''Flying''

What Happened?

Pacing the courtyard near the stables, Bella can't help the uneasy feeling deep down in her gut. Bella had stopped by Alexis' lessons and her tutor told Bella that Alexis was late from her ride, something her daughter did every morning.

Bella had come down to the stables, thinking that maybe Alexis had lost track of time and was taking care of her horse, but when she got there, the stable head told her that Alexis and her entourage hadn't returned yet. That was when she began worrying.

Horses approach and Bella looks up, hopeful to see Alexis, but sees King Henry and his men instead. Her face quickly goes from hopeful to worried again, once she sees that it's not her daughter, and the grip in her stomach returns in full force.

As soon as Henry rode through the back gates and saw Arabella, he immediately knew something was wrong. One look at her and it wasn't hard to guess what had her worrying so much.

He quickly climbs down from his horse and approaches her, asking if everything is alright. But before she can answer, Alexis' lady in waiting and friend, Lady Callie, comes riding through the courtyard, clearly injured.

Henry rushes to the young woman and helps her down from her horse, sitting her on the ground and keeping her upright.

-"Callie! What happened?" - The fear is clear in Bella's voice.

-"Rogues, my Lady. We were attacked and one of the guards sent me to get help." - The young woman is terrified.

-"Guards!" - Bella calls out.

-"Where were you when they attacked?" - Henry asks, already moving her so Bella can hold her.

-"The sunflower field, ten minutes North of the Castle."

Henry looks back at Arabella, the fear she is feeling all over her face, and yells at his men to mount, before doing the same and rushing his horse forward and out of the courtyard.

He can hear Arabella calling out for him to wait, but time is of the essence and he isn't going to wait for anyone. He knows he should wait for Josh and Jared, but he also knows the Rogues better than they do and there's no time to waste.

Henry rides as fast as he can, thanking the heavens above that he always takes his sword with him whenever he goes for a ride, just in case. He knows he needs to get there fast, otherwise Alexis might be gone by the time he gets there and he doesn't want to think about what they might do to the young woman.

He urges his horse forward and prays that he isn't too late.