The Hidden Princess and the Sword

Chapter 9

"Here." Johann helped Annika down the ramp. The ship was docked in Indaren, the capital city, and even the limited view of the port overwhelmed her. She had a long, hooded cloak on to hide her resemblance to her sister - in fact, the cloak was Johann's, and it dragged along the ground.

She tiptoed carefully onto the wooden logs of the dock, and sighed.

"It's nice to be on solid ground again."

The ground jerked and she flailed her arms. "Yikes!"

Johann laughed softly. "You are just the same, Annibear. The docks float on the water."

She picked herself up and dusted off the cloak. Johann was more open and carefree now, though in part still the serious boy he had been.

Annika followed her best friend through the streets. They were headed towards the edge of town, towards the forest.

The formidable wall of looming oaks was soon visible.

"I'll leave you here," he said.

Annika threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "I'll miss you," she mumbled. "Promise you'll write?"

"Promise," he said, squeezing her before letting go altogether.

She stood on her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. "I love you," Annika said lightly, and swept away.

Her pace was brisk in the moonlight - they'd waited until nightfall to leave the ship - and she approached the castle quickly. Johann had promised to take care of Matrix if she went home, but Annika had no intention of returning to the castle. There was one thing she still had to do - destroy the Soul Sword.

Once the edge of the forest was no longer visible, Annika veered her path. The sweeping pattern was in no way speedy, but it got the job done.

Her internal homing signal said she was nearing the castle. Disappointed, Annika slid her sword into its scabbard.

Thirty seconds had not yet passed when a stick cracked - a stick that Annika had not stepped on.

"Who's there?"

"Drop your weapons." The voice was a soft, slightly gravelly baritone. Annika's hand went to her sword.

"Show yourself," she said, trying to sound braver than she felt.

A shadowy figure leaped down from a tree not ten feet from Annika. "Who are you?"

"I am Annika, princess of Indova, wielder of the Star Sword, tamer of the demon horse."

"I am Daevion, Baron of Stratfordland, master of the Soul Sword, slayer of the tyrant king." With a sharp intake of breath, Annika drew her sword.

They circled around each other in and endless, dimly lit ring.

Then, Daevion struck. The Soul Sword flashed out, and Annika brought her sword up in the nick of time.

He was stronger, but she had the power of the stars on her side. Their blades locked together in a shining X, battling for every inch.

The Soul Sword pulled away first, and Annika tumbled to the ground. The power of the stars was nothing compared to actual training and practice.

Scowling, Annika took an unwieldy swing at Daevion. He ducked under it, but not without a scratch. The tip of her blade grazed his nose, and he wiped it with the back of his hand.

His hood fell away, revealing a hooked nose and vivid green eyes. Familiarly curled dark hair adorned his head, and Annika recognized him immediately.

"Daevion!" she grunted, blocking a swipe of the Soul Sword. "Why are you doing this?"

They were both panting now. "Anabel - wouldn't marry me - and your father chose her happiness over mine - and if the kingdom fell into anarchy - I could save it - she'd have no choice."

Annika's guard dropped. "You killed my parents to marry my sister?"

"Precisely." He swung again, and this time it raked across the length of her forearm, leaving a deep gash.

"Gah!" Annika thrust her sword forward. Somehow, some lucky way, her sword made it past his defenses and drove home through his heart.

Daevion coughed once - then twice - and toppled over.

Annika's hands flew up to her mouth. She hadn't intended to kill him, but now his lifeblood was spilling out across the grass.

Her head spun. Colors bled together - the crimson blood, the dancing blue-white moonlight, the light green grass - and her vision went black.

Something pinched her arm and Annika woke up.

"She's bleeding."

"I can see that, you moron! Now patch her up!"

A rough cloth scraped away at her, raw, exposed flesh and Annika groaned in pain.

"She's awake!"

There was a smacking sound.

"You fool!"

She stirred, blinking the sleep from her eyes.

"Where am I?"

She was in the back of a cart, with three men standing over her. One of them was young, smooth-faced with light blond hair swept into his face. The others were older, both brown-haired, and one of them had a shadow of scruff. They all wore the maroon uniforms of the royal guard, though none were wearing their helmets.

"Princess? How are you feeling?" said the oldest, a heavily-built man.

"Pretty horrible."

The speaker nudged the youngest, who jerked before saying, "Oh! We're en route to the castle. Your sister's been looking for you."

Epic battle scene! Guess what guys, I have fall break for two and a half weeks starting Saturday! Woot woot!

Please vote, comment, and share, and do whatever else. And if you know any hardcore editors (not just proofreaders) I'd love to meet them!

Hugs,

Redde