Chapter 1: Harriett
“Come on Princess Harriet we've got to go” Stefan whispered. I followed him into a hidden room between the walls. It took a minute for every thing to sink in. I remembered being in the royal bed room having an argument with my parents because I wanted to explore and hunt outside the kingdom grounds. Then I was following Stefan , my best friend, while the palace was being bombed. Here and hiding from the attackers that just attacked the Palace. This is exiting. My blood was pumping through my veins.
“Harriett.... Stay here don't go any where until I come and get you” said Stefan in his commanding voice. He was headed for the door. I just nodded and sat in a near by chair. Once he closed the door behind and left I sprang into action. I ran to a near by chest and opened the lid. It was a safety chest so there was stuff like food and clothing. But I added some personal things in such as armor for a knight, my specialty: a sword, a belt with a knife and an extra knife I could easily slip in my boot, and a bow and eighteen arrows. I also included a get-away pack. I used it to go under cover to the village or in some cases the forest. So it has a first aid kit, clean clothes I wear to look I like a peasant ,water , a flash light , a compass, a blanket, and my dad's old plant book.
I don't usually wear dresses but I had one on now . Great when I need pants most I don't wear them I thought. Putting on my shiny armor was going to be hard but I would have to make it work. After I had every thing in place. I went out the door back into my bedroom. No one was there to try and stop me so, I kept going to find my parents and fight against the attackers.
I herd Stefan yell in pain and made a mad dash toward the sound. “ Stefan !!!!!” I yelled. In return I herd a low groan. I ran down the hall and into an extra room that we never used. There he was lying on the floor of the room with a bloody wound in is left rib cage very close to his heart and a few shallow wounds all over his body. The attacker was still there. Great I thought. I knocked him off his feet with my shield and went for his throat. Which I learned from my friend in the village. After that was done and over with I deepened my voice so he Stefan won't know that it was me. (And so I don't get yelled at.) “ Are you alright?” I asked.
“Just some minor wounds and this one” he pointed at the deep wound in the left side of is left rib cage. “ I owe you a life knight. Thank you.” he said.
“Nothing a knight wouldn't do” I said trying not to giggle. Whats wrong with you pull your self together go find the king and queen I told my self. “ Come on we need to get the king and queen. Can you walk?”
He got up in an instant “ Yup” he replied. We marched out of the spare room. Well ...I marched he kind of limped. We went to the royal bed room were I last saw my parents before Stefan took me to the narrow room.
When we entered the room it was messy I really mean really messy. “ You can stay here I’ll go and look in the other room.” I didn't wait for a response I just left. When I got to the other room the first signs weren't good. I saw my fathers royal sword and a bit of blood. I didn't want to think that dad just died so I went on in the search..... bad idea. I took one good look at the nasty sight before leaving. There they were both King and Queen. Father and mother. Dead. On the floor. No more life for either of them. I let out a little wimpier when it hit me. I was now the only one with royal blood and an orphan. Great now the attackers were going to go after me. The princess. I could feel the color from my face drain.
When I came back into the room I saw Stefan still in the same spot where he was when I left.
“ Are they dead?”, he asked
“ Yes “, I whispered
“ I need to get the princess before they find and kill her too”
“ That won't be necessary”
“ Why!” He sounded alarmed.
“ Take it easy Stefan it's me.... Harriet” , I said taking off my helmet he looked at me and raised his arm as if he were to pull me into a hug but quickly put it down .... chicken I thought but then again it was a rule only royal blood could marry royal blood. So I guess that he thought it would be a violation of that rule if he hugged me. He's been like that lately like he wants to comfort me or something but then chickens out.
“ I'm sorry”, He said in a low gravely voice like he was going to cry. Why? I wasn't crying so why should he start to cry? All of the sudden I burst into tears. Why? I haven't cried since I was 8. I leaned on his shoulder and sobbed. At first he hesitated. I think he was startled but then his arms came up and cradled me in them. Okay double weird. First the crying and now him...... holding me. His warmth was like a lovely blanket that kids use to hide under. I loved his scent. He smelled like the forest and freshly wet grass. There was a blood smell but I ignored it. Since when can I smell so well? I thought. His warmth and solidness made me feel better but still not completely. I tried to think of what was going to happen next I can't stay here I might get killed and I might get the people trying to protect me killed. I have to go and stay gone for a while. But would the kingdom mange? Yeah they will be fine but you have to go. I thought. I pulled way from him and said,” Well this is the end see you soon ....maybe”
“What? Where are you going?”, he asked.
“ Your not coming with me. Well not with that wound you need to stay here until it heals”
“What are you talking about I'm going.”
“No”
“Yes”
“No”
“ Well then what do I do?”
“Well you stay here and marry a nice girl and then live your life” my voice got louder as the sentence went on. Okay now he was kind of looking hurt.
“Uh .....no .....I want to go with you”
“No!”
“Fine then you go get killed and I can live my life think about why I didn't go !!” Jeez he sounded mad.
”Uh... okay fine “ I turned to go but he held my arm and started chucking. Which is very confusing to me.
“ Yeah... I was just kidding. You can kill me or let me go with you ......and we both know that you will pick : choice B or will you kill you best friend?” wow he was smart he knew that I would never Hurt him less likely kill him.
“ Fine! You're right I wouldn't kill you.....” I sighed then said “ lets go clean up your wounds.” We walked to my room and then I helped him clean and patch up the gash on his rib. “ I can't believe you just ran out there without armor”
“ Yup, I know it was stupid but you know it would take too long.”
“ Only if you don't practice. I got my armor on in four minutes. And I have a stupid dress on.”
“ True... maybe we can practice sometime”
“ Uh..... sure if we make it. I won't make promises” Once that was said I started crying.
