Spelled

Chapter Five

Jess's POV:

"Oh, no," I muttered under my breath, "Castle guards," Though guards had come closer than this to catching me in the past three years, I had heard rumor among my small family of fugitives that the First Province guards were particularly vicious. I don't even remember why I came to this darned place. Tough shop keeps, selfish food vendors, wicked king, and heartless soldiers. It was just like some unseen force had unwittingly pulled me to this devil-like place. No, don't get me wrong, this place is much safer than all of the other provinces, but not for me. Hardly any outlaws lived here, unless you counted the dungeons, which were a considerable size larger than all of the others. It was just to easy to get caught and arrested here. In the Seventh Province, the population mostly consisted of the lowest, dirtiest, crooks. Kidnappers, murders, those sort. No, not robbers, those resided in the Sixth Province. But, those were just rumors and stories I had heard. A weak woman accused of being a witch could never make it down there. At least not alive. So I had never been. Mostly, I stuck around in the Fourth Province, a place of harmless crooks and generous merchants. But I mostly hung around there because of the crappy guard system.

I had to move, or risk being captured. Panicked, I ducked below a garbage can, unsure of what else to do. I sat there, silently, for ten or so minutes and, deciding it was clear, got up and resumed my walk down Main Street. I managed to still my quickly beating heart down to a slow stampede as to not arouse suspicion. Unfortunately for me, I had not realized that a guard had caught my trail, following me and growing closer by the second.

Someone caught me by the shoulder from behind and I released a small yelp. Whom I now correctly assumed was a guard leaned into my ear and said in a leering tone, "Now, now. There's no need to be afraid, unless you've done something wrong, Jessica."

I dipped my head down, knowing that my time on the run was over, "I think we both know that in the eyes of the public, I have, sir."

"I see we have reached a consensus. No need to make a big commotion about it that will upset the nobles. Just come with me, and you will remain safe, at least for now.

To frightened to move, I let the mystery soldier haul me down Main Street, to the castle, and up the stairs to it's gates. When we reached the last line of guards outside the gates, he said to him, "I've found myself Ms. Jessica, the witch."

"Nice one, Marcus," the guard slapped him on the back, "Take her right up to the throne room. King Turner is gone on a business trip or something, so the Princess will have to decide her fate," The new guard leaned into my face and whispered, "Good luck. Strictness is in her bloodline, you know. King burned the last one at the stake. I'm sure you won't lucky."

My eyes widened, my breathing quickened. What could be worse than being burned at the stake? 

I had a feeling I was about to find out.