The Captured Princess

Chapter Fifty-Three: Adira

I smiled as my home came into view. Beautiful stone walls, flags flying high in the sky, carried by the wind. I tried to recall how long I had been gone, and with a small start realized that it had only been two or three days. Home had never seemed more welcome, however, as we rode through the iron gate.

Whispers turned to cheers as the townspeople saw me. Apparently, some of them had known about my capture somehow, even though I'm sure my father tried to keep it as hushed up as possible.

I wasn't entirely surprised that my father didn't come to personally greet us at the front of the palace. He was probably attending to some business, waving it off that his daughter had been found again.

Dismounting my horse, I patted her on the neck, "I'm glad they brought you with," I whispered to Ismira, my horse. The soldiers had brought her in the small hope that she would recognize my scent and alert them.

She nickered in response, leaning against me. I smiled, and then left to go inside the palace. I rubbed my arm absently, feeling the dirt, grime, and dried blood there. A bath sounded wonderful.

I entered the palace, going to head straight for my chambers when I heard the clashing of swords. My gut twisted, and I don't know how I knew that those weren't the sounds of training. That was the sound of a fight to the death.

Turning to a guard, I yanked a sword out of his grip, whirled back around and bolted towards the noises, fearing the worst.

Vaguely, I heard someone running behind me, and a quick glance over my shoulder told me it was Theo, also armed with a sword.

The sounds grew closer as I ran, adrenaline coursing through me. Before I knew it I had skidded around a corner and the scene was before me.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw my father fighting the part-robot girl, "Father!" I choked out.

Then a hoarse scream tore through my throat as one of the girl's daggers speared through his chest. The girl slid her dagger out, sneering contemptibly at his fallen body.

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