Page 128 of A Kingdom's Heart
WILLIAM
More arrows flew through the air, slicing past my head and thudding into the wood beside me. I ducked low, the boat rocking hard under the force. One arrow splashed into the water near my arm, spraying salt water against my face.
Iris stirred awake, her voice weak at first. “William, what’s happening?”
Before she could sit up, I reached for her shoulder and pushed her back down. “Stay down,” I said sharply. “Don’t move.”
Her eyes darted around in panic. “What’s going on?”
“Just stay down,” I repeated, grabbing the oars again. My arms burned with every pull, but I forced the boat forward through the waves. The sea felt heavier now, dragging us backward like it wanted to keep us trapped.
Arrows kept flying. One hit the edge of the boat and split the wood. Another found its mark. It struck my shoulder and drove through the fabric. Pain shot through me and I hissed, my grip faltering.
“William!” she cried, trying to rise, but I caught her wrist and pushed her down again.
“It’s fine,” I said between shallow breaths. “Stay down. It’s just a scratch.”
Blood ran down my arm, but I ignored it. The air burned into the wound, and every movement sent pain through my body. I would not stop. Not while she was still in danger.
More arrows came. Some struck the water, others missed by inches. I hunched lower, rowing faster. The sound of my heartbeat drowned everything else.
“Who are they?” she asked, her voice shaking.
I didn’t answer. My eyes stayed on the horizon. I had to find land. I had to get her somewhere safe.
She turned slightly, and her voice broke. “William, my father. He’s on that ship.”
I froze for a moment. The sun hit the crest painted on the sails,
the royal emblem of Elarion shining bright. And there he was. The king himself stood at the front, his crimson cloak billowing in the wind. Soldiers surrounded him, and even from here, I could feel his fury.
Her father.
The King.
He was watching us.
The sight cut deep, but I didn’t have time for anger. Not now. I gritted my teeth and forced the oars through the water again. My shoulder screamed in pain, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
The sea crashed around us, pulling at the boat. My blood dripped down the oar handle, mixing with the salt. The pain meant
nothing. Only she mattered. Only getting her away from that ship.
Then, through the morning light, I saw it. A thin strip of dark green.
Land.
I pushed the oars through the water with everything I had left. My arms burned, my wounded shoulder felt like it was on fire, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Each pull brought us closer to that strip of green, closer to safety.
The waves slammed against the sides of the boat. My vision blurred from sweat and blood, but I kept my eyes locked on the shore. Nothing else mattered. Not the pain, not the arrows, not
even the roar of the sea behind us.
Another arrow came. I saw it too late. It struck my arm, deep and fast. The force of it nearly tore the oar from my hand. I gritted my teeth, a hiss escaping through them as blood ran warm down my forearm.
“William!” Iris cried. “Oh God, let me see it!”
“No,” I barked, keeping my grip tight on the oars. “Stay low.”
