The Princess's Rebellion

Chapter 7: A Damsel in Distress

Rebecca could almost feel the breath of the horses as they drew closer in mere seconds. Suddenly, something slammed into her on her right shoulder. Rebecca yelped in surprised as she was shoved to the ground, away from the horses' path. But before she could gather her senses, a wheel from the carriage rolled over her right ankle. She cried out in pain, every sound being drowned by her voice. Just as she let it out, Rebecca covered her mouth. Horse crap. Now she'll have everyone's attention. As fast as she could, she scrambled to her feet and limped away before anyone would notice her.

Hiding behind the closest house, Rebecca collapsed onto the ground. She inspected her ankle, gasping in pain as she tried to move it. While handicapped on the ground, Rebecca replayed the memory of the event in her head. The horses would of trampled her, maybe even hurt more than just a twisted ankle, but they didn't. Something pushed her. Or someone.

Fearing that the man steering that carriage was looking for her, she didn't stay to find out who saved her. Using the wall for balance, she hopped back on one foot, then using the back paths, she limped back to the castle. Rebecca clenched her hands into fists as the waves of pain overwhelmed her. Not much longer, was all she could tell herself.

By the time the castle came into view, Rebecca's ankle began to feel better. Maybe it was from the adrenaline still rushing in her veins. She chose to rest behind an nearby stable that was stationed across from the road that lead to the castle. She sat down and pulled off her shoes, all the while taking close care to not make any noise. Her ankle was a bit swollen, but nothing too bad. She tested it by putting her weight on it. Finding that she could bare the pain if she went slowly, Rebecca cleaned the dust off herself and started off again. Carriages were rolling past her on the path as she approached the gatehouse. She slipped in while the carts were leaving and hurried up the stairs, only this time it was much harder to maneuver around people, given that they were now drunk and she had a twisted ankle. She past a couple guards at the grand entrance at the top of the steps. She kept her head down, but tried to rushed into the Grand Hall as more people filed out. As if the situation couldn't get worse, someone grabbed her by her wrist. Startled, Rebecca tried to rip her arm away before looking at the person. It was one of the guards.

"You can't go in there," he rumbled, "Everyone is leaving."

"I will be swift and careful," Rebecca promised him quietly.

"Everyone is leaving. The party is over."

Sweat threatened to stream down her face, "I am aware of that. But I have a message that must be delivered."

He gave her a suspicious look, "To whom?"

Rebecca had hoped that he wouldn't ask that, but she still cooly replied, "One of the ladies in waiting."

The second guard was pushing his way through the crowd towards them. Rebecca could tell she was growing red and nervous; and the guard knew it. She struggled in his grib insistently while murmuring, "Please, it's a quick message from her family. I won't be long." But the guard didn't let up. He signaled his partner to her hood. Rebecca swallowed. She'd hidden her hair in her cloak, but once they have seen her ivory locks, they would no doubt recognize her. Rebecca struggled for something to say. Maybe she could just give herself up. Maybe she could book it away from them. As she was pondering her choices, a hand rested on her shoulder. Rebecca looked behind her to see a familiar face staring back at her, her wavy blond hair still in a neat bun. By the look of the faint bags under her eyes, Rebecca could tell she had a long night.

"I know who this is; it's Flora's cousin," she told them, "Flora asked me to keep a look out for him in case he showed up. I can take it from here."