In The Arms of a God

Chapter 1

Serinity looked up at the sun, it was midday and she and ridden since midnight. She needed to find somewhere to hide and rest for both her and her horse. Surly the king had noticed she was gone by now and has sent men out to hunt her down.
The princess reflected on the night before as she searched for a place of concealment.
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"Serinity you must awake child." Her mother, the Queen shook her gently. "The King has sworn your death."
"Father? But why would..." The seventeen year old began sleepily.
"Because he is not your father," Queen Ellanor interrupted. "My daughter, I know this is much to take in but there is no time. You must leave quietly and with great hast."
"Please come with me Mother, with out you who will guide me?" Serinity begged.
" I can not." The woman hugged her daughter. "If I were to leave too he would know too soon. I must stay and make excuses to delay him. Now go. Your horse has been made ready and the necessities packed. I will help you dress."
Her mother had dressed her in simple peasant clothes. A short leather shirt with no sleeves and a long leather skirt with slits up to both hips. They rubbed charcoal in her long silver hair to hide her royal status.
"Take the servant's passages until you reach the stables, that will be the safest path." Ellanor pulled back the tapestry beside the hearth to reveal a hidden door. She kissed Serinity on the forehead and made the sign of protection over her heart. "Be safe my daughter."
She draped a rough spun cloak over her shoulders and ushered her out the door.
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Her nerves had remained on edge until she was through the castle gates and out of the city. Now her heart was pounding again as she searched for a sanctuary. She looked all around her for a place hidden enough that she would not be found. Nothing.
Suddenly the wind kicked up and blew two bushes in opposite directions. In between those was a patch of darkness the had been completely hidden before. The wind died down and the bushes went back to their original positions, the cave was hidden once more.