City of the Underground

Return and The Intruder

Jonathan heaved himself up off the moist ground and turned to face Kaylana. The surrounding mannequins were engulfed in darkness. He looked up to the dark night sky that had settled around them.

"The sun has long since fallen m'lady. We should be returning to the castle." He paused before adding, with a coy smile, "We don't want anyone with a misguided impression." He reached down and offered her a friendly hand.

Kaylana could hardly believe that the strong prince that had held his ground in a sword match now stood above her offering her his hand. Her own hesitated before she gingerly took it. He lifted her up easily, and her feet popped firmly down beneath her as she found her balance. She felt a friend during this untimely mess would be quite nice.

"Yes," she ventured. "And your days exertions have very evidently left you more than weary." She smiled knowingly while allowing him a moment to recall the events of the past hour. The night shadows partially hid his face as comprehension dawned.

"It's lucky for you, princess, or else you would have found yourself in a greater deal of trouble." He laughed easily with her.

He turned to her with an exaggerated bow and offered out his arm. She eyed the countenance of this tall prince with tattered clothing and a scuffed appearnce. She looked down at the gesture and turned up to him with a sprouting smile. The first smile he had seen on her since his arrival. He noted her calm eyes contrasted against her upheaved appearance. Her once elegant dress was covered with dirt and wrinkles. A large slit had been cut into the front of the left hand side. He tried to remember the exact point of their match in which it had occurred. Had it been from his blade or her own? Everything had rushed by so fast that he couldn't recall.

Her hair was pushed around and flowed as with a mind of it's own. But the most notable change was her eyes. The fiery emeralds had become as soft and warm as a dancing tree. And now she was taking up his right arm and allowing him to lead the way.

I came with every intention of offending, he thought to himself. I don't know how she ended up more pleased than outraged. I don't know how I ended up that way myself, for that matter.

His focus had not deterred; he still would strive to end the match. Yet suddenly, he was not fighting against the riled maiden but working with her in a common goal. She was not the young woman he had expected to encounter. She was not easily manipulated, and was more than willing to fight her own battles.

He pondered these things as they worked their way back up the hill she had first brought him down. His tired joints began to ache and a faint headache surfaced. Thoughts of a pleasant nights rest called to him. Beside him the happy princess strolled as easily as a carefree spirit. The anger and stress had all but evaporated from her countenance. As they reached the hilltop he broke the peaceful silence.

"You look--different, princess."

She turned to him with a confused smile.

"Really? How so? Oh, and if you don't mind, my name is Kaylana."

He chuckled. "Ok. Kaylana. I meant, without that crazed predatory scowl, you look different."

She tossed her head back in a genuine laugh. "Yes, well I'm not always so riled. However, this was a matter of passion. I could not allow my life to be swept away before me."

"Yes, I understand that now," he replied in pointed agreement.

They had reached the bottom of the hill and followed the winding path through the garden. Easy conversation now flowed between them.

"This is an extraordinary flower garden. That one particularly," he nodded his head towards a bright blue flower with golden freckles. "I've never seen it before."