APH - Resistance - Chapter 13 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 13
Chapter 13: For You I Have to Risk it All
Only two candles had been lit. She didn't think she'd be able to fall asleep in complete darkness. Or alone. She had felt wretched and cowardly for asking Alfred to stay, but it was the only way she'd manage to get some rest. Alfred sat beside her bed, slouching in the padded chair. His eyes were closed, but she knew he wasn't sleeping. A wave of affection for the brash young man filled her chest, making her forget for a few seconds her woes. She was so grateful of him, of his trust of her, of his constant confidence in her. Many men would have turned away from a disgraced sister, but not Alfred. Alf
APH - Resistance - Chapter 12 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Someday, This Pain Will be Useful to You
This chapter contains material that could shock or trigger some people. Remember violence of all sort is present in this story. Proceed with caution if you are triggered or shocked by any sort of violence done to women.
There were many reasons why this attack succeeded when, in all respects, it could easily have failed. First of all, when Mathilda left the medical tent later in the evening, the clouds had broken and rain poured down to soak everything. The downpour was loud against the beaten ground, canvas tent and wooden structure of the camp, almost deafening. It would have been hard t
APH - Resistance - Chapter 11 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 11
Chapter 11: 'Cause I don't Want Enough, I Want it All
When they returned to the camp, grey clouds had gathered overhead to hide the sun and blue sky. Wind had picked up again, tugging at clothes and unbound hair. Judging by the restlessness of the horses, it was safe to assume that a storm was brewing. But for the moment, the weather held its breath, allowing the small party of four to reach the safety of the camp unhindered. As soon as they reached the gate of the wooden palisade, they were intercepted by half a dozen soldiers in red uniforms. Security had been increased throughout the camp, and even if the uniformed men and women recognize
APH - Resistance - Chapter 10 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Every Saint Has a Past, and Every Sinner Has a Future
Well, this was unexpected. Unexpected, but also welcomed. If Alfred wanted to meet her there to go for a ride, it was probably because he wanted them to discuss their plan. This thought filled her with terror and excitement at the same time. She hoped her face remained as pleasant as possible as she nodded at the maid.
“Thank you, Hannah.” A thought then struck her. “Hannah, why are you still here? Aren’t you Lady Maggie’s maid?”
“Yes, my lady,” the maid answered with a nod. “But your father asked my lady to allow me to s
APH - Resistance - Chapter 9 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 9
Chapter 9: How a Face Can Change When a Heart Knows Fear
At the brink of dawn, a maidservant woke Mathilda up. The woman shook her almost fearfully by the shoulder, her arm extended to its full length and only the tips of her fingers touching Mathilda. As soon as the emperor’s daughter’s eyes fluttered open, the woman took a few steps back before bowing almost in apology. Mathilda had no idea of the time, only that it was ridiculously dark and cold. She looked around without sitting up, wondering why she was being woken up so early. If it were a medical emergency, it would be one of the orderlies or one of the other doctors distu
APH - Resistance - Chapter 8 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Courage Is Not The Absence Of Fear
The sound finally registered as a bell, and Mathilda relaxed with a heavy sigh. She had been so strung up these last few days that even the smallest thing had her running in a panic. It was guilt, remorse and fear mixed all together in a deadly poison. She had always felt some kind of guilt because of that stupid war, but now remorse had been added to it at the thought of betraying her father. And that thought brought in the kind of quiet fear that was always present in the back of one’s mind, always ready to creep up at the least expected moment. Mathilda felt like she had been sleepwalkin
APH - Resistance - Chapter 7 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Being good is hard. Much harder than being bad.
It was three days later that Klaas was strong enough to rise from his bed. By that time, he was growing restless and bored on his tiny cot. He was still weak though, but Mathilda had no good medical reason to refuse him. To be honest, she needed him out the medical tent as soon as possible. There were too many ears in there to have a private conversation anyway, and she had precious little time to spend with her patients. While Klaas laid on his cot, healing, she had been pestered by the older ladies who had come with the other camp followers. The news of her upcoming wedding had spr
APH - Resistance - Chapter 6 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Sometimes you just have to regret things and move on
A hand shook her by the shoulder. As soon as her unremembered dream vanished, she knew that it was already twilight and that she had slept most of the day. Yet she refused to open her eyes. Childishly, Mathilda hoped that if she pretended long enough to be asleep, she would be left alone. Getting up had very little lure right now.
Yet the hand persisted in its shaking, and she had no choice but to open her eyes. She immediately spotted her brother’s face looming above hers. Mathilda blinked at him before narrowing her eyes, trying to convey how displeased she was by his r
APH - Resistance - Chapter 5 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 5
Chapter 5: He Knew Only That his Child was his Warrant
Morning came with the shift change for the healers. Those who had been up all night, Michelle and the two men, were glad to be relieved of their duties. They exchanged excited whispers with the new healers about the night’s events. The newcomers had heard all about the sneak attack, yet they were eager to hear about it again from those who had witnessed it firsthand.
Before she left, Michelle woke Mathilda up. Even though she hadn’t slept for more than three hours, Mathilda felt rested and a lot calmer than the night before. She thanked her friend and promised to get some re
APH - Resistance - Chapter 4 by NinjaMatty, literature
Literature
APH - Resistance - Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Who Should Follow Blindly Without Knowing The Destination
Then, as the man was sweeping down that wicked dagger towards her, he stopped abruptly. His eyes widened, his face paled and he coughed up blood. His whole body shook once from head to toe. His fingers spasmed around the hilt of the dagger before dropping it almost gently. He stood upright for a few heartbeats before his knees buckled and he crumpled to the ground.
By now, Mathilda was sobbing so hard she could hardly see what was going on around her. Her vision was blurred by tears and she more felt than saw the man falling to the ground. When a hand fell across her shoul