“Go to your mother, and move quickly.” Xia instructed the child as she tore her gaze from the King. Standing up she backed up a little and slipped to the side towards an ally. As soon as she was sure that the ally was behind her she backed up into it then turn and ran. Her mind raced as she thought about the layout of the town and what would be the quickest way to get to the castle.
“Xia! Wait!” Nialla’s voice made her come to a stop. Slightly she turned her head to see her running to catch up, a sword obviously too large for her was attached to her hip.
“I can’t wait; I have to get to the castle before they do.” She glanced towards the castle as the urgency to reach it filled her again.
“I know…” Nialla mumbled when she reached her, “But… I wanted to… Give you you’re… Present….” Her words were rushed as she gasped for air to fill her lungs, “Here…” Untying the sword from her side she held it up to Xia, “I have worked all of winter to complete it on time… And used up all of my savings to pay for the fairy dust that is inside of it. It will keep you safe…”
Xia took the sword and pulled it from its sheath to hold it up to the light, it glistened with pinks, purples, blues, and silvers. The hilt itself looked as if it was made of crystal and was smooth against her skin, “Thank you Nialla… But why give it to me now?”
“Because…” Nialla straightened up and looked Xia in the eye, “I have a feeling that if I don’t give it to you now… That I will never see you again... Now hurry and get to the castle.”
She looked away from her friend, not wanting to see the tears that were threatening to fall, “Thank you…” She whispered before turning around and rushing off to get back on her course.
“Please… Keep her safe…” Nialla whispered to no one in particular as she looked down.
Clutching the sword tightly in her hands she made her way through the town, the castle getting closer and closer. After a matter of seconds she was bursting from the town and onto the road that led to the castle, to her left she could see the King and his men coming around the corner towards her. Attaching the sword to her waist by its strap she took a deep breath and started running again. This time all she did was cut across the small field to the castle. The guards standing watch at the entrance watched her with little to no interest; they were used to their princess doing odd things. Their gazes lifted away from her and towards the King causing shock and surprise to shoot through them. Just as Xia passed by them to enter the castle they turned around and shouted to other guards to inform the King of the High King’s arrival.
As soon as she entered the castle she saw that everyone seemed to be going mad about the arrival. The servants were rushing about with chairs, foods, and clothing with her mother pacing the room barking orders at them all. Her father sat on his throne, watching with a look that made it seem that he had no idea about what was going on. His lazy gaze traveled over everyone and landed on his daughter. Slightly his lips dropped into a frown as he sat up and motioned for her to hide.
Glancing over her shoulder to see the King and his men reaching the entrance to the castle she quickly ducked over to some tapestries hanging upon a pillar that held up the balcony of the second floor. Slipping behind it, she stilled her body and waited. A dead silence washed over everything and everyone just a heartbeat latter. She could hear the sound of his chainmail moving as he got off his horse along with his men.
Her father was the first to break the silence, “Your highness, what has brought you to my small kingdom?”
“You know the answer to that Fredrick.” The High King’s voice easily over powered her fathers, “I have been informed that your daughter has turned eighteen.”
“You have been informed well then, would you like to stay for dinner?” She couldn’t help but smile at her father’s words.
Silence fell again but was gone as the sound of the High King’s heavy foot falls resonated through the large room, “I’m afraid I have no time for that. You see, my feast starts in five days and I must be there to make sure everything is prepared.” There was a pause, “I did not come here for pleasantries either, I am here for you daughter. Because she has turned eighteen she is now one of my honored guests, and you know… No one declines my invite, so where is she? I would like to leave now.”
There was the soft sound of fabric moving and she guessed that her father was standing up, “She will not be going with you.”
“I’m afraid she doesn’t have a choice. Either she comes, or I have this pitiful kingdom burned to the ground.” Xia leaned a little to look at the High King from around the pillar to see a look of annoyance on his face, “So which will it be.”
Her father opened his mouth to give his answer and Xia already knew that he would choose her over the kingdom and couldn’t let him do that. Quickly she stepped around the pillar and answered, “I will go with you.”
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Authors Note
Sorry for mistakes, I am writting this as fast as I can and will not edit anything untill it is finished wich will hopefully be by the end of this month so expect a lot of updates. If you are doing NaNo then find me (NeverEverAfter) and lets be writting buddys :)
