The Princess of Blue Star Castle

Chapter 5

Night had fallen on the knights of Blue Star Castle. Tylore and Captain Leynard called a rest, the trek into the forest had taken its toll. Tylore had followed tracks to a road from where the princess and whomever she was with had led their horses down a steep hillside. The tracks ended abruptly, turning into the forest, but the night had fallen fast and taking a road-less path wouldn't be of much use in the dark. Without tracks to follow, taking the road would be their best choice. After about five miles no new tracks were found and the horses were spent of their energy. Since it was too dark to track any further it was time to rest. Setting up camp was more of a chore than usual in the unfamiliar territory. No doubt several night watchmen would be needed to protect the small band. Leynard noticed Tylore standing quiet and somewhat melancholy.

"You seem concerned, almost that you've failed," Leynard commented to Tylore.

"I've failed all of us and the princess Captain. I was certain we would have found them by now. Who knows what may have happened to her by now."

"Calm yourself soldier. Even if she was taken, the word is that the bandits leave their victims behind. I shudder to think what would even have happened to our fair princess. She's only in her teens, nearly a woman, but still very young. I pray that we find her soon, still pure."

"What if she was taken, not by bandits, but another who was traveling to the city without the forest on the other side?" asked the tracker. "Surely that's a probability of what happened to her. We can hope that at least. Perhaps come morning we go there and see if she made it that far."

"On the side of the river with hordes of balakar and bandits? I highly doubt it," Leynard said, still certain she was taken by bandits if not slain by balakar.

"I overheard, once, that a bandit or some other type of brigand led someone from the castle to the city on the other side of the forest. Now, I don't think it to be true, but if it's possible, she may be there and not with the bandit in their hideout," Tylore commented. "I say, just in case, to check."

"Alright, we'll go," Leynard replied with an annoyed tone in his voice. "But if you're wrong you know the punishment!"

"I have no intention of being right or wrong, just hopeful sir. We still need high morale amongst the men."

The captain nodded. He knew that Tylore meant well but it made no sense that the princess and whomever she's with would leave the roadway to reach that city on the other side. The camp was set up, the watch was ready, and though they were tired, the men still had high hopes in finding the princess. It would be a miracle should they find her alive and well. If she did indeed leave for that city, some thought it more of a village, on the other side of the forest. The people there were not of the kingdom, but remained as loyal to any royalty or a kingdom's military if they're given supplies or money to "loosen their lips." Gold. That's all that anybody cares about anymore. But for those who are without I can understand, but those who have sufficient for themselves- ah, well. Whatever it takes, we'll find the princess.

Eric sat at the table quietly. His father, Voljare, also sat quietly across from him. His mother had told Voljare about the princess, knowing all too well the price for kidnapping royalty would cost them their heads. Despite what the princess had to say they would still be charged with the crime. The silence deepened, there wasn't anyone outdoors to break the silence and as it was dark not even the birds made noise. What made it worse, even the crickets seemed to fear his father's rage. Eric had no will to Voljare in the eyes. Though he was twenty and a grown man, his father still had a lot of power over him. The Bandits here had laws of their own with which they were to abide by and Eric, despite his explanation, was in deep trouble. Eric's mother and Ivy walked in chatting, breaking the silence, Eric and Voljare stood as they entered.