Noble Songbird (Old Version)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." 

~Disney's Mulan

Katherine

My father would be furious. It was past sundown and I haven't returned to camp. I was galloping towards the camp entrance on my horse. I flew through the camp so fast that Dawn's hooves were barely touching the ground, but what I saw upon my entry made my stomach drop. My father already knew. I yanked on my reins to avoid colliding with him. Dawn came to a stop just feet in front of him. I tried to avoid his gaze as I nonchalantly dismounted. I began leading Dawn to the stables when I heard an all too familiar yell.

"Katherine! You broke curfew, AGAIN!"

"Sorry, father. Dawn rolled her ankle so we had to stop." I lied, still avoiding eye contact.

"Enough with your excuses." he bellowed. The whole camp went silent. "Go put your horse away and go straight to your tent, I will deal with you later." he spat. Without saying another word, I turned and continued toward the stables surrounded by a cloud of shame.

After I removing all of my riding gear and placing them in their proper places, I began to brush out my Palomino's golden mane. "I always hate coming back. One of these days we won't come back here, we will be free. No more curfews, no more stench of rum, no more yelling. Just you and I in the woods. Maybe we could live in the forest of Xenyth. Or maybe we could go to Katanor! That's far away from here." Dawn nickered softly in response.

Realizing just how long I was in the stables I threw the comb onto the shelf and gathered my skirts into my calloused hands, "I must be off to my tent before father finds I'm not there. I will see you tomorrow." I gave one last look at my horse then I scurried out of the stables and into my tent.

After a few minutes of daydreaming I heard footsteps approach my tent.

"Katherine?"

"Yes?" My father pulled back the tent flap and entered with a stern look on his face.

"Hello, father. How was your day?" I asked with an innocent expression and extra sweetness in my voice hoping that he might have forgotten about my broken curfew. But, he remembered.

"Don't act cute with me. I tried to be lenient and this is how you repay me?" he growled.

"I-I'm sorry, but I-" I stammered, slightly surprised at his menacing tone.

"But Nothin'! This was your last straw." he said pointing a disapproving finger at me.

"But I-" I tried to interject, but to no avail.

"You have done nothing but disobey me."

"Father! Please, lis-!" I begged before he cut me off.

"No, you listen! I will have no more excuses from you. I have heard enough. Disobey me one more time and I will sell you and your horse on Quendaywr's market." I closed my lips tightly and fearfully waited for my father's next words. "I have not come to scold you, I also bring joyous news." he paused, "Our efforts in Quedaywr are finally paying off."

Now I was completely confused. It must have shown on my face because my father began to elaborate. "For the past few weeks we have been creating havoc in Quendaywr while you were busy disobeying orders. We have been sparking riots in order to lure one of the royals out of their castle. Finally we have caught their attention and they are sending their only heir to calm these riots. Prince Nicholas of Candonia. The distance between the heart of Quendaywr and the castle is two days. Our sources say that he left the castle this morning. Tomorrow we are kidnapping the prince."