FoxHall

"Who are you?" The man growled. A black mask covered his face but I could still smell his rancid breath.
"Catherine Fox, sir." I said with the expected feminine meekness.
"No!" He bellowed at me. "What is your real name!"
I was trapped up against a tavern wall. How I got in this obscene place, I'm scared to know. The man produced a dagger from his belt and held it to my throat.
"Tell me girl! Or I shall remove your head and mount it above my mantle!"
I bit my lip, telling myself it was all over. If today was to be my dying day, than I shall go out in a blaze of glory.
"My name, sir, is Catherine Fox. I am the daughter of the Duke of FoxHall. I demand my release at once." I spoke with all the dignity I could muster, which was quite a lot considering the circumstances.
The blade pressed to my throat. Drips of blood streaked down to pool in my collarbone. Still I did not give in.
"I demand my release! Less I have you tried in the Kings court!"
A man sitting at the counters head snapped up at my words.
"Ronald, you have been drinking far too much. This woman is Catherine of FoxHall, the heir to the duchy, and a first cousin to the King. I suggest you release her immediately."
The gentleman stood tall over both my assailant and I. Blonde wisps of hair clouded his blue eyes. Quite the contrast to my attacker, Ronald, who held the traits of a barbarian. After a couple grunts the behemoth released me.
"Come Lady Fox, allow me to escort you back to FoxHall."
The gentleman held his arm out to me and I took it gladly. Despite the fact that I, an unmarried lady, was to be seen leaving a tavern with a male at night, I was not worried at all. My mother however, was incapable of calming down.

~Book One of The Time of Kings Trilogy~