Chapter Three

"Your Majesty!"

Ryder and Mira hastily turned around at the sound of Chris's desperate voice. Chris stumbled into the cave, holding onto the wall so as not to tip over. Ryder immediately went to his side to assist him. At further inspection from Mira, Chris's wounds seemed to have been made by some sort of blade. From what Mira could see, there was a bit more than five of these harsh wounds and they looked insanely life-threatening. Although he was marred to such an extent, Chris's concern for his friend seemed much more important than his steadily dying life force.

Chris grabbed Ryder's shoulders and looked into his eyes, conveying his urgency. "Your Majesty, you must go now! While I was out hunting, I was spotted by some of the palace guards! We fought, but I was overwhelmed! I ran and they followed me! You must run before they catch you!"

Ryder didn't know what to say. The guards were coming? They attacked Chris? They could all be caught, tortured, and killed? They had to get out of here! But what about Chris? He was in no condition to run. Could Ryder carry him? No, Ryder was smaller than Chris and wouldn't be able to carry him more than twenty paces. What about Mira? Should he take her with him? Of course he should. He couldn't leave this innocent girl behind to be killed or worse while he ran like a coward. But could he afford another companion? Ryder didn't know what to do.

While Ryder was lost in thought, Mira could faintly hear the sound of rumbling of a few dozen footsteps rapidly coming closer to their cave. What would she do? She wasn't too sure about the future, but she knew that she didn't want to die so soon into this game. She quickly stood up, a bit shaky at first, but she soon stood tall as she walked over to Ryder and Chris.

"Ryder, we have to go."

The sound of her melodic voice brought Ryder back to this bitter reality. He looked at Mira, his worried eyes meeting her determined ones. How could she remain so calm while he was like a mouse backed into a corner by a cat?

"Yes. Miss Mira is correct. You should flee immediately. Go without me for I am not able to move more than an inch," Chris urged Ryder.

Ryder shook his head in denial. "No. No, I am not leaving you here, Chris."

"Your Majesty, please. I promised your late father to protect you and I intend to see it through. I will hold off the soldiers while you leave. Do not worry about me and be gone! Take Miss Mira and go!" Chris pushed Ryder away from him, using the last bit of strength he had left. He leaned against the wall to hold himself up, struggling to remain strong for his companion.

Ryder looked into Chris's eyes, searching for any sign of fear or hesitation, but he was greatly disappointed when he only found intense determination. They looked at each other for what felt like a mere heartbeat to Mira, but a thousand words seemed to have been said in Ryder and Chris's silent discussion. After a moment, Ryder nodded his head solemnly at Chris. In a flurry of movements, Ryder gathered all of the supplies laying around the cave. After he had everything he needed, he grabbed Mira's wrist and began to pull her towards the entrance of the cave. She looked back at Chris, wondering how he could risk everything to protect his friend. Chris looked at Mira, locking their eyes. He looked a bit sad, Mira noted. Suddenly, he softly spoke to her. So softly, in fact, it was almost a whisper.

"Please take care of him for me, Miss Mira. Thank you."

Mira could say nothing to him for she could not think of anything to say that would reassure this dying man. She gave him a small nod to let him know that she had heard him and he smiled at her. It wasn't a happy smile full of joy nor was it a smile of sadness because he was going to die. No, it was a smile of contentment. Like he had lived the life he wanted, doing the things he wanted, with the people he wanted to spend this lifetime with. And as Ryder quickly made his way out of the cave with Mira in tow, she couldn't help but feel nothing but the utmost respect for this man who was named Christoph. She knew that she would never forget him and the sacrifices he was willing to make for his lifelong friend.

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