A chance of fate (on hold currently)

Chapter 2: A ransom

This was a forest. Or rather it used to be. All around soldiers were cutting down trees to make room for more tents.

"Can you hear it?" Byron again, he is starting to get annoying.

"I am trying very hard not to." I scowled. I could hear one tree crying out to me as it was cut down. I wish I could help her. Some of those tree held dryads, but only elves could talk to them, to every other race dryads were considered myth. 

I tried to avoid the silent screams as best I could, if only I could get my hands one the one who was doing that....  I looked down and immediately began to scratch my wrists, which were chained. Those chains were strong too, I thought to myself, having checked and rechecked their durability  nearly the whole trip.

About twenty feet in front of us was the prince, talking to somebody. He appeared to be arguing, about what I didn't know. I wonder if you can die of boredom? Looking back I realized that they had stop fighting and now the prince was walking towards us, with a sour look on his face. Guess he lost. *Note to self* figure out his real name so I can stop calling him prince. 

*Slam* He let out all of his pent up anger on the poor door which broke from its hinges. wow he is strong. 

"Get out!" He yelled. OK, never mind, he is still angry. 

One by one we hobbled out of our suddenly claustrophobic cage. All five of us were dragged to the middle of camp where around fifty other prisoners(by the looks of it), were being held.

"OK. Listen up! I am only going to say this once. Each of you was previously imprisoned for some reason. We are giving you a chance to redeem yourselves. Individually we will review your sentence and your crime. Since you all committed some crime against the kingdom, their will be no chance for complete freedom instead we offer the next best. Enlistment in the armies of Caledonia, with your serving time depending on your crime. If you refuse to serve you will be sold to further benefit our cause" He paused, then continued. "I will however offer immediate freedom to whoever can give accurate information on the infamous mercenary, who goes by the name of Echo." 

I stiffened at that. Echo. He meant me but why would they be interested in me personally? I usually worked for small groups, not kings. I had been offered a job for a king once but as a rule I avoided royalty. I hate becoming a scapegoat.

Gasps echoed through the crowd as they heard that little piece of information. Echo was a well known person among, well everybody. But nobody actually knows who the person is. Our individual identity is always kept a secret, for obvious reasons. Whenever I did a job I wore a full face mask. Any information known was minimal, only that the name was passed down.

"A new piece of information was recently given that whoever is currently Echo has a tattoo of a dragon." Great just what I need an identifying mark. Whoever gave that information was truly well informed, and the information was true.

"When you hear your name, raise your hand and you will be directed towards my tent where your trial will be held. First up: Christopher Rogers!"

A older man raised his hand and was led away by two guards. It took awhile but soon my name was called: "Emma Rochester!"

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Vote. comment. I think my chapters will be around this. I never have been much for long chapters and this makes it so I can post faster. I really hope you all still like my writing, I am trying my best. Like I said this is a rough draft, because I do not have all the time in the world, also if I edit every chapter I might stop posting. Anyway tell me if you like it or not, please comment. I am welcome on any friendly advice. TTYL.

found a new cover on deviantart.com by: Valentine-FOV-Stock< Completely her picture.