Vain: A Kingdom In Flames

Chapter 11: The Raid

           The next day we all get up and begin preparing for the raid. We all meet in the meeting room as I explain corridors and methods of getting through the castle. Stephanie seems to be warming up to me much like Cameron and Lorna have. Lorna has quickly become a good friend and sister. Ivan still holds some distant grudge against me and Eliza seems untrusting towards me. Hope seems indifferent at best. It's not until day two when she stops by my area, (I've been assigned an area of training for throwing weapons and traditional sword fighting), that we actually get some alone time. After over an hour of not being able to take my eyes from her, she finally speak up on the topic.

          "Danny, its going to be difficult for you to fight if you keep gawking at me like child."

           Stunned at her less than inviting response I say, "Your beautiful! How could I not gawk as child?"

           She eyes me and says, "I understand everything in your entire life has been handed to you Sir Vain, but I'm not some woman a prince can order at his leisure! God will decide what man I am to find and It certainly isn't a spoiled son of a tyrant!" Her words would almost hurt, but instead only entices me to pursue her further. Shes right, everything I've ever had was handed to me, and her not being the same makes her even more attractive, almost like I have something to fight for!

           I look to her and say, "You had just better hope you don't let me slip away then!" I say hope sort of sarcastically. She looks at me and tries to slap me across my cheek but I catch her hand instinctively. I let go and say, "Oh, my apologies, I didn't mean to-" She takes out her sword and swings it at me. I grab her hand again and pull my sword. "You keep this up and no man will dare try to court you!"

           She yanks free and swings again and says, "I'd just as well hope any man such as yourself wouldn't!" She says hope sarcastically as I did earlier.

           She swings again and I easily block and say, "Stealing my joke? How original!" I laugh and she angrily swings again. Then she draws a dagger and tries to tackle me to the ground. By this time I see that both Elizabeth and Cameron have come around the corner to watch, Cameron appears to be holding her back. I fall backwards, more on purpose then anything else. She jumps on top of me and holds the dagger to my neck. I hold my hands up in surrender and say, "Men don't tell you your beautiful often do they?"

           She angrily stands and says, "No".

           I stand and begin dusting myself off as I say "I wonder why?"

           She storms off and Eliza walks up and says, "What was that about?!" Cameron is right behind her.

           "Danny was trying to win a woman's heart, a dark thing to be winning," he says as he laughs.

           Eliza gives him a sharp look and exclaims, "I never tried to kill a man that courted me."

           Cameron tries to control his laughter as he says, "You've tried to kill me several times!" She hits him in the shoulder and he walks off in gail's of laughter.

           She looks back to me, "Danny, be careful, a woman's heart is nothing to be played with. I dont know how you acted as a prince, but down here in the real world, a woman can actually be hurt." She turns and walks away.