Crown of Shadow

Chapter 7

William grimaced and ran his hand through his blonde hair angrily. It had been a whole day since he had recaptured the princess yet his men were barely starting to recover. What drug had she used? He sighed exsasperated. Most of his men injured by one prisoner the rest poisened by another. And by two girls at that! Although the other one might be just what he needed. Unless...... But he had to be sure..... Suddenly the princess still half asleep mumbled, " I am not a princess."

William froze than stalked toward the girl. Then paused. Of course she would say something like that. But it had to be her. he shook his head then turned to see the other women studying him with those intense red brown eyes.

"You, stop looking at me like that! He snapped whirling on the girl. Yet she just rolled her eyes and said nothing. "If I had half a mind I should kill you right now." he snarled in response.

"Well you won't so that makes you pretty darn stupid." she said in a superior tone.

He lunged for her grabbing her neck and running his knife along her cheek. "And who say's I won't." he purred.

The girl smiled and leaning closer so that they were nose to nose simply replied; "You already would have done it seeing how much trouble i've caused.

He was seriously considering putting a scar on her pretty face when behind him came a chorus of groans from his men. For three seconds the two stared straight into eachothers eyes until William reluctantly turned away. He started kicking his men awake angrily and glared back one more time at the defiant young woman.

While he wandered off Elisia now fully awake turned to her. "You really shouldn't provoke him." The girl shrugged and turned away. "Who are you anyway?"

The girl froze then very slowly said: "You can call me Ailiyah."

"That's not your name though is it?" Elisia said. Ailiyah just shook her head and smiled.

"Well I was kidnapped for being a princess, which for the record, I'm not. I was born in a small village and raised by my father and now I'm tied to a freaking tree with another girl I only just met! How bout you?" Elisia said all in a rush.

Ailiyah laughed a quite pleasant sound really and said: "My stories a long and dangerous one and frankly I would rather not get into it while tied to a tree with a gash in my stomach."

"Yeah I don't blame you and you really need to get that bandaged." You can call me Andrea by the way if we're not on real name terms yet." Without letting her reply Andrea desperatley searched around only to realize her herb bag was no where in sight. "She turned to Ailiyah. "How are you holding up?"

"Well enough." She groaned putting her hand on her side. It came back warm and sticky. She then glanced at Williams retreating back then quickly dug in a secret compartment in her black vest.

"How did you get your hands undone?" Andrea gasped.

"Trade secret," she answered pulling a small dagger from the pocket she was searching through. Quietly she started to saw through the rough ropes binding her to the tree.

Suddenly William spun around just as she tore off the last rope binding her. Shock filled his eyes as he sprinted toward her.

Ailiyah turned toward Andrea with desperation in her startling eyes. "I'm sorry, ill come back." And with that she turned and limped into the forest.

"Thanks for trying!" Andrea yelled angrily at her retreating back.

"Hey!" William shouted charging into the wood. But as he passed Andrea she quickly stuck her foot out, tripping him. He cursed and continued. But afer four hours of searching he came back defeated and frustrated.