For The Love Of Camelot ~ Arthur Pendragon~ Editing

Chapter Three~Edited

Chapter Three

The sun was beginning to set on the third day of their journey, when the riders saw a horse galloping towards them. "Looks like one of ours" Adelaide spoke as she squinted to try to get a better look at the rider. "I think Addie's right, father" William said getting off his horse. The rest of the party dismounted as the rider approached.

"My Lord, Adreabeth is under attack" The knight paused for a moment to look at his King before continuing. "They have taken the council captive". " How did this happen, how did they get in" exclaimed Edmund as he stared intently at the young horseman. "Somehow they knew the royal family was not in the city, and they used it to their advantage" gasped the horseman. "They must be stopped. What are their demands? Why have they taken captive of our people?" demanded Sir James, a knight of Adreabeth. "They gave us an ultimatum. They are demanding that we deliver to them the fang of a Parafont beast " said the rider.

The Parafont Beast fang was known across the lands for its beauty and desirability, but more importantly it was feared by many as the ultimate weapon against the most powerful sorcerers in the land. In the wrong hands the fang could be used as the ultimate weapon of pure evil. Retrieving the fang put everyone involved at risk. Not much was known about the Parafont beast, but few who took on the task made it out alive. The challenge was great but the knights knew that the king would do anything to rescue his kingdom. Fear flashed across the King's already stressed face, but he quickly composed himself. It was not advised for him to show fear to his people. The King needed to come up with a plan and he needed to do it fast.

When the king made his decision, he turned to his wife as he spoke, but he was talking to everyone "The Queen, and I will head back to Adreabeth, our people need to know that we are planning to help them. Our daughters will stay outside of the kingdom with a knight, where it is safe. Our sons, and the knights will go to the Caves of Willow's Way to retrieve the fang".

Adelaide gave a brief smile, like she had thought of some brilliant plan, but let it fall before anyone could see it. "We have to leave now if we are to make before darkness" commanded Edmund. The party mounted their horses and separated into groups as they headed towards their given destination. Adelaide, Amelia and Theodora however did not move.

As soon as her father was out of sight, Adelaide fell back onto the thick trunk of the tree, and let out a heavy sigh of annoyance. After a few moments of silence she turned to Amelia. "How dare he make me stay here, I don't need to be kept safe, I can take care of myself". She began to angrily pace back and forth. Adelaide was not happy about the fact her father made them stay "where it was safe". She understood her father's concerns for the innocent young princess, her sister, and Adelaide knew that the king was only looking out for their safety. Yet it still angered her, it stirred a profound, passionate rage within.

Before she had time to think anything through properly, she slide her foot into Morningstar's stirrup and dropped elegantly onto the saddle. Amelia stood perplexed at her mistress's intentions to leave the young servant and the even younger princess, but she understood why Adelaide was behaving in this manner; Adelaide did not like to be left out of activities. Adelaide and Amelia exchanged a look that conveyed the understanding between them; nothing would change Adelaide's mind, she was going to find her brothers. Amelia would protect her sister, Adelaide need not to worried about that, there was no doubt in her mind of this.

Adelaide took a glance back at the two before turning and trotting along the leaf covered path. She headed in the direction her brothers had taken. She knew she needed to be hasty for her brothers were moving fast. The caves were a mere four leagues from the outskirts of the city of Adreabeth; compared to the 50 leagues they were from Camelot. She took one last glance back at her lifelong friend and sister before urging Morningstar onwards.

The last rays of the sun began to fall behind the skyline and twilight had set in. The thick heavy dampness had begun to fall upon the darkened forest. The forest that was once filled with life, had now become silent, and had an eeriness that sent chills down Adelaide's spine.The once sprightly chirps of birds could no longer be heard; only the soft crunch of Morningstar's hoofs upon the fallen leaves. Before long the soft glowing light would dwindle down to nothing, the Princess needed to find her brothers before the darkness descended.

Upon Adelaide's command, Morningstar quickened to a brisk trot. The trees now blurred as she passed them. The forest thickened for a moment, Adelaide felt the sharp thorns lightly tug at the skin on her hands. The scent of stale water wafted through the air.