The Lost Princess

Chapter 11

The sun was falling fast, yet still Rider had not called for her. Charlotte was worried. She didn’t think that she could stop whatever he had planned, but if she was apart of it she might be able to slow everything down. Maybe even enough for everyone to escape.

She sat on the side of a hill looking over the castle and into the setting sun. Charlotte couldn’t help but remember the day before her own family was attacked. It was just another normal day. The sun came up in the morning and it had set just as beautifully as it was this very second. It wasn’t until the sun was completely gone that the dread was allowed to sneak inside. She was determined not to let that happen again, but what could she do?

She heard someone behind her and a second later Kendall sat down beside her. “So… what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to sit here,” said Charlotte, “and I’m going to pray that Rider comes to his senses. This pack isn’t big enough to take this castle. Who knows how many guards the queen has protecting her and her daughters. They’re going in blind.”

“That’s very insightful for someone who claims to know nothing about war,” said Kendall, “Rider isn’t the smartest guy I’ve ever met, but he’s seen his share of war and I think he knows enough to pull this off.”

“Maybe, but how many people will have to die in the process,” Charlotte countered. Kendall looked at her. “Can I ask you a question? Don’t get mad. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” Charlotte nodded. “Why do you care so much? I mean, you were taken from your family by the prince, then kidnapped by Rider’s men. I don’t understand how you can still care whether any of them live or die,” he asked. Charlotte thought about it for a moment.

“I guess it’s just that, almost everyone believes in something ..and if you hated everyone who didn’t see things the way you did… that would be a lot of hate for one person. I don’t wish death on anyone but the King and maybe his son, though after seeing his torture, maybe he’s had enough. I’m not going to hate Rider for wanting the Queens head. If I was a little more cold hearted I might even want it myself, but I’m just not like that. I can see the purpose that this will serve, but I could never bring myself to do it. Those that believe in nothing scare me the most, though.”

They were both silent for a while. The sun was getting smaller and smaller until the last tiny light had gone beyond the horizon.

Charlotte stood and tried her best to look at the main camp. She began walking that way. She wasn’t going to be left out of this. Charlotte had to think of something.

“Charlie, where are you going?”

“I have to see what they have planned,” she said. 

“I thought you wanted to have nothing to do with that,” said Kendall.

“I have to try and stop them. I can’t sit here and do nothing. I’ll go see what they have planned and when I figure it out we can find a way to stop it.”

“WE… no, I can’t do that. I was ordered—,”

“— ordered? I thought you were all just a band of men traveling together with a common interest. Your interests have changed, so why won’t you help me? Rider isn’t your King. You don’t have to listen to him,” Charlotte said.

“You— you don’t understand. I can’t let you do this,” he said. “You can and you will. I won’t beg you to come with me, but you can’t stop me. I need to do this. I can’t let it happen again.”

Kendall grabbed Charlotte by the arm, but she pulled away. She began to run to the main camp with Kendall trailing behind her. She couldn’t understand. He had told her that he didn’t want this. She knew he didn’t, so why was he doing this? Nothing made since.