Into the Frontier: Damsel of Distress

1. Horse Drawn Carnage

As the carriage shifted the curtains swayed revealing the world outside of my current comforts. Muddy roads, boarded windows and people out on the street with nothing to their name but perhaps their boots.

"For the love of all that is stop staring at them woman" came the same voice that made this journey utter hell.

"It's a damn site more interesting than in here, wouldn't you say uncle?" I said not removing my eyes from the rotting wood of what could hardly be referred to as buildings.

"Lizzy, when we get to the capital we are going to have to have a serious talk about back chat." I felt his long stare. There was nothing to do but ignore him. Any backhanded comment or even remotely disapproving grunt and he would go on for hours. I stay silent and for a bit so does he, thankfully.

Could have only been twenty minutes later that the carriage comes to a stand still. The sudden stop took me out of my long stair and brought me back to reality. My eyes readjust to the dull interior and I remember the state of this wagon. Gold lined fabrics, smooth wooden finish and most of all Uncle. Before I had time to comment a guards head crept through the curtains.

"Sorry for the stop, sir, madam, but there is quite the stand off up ahead. Will have to wait until it has concluded." He awaited questions that he was sure he would receive.

"The cheek" Uncle, of course, chimed in "Tell them to bloody well move."

"Would do but apparently in these parts the right to duel transcends even the royal family." He did not look the slightest bit sorry.

"Don't worry Uncle I'm sure they wont take too long, it's just one shot and all over." Probably wont calm him for long.

"That's right madam" The guard turned to look at me for the first time "I'm sure they'll just be a moment... hang on" Many things went through my mind. Mainly the phrase... Oh shit.

"You're... you're not her. "An almost whimper escaped him "That's not her!"

"What do you mean" Poor Uncle, known for his laughable eyesight and diminishing memory "Who else could it be, I know my own niece."

"Looks like I've outstayed my welcome. Thanks ever so much uncle, or I guess Duke but I must be on my way." I scoot over to the other side of the carriage and turn the hand releasing the door latch. "See you around... mostly in the papers and you'll probably be seeing me too... probably on wanted posters." I ran.

Just over my panting I could hear the guard calling for assistance. He must be freaking out about the lost princess but what was I going to do pay for a cross country trip, not a chance. Not a single one pursued me. Made for a very easy getaway but now I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere in a very expensive second hand dress.

After a long nights stumble through the cold sand I reached a town. I say town, I guess I mean slum. Unfortunately I couldn't risk striding in there with my head held high and fifty thousand credits around my waist. The dress had to go. But what do I wear? Not entirely sure if a mostly naked woman would fare better than the best payday since a pure gold deposit. Worth the risk.

It slides off nicely, it is a very smooth fabric but now all I have is an empty gun-belt and hardly enough to call undergarments. I dump the dress in a barrel and flatten my back against the side of a barn on the outskirts. Hope is a strong word but my heart raced while turning the corner. There, stood in a thin ally, was a young woman. No older than me. Of course she spotted me, but she didn't run.

"Tough night?" she said calmly. As if this wasn't unusual.

"Unfortunately yes. Would you mind helping a girl out?" Its a long shot. Hell its a far shot.

"Quickly inside," no panic but urgency, "The other girls will take care of you." She pushed some loose planks to the side and slipped inside the barn.

"Other girls?" more to myself than anyone. I followed. The planks shifted with a heavy push and I was in darkness.