Belle charged down a long thin alley which stank of rotting meat and a host of other things she really didn't want to think about. She wore unusual clothes, they were jet black and covered almost every part of her body, except her beautiful big brown eyes. She held a short sword in one hand, a leather bag in the other, and was currently being chased by six huge thugs. She jumped over boxes and other rubbish that littered the street, dodging and leaping over obstacles in her way. She spun round the final corner of the alley and found herself at a dead end. Gulping, she turned around and heard laughter behind her. She tried desperately to find a way out but could see no escape.

The six thugs lined up in front of her, each carrying some sort blunt instrument. Belle sighed, she may be very handy with a sword but she was not super human... She could probably take about three or four of them. But six...

The biggest and ugliest one trudged forward.

"Alright scum, give it over"

The man spoke in a horrible, cracked voice. Even from the considerable distance between she could smell his rancid breath. She crinkled up her nose and turned around again to stare at the high brick wall that was blocking her from freedom. She wasn't even going to grace this brute with an answer. Also the dolt seemed to think she was a boy, which would make tracking her harder and for the life of her she could not do accents, foreign or male voices where beyond her. The thugs might be bleeding idiots but she had a feeling that even they might be able to tell the difference between a male and female voice.

"Hey! I'm talking to you, you little bastard"

She had now had enough, at the exact moment that the man lunged for her she spun around and hit him hard with the hilt of her sword. The others made grumbles of protest and made to move towards her. She grabbed an old glass bottle that smelled suspiciously of urine, gagging mentally she smashed it over the head of her nearest attacker. He fell backward and knocked over the two behind him. She spun and took out another one with a swift kick. Then smashed the last one into the side of the wall, his arm caught on some sort of nail and he howled in pain. She staggered back and looked down at the six groaning and screaming men. Nice. Maybe she shouldn't be so harsh on her skills. She almost felt like laughing, but knew that now really wasn't the time.

It didn't take her long to navigate her way out of the alley way, she knew them well. She headed towards one of the many shelters that lay dotted around the poorer areas of Auraton. She held the leather bag tight to her chest and looked down, trying not to catch anyone's eye. She walked towards the old women that was in charge of the shelter, she was currently bent over a little child, checking the pox marks on his arms for infections. It made Belle sick to watch. Finally the old women stood up and looked at Belle, she smiled and gestured at Belle to follow her, she quickly complied.

"And what can I do for you?"

The old women smiled kindly but gave Belle a piercing glance that was not altogether unfriendly but still sent a shiver up her back. Wanting to leave quickly, Belle thrust the leather bag towards the women who took it. She opened it and let the thick gold coins fall into the wrinkled palm of her hand. Her eyes widened and Belle felt a warm flush creep up her cheeks, she was glad that most of her face was covered.

"So you are the Black Rose that I have heard so much about? Robbing the the rich to feed the poor, right?"

Belle glared, there was something in her tone, as if condoning her robbery. surely she isn't angry?

"Well, I prefer to think of it as robbing the bad to feed the good. I don't steal from good people, no matter how rich they are. I rob those who deserve it."

The women looked at her for a while longer before breaking into a genuine smile, she then thanked Belle and went back to tending to the sick. Belle stared at her, confused as to the sudden change but turned around to leave. The sun was setting as she left the tent and she swore softly, tearing off into the dimming light. She reached the small passage right outside the castle walls, out of breath but smiling as she thought about the look on the cruel old jailers face when he found out that he had lost everything. It would certainly teach him to mistreat his prisoners, and she knew he would be gone soon so he would not be able to take out his anger on them. After all, with all his money gone how would he be able to pay of the debts he had? He would have to run away and if his replacement was just as cruel... Well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it.

She slipped down the dark passage and walked forwards towards a beautiful blue and white dress that complimented her chocolate brown eyes and dark golden brown hair. She changed quickly, washed her hands and face and tried to make her hair look vaguely presentable. Once this was done she climbed out of the other end of the passage and started to run towards the grand dinning hall as the clock struck ten times. She stopped outside the doors to try and remove the faint flush from her cheeks, finding herself unsuccessful she sighed and opened the door.

Four beautifully dressed people looked up at her as she entered the room. At either end of a long table sat the king and queen of Auraton, between them two beautiful girls. Belle took her place at the only empty chair. They continued to look at her until she finally spoke.

"Sorry I'm late father"