Heir to the Throne

[Avellan13]

(Closed for Ruelle)

Prince Alexander was dreaming about horses. Not prancing ponies or wild ones with happy music in the background, but warhorses. Magnificent beast breed for war and combat. He was riding one, leading an army against the enemy.

The two armies were about to collide, when Alexander was shaken awake by someone. "Young master, wake up." Said a heavily accented voice. Opening his eyes, Alexander say that is was his master of arms, Otto Hoffman.

Confused, Alexander looked up at the man, "What is it? Why are you disturbing my sleep?"

Another voice, deeper and more serious, respond, "You are to come with us your highness. Your father's orders."

Looking behind Otto, Alexander saw Count Wilhelm stride into the room. "But my father's away in another country?" replied Alexander. "He left instructions. Now we must go."

Nodding, Alexander got up and put on his clothes, the usual royal garments. After a hurried preparation; Alexander, Otto, and Wilhelm where making there way towards the stables. They found the horses saddled and ready with a man, a soldier by the looks of him uniform, standing beside the beasts.

"Come on young master. We need to go and quickly before..." but Otto was cut off as a shout came from behind. Looking back, Alexander saw a group of guards, on the watch tower, point at them. Then, before he could comprehend what was going on, one of the guards fired an arrow at Alexander. They'd dare strike me? Had they gone mad?

Count Wilhelm helped Alexander onto the horse while the others got on there horses. Whatever was going on, Alexander knew one thing, Otto, Wilhelm, and the guard who had prepared the horses, were on his side.

In a few moments, the small group made there way out of the front gates, and into the unknown.

 

[Ruelle]

She had grown up in these woods. These woods had given shelter to her, had provided her with the food and drink she needed. These woods were all she ever needed. It was the unknown world that little boys and girls dreamed off. It was quiet, it was silent, it was hers. She closed her eyes as she walked, the hood of her cloak framing her young face. She was on her own, the death of her father happening when she was all but a young girl.

She learned on her own to forage to survive. But it had been an adventure for her, especially when she practiced with her small blades. Mordred made her way toward the edge of the woods, feeling something was not right in the air. Something horrible had happened, though she could not pick up on what. No, the young girl didn’t know everything, but she had developed a sixth sense of sorts. Or rather, she had honed her instinct extremely well.

Whistling a lullaby, she felt the soft fur of her wolfish companion. He could be considered a pet of sorts, but it was all a matter of opinion. She didn’t feed him or put a collar of the mammal. In fact, it always came to her. “Hey boy,” she smiled, scratching the back of his ear. “How are your wife and children?”

“Aroo,” the wolfish creature answered in response.

“That’s good,” Mordred smiled as she continued to walk, her bow handing loosely form her belt, the arrows safely tucked behind her back. It was always best to be prepared for any situation. “You feel it too, don’t you?” The dog appeared to nodded, escorting its strange… ‘master’ through the trees. “Hush, child, the darkness will carry you into sleep while it seeps into his child’s keep.” Her father had sang it to her as a child. She never really understood what he had been talking about. Then again, she had been raised here for most of her life.

Standing next to the tree, she searched the open field for any sort of life. And for a few moments, all was still, but then the pounding of hooves was heard, along with human noises. Her eyes zoned onto the leader. He looked barely older than her. She looked further on, seeing a dark mass coming toward the four horses. Well now, this was massively unfair! Four against that horde. She stepped out from the shadows and motioned for them to come and follow her. Obviously after they dismounted their horses.

Only the bottom half of her face could be seen as she made more frantic movies, seeing that black mass beginning to catch up. “Come one then! If you value your lives, you’ll come with me! Quickly, or you’ll all be caught!”

 

[Avellan13]

Prince Alexander saw a figure step out from the shadows of the trees and motion towards them. He did a double take then looked a Count Wilhelm, who nodded.

Looking back, Alexander heard the alarm going off, and a small group of troops preparing to chase after them. The group outnumbered them three to one, not very good odds.

They soon made there way over to the mysterious figure and stopped. Looking back again, Alexander saw the soldiers beginning to chase after them. Luckily, Alexander and his band, had a good lead on them.

There only hope of escape was hiding in the woods and trusting this mysterious stranger.

 

[Ruelle]

Mordred waited for them to move before moving into the forest, giving them the easiest path to maneuver through. She hoped that the the ones chasing the four wouldn't be able to see where they went. She paused, taking a quick look at the four. There was the boy her age, there was three other men, ones she did not know how to characterize.

Taking a few more minutes, she led them further into the forest, knowing by now, whoever was after them would get lost by the hanging vines and thorny roots of the trees. Turning around, she confronted all four. "I do not care who or what you are," she started to say. "But these are my woods, my home. I ask you to not disturb the animals that dwell here." She then turned and walked forward.

She would take them to a safe place to sleep, give them food and then, well, it would be up to them where they went. Their troubles were not her troubles. Picking along the path, she still didn't reveal the rest of her face. It was best if they thought her magic.

Stopping once more, Mordred tilted her head slightly back and sniffed at the air. Her eyes narrowed slightly. The air was tainted. Was it from those four? Or something else. She straightened her shoulders. She needed to get them to one of the safe camps she made. Fast.

 

[Avellan13]

Alexander and his group followed the woman into the forest. It was hard going, what with the thorns, underbrush, vines, and other plants but they managed. As long as there guards weren't chasing them, then everything was ok.

Otto leaned over and whispered to Alexander, "Young master. Are you sure we can trust her?"

Count Wilhelm interrupted before Alexander could reply, "You might not want to refer to Alex as young master. It could cause us trouble."

Otto reddened with embarrassment and looked straight ahead.

 

[Ruelle]

Modred suddenly stopped and turned around, her cloak whipping around her. "If you're going to talk about me, I suggest you do so in a manner in which I can not hear. Also, I could pose the same question to you. For all I know, they were right in chasing you. But I do not care for neither story. It is not my problem. NOT my concern," she snapped the pointed her finger toward the small cave. "That is where you can sleep tonight. As I can see none of you brought food, I'll go get some of my leftovers."

With that, she turned again and left them alone. Her camp really wasn't all that far, just a few minutes walk really. But, what was with all that 'young master' talk? How could anyone be a master? She shrugged and stretched her arms out. She knew tonight the air was disturbed. And the reasons were behind her, where she left them.

Scouraging around her camp, she looked for the good parts of the food, not wanting them to have too horrible a night. She muttered under her breath, promising curses if they dared to throw away. Food should never be wasted. She stood, her mind recalling some bit of information. "So, that scrawny one is Alex, eh? Wonder why he's called a young master," her hand rested on her hip as she stood. "Bah, strange things they say, those Outsiders."