The Princess is a Spitfire

Ch. 4 : Journey

Cadell and Tristian sat comfortably on either side of their father as they enjoyed their morning breakfast they barely took up any space on the seats surrounding the massive wooden dining table. 

King Archibald sat with several new alterations to the tax levies and new edict. Griffith and Cadell discussed a recent hunt, and were planning another one for the following week.

"So Father, I hear Ada took the news of her betrothal remarkably well, I would've thought  she'd be all aflutter at the notion of marrying a complete stranger." Cadell remarked in equal parts humor and seriousness.

"Cadell your sarcasm isn't appreciated, and she is in fact my daughter and it is MY kingdom. Whatever decisions I make are for the good of the state; and I must deal with any guilt or repercussions that follow." Archibald lectured

"Yes..."Cadell muttered "And whoever's life you choose to toy with even be it completely asinine may you-"

"Come now brother, we should be celebrating; after all Father managed to escape being murdered after springing an arranged marriage on Adaira. Father, be grateful you didn't introduce the suitor to her afterwards, she would have castrated the poor bastard." Griffith chimed in smirking over his goblet

 "Did you boys know that the Kingdom of the Northern Isles once had a Princess she was a twin apparently to one of their sons, sickly little thing apparently, but lived well into her childhood until she died in an accident. So I repeat that the two of you should bite your tongue because had circumstances been different, it could've just as easily been one of you being where she is now."

"Talking of Ada's impending doom are we?" Tristian cut in

The King sighed "It's marriage, not the end of the world, and yes it kills me to know that my only daughter is going to have an arranged marriage to our enemy as a means to peace, but this feud has been going on for long enough. A marriage was suggested as a permanent treaty, and a marriage there will be."

Cadell replied sharply "Father, haven't you considered the vulnerability you could open us up to if Ada marries to their heir? She could easily be harmed and with her outside our land, how are we to protect her?" he argued, "She is safer with one of our current allies is she not?"

" Truly Father, there isn't any other appropriate alternative to marriage in order to have the alliance with the Northern Isles?" Tristian questioned

a throat cleared from the doorway "Your Majesty," a page announced "Umm....... I..I am n-not very certain how to say this ....bbbut, th-the Princess....Princess Adaira, that is sh...ummm."

"Quit blubbering and spit it out boy!" the King commanded

"The princess.......has ...run away; your Majesty." the page all but whispered

"SHE WHAT?!?!?!!!" Archibald roared

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Adaira's POV

The Journey to her friend Rhona's home was eventful to say the least, She ran into some trouble her second night near the borders of her land. She couldn't have the possibility that anyone would recognize her, her red hair usually made her stand out. Undoubtedly the word would spread quickly that the princess had disappeared. Adaira had Ethne in the stables while she climbed a tree for the night and rested in between two branches and wrapped her cloak around her body like a cocoon, and started to drift to sleep.

Ada jolted awake she heard what sounded like a scream.  She sat up and leaned over her branch to see a woman running to the forest, she squinted and saw two large forms behind gaining on her, Adaira swung down the branches "Give me your hand!!!" she called out the girl whipped around searching for the voice "Up here!" the girl stared at Adaira's outstretched arm with a moments hesitation before reaching and grabbing her hand Ada yanked hard and pulled her up into the cover of the trees. "Start climbing, hide, and don't come out until I say it's safe, got it?" the girl shakily nodded in response. Adaira returned her attention to the monsters storming through the forest. She dropped down the tree and landed in a crouch silently and unsheathed her knife from behind her back. She started towards the men they were armed, she noticed furiously, she stalked out powerfully in plain view of the men, "May I help you lads?" she asked imperiously "Or are you just pouting that your prey got away." They exchanged a quick glace before answering "It's alright we found a suitable replacement.", then rushed towards her she disarmed the first and sliced open the arm of the other, then elbowed the nose hard of the other hearing the satisfying crunch of a broken bone. She smiled turning to the other and slamming her knee hard into his groin and taking his dagger out of his grasp. "How the hell does this whore know how to fight." in response Adaira threw the man's dagger straight into his throat, his eyes went wide Ada turned her back knowing he'd be dead in less than a minute. Turning to face the man's companion she saw him clutching  his arm trying desperately to slow the loss of blood, scared and angry, she lent down and pointed her knife straight at his manhood "Now that you see what I'm capable of, maybe you'll realize I'm not to be trifled with. I could have killed you the first instant I saw you, but I chose not to, because I was taught to attack someone from the back is a coward's move. Unlike you I learned the lesson of honor." Without another word She drew back her sword and beheaded the man.

Adaira cleaned her sword by the bottom of the cape, and sheathed her weapon then turned back to find the girl she's helped. She found the tree she had been sleeping in, the girl was clinging to the trunk and a large branch. "Mind your room." Ada warned and swung herself into the tree. The girl looked like she had gone catatonic, "Are you alright, dear?" The girl didn't respond "Do you have a name?", still no response. "I know you're scared, but you're safe now. I suggest you stay here for the night, and leave with me in the morning. The village you were from, will likely blame you for their deaths, I am traveling far away to a friend's land, it could be a sanctuary for you. Well ...... Goodnight." Adaira finished softly. After a long calm of crickets and birds hooting, "Evina, My name's Evina." the girl whispered. "Nice to meet you Evina, I'm Genevieve."Ada said smiling "Thank you, Genevieve." The two girls fell asleep without another word. 

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