Lost in the Hills

Chapter 11 (Quest)

Flynn's head flooded with a million different thoughts. He listened as the guards sang joyous songs and he would hear the occasional chain when his princess would try to resist. He flinched at the noise. 

When he could no longer hear those noises he got up warily and headed in the direction of the meadow. He found the cloak and put it on. He reached his hand to the inside of the fabric and sure enough felt a hidden pocket, inside of which was a worn, brass key. 

He ran through the forest toward her hideout. He knew it would be fairly difficult to find, but he managed. When inside, he searched blindly for something the key would fit in. While walking he stubbed his toe on a root protruding from the ground. Upon further inspection it turned out to be an intricate wooden box with the royal crest on it. 

He examined the box and found a small keyhole at the front. He tested the key which, of course, fit perfectly into the opening. He slowly lifted the lid of the box to which the hinges slightly creaked in response. It was as if they didn't want him to open it. 

He proceeded nonetheless, and the box revealed its treasure; a worn scroll and small golden medallion. He opened the scroll curiously, wondering if she wanted him to be reading it. He saw an ink written in cursive that slanted perfectly in its script. It read:

"My daughter, I love you very much and will always be proud of your achievements, no matter how little they may be. As you know recently I haven't been doing so well. I decided to write this letter to you in the case that something horrible happens to me. The doctors don't tell me anything and I'm beginning to grow very frustrated. I wish to improve my health soon so that I can watch you grow into the beautiful young woman you are bound to become. I'd like to give you this medallion with the crest of my families bloodline. Keep it with you no matter what. Keep it safe. One day when you marry, hopefully for love and not by force like me, and you conceive a child, you can pass down this medallion to them too. I love you so much and I can only hope you are treated well when I'm gone. Whether that be tomorrow, or many years later. Please be cautious of the world, it is not a forgiving place. 

Love, Queen Morae 

Your mother."

Flynn placed the scroll and the medallion safely in the pocket of the cloak and headed toward the village. 

He reached the entrance of the village and headed toward Donal's bar. He opened the door and heard the lovely tunes of music he heard only two nights before. 

"Flynn? I've been wonderin' where ye've been! Where's the lass?" 

Flynn lifted off his hood, "She was taken by the guards only an hour ago."

"No- not the lass! She worked so hard! Aargh!" Donal expressed angrily.

"She told me to come to you, that you could tell me the entrance I need to look for to find her in the dungeon."

"Yer not plannin' on goin' after her all alone, are ye?"

"Well... yes?" 

"Flynn! Ye can't be a blitherin' idiot! Yer gonna need backup." 

"Donal I don't have backup. I need to go, can you please just point me where I need to-"

"No! Look around ye son! Ye've got a bar full of big ol' drunken men! If ye promise them some drinks, I'm sure they'll be 'appy to help!"

"Donal I don't have any money, you know that." Flynn said discouragingly.

"But they don't gotta know that!" He gestured toward the majority of the bar. "Besides, I'll cover ya!"

"Really Donal?"

"Anythin' for ye and the lass!" Donal smiled at him. 

Flynn followed Donal's plan and got the bar to join him in his rescue attempt. They decided it would be best for two men to create a diversion at the front of the palace saying they heard who kidnapped the princess and lead the guards away from the castle, while Flynn snuck into the secret passage and located the princess. The rest of the men would be waiting nearby for a signal from Flynn at the top of one of the two towers to which they would attack any remaining guards and, if they could, the king. 

They moved stealthily out of the bar and toward the palace.