The Book Of The Unchained

River III: Aftermath

          He was here. I don't know how he found out where I was. No one else knew, except for me. I had specifically woken up in the middle of the night, when everyone slept, got a few things together and ran away. Sure, my mother would say that it was a childish action but I did not care. I did not want what they were offering. I wanted my old life back and they did not seem willing to give it. So, I had left and be damned with all of them. They could choose another queen and leave me alone to live my life. But now, I had him to deal with too.

         I had met, back then, Prince Kinner, when I was barely a teenager. My mother insisted I had to accompany her and my father to the meeting of our clans. She had reasoned that, it was only natural for me, as part of a noble family, to be on good terms with our allies. I found out only later on what the real reason was and by then it was too late. 

          From the first moment I laid eyes on him, I realized he was nothing but a spoiled, rich, arrogant and self centered brat. He came on to me like I was a prostitute in a brothel and to add insult to injury, he even proposed we go somewhere private and "have some real fun". I bet he had never been slapped before that day nor since. I suppose, neither he or his clansmen had forgotten the incident either. I did not like him and I had told him so on several occasions but the man never gave up. It had been decades since I last saw him. I knew he had taken over the leadership of their clan from his father, quite some time ago. I was also aware that people feared him and he was known to be rather cruel. It was like, with every single thing I heard about him, I disliked him even more. I had no idea how to get rid of him now but it was going to happen sooner or later.

          We were flying over a dense forest and I found a small clearing where I could land. After seeing Adrian was away from immediate danger, I managed to calm down enough to think rationally and sticking around was not the best thing to do. I had simply picked up the horses and flew away with them. I had half a mind to drop Kinner off into the woods and fly away with Adrian far away from him and the world that would see us both dead. Still, I owed him for helping Adrian so, I had to thank him, no matter how much that would sting. I slowly descended, gently placing the horses on the ground and shifting a few feet away. 

          - Well that was fun, Kinner said as he got off the horse. Thank you for the ride my Lady, he grinned at me.

          - Don't get used to it, it's not gonna happen again. On that note, though....

          - Would you just untie me! Adrian yelled from his horse cutting me off.

          I rushed to his side and went to untie him, as he asked but he started squirming and screaming. Kinner came closer, grabbing him none too gently and pulled him off the horse. Adrian fell to the ground with a heavy thud and wiggled until he was facing up. My heart broke at the terror I saw in his eyes when he looked at me and I backed away a step, involuntarily. He was terrified of me and that hurt like hell. To  my surprise, Kinner kicked Adrian in the side and leaned in. 

          - Play nice, dead meat. She's the only reason I got your crappy ass out of there, he growled at the man.

          - Screw that, she nearly killed me...killed us! Did you see what she turned into? Adrian screeched.

          - Yes, Kinner answered giving me a whimsical look, I saw. And you haven't seen half of it, he added winking at me.

          I went from hurt to insulted in a second, because I dared not think what the look he gave me had meant. I had to remind myself that, I disliked the man so much, I couldn't put it into words. Yet, I almost felt flattered by his words. Almost. I glared at him without any effect since he gave me a bright smile in turn. Exasperated, I turned to the other man, only this time, I set the pain aside, leaving room for anger.