hell." He tossed Sam onto the horse's back, and mounted behind her, riding off into the distance.
"Damn it," Justin said. He glared at AJ. "You're going to help us track them and find her. Got that? You do anything I don't like, trick us in anyway, or try to escape, and I'll kill you myself."
The four of them walked back to the others.
"Where's Samantha?" Josh asked.
"He still has her," Justin told him. He nodded to AJ, who was trapped between Chris and Joey. "He's going to help us track the leader and find her."
"Can we trust him?" Willow asked, looking at AJ.
"No, but if we want to see Sam alive again, we have to."
"He's taking her to Serpentia," AJ said. "I can show you how to get to her castle. I even know a shortcut."
"If he's taking her to Serpentia," Chris began, "we have to start now. We can't waste any time. If Sam is delivered into her hands, it could mean the end of the world as we know it."
"Is this Serpentia person so bad?" Joey asked.
Chris nodded. "I can't explain how evil she is right now, it would take too long. Just know that if she gets a hold of Sam, and through Sam, the Sword of Mists and Stones of Light, she will destroy everything good and pure in our world."
"But I thought it took two people to use the sword and stones," Justin said.
"For it to be used properly, yes. But they can be wielded by one, for evil purposes. And the people destined to use it- you and Sam right now- can use both of them. It is hard to do that, and if not strong and a true believer in the love they have, they can be corrupted to evil."
They were making their way back to camp, following Nyx, who knew the way.
"Can Serpentia get the sword and stones by herself?" Justin asked.
"No. To even find the caves were they are kept, you need one of the Chosen."
"Chosen?"
"People destined to wield the Sword of Mists and Stones of Light," Chris explained.
"But how do they know?"
"I don't know. It's never something that has been described."
"Once they've found the sword and stone, can Serpentia use it?"
"Sam has to carry both of them from the cave, and place the sword and stones into Serpentia's keeping. Once the sword and stones have a master, they cannot be taken from them. They have to be freely given. Any who dare to steal them will be killed, and if the bearer of either is tricked or forced to give them up, they do not work."
"So as long as Sam keeps those from Serpentia, we're okay?" Justin asked.
"Yes. But I can't say how long Sam will last, holding both the sword and the stones, and not be corrupted. Or she can simply get tired of them, and hand them over to Serpentia."
They reached camp, and began to pack, the silence of the hour just before dawn closing over them.
Justin stared towards the west, the direction Kevin had ridden in, thoughts filling his mind
***
Words, carried on the soft breeze, reached Sam's ears. They were said in Justin's voice, low and soft, so only she could hear them.
Don't give up hope Sam. I'm coming for you. I'll find you wherever you are, even if I have to traverse the world for a thousand years. The unicorn's blessed us, the gods chose us for something grand and wonderful. We are one for all time.