Arizium

Chapter 3

The sun rose over the east horizon, sending servants scurrying from their chambers in order to ready for the day ahead. Stable boys went to clean and ready horses, cooks went to prepare the first meals, and personal servants went to wake their masters. 

 "Rise and shine, my lady." Said Malilia, Amaria's favorite servant. The princess responded with a long groan and covered her face. "You must break your fast before riding out into the Unmapped Forest." Malilia parted the curtains that were blocking the morning light from filtering in. The girl's olive skin and black hair glowed from the sudden light. Amaria groaned again, but this time sat up. 

 A small pack of clothes that the girl had prepared for Amaria was sitting at the end of the bed. The princess grabbed it and set off to the kitchens, hunting for something to eat before she left. Lucius was already in the dining hall, nibbling at some eggs and berries and looking over some hastily scrawled maps of the supposed Unmapped Forest. 

 "Sleep well, brother?" Amaria said as she sat down next to him. 

 "No," He pushed a bowl of berries towards her "Those damned ravens kept me up late." Amaria took a blueberry and popped it in her mouth, the juices refreshed her and washed away the last of her weariness. 

"I wonder if it's mating season." She said, and grabbed another blueberry. 

 "I'll have to send archers out to clean them out." Lucius said "I wish we had better maps of this cursed forest." He stabbed the corner of one with his dirk.

 "It's called the Unmapped Forest for a reason, brother." 

 "Then someone bloody well start mapping it." They finished their small breakfast quickly and walked down to the stables. A stable boy was there with three horses ready and saddled, a white mare named Frostea, a black stallion called Fyair, and a bay pack horse. The boy put the twins' supplies on the bay while they mounted their horses. Once everything was tied up and ready to go, Amaria and Lucius rode out to the gates where ten men sat waiting on horses along with two more pack horses. A couple more servants came out to double check that everything was secure. As soon as they were done, Lucius started giving the command to ride. 

 "Wait!" Someone had shouted. Amaria looked for the source, and found the apothecary, he still had his night clothes on, and they were flapping madly as he ran towards them. Amaria swiftly dismounted and strutted over to him. "This better be important," She scoffed and crossed her arms "We were just about to leave." 

 The old man was doubled over, breathing hard. "She... she's... awake." He managed to gasp out between pants. Amaria looked over her shoulder and signaled Lucius to dismount and come. The prince ordered the men to wait, obviously displeased at doing so, and jogged over. 

 "The girl's awake." Amaria stated. Lucius didn't need any more instructions. They both ran to the infirmary wing, shoving servants out of their way. Amaria heaved the double doors of the infirmary open and the twins bent over gasping for breath. Once their breathing slowed, both looked up slowly. The girl was looking out the window, her arms crossed casually over her chest. She turned to look at them, her big brown eyes full of fear. Someone had brushed out her short black hair so it was curly, fluffy, and parted to the right, which caused a couple strands occasionally fell over her eye. She was thin in both body and face, but seemed fairly healthy. 

 Amaria approached her slowly and said "It's alright, we won't hurt you. I'm Amaria, and this is my brother, Lucius. What is your name?" 

 The girl was breathing heavily, her arms had uncrossed while Amaria was talking and were now tensed into fists by her sides. "Why am I here." She demanded. Her voice was scruffy, it didn't sound female or male. Amaria started wondering if she was an Oras, one of neither gender, but then shook her head. She was definitely female, the apothecary had checked. 

 "We found you in a tree. On forbidden ground, no less. Maybe we should be asking you why you're here." Lucius said, danger evident in his tone. He leaned casually against the wall by the door. 

 "I-I really don't know." The girl stammered "The last thing I remember is waking up here with a weird man leaning over me." 

 "Do you at least remember your name?" Amaria asked. 

 The girl blushed and said hesitantly, "Um... Raven, I believe." 

 "Liar." Lucius stated, sticking with the dangerous tone. 

 The girl seemed to cower slightly, "I-I can't remember my name, um, my lord." 

 "Why choose Raven?" Amaria asked cautiously. 

 "I, um, don't know. It just seems right." The girl dropped her gaze and grabbed her right arm with her left. Amaria looked back at Lucius again. They traded looks, speaking without speaking, a thing that only twins could do. Both read the looks easily. 

 What do we do? Amaria seemed to say. 

 Leave her. Lucius glared at Raven. 

 We can't leave her, Father might be cross if we leave a criminal here alone. 

Well we can't take her with us. That's one more mouth to feed. 

 I doubt we'll ever have to worry about her, she seems the independant type. Besides, we have ten guards that are fully capable of disposing of her if she gets violent. 

 Lucius glared at Amaria. Clearly not liking the obvious answer. But he responded anyway. Fine. Amaria turned back to Raven, who was gazing out the window nervously, watching black birds streak across the sky. "Raven? We were just about to leave when we got word that you had woken up. Would you mind coming with us on a small journey?" 

 Raven moved her gaze back to Amaria and said, "Um. I guess." 

 Amaria smiled, "Don't worry, you'll be under surveillance the whole time." She had meant to make it sound like a sugar-coated threat.