The Blood in Our Veins

I stood on my balcony in the black of night. The chilling October wind swirled around me, attempting to change my decision. It tried in vain, for my mind was made up. I climbed onto the rail. The drop I now faced seemed almost never ending. I surely wouldn't survive the fall. There was a sudden pounding on my door. Shouts emanated from the other side.

"They're coming." I thought. "Go! Quickly!" The door shattered into millions of tiny splinters. I closed my eyes and jumped. Air rushed by my face. I landed with a thud and a cry of agony. Pain shot through my ankle and I found that it was bent at an odd angle. Despite this, I had welcomed the pain as a reminder that I was alive.

With a glance, I realized that my would-be husband stood high above me, shaking with obvious rage. For my benefit, I waved and ran as best I could through the gardens, over the gate and into freedom. I laughed gleefully as I took in the fresh air, away from the stuffy palace I once called my home. The corruptions of the court were now no longer something I had to worry about.

I quickly made my way to the village and froze, horrified and scared.  The statue of my father, King Aidan, had been torn down, lying as a heap of rubble in the square. Commoners with torches and axes sang happily and danced around it. I slowly inched toward the scene and pulled my black cloak more tightly around me. On closer inspection, I realized that these were not villagers, but soldiers. Their shouts were not merely exclamations, as I had previously thought. They were chants.

"Down with the bloodline!" They cried. "Lord Gallahein shall rule!" I then ran frantically away from the southerners. If they wanted my coldblooded uncle to be King, then they would have to destroy the existing royal family. That included me. I bolted to the nearest house and beat on the door as hard as I possibly could. A woman swiftly opened it.

"May I help you?" she asked, clearly agitated. "What could you possibly want at this late hour?"

"Shelter. From them." I replied quickly, gesturing to the mess behind me. Her eyes widened and she moved aside. The room before me was small, but cozy. A small fire burned in the corner and two childern were huddled together by it, fast asleep. A doorway led to another room, but it was too dark to see what lay beyond it.

"Who are you to need protection from the southies?" the woman asked.

"Are you a supporter of the throne?" I demanded. Having this woman turn me in was the last thing I needed. In fact, it would probably be the last thing I got. The commoner nodded warily, narrowing her eyes. I removed my hood and straightened my spine. 

"I am Princess Sindri Willow, future High Queen of Arkenon."