ashes, ashes, we all fall down // bell day seven

Another solider has fallen for the sake of the crown.

And finally this one is by the queen's own hand.

It's clear that it wasn't my own abilities holding me back, but it was the other's around me. They would watch me do all of the hard work and wait, then jump in before taking the kill. They wanted a piece of the glory. A piece of my crown.

But they should have known I would not give it up so easily.

I put my weapons away as the girl struggled to take her last breath. A Career weakened by emotions, by love. It was always such a shame. It normally cost them their lives.

And it cost Delaney hers.

Quickly, I rummaged through her bag searching for anything that might be the slightest bit useful. My hands came across a needle and thread, and I was able to crudely stitch up the gash on my cheek. I brace myself and grit my teeth through the pain of each stitch.

Good thing you're pretty she had said.

But I can't imagine that holds true any longer.

The rest of my wounds bandage easily, and would not leave nearly as brutal of a scar as the one on my face. I force myself to think of victory instead, to think of the cheers that would welcome their rightful ruler home. The size of the crown they would place atop my head.

Just three more.

Three more stood between me and my kingdom.

Just three more that threaten my crown.

Three more until I'm finally free.