Her Majesty's Claims

Silver Shadow Forest #1

Cold, so cold my breath suspends in the air like a fog. There are shadows in the woods where it’s dark enough they blend in with the trees. Uncovered roots that I can’t see ahead of time, because of the thick moisture that hangs in the air as a low cloud. I’m stumbling, panting for a breath and seeking safety somewhere. Where?

I’m  waiting for the break of daylight at the edge of the dark forest. Yet, there seems to be no end. I’m running for my life and I’m in a panic, my heart is in a rush. I keep looking ahead, too afraid to turn my eyes back to see the monster- Suddenly, a scream rips through the forest. The shadows, shapes, figures of my imagination stand in place with the silvery, slithering fog. I hesitate because I know that voice. I’ve heard it before someplace.

I wake up sucking lung fills of air. My bed was damp with sweat and the room was still dark with not even the comfort of moonlight outside to laminate the shadows in my room. I flung off my sheets and made my way to the bathroom sink. Splashing my face I kept trying to remember how many times I’ve had that dream. The answer is as many nights as I’ve ever slept. Not just at night either. It was a rare reality that I ever slept through these dreams in the forest....or really the dream in the forest. It’s always the same. Someone is dying and for some reason I’m unsure of who, but I know it was the monsters following  me that got them. Yet I know the monsters are nearby no matter how far back the scream seemed to be.

It’s only a dream right? There’s not a reason for me to actually have feared anything. I was in the castle, my parents were in the East bedroom so they would rise for their duties. I lived in the West tower of the castle because I like to see the sun set out of my clear, glass windows. The view looks beautiful with the town set alight and the reds that burn in the sky. Yet, I can see part of the Silver Shadow Forest that lines the North side of the kingdom.

There’s an old trail that we used to use through the forest. I’m not sure why we don’t anymore. All I know is that it seems to be a great risk to try to pass through the forest. We even have a gate blocking the trail now. My parents are planning to make a journey down the trail by the next full moon though; which happens to be my birthday. They’ve been telling me how my great, great, great, great grandparents were the ones to close it off. They say that it’s been so long the people don’t know what to be afraid of anymore. They say that there’s folktales out there, but nothing truly harmful. Well other than the gate, we have a wall that surrounds the North of the kingdom and even the castle. Why would an empire as strong as our own go through the effort if it weren’t for good reason?

I walk to the window, which now has a slight blue shaded sky pouring in from the morning sun. As I was watching outside, I looked out at the edge of the forest where I watched the moving shadows. Shadows don’t move unless there’s something to move them right? Maybe it’s just the trees in the breeze then. As far as my eyes told me, there was not a creature in the woods that moved as lithe as the shadows in the Silver Shadow Forest.

Knock! Knock!

My door opened quickly as I tensed and wrapped my arms around my nightgown. Who would be here so early? A head peaked around the door with a hand over his eyes. He moved a finger for a view. Julius grinned and barely fought to hide his smirk as he looked at me from head to toe. With only my thin white nightgown I fought the blush that found its way to my cheeks. It was kind of awkward since he just looked at me with a one sided grin, and I didn't know why he was here...

"Why are you here, Julius?" I asked a little harsh. I am supposed to be a princess and peaking in on me at the crack of dawn isn't polite, especially when I'm indecent. Julius cleared his throat and moved his eyes back to my face slowly, gathering my apparel one more time. When he made it to my eyes, I did the best -___- face I could.

"I just came to ask her majesty out for a ride. After all, doesn't Pepper look a little lonely in the stables?" Pepper is my white Alpino horse. She has little spots of black near her tail and down her back legs, which is the reason for her name. Julius is my best friend since we were babies. I've known him my whole life. We go riding around town all of the time. It used to be so fun that we would sneak out in the wee hours of the morning. I don't think we've done this for years. What a suprise!

"I suppose she is. And what about Salt? Do you think your old horse will be up for it?" I asked, challenging my life long friend. Julius had a spark in his eye at my agreement. I smiled seeing it. He didn't hesitate to grin back and respond.

"Salt is only as old as I am," Julius said fighting his grin to feign offense.

"Quite true, and you, sir, are quite old," I said hiding my smile. At this, Julius laughed and raised his brows.

"What do you make of it that you are only two years younger, my Lady?" I laughed with him.

"I make it that I am not yet a woman, and you, good gentlemen, are a man. Yet, as man as you are, you continue to sneak around with a girl." I said mocking him now. Of course my birthday is next week, but all the same, I really am seventeen for now.

"Then, let us sneak around like children." Julius laughed and picked me up throwing me over his shoulder and grabbing my coat to throw on top of me. I let out an 'OOF' as his broad shoulder connected roughly with my gut. I gasped for the sake of air as well as surprise as he took off down the hall.

"Julius!" I growled out as he ran quickly down the stairs. I cannot even begin to express how afraid I was that he would fall and both of us would lie at the bottom dead. "Julius! I am going to be your queen one day and for the sake of honor, put me back on my feet or so help me..." I stopped as I felt the cool morning air blow through the thin fabric covering me. Goosebumps raised all over me and I knew this ride would be a refreshing one to say the least.

Julius stopped at the stables and he dropped me. He dropped me flat on my back in the straw! I threw the straw at him and kicked him in the shin where I was laying in the straw bed. Julius had his hands over his face to keep the dust out of his eyes, and when I kicked him he lost balance. Not only did he throw me down here, but now he's fallen on top of me! It wouldn't have been so bad to have all of his warmth so close in the cold stables, if only he weren't so heavy; and if his face weren't merely inches from mine. Don't get me wrong, it's not the first time we've had invasions of space or privacy before. He just makes me feel things I shouldn't feel for my closest friend all of my life.

"Don't you want to go on a ride through the trails?" I asked Julius.

"Er, ya," he answered me. After a second where he didn't move, and just kept staring at me I rasied one eyebrow. Julius sighed and pushed himself up, managing to pull me with him. It was time to ride Salt and Pepper for the first time in the early hours since...well two years ago now that I think about it.

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So, what do you think? Aren't they cute together? It's kind of sweet. Don't think that Rozette is full of pride please. She just has to keep an image as the ruler of the kingdom and if she lets him boss her around then it's not a good image. At least she's got a week left to be a girl.

<3SRD