Four Countries

Chapter Two

I pass the people in the village, headed down south. The sounds of screams and shouts from the village people ring in my ears. As I ride further it becomes distant and the sound of hooves on the ground and the horses breathing become regular. I keep riding, for what only seems like minutes but I realize, from the moon, it has been hours. I finally come upon a village. 

The lights were dimmed, showing that the village was asleep. I ride between the houses, headed for a big house in the center. It had a plaque on it, stating the name of the Lord. I dismount my horse and quickly stride over to the front door. I knock. No reply. I knock. No reply. I bang on the door. "Someone must have heard that. All I need to do now is wait a minute for an answer." I thought to myself. I was right. A couple minutes later, the door opened; revealing a man maybe in his late fifties. He had nightclothes on, showing that he had, indeed, been asleep. 

"Yes," he asks as he rubs his eyes, "May I help you?"

I give a quick curtsy, "My Lord. My name is Katherine. I am the daughter of Lord Robin, leader of the village Borras. I have been sent to deliver news to all the villages of Silarba. The countries, Harena, Monsox, and Gelesgla are approaching our country with the flag of war waving high on their ships. My father asks for men, to fight, to defend our country."

At these words the Lord was wide awake, "Of course! Let me dress and sound the alarm!"

I nod my head, "Thank you, Sir."  I turn to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?" I turn to face him.

"I must pass the message on to the rest of the villages in Silarba."

He nods, "Good fortune be with you."

I give a small smile, "And you as well."

I mount my horse and take off. I stop at another village that night and pass the message along. I left right after the Lord there agreed to send men. I had discovered in my pack many things including: Food, water, a map of Silarba showing all the villages, a knife, and a blanket. The blanket looked real cozy, and as morning was approaching I had to fight off the sleep that kept trying to over take me.

I finally stopped to crash for a couple hours as the sun was slowly rising. I couldn't continue on. I needed some sleep. I tied the horses harness to a tree and curled up on a soft section of grass. My eyes closed and I quickly fell asleep.

****************

I heard a crackle. "What makes a crackle?" I asked my half-asleep self. "Oh, I don't know," I responded to myself, "Maybe it's-" I suddenly sat upright, my eyes wide open. There was a fire. There was a fire? I didn't make a fire. Who made the fire? I look around but don't see anyone. I quickly stand up. I look over to where I had left my horse. "Good she's still there," I think to myself. 

I look around again and see evidence of another sleeping pallet. Someone else is definitely still here. I quickly and quietly gather my things. I attach the bags to my horses's saddle. But, before I can mount my horse I hear a voice.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I look over to see a young man. He has dark brown hair that hangs down into his face. He wears brown leather pants with boots and a white shirt. His blue eyes stare at me. 

"I, um," I say, my thoughts getting lost. I quickly gather myself together. "Who are you?"

The young man raises an eyebrow, "And why might a pretty lady as yourself ask such a question?"

I feel my cheeks turn a light pink. I wasn't used to compliments. "You did invade my camp sight as I slept. Who are you?" I ask again.

He smirks. "The name's Zachary. Zach for short."