Royal Affairs

Chapter 17

(Ember's POV)

        Storm and I slowly made our way down to the docks. It was pitch black out, and few lanterns led our way. I could see the shadows of the ships and hear the waves that lapped against them. I shivered, not from the cold, but from the uneasy feeling.

        I dismounted Storm and tied her riens to one of the latetern posts. I notched an arrow and made my way closer to to the water, staying with in the shadows.

        I jumped and came to a stop when a voice spoke from somewhere ahead. "Princess, I'm glad you came, and with out any knights. This will be very easy."

        I searched for the owner of the voice but he stayed in the shadows. The voice sounded very familar. "Who are you?"

        "I'm surprised you can't figure that part out."

        "I know you are related to someone from my parents' past."

        I heard something that resmbled a laugh. "My dear sweet Ember. You are mistaken." His voice grew seriouse, "I am from their past, present and I will be their future, until the day your father falls dead."

        I tried to keep him talking while I tried to figure out where the voice was coming from exactly. "You seem pretty confident."

        I heard a chuckle. "Why shouldn't I be? Your father is nothing more than a fool. He tried to protect you but in doing so he brought me straight to you. He has given me more time with you since your arrival than my brother ever had with your mother."

        I narrowed down the spots where my opponant could be. I kept my bow in front of me, ready to be shot off at a moment's notice, and I took a step toward a pile of crates. "How is that so?"

        "Why my dear Ember I'm heartbroken that you still don't know who I am." I saw a person walk out from behind the crates. I shot my arrow but he intecipated my shot and jumped out of the way. "Nice shot." I still could not see his face. "Jonathan has been teaching you well." He took a step closer still staying in the shadows.

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(The King's POV)

        I stood with a couple of knights in the library. We had stood gaurd all night with no signs of an attack. "The sun is up. I suppose I should find my daughter." I left the knights and first went Jonathan's chambers. I knocked on the door. "Ember? Ember its me you're free to go." When no response came I tried the door knob, it was unlocked. I opened the door. "Ember?"  I looked in the room and saw that it was empty. "Ember!"

        I ran down the hall, I ran until I reached Ember's chambers. I knocked and again no response. I opened the door and, like Jonathan's, the room was empty. I ran in and pulled the blankets back from the bed. I went out to the balcony. When I went back into her chambers I sank to the floor. "Ember?" I felt a breeze and realized that the balcony door was still open. I stood up and a flapping on her dresser caught my eye.

        I picked up a piece  of paper and read the words that were neatly written. I closed my fist around the paper and ran out of the room.       

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(Jonathan's POV)

       I was sitting in the corner of my cell glaring at the guards when the King rushed in. "She's gone! She was taken!"

     I stood up. "Your Majesty?"

      "He took her!"

      My heart fell and shattered as I asked my next question, I knew its answer. "Who took who sir?"

       "Ember! Ember was taken by him." The King bowed his head and I heard the sob that over took his body.

         I gripped the bars of the cell door as I fell to my knees, "No" it was a whisper and the king look up and met my gaze. "I will kill him!" The tears streaked down my face as I screamed the words.

       The King gestured something to guard and when the guard hesitated he yelled "Let him out!"  I heard the door creak open but I didn't bother getting up. I felt a hand touch my shoulder. "Get up son. We can't get her back if you're sitting here in this cell."

       I grasped his hand and stood "Lets get her back from that son of a bitch!"

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(Ember's POV)

       I let another arrow fly at what I thought was a shadow of a human. "Not even close Princess. Your father would be happy to know that you were a pretty good shot, too bad it won't help you here." I turned around and saw movement. I grabbed a dagger and threw it, but instead of a sound of pain I heard a rip and saw potatoes rolling around.

     "Why? Why must you seek revenge? Your brother did horrible things to my family. To my mother!"

    The voice now came from my right. "My brother was a good man who died in vain!"

     I thought I heard a sound to my left The man was every where at once it seemed. "Not according to those at the castle."

      "The people from the castle are liars!" this time the voice came from right behind me. I slowly turned around to face my opponent. I gasped in shock. "Recognize me now Princess?" I was hit in the head and found myself falling as I stared at a man who I did indeed recognized, one I recognized very well.