Chapter 1 The Kidnapper
Cleo's P.O.V
Why does a kingdom have to be so big? What I'm doing here, I have no idea, I just needed to get away from my guardians. My Father left my Mother a year ago after my Mother found out that he was beating her 7 year old daughter for 6 months. My Mom, she passed away last year from cancer. Now, I have ran away, yes, me. Cleo Temple, the girl that has put up with crap for the last 11 months, ran away.
I clutched my small rucksack in my hands as I walked into the walls of a strange looking city. The streets buzzed with amusement, probably a day of work. "Buy some fresh fruit!" Someone called from their stall as I walked further into the city. The smell of heat and light smoke drifted through the air, originally from the Furnace, which was making new armor and weapons. I stopped after a while. I didn't know where I was going to go, after all, I'm homeless now. I sat down on a small white wall, gazing up at a sparkling, white castle. It's red flags flowing down the balcony walls. I stood up and started to walk back the way I had came. I had to find somewhere to stay, and that was something I wasn't looking forward to. "Move it! Come on! Get out of the way!" Someone bellowed behind me. It was then I realized, a horse dressed in fancy armor was loping up behind me. I quickly side stepped and watched two horses gallop out of the city, towards the forest I have just came out of. Once they passed me, I returned to my trail, immediately not knowing where to go.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm, covering my mouth with another. I tensed quickly with the sudden impact. I tried to scream, but my sound was muffled. There was no one around to help now, they were all far up in the city, carrying on with their busy day. I tried to scream again, but the arms just got tighter.
"Scream and I'll hurt you." The voice hissed. I nodded, but whimpered into the black glove. I was picked up without any hesitation and thrown over a shoulder. The person began to walk away, towards the forest.
Great, I haven't been in the new city half an hour and already I have been kidnapped. I trembled in the corner of a room, awaiting for what would come next. My senses were down to a minimum. I couldn't see, I was blindfolded. I was surrounded in darkness, unable to see my kidnappers face, to see where I was. The smell of this place was plain, there was nothing much to smell. The taste of the gag in my mouth was awful, tasting like ale had been spilled all over it. I could hear my kidnapper pacing around the room, breathing slowly, making everything tense.
After a while, he walked out, muttering under his breath. I whimpered and struggled against the ropes that were keeping my wrists together. Where was help when you needed it? Why has everything turned against me? Eventually I moved enough so that the blindfold slipped down, landing on my neck. I couldn't exactly stand up as my hands were behind my back. I heard foot steps come back towards the room. I panicked and felt myself tense. The door swung open and the man stood there, anger written all over his face. That was soon lifted by a dark grin. He walked across to me and untied my hands and took the gag from my mouth. I didn't wait for what was coming next. I bolted to my feet and headed out of the door. "Where do you think you're going?" A familiar voice snarled. I trembled, but turned around to face the voice. My guardian, John stood, smirking evilly. I pointed towards the door, unable to find my words. He shook his head, withdrawing a knife from under his jacket. I felt my stomach drop at the sight of the knife, reflecting light on it's polished blade. "Scream and it will get worse, remember?" He laughed.
Arthur's P.O.V
"Come on Merlin, we don't have all day." I groaned. I looked back to find my servant struggling with all the weapons, plus my two kills, that I had loaded onto him. I felt sorry for him, but I wasn't going to let my feelings show, especially to a cheeky servant like him. "Please sire, help?" Merlin begged as he dropped an arrow, narrowly missing his foot. I sighed and turned around.
"Give me my bow and my arrows." I said plainly. Without objection, he handed me what I asked for. Immediately Merlin relaxed and carried the rest of the equipment, and my prizes.
Merlin hates hunting, that's why I basically why bring him along with me. I love it, watching Merlin moan and grimace when I shoot a rabbit, or a deer. He his such a girl, but the idiot always seems to find a way to annoy me, hunting or not. "Come on idiot, I've helped you out, so there is no excuse this time." I said, the thrill of annoying Merlin tingled in my body, but I hid my feelings, waiting for his answer. "Why do you have to be such a prat?" Merlin asked, a cheeky grin sliding across his face. "Would you like to visit the stocks?" I grinned, no longer able to keep it hidden. Merlin thought over what I had just asked him, and he shrugged, still smirking. "It's a risk I'm willing to take." Merlin smiled. I rolled my eyes and clapped him over the back of his head. He flinched, and relaxed after the impact. He pulled a face at me, so I glared back. His smile fell a little and his gaze turned to the floor. I smiled and nodded in triumph.
Suddenly a piercing scream filled the forest. Merlin's face turned serious, more than what it had done before when I glared at him. The manservant looked at me with worried eyes. "I heard it too." I reassured him. Merlin looked in the direction the scream came from. "I-I think we should go and check it out." Merlin said. "What? And get killed? Okay!" I said sarcastically. Merlin looked at me with wide, serious eyes. I sighed and rolled my eyes again. "If it makes you feel any better, we'll go and see what's wrong." I sighed. Merlin smiled a little, nodding in thanks, before setting off in the direction. "Hey! Wait for me!" I yelled after him.
Cleo's P.O.V
I never thought a knife could cause so much pain. The way the sharp blade cut into my back, it made me hiss in pain. When John, my guardian, took out the knife, he pushed me against the wall, lifting up my t-shirt, which showed my back. It made me uncomfortable, feeling the light breeze against my skin, making me shiver very slightly. I hissed in pain, trying not to scream as the blade cut into many places on my back, and at the top of my shoulders. My eyes closed tightly in pain, wondering how long I could last, and if I could, well, they'll just make it worse for me anyway.
Eventually, they got me in the last place. The knife was placed on the bottom of my spine, cutting in deeper. It hurt so much I knew I wouldn't be able to keep in control any longer. I let out a very loud scream, hoping that someone was nearby to hear me, and hopefully come to my rescue. I took one painful blow to the head, knocking me dizzy. I stumbled and ran out of the door, tears beginning to roll down my face.
