Her freedom (A Travlyn FF)

Garroth and Laurance ~10~

"T-the... the heir of Phoenix Drop!?" Travis exclaimed and I nodded my head.

"That... makes so much sense. That's why you washed up from the river, your clothes slightly burnt. That's why you've never been outside of Phoenix Drop... Why didn't you tell me?"

"I... I don't know... I just wanted to play it safe since the fewer that know, the better."

"Ok." Travis said nodding in understanding.

"So Garroth, this is Travis. He is a traveller and has been travelling with me and took care of me. And Travis, this is Garroth, as you know he is the heir of O'khasis, and he's my friend."

Travis was about to bow but Garroth held out his hand. "Please no formalities. It's nice to meet you." Travis grinned and shook Garroth's hand.

"Here, both of you seem tired. In Keswerk there is someone who provided me with shelter. I think he won't mind you guys coming too." Garroth said. "We'll talk More there."

"Does he know?" I asked him.

"Well, he knows I'm a prince, and a few others do know, but I've made sure to hide it from anyone else." He said as he put on the blue cloak that we had worn that day in Phoenix Drop. He started to walk towards Keswerk, Travis and I following behind him.

After a bit of walking we arrived at Keswerk. We walked through the town, as I watched how lively the town was. The more we walked, it became less lively and more peaceful.

We seemed to be around at the edge of the town, when we arrived at a cottage like house. There were some crops growing, and the back of the house was a forest as well.

"We're here!" Garroth exclaimed as he took off his cloak and walked inside the house. "Are you not coming in?" He asked as Travis and I entered.

"Hey Garroth." A voice said as someone walked towards us from inside the house. He had light brown hair, lightly tanned skin, baby blue eyes and a slightly mischievous smile.

"Oh who is this?" He asked a bit startled.

"That is Princess Katelyn, the heir of Phoenix Drop and Travis, a traveller."

"It's nice to meet you." I said as I held out my hand and he shook it, as well as shaking Travis' hand.

"It's nice to meet you both." The person said. "My name is Laurance. I live here in Keswerk. Here come on in, and Garroth make some tea for them."

~~~~~~~~~~~

We all sat at the dining table, as Garroth served tea to us. The house had a cozy feeling, probably since it's a cottage like house. The house is made from wood and has a fireplace that is not yet lit at this season.

After serving us all tea, Garroth sat down. "Katelyn, I want you to explain what happened when you ran into the castle."

"Can you possibly explain beforehand because some of us weren't present?" Travis asked and I nodded.

"That day, Garroth has come to Phoenix Drop. We decided to sneak out of the castle, just for fun. We were having a picnic when the castle, my home lit on fire. I ran off, and ran inside to save my family. I found Kacey, my little brother in his room but I couldn't find my parents. I decided it was better to bring Kacey out once and go back in to find my parents so nothing will happen to him. On my way out, there..." I took a deep breath. "There was my parents... their body in a pool of blood on the floor. I quickly covered Kacey's eyes so he wouldn't see. So he wouldn't have to feel the pain. I kept going because I thought if I gave up then Kacey wouldn't make it. But then these masked figures came and attacked me. They took Kacey away. I was helpless and I couldn't do anything. I didn't have any hope left. I gave up. The next thing I knew, I was outside in a forest. Travis had found me in the river and decided to help me out." Just talking about it made my throat throb from tears that I didn't dare let out.

After I finished there was a silence. Travis placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder that was strangely comforting.

"I'm sorry. I should've gone in with you. I should've done something! Instead I stood outside like the coward I was, frozen unable to do anything." Garroth said, visibly angry.

"It's not your fault Garroth. Don't blame yourself! The attack wasn't your fault, and their death wasn't your fault." I said.

Garroth took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry Katelyn."

"Don't you dare apologize." I said.

"Wait. But your brother, he could be alive right? Because you didn't exactly see him being..." Laurance said.

"Those people attacked my town, burnt down my home and town and killed hundreds of people in it. Why would they not kill Kacey?" I asked.

The room was once again quiet. "Garroth what's your story?" I asked him.

"Well after the attack, without being able to assure if you were safe or not, my guards quickly took me back to O'khasis. On our way back, my town was attacked as well. We quickly ran away on horse, but got chased by the attackers. My guards were killed, and and my horse was injured so I had to run on foot on my own. I got rid of them, but was lost and I wandered around when I ended up in some woods. I was about to collapse from hunger and exhaustion when Laurance found me. I wasn't able to see my brother or my parents before it happened. I didn't even get to see what had happened." Garroth said and the room became even darker than before.

"Didn't you say you had another brother? You rarely talked about him, but you said he left the house when you were 15?" I asked in hopes of making the mood brighter.

"Yeah. He got into a fight with my dad and left. He was 13 at that time. I don't know if he's alive or where he is at all." Garroth said.

"Maybe we can find him to let him know that you're okay. What's his name? What does he look like?" Laurance asked.

"Well, he has light blue eyes, black hair which covers his right eye, pale skin because he never went outside, and he always wears this mask, but he actually has freckles." Garroth explained. Travis and I looked at each other thinking the same thing.

"Hold up. Is his name... Zane!?"

Happy New Years! I'm sorry I'm late I keep forgetting... Sorry about the end. I kinda forgot about the fact that Zane was Garroth's brother so I kinda forced it in there... 😅

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please vote, comment, and share my story!

QOTD: What colour is your eyes?

AOTD: I have dark brown eyes.

Word count: 1177