Trapped by Destiny

Beware of the Red

Melody and I rode our horse in silence. There wasn't much to say. I didn't know her. We introduced each other after Maria had left to do whatever duty she had to. I didn't understand why Maria would choose something she didn't want when she wanted to go with us. I guess that was the fate of a royal. They had obligations others did not see. This wasn't even a part of my plan. I came to help Maria out of her prison. Everyone told me not to go back to the castle. But I couldn't leave her. "So..." I heard Melody trail off. "So..." I repeated, matching her tone.

"Why did you come back for her?" Melody asked me. "Have you ever met someone you just knew you were meant for? When you look in their eyes, you just knew you were born to gaze into them?" I asked her, smiling softly to myself as I thought of Maria. Her eyes lit up when I first took her to my camp. Even though, she lied to me about who she was, I understood why. I  No matter what I believe, I know my heart chooses Maria. I simply hope she would start choosing me too. "You love her?" Melody asked me. "I wouldn't say that yet but I know we have a connection. And I want to explore that," I answered. I knew it was almost impossible since she was getting married to the rising King of Vudel.  But almost wasn't a hundred percent. I had a chance. I simply needed to be careful.

The rest of the ride, she did not talk much. I tried to make side chat, asking her about Maria but she seemed like she did not want to tell me. Or it wasn't her place to tell me. Soon enough we reached Winderism Grove. I stepped down off my horse and walked too Melody to help her down. I walked out hoorses over to the nearest tree and tied them. Then walked over to Melody who was staring at a sign. She clenched to the book in her hand and I looked at the sign. Beware of the Red was written in red ink. "What do you think it means?" Melody asked me. "Whatever it is, we have to be careful," I said. I handed Melody a small sword. "Incase you need to protect yourself," I said, moving in front of her. If any danger were to come, they would goo through me before her.

Carefully, I moved through the flower green vines that marked the entrance of the grove. As I we entered, I was taken away by how whismical it looked. There were small lights flying everything. I guessed it was fairies. They buzzed around us as their plants glowed. Even the grass glowed with a magical light with each step we took. "Um, was as Hello?" Melody said loudlly. "What are you doing?" I whispiered to her. "Asking for help," she whispiered back before gooing back to her loud tone, "Can anyone help us find Pandora?"

There was a mutual gasp as the lights buzzed around fanticly. The place went dark then there was a creature. I didn't get a good look of what it looked before it picked us up, flying us somewhere. It had arms, big strong wings that allowed it to carry our weight, and nails long to strach anything in it's touch. It dropped us harshly. I sat up alarmed, trying to figure out where we were. We were in front of a painting of a woman. She wore this red, astrymical dress that trailed behind her. The dressed revealed her body in a way that seemed almost lace like, only covering what needed to be covered. But it wasn't a foral print, it was a solid diagonal pieces covering her. Her hands lit with a red light. She wore a crown that seemed to black. There were three arms behind her, like they were there to protector her. She brown skin seemed darker than it was shown. It might be like that since it was painted on a gray wall. I figured the painting was of Pandora. She didn't seem like a godness.

Melody went over to the painting and rubbed over some carvings. I watched her open her book to solve what it meant. "We have to put our gifts in front of it. If accepted, she'll come out," Melody stated. I remooved my quiver so I could look through it more clearly. I pulled out my oldest bow. I looked over to Melody who had a piece of paper. "What are you giving her?" she asked me. "The only thing that ever gave me a reason to live. My first bow," I said with a soft smile. "You?" I asked her. "A letter my mother wrote to me before she passed," she told me sadly. "I'm sorry for your lost," I said. She mumbled a soft thank you before placing it in front of the painting. I placed my bow beside her letter then waited.

For a few moments there was silence. Then the ground started to shake, the spot where we placed our gifts were being absored in the dirt. Then the painting opened. It revealved a nest type of throne. A woman in the same red dress was in the painting. She was surroounded by creatures that were as big as me, with big wings, fangs, and horns. The woman stood, making a staff appear at her size. "Bow," she said in a commanding tone as she looked down at us. I have never bowed before any royalty in my life. But this wasn't for me. I slowly and hestiantly went down too bow beside Melody. I urged Melody to do the talking for both of us. After all, she had more expiernce with the higher class.

"Your majesty," she said with a hint of unsureness."My name is Melody. This is Liam. We came for your help." Pandora made a motion for us to rise before lifting her hand. Her hands glowing red. She smirked wickedly as if she was reading us. "You came for Maria," she stated. We nodded. "You've been haunting her. She wants to know why. Along with this list of questions," Melody said, taking the piece of paper Maria had given us out of the book she had brought with her and holding it up to Pandora. One of the creautes moved to take the paper and bring it to Pandora. She chuckled to herself before turning to us. The way she moved it seemed she was imhuman. Like grace and stillness was mixed into her way of life. It was impossible to read her face. It showed no emotion and neither did her voice. Yet, it was strong, powerful, and could easily be heard through the loudest storm. "If Maria wants to know her gift, she must be paitent. Instead of fighting the dream, give into it. She will learn soon," she said.

She walked down towards us. "Is that all that you want from me?" she asked, looking directly at me. "Yes," Melody answered for the both of us. "I wasn't asking you," she said bluntly. "I'm asking him," she said. I didn't know what to say. Should I ask her? What if it comes at a price? Screw the price. "Can you help me stay with Maria? In a way that won't make it dangerous," I asked her deprestaley. "Of course, I can," she answered. "But, you must get Maria here once a week. That's all I will require of you for now," she stated. It didn't show bad at all. It was an easy compromise. "Done," I agreed. She smirked, lifting her hand that glowed red. She swirled her fingers around and the light shined on me. I could feel my clothes change to heavy metal. I felt a swore in hand and she held up a mirror. I looked completely different. "Now when people other than those who knows you will see this. You are a guard, personally assigned to Maria," she informed me.

"Thank you," I said. I looked over to Melody who was stunned in belief. This may have been the stupidest thing I ever done. And what was it for? Her. Because I want to help her. I want to save her. I want to have the freedom to love her. I wanted to tell Melody that she could trust me. That I knew what I was doing and that I would be careful. "When you get back to castle, everyone will know you as Jones. Don't mess this up," she said. I nodded, saying another thank you before moving away to Melody. The minute I got close to her a cloud of smoke had surrounded us.

I looked around as it faded and we were in front of the castle. Our horses beside her and our weapons back in hand. Bloody Magic. That woman had teleported us here. "How could you be so stupid?" I heard Melody say. "Do you not know the rules of magic? All magic has a price," Melody spit out. "Then I will pay it," I said. "You have no idea what you signed up for," she said. I shook my head. "I do."

I knew magic was unpredictable and dangerous. I knew that I could have possibly sold my life to that woman but it is giving me the opportunity to go after what I want. "I don't come from much. I'm a thief. But I don't steal for just me. I steal from those you are not deserving of what they have. I steal so that the parent less and homeless can eat at night. But as for right now, I know Maria needs me. Maybe not to save her but I can at least protect her from the darkness that surrounds her. I can take her away from all of this. Give me the chance. Please," I said to her. I meant every word. From the moment I met her, I knew she was special. And the way she talked about her life as a princess, she didn't want it. And no one should have to live the life they do not want.