Finding the Light

Chapter 4- Stolen away

Spring had come to the kingdom of Solum, and populace of the capital city of Civitas was preparing for the celebration of the suns return. Entertainers, vendors and merrymakers flooded every street and occupied every corner. The air was fragrant with spring breezes, the smell of baked treats and banners flapping in the wind. Everyone had a good reason to be happy, with a few exceptions.

Iris of course had no idea of the importance of the festival, and could take no part in the joys of spring, so to her it was just another day. Cole had visited her much earlier then normal, she was sleeping deeply when he arrived, and he only stayed for a few minutes to give her a smuggled gift of a sweet pastry. He had told her of the festival, and how the king had the entire castle attending a feast to celebrate. As the apprentice of the castle physician he was required to attend and would be unable to visit Iris that day. She sent him on his way with a smile, telling him to have fun, while trying to ignore her own longing to go with him.

She nibbled on her sweet bun, savoring the taste of the strange delicacy. Something so much richer then her normal food could easily upset her stomach so she ate it cautiously. She was tired from lack of sleep because she had been unable to rest after Cole had visited her in the early morning. She now lay on her threadbare blanket imagining what a feast would be like. She pictured Cole, in the fancy white shirt and black trousers he had been wearing that morning, dancing in a grand, brightly lit room. Iris tried to picture the lady he was dancing with, but couldn't bring herself to give this imaginary person a face.

A strange emotion grew in her chest. She didn't know exactly what it was but it felt like she wanted bad things to happen to that lady dancing with Cole. She shook her head at the irrationality of the thought.

'It's only in your head Iris, stop being foolish.'

But then another thought occurred to her. What if Cole really was up there, dancing with a pretty women, like in her imagination? What if he liked her? What if she liked him back? Would he leave Iris alone in the dark?

"N- no! Cole promised to get me out of here, I believe in him.' She thought to herself. But the niggling doubt refused to leave.

She sat like that for a long time, trying to imagine details of what a feast would be like, without thinking about Cole. It was harder then she thought. Her daily meal came at it's usual time, the guards changed, the one taking his post outside was very drunk and singing badly. Now was usually the time Cole would normally be visiting, she had to forcibly suppress her anticipation, reminding herself that he was at the feast. Iris wished she could tell the guard to shut up, but couldn't work up the nerve to talk to someone other then Cole. Even if his singing was horrendous. She was tired and was contemplating trying to sleep with all the noise when the guard suddenly stopped his drunken warbling. She sighed in relief, thinking that the intoxicated fool had finally passed out.

Then she heard the distinctive click of the lock. Out of habit she snapped to attention, her body having come to recognise the sound with Cole's presence. But hadn't he said he wouldn't be coming today? She stood but stayed in place, some inner instinct warning her something was not as it should be. The door opened slowly and Iris stiffened. In the doorway stood a tall man dressed all in black. His features where covered by a black cloth wrapped around his head and a black cloak hung from his broad shoulders. In his hand he held a sword with a long thin, slightly curving blade. His eyes, undeterred by the dark immediately fell on Iris, finding her instantly out of the shadows.

The man made room for a second man dressed in similar clothes to make his way into the room. The second man wasn't as tall as the first, nor as muscular from what Iris could assume, but his movements were sharp and quick. The first man stood in the doorway glancing up and down the hall, keeping a lookout. The second one started to approach Iris, his steps quick and precise. She shrank away, pressing her back against the wall and balling her hands into fists. She was incredibly aware that it was two against one, and that they were armed. Cole's teachings had only taught her the basics of the outside world, reading, writing and some basic maths, he had never taught her how to defend herself. But even a cornered animal would fight for it's life when necessary. The second man saw her reaction to his advance, stopped, and put up his hands to show he wasn't armed.