I never realized how much I could trust an animal until I was perched on Pirate's bare back, holding nothing but a fraying rope that was looped loosely around his neck. I didn't feel the slightest twinge of panic when two elderly horses trotted up and down a fence line, calling out to their comrade. Pirate swiveled an ear towards them but carried on with his steady walk. For all of the moments that I worried about his behavior, I knew now that he would go to the ends of this earth if I asked it of him. Well, as long as his hooves didn't get wet.

I was thankful that I was able to store some of Leo's wisdom in my mind. The last thing I needed right now was an injured steed. So we walked through the city that had once been mine, then trotted to the farms that fed the citizens. As we passed by the large fields I vaguely wondered about the men who had attacked me. Would they dare put their hands on me now? Would they look at me with this armor, heavy sword hanging off my hip and think that I would be an easy target? I doubted it. Men like that were cowards. When I thought of them now I was almost angry that I have ever been afraid of them.

The cobble stone gave way to dirt paths. I pushed Pirate into a canter here. I kept my hands firmly buried in his mane and my legs secure at his sides. I could almost hear Leo whooping with joy at my progress. The pace only slowed when I had to encourage the paint horse over an old bridge. I watched his head twist towards the trail that led over the mountain, to Archer's kingdom. I wondered if he knew that we were heading into a dire situation and was hoping to bail out then.

We pushed on regardless. And through the new territory I kept one eye on the trail and one eye on the map I had jotted down. One wrong fork could be the difference between us finding the battlefield and getting trapped in a seasonal wetland, lost and alone. But I saw every landmark, starting with the large single boulder, sitting in a throne of grass like a celebrated god among mortals. A while later we made our way through the portion of forest that had gone up in flames years ago, still struggling to recover.

Each stride brought us closer to the battle. And my wary body dreaded it. I had yet to recover from my swim and I was doing my best to conserve my limited energy, but riding was not a lazy sport. And my mind was battling just the same. I had caused this. I could not be absent. Every second could be a life.

We pushed on together.

The last stretch before reaching Valemont was a steep hill, the foothills of the enormous mountains. Even there I could hear the battle. The first sound to reach my ears was one I knew well, though it was often accompanied by good spirited laughter and handshakes. Metal clanging against metal. The second sound was not so known to me and when I heard it, I nearly pulled Pirate up. It was a shrill scream, almost human like at first, then turning into something rougher, wilder. It was the sound of horses crying. Dying.

We crested the hill.

Skin gleamed with blood. Thick fur was drenched in it. And there were too many still bodies strewn over the ground to count. Men, faeries, horses, wolves. I was already too late for so many of them.

Pirate had not come this far with me, had not served me this well, to die like this.

I cracked my hand on his rump as hard as I could, the impact causing my palm to sting and an awful clapping sound to ring out. My steed took off, right into battle. I clung on until the very last second when I dug a heel into him hard, spinning him on his haunches so aggressively that I was deposited into the dirt and he was spun around, racing back towards the way we came. Alone this time.

And safe because of it.

I had a moment to right myself before anyone noticed me. Every individual too concerned with the foe before them and a surprise behind them to care. But I saw the blood thirst in inhuman eyes, saw the skill in wolves leaping and blades swinging.

I had felt so strongly about coming to this battle. I had felt like I couldn't let this boil without me as I had caused it. But reality was cruel. I was not a hero. I was not prepared for battle. Armor would keep me safer, but it could not keep me alive alone. And just now, I realized that I had forgotten the most crucial part. Everyone else's faces were obscured with heavy metal and grates. I was here with no helmet. Did I really think that I could save my husband if I couldn't even put together a proper suit of armor? Did I really think that he was above wanting to sink a blade into my back like I had done to his brother? A single vague letter did not justify my actions.

But it was too late.

Dark, malicious eyes met mine. A sinister grin tugged at lips, pulling them almost from one pointed ear to the other. My gaze darted to his blade. Coated in blood so thick there was no metal to be seen.

"Ah, you have returned. Pretty princess, so far from home, so far from the sea. Fish out of water." A flicking tongue darted over his lips, eyes scanning me with a hunger I didn't understand. "Such a pretty face, but it came with so much destruction. I bet anyone would pay a pretty price to have your heart. I would be in great favor with the king."

I would have gasped in fear or placed my hand over the metal that housed my chest. But he hoisted his brilliant blade too quickly for that. And the second his blade hit my own, I knew this was a battle I would never win. I could defend and deflect. That was it. Jacob was right. I had never been a killer. I never wanted to be. But even if I was, I did not have the skill now.

He withdrew and lunged again. His weapon met mine with a clang. The vibrations traveled up my arms, feeling as if they ended up in my clenched teeth. Over and over again, he struck. And each time I just barely stopped him.

The last time his blade came towards me, I knew that I would not last. The siren princess murdered by a nameless fairy for nothing but a prize. The fairy's frustration was growing. I was not playing the game as he expected. Our blades still tangled; he pressed more weight onto me. My trembling arms weakened. My own blade inched towards my face. More pressure. Another inch for him.

This was it. I could see it in his sudden smile, in the glint into his eyes.

He pulled back, grinning like mad. One more fast strike would be all it would take.

~~~Distraction Section~~~

Hello everyone! I hope you are all well during this holiday season. This time of year can be filled with joy, but it can also be incredibly hard for some. If you are having a hard time this year and would like someone to talk to, I am here for you!

If you are following the publishing of The Girl With The Mouse Ears, I just wanted to let you know that there are delays due to natural disasters around the world which have hit some of my publishers closely. I ask for your patience through this time. Also, if you want to see art I had commissioned of Miles and Nike it is on my Instagram page!

Question of the Day: What is your favorite thing about this holiday season?