Alita heard the creek of several bows being drawn. "These are dangerous times my lady, with dark magic all about.", called the captain in a serious and tense tone. "Finish the blessing."
"All hail the King of the Northern Wind, for as long as he lives in our hearts, our kingdom will live forever." She could hear the soften of bows and a sigh of relief from the guardsmen.
"Pass and be well your lordship."
'Ivan broke away at a wild pace, racing the wind itself. A black stallion of the Royal Guard, Ivan had been under Alita's care since he fell from his mother's body 7 years ago. He loved playing these war games with her, 'leading' her troops into battle, matching the princess's intensity of sport and duty. The princess was the only one who could ride him and he never wanted anyone else. Ivan knew what he was, a war horse, a servant to the land and forever faithful to the woman who he carried, his friend and future Queen.'
'Alita battled her way up that hill towards that wretched creature, cutting down each Corrupted, one by one. She could feel the weight of despair dragging her down, flashes of hands grabbing and clawing at her, memories of pain and fear, the night the Gorgon Magus violated her. She knew he was casting a spell on her, just as he did her to countrymen, trying to change her, make her weak with self loathing. The Gorgon Magus held his talisman high, chanting in that foreign tongue, the snakes writhing and biting at Alita. It mattered not, the fire that burned inside her forged a will so strong, the even the gods couldn't break it. She would not turn, she would...
