The Captured Princess

Chapter Fifty-Five: Keary

I had watched all the happenings without really realizing that I was a part of them. We had entered the room where the ring supposedly was, were both surprised to discover that the king had made a trip to check on his prized ring. Fay had immediately engaged in combat, and I went over to where the ring was kept to see if it was still there. It wasn't, and I had supposed that the king slipped it in a pocket or something before meeting Fay's challenge.

And so here I was, watching Fay about to end Theo's life, then probably the princess' and the king's. I couldn't let that happen. They weren't supposed to get involved in this anyway. Why should they die just because of my wish for revenge. They shouldn't.

I dashed to where Fay was about to send a blast of ice into the young soldier's heart, and I grabbed her wrist to deflect the blast away from him, and towards a wall. I grabbed her hand and yanked off the ring so she couldn't use it, but before I could do anything to ensure that couldn't hurt anyone or anything again, a metal fist slammed into my face, but luckily, I didn't lose hold of the ring.

"Are you mad?" She yelled at me.

"Maybe I was, but I'm not anymore!" I yelled back, and before she could do anything, I held the ring up. It was a silver colored metal, perfectly smooth, with a gem of pale icy blue. Or maybe it was ice. Whatever it was, it gave forth a cold radiance, and I couldn't help but stop for a second and admire it's beauty. But there was no time for that. I wrenched the gem from it's place. There was sound like shattering ice before the cold radiance dimmed, and the silver color turned a dull gray. And I knew it's freezing ability was gone.

Fay stared at me like she thought I had lost my mind. The princess and the soldier also stared, as though they didn't quite believe what had just transpired. I took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. I tossed the ring a few paces in front of me, where it rolled a bit, then twirled some before it lay motionless on the ground. I was going to toss the gem, but I found it had melted in my hand.

The sound of booted feet came from the hall, and I knew that if I wanted to get out of here, I'd have to leave now.

I strode to the door, which was lying ajar. I slipped through and turned for one last look at the scene. Fay still stared at where I had been but a few seconds before. The princess was weeping over the dead body of her father. The young soldier had moved over to comfort her, but he himself looked like he might faint at any moment.

The sound grew nearer, and I went forward a bit before I came to a small niche in the wall. It was dark in the corridor, and the guards wouldn't see me, so I ducked in there, before the guards went hurriedly by. I was still as I could be, and thankfully, they didn't notice me.

I continued on my way out of the castle, and to the place where my horse was tied. I mounted slowly, and sat still in the saddle for a moment, before turning him to ride deeper into the forest.