I feel the blood rapidly draining from my face. A crowd is circling me. What have I done?
“You there, child, who are ye?” An old woman donning a green robe asks.
“I’m the one…I’m the one she wants. It’s me.” I shrug. I’m not used to so many people and animals staring at me. As I scan the sea of confused expressions, I spot one whose face is filled with pain and disappointment. Tristan looks heart broken. He knows what I’ve done and there’s no going back from it. By making it known to the group, I have no choice but to go to the Queen. My decision, my fate is set in stone.
Hushed whispers plague the group and the Elders step forward in perfect line before me.
“You are the stranger the Crow spoke of. It is you she wants.” One grey man declares as he points his old bony finger directly at me. More of the Elders begin to point and yell. I feel naked and completely alone. I can’t make out what these people, these creatures are shouting at me.
And then silence. Complete dead silence. First the Elders, then most of the crowd drop down to their hands and knees and bow their heads. Uh, what’s going on?
I spot Tristan standing there and he’s noticeably upset. He steps towards me and yells to everyone, “She is not going!”
“The Savior must go! She was sent to us to defeat the Queen!” one Elder proclaims.
“There is no such thing as the Chosen One! When will you get it through your thick skulls!”
“Young Tristan, it was prophesized. She must face the Queen.” Another Elder states.
Before I can open my mouth, Tristan interrupts me. “I said she’s not going! Lady Raven will kill her. We are not offering up some innocent girl as a sacrifice to that evil witch!” He looks so mad. Why does he have to care this much? We barely know each other. People don’t fall for each other in two days! We’re not in some movie or cheesy romance novel. This…this is too much too soon.
“Tristan, please. I can speak for myself. I’m not a child.” I calmly address him.
“Then stop acting like one.” he spits. Damn. That hurt.
“If going to this Queen will release those imprisoned, I need to go.” I stand tall shaking a bit but not noticeable enough hopefully.
Tristan scoffs and walks a few feet away running his fingers through his hair. “Fine, then I’m coming with you.” As soon as those words leave his mouth, outcry takes over the crowd.
“No, your majesty! She will surely kill you!” one golden bear shouts.
“You are our King! Please don’t go!” a young man exclaims.
So many of his people love him. Why can’t he see it? I look at the Elders and they’re standing there silent. Too full of pride to recognize the people’s wishes. They all want Tristan to be their leader, but the Elders won’t budge. Fools. Then it dawns on me. Tristan cannot go! The Queen would surely take that opportunity to wipe out any chance of an uprising, and he is in fact the sole blood heir to the throne of Althion. NO.
“Tristan, you can’t come with me. They’re right. You’d be in more danger than me.”
“If you’re going, Jude, I’ll be by your side. Even if you are being a complete naïve fool.” Sheesh, Tristan. You can be a bit nicer now.
“Your majesty, if you are going, you will have me at your side,” Thomas pronounces proudly.
“And I!” another soldier in the form of a large horse shouts. They are followed by twenty more soldiers all willing to give their lives for their King – the one true King of Althion. I’m a bit impressed and I want to smirk, but this is definitely not the time or place for that.
