Lost Crown

Prologue

She limped up the steps, struggling to transport the baby. As she looked back, her eyes went wide with terror and grief. The only light in her dull eyes was the light of the dim torches in the dark hallway.

"You think I wouldn't have known that you snuck off with the baby? I know how much you care for that thing." He spat.

"P-Please! she's our daughter! Are you really t-that power hungry? You are not the man I married!" She stuttered out boldly. He chuckled darkly.

"No, I'm not. I'm stronger and more powerful than before! I'm no longer a peasant bowing beneath your filthy feet." He smirked. The once courageous queen coward in the corner, shielding her baby.

The baby was a precious thing. With beautiful dark skin and mesmerizing emerald eyes, She would grow up to be a fair young lady. And the queen was determined to make that happen.

A dagger no doubt tipped with poison slides out of the king's robe. You can tell where she got her dark complexion from, but her eyes are her mom's. And those same eyes were flashing in fear and boldness. Those same eyes that belonged to another man.

A knight jumped out of nowhere, his teeth grinding. "I leave you alone for two seconds!" He says, his duel swords pointing at the king's throat. The king only merely brushed it off, coming closer. "Treason! You would betray your own kingdom for her?" The king scolded, though there was no surprise in his face. Passion raged in the lone knight's eye.

"Run, Grace, Run and never look back! Hide the baby and then go to a safe place!" He yelled. Tears ran down her face. She knew what she had to do.

Thrusting herself forward, she crumpled in front of the knight. "Caleb, you have to survive! For Sand, for me!" She yelped. The king crept forward, licking his lips.

"My my, some courage you have there, Grace. Time to crush it!" The king said excitedly, his black eyes gleaming.

All he could do was stand there, deep in thought. Why on Earth did she do that? Unless... She returned his feelings! As he snapped back into reality, ready to fight for the woman he loves so dearly, his world came crashing down. The king had plunged a small golden knife into the top of her head.

As he pulled it out, it was sticky with blood. The knight stood there, his emotions unstable. Well, all of them except one; fear.

Scooping the child up, he ran for his life, tears swept down his face. This wasn't fair! This wasn't fair at all...

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He ran through the forest, the swaddle of joy in his arms. How precious she was, unknowing of the grief that lies ahead of her. Unknowing of the hurt mankind causes.

After racing through the dense brush, he emerged at the bottom of a hill. At the top lies a small white ranch styled house, home to a couple and a baby boy. He knew it was a risk, but it was better than nothing.

Sneaking up to the front door, he swiftly knocked two times and then scurried out of sight. He hid in front of the squeaky old wooden porch, out of sight of the door. In a veil of shadows, he held his breath and listened, saving the tears for later. The aged withered door creaked up, a shuffle of foot steps followed.

"Sweet 'lor Jesus! Honey! We have been blessed a present!" A kind voice of a sweet woman exclaimed. He found the tenderness of a mother in those comforting words, believing she'll take good care of the princess.

He sneaks around to the back, slipping away from the front unnoticed. He pulled out a small leather satchel, the items inside clinking against each other. Reaching a worn hand in, he feels for a certain object. Alas, he found it.

Pulling out a marble size pink orb, he runs his thumb over the smooth surface. In the middle of the orb was a series of small diamond shaped engravings, telling him what lies ahead of this orb.

Quickly smashing it on the ground, the air that rose from within the orb created ripples in the air, signifying a doorway. He rushes through it, leaving her alone.