Zeudi was prepared for a huge mascara when she stepped out of the house, but instead she saw an organized mess. The young women, children and even some elderly that had survived the illness filled into the larger house. Hawan and her mother also went in, which was a huge relief. While feeling slightly guilty that they needed to hide in there, all because of her. No this was not happening because of her, it was happening because her brother became greedy. The men in the village started to gather on the square hay forks in hand, the women armed with what ever they could find in the kitchen, roller pins, iron pans and even some knives.

"Simret, Gebre and Petros. You three defend that house with your lives." Idris said, the men nodded. "Fitsum, you and I will stick by Zeudi."

"You got it boss." Fitsum said. They had already discussed this plan, as much as possible. Like every freaking evening since they arrived here, all of them men knew their tasks, every one knew what was at stake. Their lives, her life and the faith of the kingdom.

"Zeudi, you are not going off..." He started, but she shook her head.

"I will not do something stupid that gets myself or one of you in danger. Got it, but the same goes for you Idris. Because I want to finish our conversation." She replied.

"Ohh, that is how they call it. Who knew?" Simret said, while taking up arms before the front door.

"One day I am going to kill that man." She whispered. She grabbed the handle of her swords with two hands. Like Idris showed her, she had killed before, by accident, but it still counted. She had seen blood and suffering before. All what she needed now was a clear head and the courage to kill again. A dust cloud entered the village, the sound of hooves on the road echoed through the streets. "There they come." She closed her eyes for a second.

"Princess, there you are." A voice said. She wanted to grit her teeth. "We have been looking all over for you. We should have known you would hide between these ... I do not even know how to call them, but I am sure they are not on the same level as you and I."

"Oh shut it, Kahinu Sarratré. It is true that they are not as rich, powerful and what else makes you, you. But they are mine people, and as future queen it is my duty to be on the same level as they are." Zeudi said. Kahinu looked at her in disbelieve, and she had not expected anything else from him. Idris leaned towards her.

"Is that one of those peacocks?" He asked, loud enough for everybody to hear. "Is he one of the men, who tried their best to win that stubborn ass of yours." She gasped.

"Look how is talking, it takes one to know one. But no he is not." She said. "A peacock I mean. He has served his time in the army, he is indeed one of my suitors." Idris nodded.

"I am sorry for your loss, buddy. It seems that you were not able to give her the moon and the stars she asked for." Idris said, and Zeudi could see that Kahinu was confused. "But let's not waste everybody's time, shall we. It is the festival of the sun and the moon after all, and we want to go back and celebrate it." Kahinu pointed at Idris with his sword.

"Now we are speaking the same language." Kahinu said, and he turned towards his men. "You know what to do, kill that woman." A battle cry rose up from them all.

******

Zeudi didn't know how it happened, but right now she was standing face to face with Kahinu. Idris and Fitsum were each fighting their own men. So she was on their own for now, because she knew for sure that one of them would come to her rescue when they were able. But for now all she needed to do was to block his attacks, the only problem is, he was in the army a skilled fighter and something she couldn't say about herself.

"Well princess, let's dance." Kahinu said. He swung his sword towards her and she blocked it, barely. He was stronger than she was, but she already knew that. He swung again, and this time she needed to do her best to jump out of the sword's way. "You have trained in the ways of the sword, good that gives me at least a challenge." He swung again and this time she was not able to block him. He grinned from ear to ear. "Those it hurt little princess, that is what you get from playing with toys that are meant for men." She gave him a smile.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"There is only one problem, a sword is a weapon not a toy." She replied, and ran towards him. He swung his sword again, but she dived, tackling him to the ground. He hissed when his head smacked against the ground. "Ow those it hurt." He wanted to throw her off, but she used all her weight to keep him on the ground. He might be a strong man, but he was no match for her. Or gravity.

"Get off!" He screamed. But she didn't, get off of him.

"Zeudi, are you alright?" It was Idris. "Fitsum, she is hurt. Take her to the house and let that witch doctor treat her."

"No, boss you take her. I will deal with him. The rest of you take those who have survived to a shed." Fitsum said to probably the others of the group. She only got up when she saw Fitsum appear by her side, they were maybe ordinary thieves, but she trusted them. They have protected her, even when she was the one killing their former boss. They stood by her when she learned about her brother's betrayal. When she got back she needed to pick a new personal guard, and she already knew who she wanted if they were willing to leave their rogue life behind. Idris wrapped an arm around her and took her with him, but she couldn't see or hear anything. Why was this, she was not hurt that badly? Or was she? Why else would Idris be so worried, because he loved her? Maybe this was it.

"Witch doctor, what is wrong with her?" It was Idris again, she was still able to hear him. That was a relief, but why was everything else so blurred?

"She is just experiencing an adrenaline rush, and that wound is not that deep." Her voice was so muffled, but still Zeudi was able to figure out what was being said. This was however not an easy feat. Only there was not much what she could do.

"Do you really think that you have won, well think again princess. Your dear old father is as good as dead, and when he finally beats the dust. Our true king well accent on the throne, rather you are alive or not." Her heart sank was her father sick, when did this happen? He was fine when she left the capital, but that was a few months ago, and she knew all too well that illnesses could kill quicker then a knife. She started to breathe very rapidly, she needed to go home. No matter the danger.

"O shoot, she starts to hyperventilate. Quick take her inside and think of a way to calm her down." Arsema said. There was no audible reply, but she was dragged into the house. The people who were hiding in there made way for Idris and her. She was still breathing quickly, but none of the air was reaching her lungs.

"I need to go home, I need to help my father..." The rest got lost because he had pressed her against a wall. His lips on hers, he was kissing her. Why was he kissing her? Didn't he hear what that man just said? Her father was sick and was most likely to die, and here he was kissing her. She wanted to punch him in the face right now, but on the other hand. This is what she had asked for, the fight was over and they were finishing their conversation. She started to lean into him, she was still angry at him for kissing her like this. But her rapid breathing had stopped and air started to reach her lungs. He stopped and stepped back.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked, she nodded and balded her fist. Ready to punch him in the face. But he quickly grabbed her hand. "Get some rest, we will leave for Mjati at first light." He let go of her hand and he walked off.

******

The young women, children and the elderly had left the house and now it was only filled with the members of his group.

"Tomorrow, Zeudi and I will leave for Mjati. We all know what will wait for use, or rather who will wait for her once we arrive. But I am willing to take that risk for her, because I care about her. But I am not willing to ask the same thing from..."

"O cut the crap." Simret said. "We know you would never ask this from use. You are not Rossum." Simret quickly looked around the group and all of them nodded. "You need to bind use down, if you want to prevent use from coming with you. And we know that your feelings for her are just more than just care. You love her, you always loved even when we were kids." Idris shook his head and sighed, he loved his friends but he was afraid that not all of them would come out of this alive.

"To put it this way, the princess needs a personal guard after this. And I speak for myself, that I am a bit tired of roaming around with a target on my back." Sennay said, he quickly looked at the closed front door. "I want to give Aranchi, a better life as well." Some of them men looked at him with frowns, but Simret started to giggle.

"So she finally stricked a man, congratulations." Simret said, and he looked around. "You all know that I fixed a roof, when we first arrived here." All nodded. "Aranchi, is the daughter of that household. She has long red hair." Now all the men started to nod, and Idris knew that Aranchi was not the only one who had captured one of his men's hearts. And indeed if they were able to defeat the princeling, they were indeed able to live an easier life. He, for one, would never leave Zeudi's side, unless she herself sends him away.

"Well that is it, we leave by first light. Rest easy and for those with sweethearts, say your goodbyes." Idris said.