The Scaleless Chronicles

~ Chapter 1 ~

The sound of quiet panting accompanied by footfalls broke through the stillness of the forest. The noise was almost imperceptible, but the forest was dead silent, making even the slightest noise noticeable. The young man peeked out from where he lay obscured by a fallen tree and the thick underbrush. He expected to see his prey. He was surprised when he saw that the intruder was a man who couldn't have been more than his own age, clad in the off-duty attire of a palace guard. He was attempting to be silent, but was very out of breath and clearly unused to running through forests.

With an amused expression, the hidden man leisurely stood up and knocked an arrow on his bow. "What are you doing in my forest?" He inquired in a voice that demanded answer.

The guard immediately froze before slowly turning to look at the man who held his life in hand. "Nothing wrong, Sir, I swear it!" He gazed with fear at the man before him, who was looking him over. The guard felt the man's eyes stop at the collar of his shirt before he lowered his bow, returned the arrow to the quiver, and brought himself to stand in front of the guard in a short series of purposeful strides.

The man narrowed his eyes, staring straight into the guard's wide, frightened ones. "On whose authority have you come into my forest?" He demanded. The guard's eyes flicked down to his right wrist. The man followed the guard's gaze and saw it: the edge of a turquoise handkerchief, hidden lovingly under the sleeve of the undershirt. Before the guard could react, the young man had his hunting knife out and used it to deftly pull the fine cloth square out of its hiding place.

The young man knew exactly who had given permission, or rather incentive, for the guard to enter the forest, but he wanted a confession. He dangled the kerchief in front of the guard's terrified face, then asked again. "Tell me now, on whose authority have you entered my wood? This is the last time I shall ask you without causing you pain." He hardened his look to a well-practiced one that could strike fear in most anyone's heart, and saw the moment of hesitation in the guard's terrified eyes, then the decision.

The guard threw his hands up in the air. "Please, Sir, I beg you, don't hurt me! She promised me a kiss and her favor if I could distract you long enough-" He stopped abruptly, looking as if he was torn between keeping his body or his budding love intact.

"Long enough for what?" The young man's eyes suddenly widened as he realized what was going on. He lashed out with his hand to grab hold of the treacherous guard, but at that instant they both heard the sound of a branch breaking in the distance, followed by brush rustling as something moved rapidly through it. "Liatak!" He swore, turning to jab a finger at the guard. "You're an idiot!" He then took off, sprinting through the forest in the direction of the noises.

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Everything had gone spectacularly up until he saw the favor. Mentally, Cassandra kicked herself. Why, oh why hadn't she thought to tell him to keep it somewhere safer? Cassandra almost groaned out loud. She'd promised him a kiss for nothing! She couldn't afford mistakes right now, and yet one had popped up. It's all right, she told herself. I've almost finished skirting around. I can almost begin running. If I can just make it a little farther, I'll surely escape. She was so focused on how close she was as surprised as the men in the clearing when she heard the snap.

No! She thought, watching her freedom slip away. Knowing there was no other way, she abandoned stealth and bolted, flying through the forest as fast like a deer. She wasn't silent, no one could be at that pace, but she knew she was close. Under any other circumstance, she loved the rhythm of her feet hitting the ground, the feeling of flying as she leapt over fallen trees and across small ravines. She loved the forest. But right now, all that mattered was getting out.

Cassandra heard the barely perceptible rustle of bushes and knew her pursuer was right behind her. He was the predator and she the prey. This time, there would be no mercy. There would be no escape. This thought drove her to push past what she thought was her limits. She had never run this fast nor this far. Her heaving breath made stealth impossible, but there was no need for stealth. She just had to make it through the forest and across the meadow, to the boundary. She could do it. She had to!

She sprinted out of the woods, emerging into blinding sunlight. There was no time to adjust her sight; her freedom was mere hundred meters away! She felt the footfalls of her pursuer behind her and strained for one final burst of speed, knowing it wasn't there but desperate for it all the same. The only hope was one massive leap, to literally throw herself across the line. She took a breath and pushed off with one foot, yelling from the exertion as she reached out to the salvation the treeline offered. Her hand sunk into the shadows and she felt exhilaration - She'd done it! She'd escaped!

Then she felt a hand on her ankle. No! No. No no no no noooo!! She felt herself being pulled backwards, her hand reemerging into the light as her soul dropped to the depths of her being. "NO!" she screamed, crying out as her body hit the grassy meadow floor. She tried to struggle, but her predator, her captor, was far stronger. Cassandra was pinned to the ground, unable to free herself. Left with no other recourse, she mustered the hautiest look she could and locked eyes with the man on top of her.

"Well, well, Milady," The voice was ragged and coarse, but unmistakably dark and triumphant. "You were so close to freedom, but in the end, like always, I caught my prey." 

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Author's note: Hello, readers! I hope you enjoyed the first two parts of  The Scaleless Chronicles!  Please don't feel shy to comment. I want to know YOUR thoughts, that's why I posted here and not somewhere were the people who read it are my friends and family. I want random people to tell me what they think, what they like about  the story, what they don't like, or where they think the story will go!  AUTHORS NEED FEEDBACK. Seriously. I can take criticism (though I'd appreciate it if you weren't outright mean about it. For example, don't say "Your story SUCKS.", instead try telling me what you didn't like about it, please.). 

This story is in progress, so please be patient. I will try to update about once a week, but no promises! I try to put quality over regularity and I will update when I think I have something worth sharing with you. :) 

That's all for now! I'm so glad you're here and I hope you stick around for the rest of the journey. 

~ Gayle