Into the Dark

Chapter One - Change

   On the day that changed my life forever, I woke without a care in the world. My life was perfect -- if a bit dull. Servants attended to my every desire, royal balls were thrown in my honor, and my very best friend lived in the castle with me. My only regret was that I was caged inside the castle walls, and my only view of the rest of Norshire was through my bedroom window. Norshire, the kingdom of snow, ice, and fat, happy, people. The wooden shutters that covered my bedroom window strained to keep the wind at bay, but I was desperate to feel the breathtaking air. One of my servants had locked my window, as the king declared it to be unsafe less than a week ago. Still, I missed waking up to the beautiful sunrises. 

    I yanked on the handle, but it didn't so much as budge. Frustrated, I pounded on the wood. Patience was not one of my virtues. Finally, I grabbed the metal poker that lay in the ashes of the hearth, and swung it at the shutters, without thinking of the consequences. The wood broke, and splinters fell onto the palace's stone walkways below. Crap. My lady's maid was going to have a fit. Oh well. At least I could feel the wind on my face. Compared to the stuffy air of the castle, this was bliss. Or it would have been, if not for the scene that unfolded beneath me. My room was on the edge of the castle, isolated from the bustle of the main rooms. Normally it was peaceful, but on that day it was anything but. The snow-covered fields below me were full of screaming men, dying horses, and bloody spears. 

    How could I not have known about this? Why would Father keep this from me? My kingdom - Norshire - was under siege from our mortal foes. The Shengori.  Rabid men with only darkness in their hearts, who were without mercy or peace. They were all bloodthirsty monsters, and their army was twenty thousand strong. I had never known the extent of their resources, or their numbers. But this, this was a nightmare. This could not be real. My home could not be taken by the beasts. I was more indignant than frightened, since I was confident in the strength of my soldiers. I donned a warm woolen dress, with white fur around the collar and my wrists. The fabric was a dull gray, but it was one of the only dresses I could put on by myself. I threw on my shiny leather boots with silver buckles. A thick white cape that draped around my shoulders completed the ensemble. My red hair was a tangle of curls, but in my impatience, I simply tied it back in a knot before marching out of my chambers. Two members of the Red Guard were posted outside my room, which was unusual. They blocked my path with their spears.

     "Just what do you think you're doing? Get out of my way!" I cried.

     "Princess, we have orders to protect your chambers. No one is to enter, and no one is to leave." The taller one said, gesturing back into my rooms with his spear. My anger flared, and I crossed my arms.

     "How dare you deny me! If you must, you can escort me to the throne room. But you will not keep me locked up like some sort of filthy prisoner!" I demanded with icy precision, shoving my way past the spears. Both of the men in their red uniforms went stiff with shock, but I didn't care. I marched down the corridor, not waiting for them to follow. But I heard echoing footsteps, which I knew meant that they shadowed me. 

    I nearly ran down the hallways, urgency fueling my footsteps. The screams of soldiers echoed through the thick stone walls. The pair of Red Guards quickened with me, both of them running beside me, shouting for me to stop.

    "Princess, you must return to your chambers. The castle has been breached! You are in grave danger!"

    A platoon of heavily armored guards rushed towards me, their speed causing chaos as they halted and dropped into rushed duty bows.

    "My lady, thank goodness. The king sent us to fetch you. The Shengori have infiltrated the castle. Allow us to escort you to His Majesty." The front man said in a hurry, and I nodded my consent. Soon I had twenty six encompassing me on all sides. My progress was hampered only slightly by the steel-clad figures. After several minutes, I arrived at a set of rather overbearing and incredibly engraved doors. It took the combined strength of four men to haul them open. I marched, flinching as the doors slammed to a close behind me. Only the two Red Guards were allowed in the room with me -- the foot soldiers remained outside to guard the doors. I marched down the thick, dusty red carpet, which was fifty years out of style. The tapestries were an array of the most magnificent colors, colors so bright that they would nearly blind a person. The only pieces of furniture was a giant hearth that took up the far wall, framing the dark stone throne. A cluster of advisers hid the man sitting in said throne from view. They dropped to their knees at the sight of me, their ancient knees straining to withhold their sizable girth.