Adele's Stories

My breath came in ragged gasps as they tightened their grip on my arms. I struggled against them, but the knife at my throat prevented much movement. Christopher called out to me as he resisted his own captors, but I couldn’t hear a thing. My shoulder’s ached from straining and I feared I would stop breathing soon. 

Christopher continued to yell and struggle while I closed my eyes and sent up a prayer.  God has gotten people out of worse he can get us out of this. 

“Helena!” My eyes snapped open. Christopher’s voice reached my ears and my gaze locked onto his. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. 

“I’m alright Christopher! Whatever happens, I’ll be alright.” He didn’t seem too convinced. Pain suddenly bloomed in my side as one of the thugs kicked me in the side. 

“Quiet!” he bellowed “No communicating between prisoners.” He bared his teeth at me but I felt no fear. Christopher yelled something unintelligible about what he’d do if they hurt me and increased his struggle to free himself. 

“Can’t we just kill them now?” the man on my right asked. 

“No. I told you already. We have to wait for Reignshold.” the man on my left answered. 

Reignshold? Lord Reignshold? He’s behind this? Lord Reignshold is the neighboring lord who’s had his eye on my lands since my father was lord over it. It seems he’s finally resorted to underhanded measures. If he succeeded I knew he’d treat my people the way he treats his own. And I knew I could never let that happen. 

I looked up and met Christopher’s gaze again, my eyes pleading. We needed to get free and save my people. Christopher understood. 

He swept his leg under the captor to his right, sending him sprawling onto his back. The captor on his left barely had time to blink before Christopher had knocked him down and taken his sword. I felt the knife at my throat prick my skin. I wanted to cry out but I knew I couldn’t. I didn’t want Christopher to do anything he’d regret. 

“Come any closer and I’ll slit her throat.” Tha man on my right said. Christopher pointed his sword at him. 

“Let her go.” 

“Not a chance.” the knife pressed deeper. This time I let out an involuntary cry. Christopher took a step closer. 

“I’ll ask you one more time to let her go.” 

The man with the knife sneered. “Or what?” 

Christopher sent me a look and I got the message. I closed my eyes and tried to drown out the noise. The knife at my throat loosed before being torn away completely. I took a deep, refreshing breath before choking back tears. I kept my eyes squeezed shut even after I knew it was finished. 

“Keep your eyes closed.” Christopher told me softly. I could hear his voice right in front of me. I only managed a nod. I felt him take my hands as he helped me to my feet. Then he squeezed my hand before leading me away into the forest. 

We walked slowly for a ways before Christopher finally stopped and turned me towards him. “You can open your eyes now.” His voice remained quiet. I slowly opened my eyes until I was looking at him, surrounded by trees. I knew we were safe deep in the forest. 

He put his hand on the side of my face and I burst into tears. He pulled me into an embrace and I buried my face in his chest. “Thank you Lord. Thank you that we are safe.” I could hear him whispering just above my head. 

I felt myself relaxing as the fear began to leave and my crying eased. I knew I was safe. I knew I was safe with Christopher and I thanked God for bringing him to me.