Origins

Alyssa- part 1

My carriage pulls me along. I am about to be married off to the king of the neightboring kingdom. He is quite handsome and I've heard he is kind. I will meet him now, and in a week, I will return to marry him.

I don't want to be married. I want to stay in my kingdom and be with my friends. But I have a royal duty and must protect my kingdom from war.

"Princess Alyssa?" My coach calls to me.

"Yes?"

"We are about to enter the forest of thieves. Stay quiet. Don't get out of the carriage for anything."

"I understand."

As we traverse the woods, I stay silent. My carriage is fairly quiet which is good. All the criminals and thieves of all kinds seek refuge here. I've heard many stories of passing coaches and royalty getting robbed and murdered. I don't want to be one of them.

My maid is covering her mouth to avoid whimpering or crying out. She's a very nervous girl.

We hit a bump in the road and she does make a noise. I put my finger to my lips to hush her and she looks very scared.

My carriage stops. I feel the relief of it when someone jumps off. My coach is probably checking the wheel.

The carriage gains some weight and we start to move again. It's all ok.

I give my maid a reassuring smile and she tries to give one back.

After about an hour of silence, my coach calls down to me.

"Princess, we are out of the forest and almost to the kingdom."

"Thank you for notifying me." I turn to my maid. "Are you OK?"

She nods and takes a deep breath.

I hear some trumpets sound as we enter the kingdom.

My carriage halts and my door is opened. My escort takes my arm and leads me to the castle, my maid following close behind.

The large double doors open for me and my escort so we entered stepped across the threshold. 

"Why, Princess Alyssa, you are lovely. Our king will love you!" A woman comes and fusses over me. "Your dress is gorgeous, your hair is pretty, how long are you staying?" She is very energetic.

"Just for two hours. I must be home at nightfall."

"Of course. Come! Come meet the king!" I follow her, my escort tenses up but leads me to through the castle. I assume I am being taken to the throne room and am not surprised.

The king sits on his throne and his eyes brighten when he sees me.

"Are you my beautiful bride to be?"

"I am." I say simply.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?" He stands up and walks toward me.

"I am Princess Alyssa."

He takes my hand and kisses it, very gentleman like.

I do not smile, but keep a very stoic face. I am not elated about this union. I will not show him any differently.

"Are thine lips deceiving or are you not happy about our betrothal?"

"I will not lie to thee for I am not."

"Might you tell me?"

"I wish to remain at my own castle and be married to a man of my choice."

"Is this castle not sufficient? I am a king. The highest royalty on the continent. You do not wish to marry me?"

"I will but it is not my wish."

"I see. You may get to be a princess of your kingdom, but you are a queen in mine. You will grow to love me and my kingdom."

I will not answer to this. He may believe so, but I will never.

"Let me escort you on a tour of the castle."

I nod and take his arm as he leads me around. I get to see the courtyard, the dining room, the servant chambers, my room to be, and the King's bedchamber.

"It is getting quite late, my king, I must return home before dark." He is beginning to make me uncomfortable.

"Are you sure, my dear? It is quite comfortable here." He is getting a little bit pushy.

"I'm very sure. I must go." I let go of his arm and start walking to the exit. He comes from behind me and grabs my wrist.

"Release me. I'm not yours yet. Not until next week."

He seems surprised at my boldness and lets me go.

I hurry out the door and into my carriage.

I rush to close it after my maid enters. I try to calm down my racing heartbeat.

"Miss? What is wrong?"

"The King led me around the castle and wanted to... never you mind. I'm fine and we are on our way back to our own castle."

"Miss, you are sure you're OK?'

"Quite sure, now I'm going to take a nap if that is fine."

"Of course m'lady."

I lean against the side and close my eyes.

I wake to a howl. Wolves. They're usually timid creatures when faced with a large carriage. My maid clings to my arm and I put my arm around her shoulder.

Silence. Then our carriage is hit and tips over. My maid screams and I try to brace myself as it hits the ground.

I hear masculine screams and terror fills me. My coach. Growling and tearing and screaming.

The tipped carriage is rammed again and some pieces of wood are broken off. Much of it splinters and cracks. I try to get my maid out and I out, but it is hit again and a spike of wood impales my maid in the abdomen. She screams and I try to keep control of my emotions. I rush to her side and tear pieces of my dress fabric to stop the bleeding.

"I don't know if I can get this out." I manage.

"This is all the way through." I won't lie to her, she's not going to survive and she knows it too.

"Get out– miss..." I snap back to reality and climb out of the carriage without my maid.

I hear another howl and look at the blood soaked ground. A few feet away from the carriage is my coach, or what's left of him. He's been torn apart.

I cover my mouth with my hand and feel hysteria creeping in.

I see a pair of glowing eyes from behind the carriage and run in the opposite direction.

I can feel it coming for me.