(Please go read the prologue if you haven't)
Taken.
That single word echoed through my head as I stood at the overlook a short distance from Härskarstad, the capital city of Lejon. I thought of the Crown Princess Azalee, found missing six years ago. I thought of my own parents; killed in a fire the same day the Princess went missing.
Taken.
Then I heard the sweet melody of the great bells that summoned every citizen to Linjal Castle.
I quickly said goodbye to the beautiful rolling green hills. I said farewell to the deep blue sky that could hardly be seen back in the city. Lastly, I, Alora Krigare, said goodbye to the family of deer that I knew to live at the bottom of the cliff where I stood.
Then I quickly made my way back to the city. The knowledge of what might happen if the guard caught me spurred my step. Ever since that terrible day five years ago, when the news of Prince Teravian’s defeat in the Vildmarken, no one had left Härskarstad. That is, except me. Three years ago, I witnessed the beating of a few young men. They had tried to escape and were caught.
I shuddered as the image of their punishment filled my mind. That would not happen to me.
Never.
Not to a loyal Lejonian.
Not after everything he taught me.
Never.
Now I could see the guard stationed at the gates. I quickly ducked close to the ground, darted behind a bush, and waited. At last, I saw my chance. I bolted towards the gate and slipped through an opening. I darted down the streets at a pace one would have thought impossible.
Finally, I came to the center of the city. At the steps of Linjal Castle, Lady Elizabeth Taleskvinna stood on an elevated platform. Between the people and the noblewoman, there were two glass bowls that were filled with slips of paper. She was silent as she waited for Lejonians to trickle in. She wore an indigo blue dress that had the look of a Linor garment. Her silvery hair was up in elaborate braids. Finally she spoke.
“Lejonians!” Her voice was sharp and authoritative. Somehow, despite all this, she sounded kind. However, I thought her smile was too big and too forced. “King Sebastion has decreed that one male and one female shall go on a quest to find the lost Princess and Prince!” Such. An. Honor. Two lucky people get to go on a quest they will most likely not return from. Lady Elizabeth’s gaze swept across the crowd. She reached into the first bowl and withdrew a slip. “Alora Krigare! Step forward!” Great. Lucky me. I pushed my way to the front of the crowd.
“Now for the gentlemen!” She pulled a slip from the second bowl. “Archer Tjuv! Step forward!” Of course. Of all people. Him. The crowd parted to reveal a boy who appeared to be about seventeen.
He had reddish-brown hair, dark olive skin and bore several long and jagged scars across his arms and legs. At his side stood a girl of about ten years of age. Then the guards swooped in. They surrounded Archer and tore him from the girl’s side. I remained frozen on the steps as I watched.
“Archer, Archer!” The girl screamed. She tried to get to him. Then a guard swung his fist as my adoptive father had trained and she crumpled to the ground. “ARCHER!” By then, the guards had surrounded Archer to escort him to the castle. Archer fought. He screamed. I’ve never seen anyone fight that hard. And I’m a Krigare. I fight. It’s who I am.
“Anne, Anne!” His desperate voice cut through Alora’s shock. “ANNE!” Then his cries were cut short. However, he still struggled. Then a guard approached me. Placing a hand on my shoulder, he led me inside. As I was led inside, I didn’t know what to feel. I hated Archer. He was annoying, rude, and selfish. However, like any sane person, I felt a flutter of sympathy.
He deserved it. I remember thinking. After all, his name is Tjuv. He’s a thief. I’m sure he knew it would happen eventually. Even as I thought this, I felt a flicker of doubt. All too soon, the guard brought me to a large room on one of the wings of the castle. Lady Elizabeth Taleskvinna, the Voice of the King, sat behind a desk. She dipped a quill into a pot of ink and wrote something on a piece of parchment.
Then she seemed to see us. Lady Elizabeth quickly cleaned off the nib of her quill and laid it on the table. She moved the parchment under her desk. There was a strange hint of urgency and embarrassment in her eyes. Buried beneath this was menace and anger. Together, these feelings made a frightening storm. Strange. I almost instantly lowered my eyes, so as to not draw suspicion. The guard who had escorted me here squeezed my shoulder in kind gesture. Then he directed me to sit in a chair. After he left, Lady Elizabeth looked over at me with a strange stare. Her eyes flew over the many burn scars that I tried so hard to cover.
When I saw this, I pulled my sleeves down in an attempt to cover the scars. Then I put a hand over my left cheek to cover the scars there that marred my skin. Lady Elizabeth tilted her head back slightly. She waited. I said nothing. She frowned. The lady was not accustomed to being ignored. Too bad for her.
“You have a very important mission.” Her soft, menacing voice was more than a little unnerving..
“Y-yes, my lady.” Above all else, maintain respect. That is what he has taught me, so that is what I will do.
“Alora, you had a strange look on your face when I pulled Archer’s name. Do you know him?” I snorted in spite of myself.
“Know him? My lady, he has been the scourge of my life for over five years!” I shook my head. “I think it must be some sort of curse. Never would I want to have to work with him.” Never.
“I see,” Lady Elizabeth said thoughtfully. “So you're telling me you have no feelings for him? He is a Tjuv; a thief. You are a Krigare; a warrior. Alora, you have a much higher rank than he does.” Feelings for Archer Tjuv?!?! Is the good lady crazy?
“The only feeling I bear towards Archer Tjuv is hatred. Nothing more, my lady. I swear to it.” Lady Elizabeth nodded.
“I wanted to speak with you before we talk with your new companion.” I made a disgusted face. “Could you tell me more of the reasons for your dislike of Archer Tjuv?”
“I guess you could say I’ve envied him for years. His parents were called Lycklig. Not many can say that. Also, he always stole things from me. As we’ve gotten older, it’s gotten worse.” These were only half of my reasons, but I couldn’t tell her that. Lady Elizabeth smiled.
“What happened to your birth parents?” At that, I sat perfectly still.
“They died in a fire six years ago. I almost didn’t make it out.” My voice was completely empty of emotion. I stared at the table numbly. I didn’t know how to feel at that moment. Should I dip my head as a show of respect? Or should I keep her head high? My parents had been loyal to Lejon to the point where it seemed they forgot about me. What should I do? Then Lady Elizabeth stole me from my thoughts.
“Six years, you say?”
“Yes, my lady. The very same day the Princess went missing.”
“I’m very sorry. Lejon lost many brave people that day.” Her voice was devoid of emotion and I got the impression that Lady Elizabeth only spoke out of basic courtesy.
“Thank you.” I mumbled as I tried to pick apart the conflicted feelings in my chest. Lady Elizabeth replied with a nod.
“Would you be willing to swear an oath?” She asked.
“What oath would you have me make?” Swearing an oath-that’s not suspicious..
“I just want to make sure you return with Princess Azalee and Prince Teravian. They are Lejon’s last hope, you know.”
“I’ll make sure we return with them, or not at all.” What am I doing? “I promise you that much, my lady.” Lady Elizabeth smiled; yet, like before it seemed forced.
“Alora, I think it is time to call in your companion.” Seeing the frown on my face, she added, “You will need to get accustomed to this. The two of you will be traveling together for days, perhaps weeks.” I sighed and nodded. “Are you ready for me to call him in?”
“Yes, my lady.” With a slight smile, Lady Elizabeth banged her fist on the table. Instantly, guards dragged Archer in. I was unable to see him at first-the guards remained in a cluster around him; presumably tying him up.
I stared at the table as I tried to fight off these foreign feelings, as a Krigare should be able to. Krigare, after all, means warrior in the ancient language. I should be able to take anything.
Should be.
I like this!!!