SO, this was a short story that I wrote for creative writing and I thought that it turned out pretty good. Also if you don't like the ending, sorry. We had a limited amount of words we could use for our story (500-3,000 words) and my story was really close to the limit (2,994). Hope you like it!
Screams echoed through the lonely halls as the smell of smoke creeps into every room in the castle. My guard ,Liam, burst into my room dashing to my bedside to wake me. My eyes fluttered open as he began to shout words that my sleepy mind couldn't understand. Before I could say something he quickly scooped me up and carried me out of my room and into the empty halls. I gasped as I saw fire slowly inching towards us as Liam ran. I instructed him to put me down so we could both run, but he refused. Liam struggled to hold me as we crashed into someone. I fell onto the silky carpet below me, not noticing the man who we bumped into. The man helped me to my feet before dragging me through the castle with Liam trailing behind us. The three of us made it to the stables where the man helped me onto my horse before leaping onto his. He turned around to guide us toward our path. It was then that I realized he was my older brother, David. Before my brother could speak, our gaze fell on the castle where we grew up. We watched as our home burned in the monsterous flames that devoured the castle. Hot tears streamed down my face and dripped on my nightgown. David gave the castle one last glance before riding into the thicket. I slowly trailed behind him, not wanting to leave. The ride through the forest was fairly quiet. The only sound heard was my sobs.
"Isa... I understand what you're thinking, but we should all be vigilant," Liam's soothing voice sounded shaky as he spoke, but still managed to give me a small smile. I wiped away the remaining tears that stained my face.
"Liam's right, Isa. Stay sharp. We don't know what could happen," David added. I took a few deep breaths before nodding.
We rode through the dark greenery as the sun began to rise. David continued to lead us through the woodland until a small village came to view. A smile crept onto my face as I admired the quaint village below. Before David or Liam could speak I bounced off my horse and ran towards the village, my bare feet brushing against the grass. I could hear them shouting my name, but I ignored them. I halted before the stone path, noticing how empty it felt. Liam rushed to my side before lecturing me about never leaving his side, causing a slight blush to appear on his face. I ignored it and pointed at the emptiness. Liam stared at a wooden house situated a few feet away. David finally appeared and walked towards the village, curiosity getting the best of him. Liam stayed with me as we followed David. Suddenly, the door swung open causing us to jump. A middle aged woman appeared with her round, pink face scanning the area. She froze at the sight of us. Before David could speak, the woman ran to him and hugged him tightly.
"Thank god, you're alive!" She cried. Her blue eyes glittered in the morning sun.
"Y-yes, we're fine..." David laughed uneasily. "Do I know you..?"
"No, you don't." The woman let him go and gave us all a soft smile. "And I wouldn't expect you to, your majesty. I'm Marina." She curtsied.
"Well, it was lovely meeting you Marina, but we must be getting back to the castle." I said. Marina looked at me like I grew a second head.
"I'm afraid I can't let you, my lady. It's not safe for you to return." Marina frowned.
"What do you mean it's not safe?" Liam questioned. I was surprised that he spoke. As a guard, his job is to just follow me and protect me. Guards aren't usually allowed to speak out of turn like this, but I could care less. Marina averted her gaze to the dirt path below as she spoke slowly, as if talking to a child.
