The Evil Queen

Who Are You

Camp was far, about a two hour ride. Algar was first to arrive, as he slowed the horse Theo stirred. He dismounted and pulled her into his arms, as he was laying her on the ground she opened her eyes. "You!" She looked terrified. He dropped her suddenly and backed up. He quickly snatched her chains and secured them around the tree supporting their tent. Theo could hear something in the distance, horse hooves. "Someone is coming." He looked out into the black forest, "I know." Just then Dax and his horse immerged out of the darkness. Algar let out a long breath he had been holding, "Brother!" He grabbed Dax and hugged him tightly. "I almost couldn't find this place." Algar grabbed the horses reins and wrapped them around a branch protruding from Theo's tree. "Were you followed?" Dax shook his head.

Both men turned their attention to Theo, she straightened pulling the skirt of her dress down covering her thighs. Dax shook his head and knelt down to her, "It isn't like that." Her green eyes were glowing, "Then good sir tell me how it is." Dax backed up somewhat intimidated. Algar gave an irritated half smile, "You are a demanded commodity miss." She looked at him confused. Dax glanced at her, he was stunned by her. "Do you really see the future?" Algar scornfully threw his gloves at him, "Dax! Shh." Her gaze became angered. "Is that what's going on here? There has been a terrible mistake." Algar smiled at her, "No there hasn't. And before you try to lie, you recognized me a moment ago. You have seen me before." She became complacent, "You will kill, Ash." Her eyes were filled with sadness. Dax leaned forward, "What?" She pointed at Algar, "He will kill King Ashcroft Bergamot. I've seen it."

Dax stood pulling Algar to his feet, "Did you?" Algar's face wrinkled up, "NO!" Theo interrupted them with her little voice, "I said you WILL." She dragged the last word out slowly. "Why did you take me? Who are you?" Algar sat back down dragging his little brother with him. "Why don't you tell us?" Theo glared at the both of them, "That's not how it works." Dax frowned, "How does it work?" Theo pushed herself back against the tree, "You kidnapped me! Why would I tell you?" She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Algar and Dax exchanged looks. "I'm sure you will when you get hungry." Algar stood up and walked to the fire circle and lit the fire. Dax sat in awl staring at her. She turned looking at him, "What?" He smiled. Theo had laid back against the tree, the drug had her still dizzy. She closed her eyes and drifted back asleep.

"Little brother..." Algar started, "I'm going to catch us a bite to eat. And hopefully some much needed leverage." He pointed at Theo, "Keep an eye on her." Dax turned to Theo he sat against a tree opposite of her. Algar doubled back startling Dax, "And don't talk to her, if she wakes up I mean." Dax nodded. He turned his attention back to the petit woman deep in slumber. Her long hair fell in curls around her pale face. Her lips almost looked like she was pouting, which in itself was quite inviting. Dax continued to look her over, her skirt had been ripped in the ruckus up to her thigh and he could see the skin peeking out. The bodice of her dress was somewhat translucent but just enough to see the golden scar on her chest. As he continued to study her he noticed her eyes darted back and forth under her eyelids. She's dreaming he thought. A smile crept across his face until he saw she looked frightened her face had become distorted and troublesome. "Can you tell me what she's thinking?" Algar nearly made Dax jump out of his skin. "Algar, why would you sneak up on me like that?" Algar laughed at his brother's defensiveness. "If I was an enemy, you'd be dead!" Dax glared at him. "So what is she thinking?" Dax looked on him confused. "Well you nearly bore a hole in her skull, the way you were staring I figured you could read her mind by now." Dax shook his head somewhat embarrassed. Algar tossed a couple small rabbits on the ground and began to dress them.

The smell of a cooked rabbit woke her up, the laudium made her stomach turn. She opened her eyes. Dax and Algar sat across from her, slowly eating. Through a mouthful Dax was the first to speak, "Were you a prisoner there?" The sympathy in his voice caught her attention. She eyed his food wearily. He pulled a strip of meat from his share and held it out to her. Cautiously she grabbed it form him. "Yes, no...not always." Algar narrowed his eyes at her, "What do you mean?" She swallowed the meat down, "I didn't use to be. I use to live there with Ash." "You were free at one point?" Algar handed her a small piece of his. She shook her head, "No, I was never free, but..." She held up her chains, wincing at the pain, "He didn't always use these. Why did you take me?" Dax looked at Algar as he handed Theo another small piece. "Lord Cornell thinks you are a risk with Bergamot. He fears that he will use you to conquer his lands and wipe out the peoples there." She nodded, "That's exactly what he intends to do. But why did you take me? You should have just killed me. You don't know what you have done."