THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 164: Crimson Water

Chapter 164: Crimson Water

The water stared at me, calm and still unlike the chaos that we had just fled from. The reflection from the chamber lighting caused the water to gently shimmer gently. I cradled my stomach, my bottom lip trembling as I dipped one foot into the water. There was no denying the fear I felt now, my fingers trembled and I could feel the weight of the past clawing in my throat.

I raised my head up to see that Heather and Ivana offering me comforting smile from where they were hidden. Behind me the woman warrior, Ada, placed a hand on my back, offering me silent comfort. The footsteps surrounding the hallway was distant but I knew they were coming.

"You need to be brave, princess!" She said her voice soft, "It’s time!"

I drew in a deep breath, closing my eyes as I practiced breathing in through the pain. Then before I could think much on it, I entered the water.

It wasn’t cold but it wasn’t warm either and it definitely wasn’t comforting. The memories that I had tried so hard to suppress were now getting stronger. It felt as if hands were going to appear and submerge me in the water anytime soon.

They are not real, they are not real....I told myself as the water filled me, I was already knee length deep. My dress floated around the water as I continued to submerge myself deep inside the water.

I shivered slightly but it wasn’t from the temperature, it was from the ghosts I swore I’d buried.

"They are not real." Ada said in a calm tone, "Whatever ghosts you are trying to fight, they are not real my lady."

"They are not real..." I whispered trying to convince myself, "They are not...hmph!" I groaned my legs almost collapsing in the water.

The baby, it’s coming!

Ada held me by my arms as she stared down at me, "Just try and relax, allow your body to slowly guide you through the process."

"Allow my body to....Oh fuck!" I cursed as another contraction tore through me this one more painful, I slumped in the water.

It hurts, it hurts so much! I thought to myself as I drew in deep breath, trying to calm myself down but it felt as if the room had shrunk itself to me, the water and the burden of a child about to enter the world.

"You shouldn’t curse in a sacred..."

"Ada, I understand that this a scared place, you’ve said it a million times! But...But I swear if I hear it one more time, I’ll stab a knife in your fucking throat."

Ada chuckled, "Good, that’s very good!"

I winced through the contraction, "Trust me there’s nothing good about this situation right now."

"I was talking about your fire." Ada smiled at me, "You are going to need it because that is what I believe can get you through this and the pain you are feeling, I think it’s a welcome distraction because now you no longer think of the ghosts of the pasts!"

She was right! I thought to myself as I lowered myself to the water, taking in deep steady breaths. "Perhaps, this might work out after all!" I said to myself when all of a sudden the doors that we had locked began to shake.

They were already here!

Ada turned to look at me and even though she was trying to put on a brave font, I could tell that she was doing her best to be brave but a woman can only go through so much.

"Go!" I breathed out.

Ada turned to look at me releasing a shaky breath. "What did you just say?"

The doors slammed open again and the wooden swords we had used as a barricade to ensure the doors stayed shut wasn’t going to hold for much longer. I wasn’t willing to lose anyone else today, I already lost so much and I can’t afford to lose anyone else and the way I see it, this only ends one way.

"Pass me the bow and arrows, then go hide." I said wincing a little, "If you feel I can’t handle it, you are welcome to join in, now go!" I hissed furiously at her.

Ada looked like she was about to protest a little but the look on my face must have caused her to shut her mouth and resign. Giving me one last look, she begrudgingly passed me the bow and the arrow before she went to go and hide quietly.

Taking in a deep breath, I stared down at the water.

For my baby, For Reagan and for myself! I thought to myself starting to fuel with determination and then before I could think about any other thing, I decided to submerge myself inside the water completely. Darkness clouded my vision for a minute and I couldn’t see anything else except the ghost of my mother’s past.

"It’s okay sweetheart, just let it happen!" I could hear her voice clear as day.

But I still wrestled against it, against the panic that was trying to push its way into my chest. My lungs fought for air, my muscles trembling with each effort but I decided to stay still and put my trust in the water like Ada had repeatedly said.

"It’s alright sweetheart, just let go..." My mother said again but this time it was faint.

I allowed the darkness to take control of my thoughts and I blocked out any image I had of my mother, and then everywhere was quiet, peaceful even.

I finally did it! I thought to myself and that was when I heard it.

The door slammed open and even though the sound was muffled, I heard the men come inside. They yelled in their language and I understood they were looking for us. I prayed to Naktus to allow the rest of the women to stay hidden and for once, that we have her favor. I laid still in the water, focusing on my breathing even as the contractions start to hit me repeatedly but I knew the moment I let out even the smallest of sounds, they would find us.

Tears stung the corner of my eye as another contraction seized me but I clamped my lips tight. The need to whimper and break down into tears was great but I remained mute. Not just for my sake, but for my friends, the women and for my baby. There was a lot more lives at stake and my baby was ready to come into this world but I still needed to finish this!

The sound of heavy boots drew nearer along with the sound of weapons dragging on the stone floor. One of the men spoke in his harsh native language which was responded with another response from another one of his men. They were searching, listening but all they got was nothing but silence.

I laid still as the water rippled gently around me, my hair floating around me as I fought against the instinct to move, or breathe too loudly.

One of the men spoke again and though it was muffled, but I heard it.

They were leaving, there was nothing to see here! That was what they said which meant that this was my time, the one I’ve been waiting for and can’t afford any mistakes.

My eyes snapped open and the grip on my bow and arrow tightened then with a deep breath, I pulled myself out of the water. The men turned back with a look of anger on their face but it was already too late. I pulled the bowstring and allow my arrow to fly lose.

The arrow struck the man in the head and the rest of them charged towards me. Gripping an arrow, I used it as my weapon. I grabbed the hand of the arm of the first man and jabbed it in his shoulder. He grunted before he reared his head backwards and slammed it on my face.

I staggered backwards grunting in pain but I didn’t relent. I pulled a sword I had hidden inside the water and with anger, I sliced his head off his neck with a scream. I turned to the other men, dodging their attack clumsily and driven with rage, I sliced through their armor blindly. I couldn’t see anything through the pain and rage that I was feeling, I was just so angry.

They had brought violence into a place that was supposed to sacred. They killed countless of women, all of them dead, women I had bonded with and hoped to find something new are now dead. Now they are coming for me and my child.

From now on they were going to face the consequences of their actions!

My breathing was ragged and my legs shook cause of the contractions and yet I pushed forward. The water I was in was already turning to red. Despite my dress sticking to my body I maintained my movement with intense desperation and unrestrained fury.

A man struck out and hit my arm causing a searing pain to travel up my left arm. I didn’t let that stop me, I turn and backhanded him hard on his face and then pushed my sword directly into his abdomen. There was a look of surprise in his face but his body crashed into the pool, he was dead.

Breathing heavily, I looked around me, dropping the sword just as my friends came outside. "Now, is anyone going to help me deliver this baby!"

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