The Devil's Country

The Servant's Way

Sorry about not posting, I'm about to get into another relationship and those take time. It's tough. I'm sorry for taking long on these chapters. I really try and put a lot of thought into these. I really want this to be some day published. That would be great! Well I hope you enjoy this chapter make sure to leave a nice vote!

About a three days ride from Medford Keep, there is a Kingdom of Salem. It's only a three days ride if your horse doesn't rest.  The biggest kingdom in the north region. Sadly, the Kingdom of Salem is in a huge civil war. Every night the curfew of the kingdom is eight o'clock. Then the soldiers exit the barracks. They patrol the streets all night. It isn't safe at all. This story isn't about the civil war though. This story is about a lovely princess betrothed to a not so handsome prince. He was in many wars, and he also has a lot of scars. The princess fancies a farm boy east of Salem. He is a brave man. He was once a servant of the crown, but he was discharged from the service because he was sentenced to execution. Luckily, the princess saved his life. Even when the world is in chaos, there is always a time for love. The princess is supposed to get married in a year. She wishes dearly that won't happen. Her name is Elizabeth Catherine Nicholas, and the farm boy's name is Quinn Thatcher. Elizabeth enjoys spending most of her time in the fifth story of the stronghold in the center of Salem. She watches over the kingdom almost all day long. Because the civil war is going on, she can't go wonder the streets like she use to do before she was announced princess. The kingdom knows her face very well. The chances of her living walking in the streets alone are slim, but she still does to see Quinn.

(Elizabeth's perspective)

I watch the city around me. This kingdom is my home yet it is tearing itself to the rubble. I can't stand it! Father said that we would win this stupid civil war soon, but when will we? War is stupid and useless. We win at one point, and we lose at another point. It is just back and forth.

"I must see Quinn." I told herself. "He can calm me."

I decided to get up and put on clothes that make her less obvious she is a princess. I made sure I can run and get dirty in it. I can't go outside unless I have at least three royal guards. Father makes me take five guards just in case. I walk down the grand staircase, and to the door leaving area. The man there stops me.

"King's orders, you may not leave this castle. There is a battle going on right now." The man said.

"Ugh," I shrugged and left. I know a way out of the castle, but this will be risky. Screw risk, I just want to see Quinn. I ran down the grand stairs, past two corridors, took one right, ran down that corridor, ran up the stairs, and to the window. I grabbed rope from one of the corridors. I threw the rope down the window. I watched the rope hit the road ten feet below. I slid down the rope. I looked around. I had to go east. I looked at the sun. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west. I looked at the sun. Oh no, I realized that it was almost dust. It means I only have about three hours. I quickly ran through the streets. People didn't notice me that much. I stopped when I heard metal clinking. I sneaked through and saw the kingdom's square. The fight was there.  I watched them fight. My heart was broken watching them fight. I love this kingdom. Someday, Quinn will rule this kingdom with me. I ran around the fighting. Every alley way was filled with soldiers. Soldiers who were revolting and my soldiers. I got to the gate leading to the eastern farm land. I always loved it out here. I saw Quinn's house. Quinn's family owned an estate with two plots of land. I entered the estate. The guards there knew me at first sight.

"What in the bloody hells are you doing here?" Shouted one of the guards while laughing.

"Hear that Tom? I hear our pay raise going up when we report this!" The other one said.

They started walking towards me trying to grab me. "I command both of you to stand down, Now!" I said, but they didn't listen.

"Guards, stand down now!" Quinn shouted at the guards. "I can fire both of you. Both of you will live in the streets, starving."

"Yes, sir." Both of the soldiers said in unison. I walked over to Quinn.

"Stupid guards, even though my father bought them they still owe loyalty to you m'lady." Quinn said to me laughing.

"You know I don't like when you say m'lady." I said, blushing.

"So I'll do it anyways." Quinn said smiling. "How did you even get out of the castle, last I heard it was on lockdown?"

"I sneaked out. How else would I be here?" I responded.

"Very not safe, did you hear the resistance has moved closer to the castle. I heard they are gonna try and take it over in a few day's time." Quinn said.

"No? If I didn't know that then my father doesn't know that!" I said. "How do you know?"

"I spend a lot of time thinking and listening. I've seen them in alley ways, and in the streets." Quinn replied. "So what do you want to do?"

"I'm not too sure we can't really do much in the main kingdom." I said looking at him smiling.

"We can always do stuff around the academy campus." Quinn said smiling back. "It's about to time to start acting like students again."

That was where went to. The Academy of Salem is a great place for people to learn from when they turn six to sixteen. Then they marry us off. Currently, I'm seventeen, and Quinn is seventeen I think maybe eighteen? We walked down the brick road to the campus, holding hands. We were in love surely, but we can't admit it. We arrived to the campus but something was wrong. People normally party this time of night. I had a bad feeling, but I'm with Quinn I just thought to myself. I couldn't be safer.

"Why does the world fight?" I asked him.

"I think it's because of pride." Quinn exclaimed. "The world needs new leaders."

"Yeah, maybe." I said to Quinn. I could of sworn I saw someone staring at us from the shadows, but I'm just nervous. We got to a nice area to look at the stars and planets. We were there for hours. I was still very uneasy, but it was okay. After hours, he was asleep. I got up and decided to go back to the castle. I awoke him and we walked back to the castle talking. We made it back to the front gate.

"Well, Goodnight my princess." He said and kneeled before me.

"At ease, Quinn, goodnight!" I said and walked off after staring at him for a good awkward ten seconds. I still felt something wrong. I walked the streets which is very not good. I realized the worst. I was walking back. I saw many dead bodies, and they were there with crows eating them. I almost threw up, but I couldn't. I ran to the castle as quickly as I could. I ran around the guards who were wounded avoiding them as much as possible. I saw the castle, and luckily it still stood. I climbed back in my window. I threw the rope in the shadows. I turned down corridor walking. There he was, father.

"Where in the bloody hells were you?" My father yelled getting up in my face.

"I was down here by this window. It has a- very good view." I said nervously.

"You were out with Quinn." He said turning around in frustration. "You know how many people die. Most of them are bystanders, passing by. People die Lizzy. You can't die though."

"Yes, sir." I said.

"Guards, I want a someone guarding each window in the castle." My father commanded with a unison of "yes, sir" after.

"Wha-"

"It's for the better Elizabeth."