Chapter 1
Darken Rahl scowled as he paced. They should have arrived by now. Damn that idiotic King Cefris for not taking his advice! She would be traveling through enemy territory…
"My Lord, shouldn't you be at the front gate to welcome your new bride?" His right-hand man, Edymere, scurried through the doorway. Rahl grunted and resumed pacing.
His men were happy with their riches and battles, his towns were well fed and heavily stocked, and his war was proceeding as planned. Edymere had come to Rahl nearly three moths ago exclaiming it was high-time he produced an heir. This of course, was not on Rahl's agenda, but quickly became his number one priority when all the wealthy women in neighboring countries caught wind of the fast traveling rumor: Lord Darken Rahl was searching for a bride.
There was no way to escape it after that. He had side-stepped the conversations and shrugged off the hints for too long now. So, he put it to his mind to find the most benefiting bride and be done with the whole thing. He had never been much of a family man, and was satisfied enough with the occasional harlot.
After a few months of consideration, he decided on Princess Ccri, first daughter to King Cefris of the castle WestingGate to the Far East. Terms were mutual between the king and himself, but he wanted a full-on alliance with the powerful kingdom, and this seemed like the perfect excuse.
The king had whole-heartedly agreed, and after the appropriate papers were signed for the treaty, the princess was to travel by guarded carriage to D'Hara. Problem was, the egotistic king believed 20 of his men enough to accompany her through an enemy forest.
Rahl snarled and grabbed his sword. "Tell the men to suit up; we're going to find her!" He shouted to Edymere.
Ccri yawned as another warm shaft of sunlight spilled through the carriage window and onto her skirts. The ride had been pleasant, but she was eager to see her husband-to-be. The carriage had been outfitted with several large goose down pillows in place of hard benches to suit the princess' needs. She lounged against a favorably fluffy one and sighed blissfully.
"Has my Lady ever met Lord Rahl before?" Across from Ccri sat her favorite hand maiden and closest friend, Penelope.
"Oh yes, but that was many years ago. His father, Panis Rahl, traveled to our lands in search of stronger metal. Darken was twelve then. Almost a man. I was merely five, but I followed him around everywhere, pestering him with questions." Ccri laughed. "He had no patience to speak of, but manners checked his temper. After a particularly trying session with me, he would excuse himself and duel our knights."
"Well maybe swordplay isn't all his hands are talented in", Penelope said cheekily. Ccri squealed and hurled a pillow at her in mock anger.
"The two chatted on throughout the day, happy as could be. The warm afternoon sun beat down on the parade and the beauty of the woods lured them into a false sense of security.
"And one time I asked him how come he-"
Ssssss-Thunk!
"What was that?" Ccri stuck her head out the window.
"My Lady, get down!" Penelope threw herself on top of her princess just as another arrow soared through the open window. "My Lady, we're under attack!"
"Mrmph!" was all the princess could reply.
Sounds of battle raged around them-yelling, clashing of swords, screams of dying men. It felt as if it lasted forever. At long last, the sounds died out and an eerie silence settled over the carriage.
Ccri shoved Penelope off her. "Did we win?"
The hand maiden looked about her shakily. "I don't know…"
The two sat there for a few moments.
"Well I'm not waiting around for someone to come in here and rape us!" Ccri gathered her skirts up and moved towards the carriage door.
"My lady do not even speak of such things! Where are you going…No, wait, don't go out there! It could be dangerous!"
Ccri tsked and open the door slowly. "I'm not waiting around here like two half stupid ducks to find out." She peered out. Men lay slain, some her own knights, most rebellious peasants. She opened the door farther and took a tender step out. Slowly, she lowered her body outside the carriage. After a few moments of nothing happening, she called back to Penelope. "I think everyone's gone. My father's men must have chased the rest down." She turned back just as an arrow hissed through the air and impaled her right shoulder.
The blood drained from Ccri's face. She stood there, in total shock before falling back into the carriage. Penelope screamed and hauled her limp body back inside as D'Haran war cries sounded around them. "My Lady, please don't die! You'll be okay, we'll get you to a healer and you'll be fine…" Penelope sobbed.
More battle noises ensued and Penelope hugged her mistresses' body close, sobbing into her chest. She didn't even realize when the battle was over and a man began shouting orders. She jerked with fright when the door was wrenched open and an older man looked in.
"They're in here my Lord!"
"Please don't kill us! Or rape us! We're on a diplomatic mission; our king will pay greatly for our safe return!"
A tall, muscular man with dark hair and pale blue eyes appeared. "Princess Ccri?"
"She's been shot sir, please take mercy on us and help her! I can't let my mistress die!"
He swore loudly and began spitting orders. As his men jumped to action, he turned back to Penelope. "I am Darken Rahl; I will care for her now, as is my duty. Hand her to me."
The bewildered hand maiden dragged Ccri's body to the man. He picked her up gingerly and climbed into his saddle, still holding her. "Edymere, I ride for the Palace, finish your work here then join me. I must care for my wi-…..the princess." He spurred his horse into a fast gallop.
Ccri would wake momentarily during the ride and stare up into the furious, yet undeniably handsome face of her rescuer before fainting into unconsciousness again.
Rahl spurred his horse on faster, his dark hair whipping out behind him. The damned treaty would be forfeit if she died in D'Hara. He had no way of knowing how intense her wounds were, but she was losing a lot of blood.
After several hard hours of riding, he emerged into view of the People's Palace. His guards threw open the gates as he practically flew past them.
"Spirits be damned, move!" He bellowed at the oggeling on-lookers. He had no idea of where to deposit her, so he rode his horse all through the castle until coming to his own personal bedchamber. He dismounted, once again clutching her body to his. "Bring me a healer! Bring me all I have! Now!" He screamed at his guard. The man took off like a cat with its tail on fire.
Rahl kicked in his door and shooed the maids out. Just as he gently laid Ccri's body on his bed, three healers rushed into the room. "She is wounded by an arrow, I do not know how badly, but fix her or your bodies will be riddled with them!" He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.