War comes with a price chapter 1

My family the Steelridge clan and the Greyhen clan have been at war since I was 17, I am now 20 my name is Princess Anastasia Steelridge my family owns Eveton and the Greyhen clan are trying to take it over.

It all started for some unknown reason on my seventeenth birthday where I saw a boy around the same age as me getting dragged out of the castle but I didn't get a look at him because I thought nothing of it and next thing I know Carrick is getting walked out by my parents looking mad as hell and muttering curses.

The thing that still haunts me to this day is when Carrick's eyes snapped up to mine there was something in his eyes something I have never seen before it was sinister then he just smiled turned round and walked away...

My parents never did tell me why we stopped seeing the Greyhen's or why the memories of my copper haired boy slowly ceases to exist now it is just one memory at the back of my mind taunting me.

But the funny thing is the Steelridge and Greyhen clan's used to be best friends but that was way back then.

Sometimes though in the back of my mind I see a much happier time when there was no war and my family sat in a big circle with a copper haired boy chasing a giggling me as we play, sometime I miss whose days.

Right now we are working out war plans because the army's of the Greyhen's have backed us into a corner and we don't have many options left many a good man has lost their life in this war.

we can't afford to run from this battle because all the people in our castle walls are counting on us it's not just something you can give up, I walk to my dad's study admiring all the paints of when my sister was alive, god I miss her it's been what... 2 years but it does nothing to ease my broken soul and the hole left in my heart.

I quickly strut straight pass the paint trying to keep the tears in but one strays from my eye landing on my nose which I hastily dry as I don't want my dad to see me this weak I have to be strong for my family.

When I reach my dad's study I just stand there searching for an excuse not to walk in there for a good straight 5 minutes wishing I didn't have to talk to my dad about this I mean he won't even let me fight with the army just because I am a girl, ok Ana just knock it's ok whist repeating this in my head I knock on the mahogany door that leads to my future, I almost consider knocking again as after a couple of minutes I hear nothing.

As I turn to leave getting ready to breathe a sigh of relief until I hear Luke my dad's head of the army say "come in" in his powerful tone of voice oblivious to my inner turmoil on the other side of the door.

Walking in everything looks ok the books are still on the huge bookcase the couch is still in one piece and the desk is ok but it's seen better days.

Being so nervous of this meeting I didn't notice the large bottle of liquor on the desk then seeing my dad is slumped over his desk having knocked all the contents of the desk on the floor leaving it a mine field for unsuspected people with the captain of our army Luke sawyer stood next to him look like everything is normal I do a double take and see that half the bottle is empty with my dad mumbling "I am so sorry I tried to save you but they found you again" if I wasn't so nervous I would of been curious as to who my dad is talking about.

"Hello dad and Luke" I say politely wanting to breaking the awkward silence and to stop the pounding in my heart.

"Miss Steelridge" Luke says equally polite but I see a slight curve of his lips instantly breaking his big bad army man persona for me, just then at the sound of my name my dad's head shoots up to greet me with one of his wryly smiles which causes me to jump back in shock to which my dad starts chuckling looking still slightly out of it.

"Hey baby girl, how you doing?" he can barely get the words out of his mouth so he reaches for his liquor bottle and my hand shoots out just in time for the liquid to not touch his lips whist I shake my head, my only reply is some intelligible nonsense coming out his mouth all the while glaring at me.

"I am good, what are the plans?"

" ah I see straight to the plans no love for your dad well I see how it is" he mocks this and turns his nose up at me looking the other way trying to play off a offended look but I can see his grin. Then suddenly he switches to all business and states "ok,we are planning to attack the south side camp tomorrow since this is our last shot if we don't attack tomorrow then they will push past our last defences which I can't risk, you understand don't you?" I know he has to do this but I am scared the Greyhen's are one of the most powerful clans in the land, I can tell that my dad is also scared which can't mean anything good.

"I know dad I am just scared for you, what if we don't win because we both know you can't always be the hero" I can hear my voice trembling and I know my dad can too because of the scowl on his face, I haven't shown my emotions since my sister died because I am tired of people thinking I am weak so my dad knows I must be really scared, deep in thought I start to pace running a track in the carpet.

"Hey its ok this will blow over soon, now go get some sleep you have to be up early to get your horse tacked up, I won't always be the hero but I can still damn try" I can tell by the expression on his face that I shouldn't argue you know when your parents give you that face that sends you hiding under your bed.

"Ok dad see you tomorrow, goodnight oh and please be safe because... I love you" and I go to kiss him on the cheek and feel salty tears on my lips so I look up to see my dad with love and hope on his face as he traps me up in his embrace.

"Night baby girl" he gives me a kiss on the forehead then walks back to his desk looking dead tired while I nod to Luke and walk out hearing my dad sigh.

I close the door and see my mum going to bed and kiss her on the cheek and she hugs me, my bond isn't as strong with my mum as mine with my dad as she always wanted a girl to dress up but I was more of a tomboy, I remember I used to get muddy jumping around and playing with boys and she would be livid so yes I was more of a daddy's girl.

"Night sweetie" my mum says in a soothing tone stroking my cheek.

"Goodnight mum" she walks to her bed room and I do the same, tomorrow is going to be an interesting day I think getting ready for bed and with that I get under the covers and fall into a deep sleep.