Rosewood Kingdom

What's the Rush?

The horse galloped across the open plains in urgency. Helia needed to get to her cottage as quickly as she could. The lantern she'd lighted flickering in the icy wind. Her wagon dragging behind her, full of supplies. People thought she was crazy for having a leather and then burlap covering over it. It kept her warmer in the winter and dry in rain.

"Wanted, King York of Shadowcourt. 100,000 shillings." Several men in booths next to hers could only read the amount on the page. The picture of the king was a strikingly similar one to the man that stumbled across her cottage in the middle of the night. "I say, we ride tonight then." the leader of the men decided while rolling up the parchment.

When the booths closed for the night, more small groups of men vowed to help the Shadowcourt Council find King York. He was officially public enemy number one.

Helia normally stopped by her friend's house to spend the night before finishing the trek home in the morning but tonight was far more important. A group just ahead of her had stopped for a rest. Many of the town's people were heading west. 100,000 shillings meant a lot of people could come out of poverty at the drop of a hat.

"Look! It's Helia! Looking for the king too?" the man snarled at her as he stepped in the lantern's view.

"No. I'm on my way home. Surely you remember that at least." She looks the man up and down before stepping around him. "Now excuse me."

The man grabs her arm. "You won't find him before me."

"Unhand me!" she stomps on his foot and beckons her horse to take off again.

Meanwhile, York slipped back into Helia's cottage and rested on the bed from the night before. He goes back in his thoughts and shakes his head.

"Why would I trust you?" he looked the two witches up and down.

"Because, we know and see all." Mika smirks. "We know you didn't kill your wife and son. We know that the Council had plotted on you since you'd been coronated as king. We know...everything."

"But what about now?"

"Towns in the kingdoms of your allies are helping them find you. Most of which sending messengers with a bounty on your head."

"Then what should I do?"

"Fake your death. Surely that's the smartest thing to do." Brie looks up in the eye. "And we can help..."

"What's in it for you?"

"My king! You think so ill of us." Mika laughs for a moment. Then her eyes turn serious. "We, as in Helia, Brie, and myself, are the only ones who have your best interest at heart."

"How do I fake my death?"

"Do you still have your royal clothes with you?" Brie asks.

"Yes." He jingles the bag. The women take the bag and lights it on fire. "Wait! My medallion!"

They allow him to take it with him. "I hope you know what you're doing..."

"It's all I have of my wife, Milly." He reveals sadly. "I can't give that up."

York turns the medallion over and over in his hand. It was birthday present. Millicent was so excited to have it made for him.

Suddenly, a loud bang makes him sit up in the bed. He grabs the dagger and slides it in his pocket.

Helia returns, moving around in her home nervously. The main room's fireplace was alive with orange and red fire. That meant someone was here.

"I didn't expect to see you here again." She breathed when York stepped in the room. "I thought you would've left by now."