Prologue
"You and I both know what's coming, Reaver," the King paced the length of his study.
"Yes, the brutes do seem to be more active than usual."
"Does your information give an estimate on when they might attack?"
"All I know is that it will be soon."
"Then it's time to send the children away."
"If you wish for them to live, it would be wise. It's a good thing they're so young and most outside the kingdom don't know about them. Garth and the cow have insured that they don't know about Logan and your dear daughter. You still have yet to tell me what you and your beautiful wife named her."
"Charlotte."
"Beautiful name. How has Logan taken to his new little sister?"
"Like he loves being a big brother. He constantly is doting on her and wants to hold her. He's already made a promise to protect her. Just the other day, he threatened a nobleman who tried to hold her without permission. He's a natural big brother."
"What are you going to do about sending them away? Your wife isn't going to like being away from her children, and is oh so vocal, not in a good way, either."
"She's not going to like them being dead, either. I don't like this idea, but if I want my children to live, the kingdom I worked so hard for to remain, this is my only option. So I'm cashing in my favor with you."
"And what is it you want from me?"
"The protection of Logan and Charlotte and the insurance that one of them will be on the throne of Albion when they're ready."
"Very well, Sparrow, I promise to protect them and help them gain the crown. However, we both know I won't be able to keep them safe when my 'annual obligation' comes."
"That is why I want you to be a distant guard. You don't have to have any contact with them; just keep your eye on them to make sure they're safe, but, if they do encounter danger that their near guard can't handle alone, I do expect you to step in."
"Who is this 'near guard'?"
"Sir Walter Beck, the one man who I trust to raise my children, if I am not there to do it myself."
"Should I feel offended?" Reaver said with his signature smirk.
"You know you could never handle my children. If Charlotte is anything like Logan was, you'd probably shoot her then Logan for trying to get revenge on you. That being said, if you ever try to touch my daughter in any sexual way, I will come back from the dead and kill you."
"I would never dream of having the ghost of an angry king of whose daughter I've touched," he said sarcastically.
"I'm serious, Reaver."
"Oh, very well, but, if she's half as beautiful as your wife, it will be hard to resist."
"Mother, may I hold her?" Logan was out in the garden, keeping a watchful eye on his mother and baby sister.
"May I ask why you always want to hold her?" His mother asked laughing slightly at her son's behavior since his sister's birth.
"Is it not my job, as her big brother, to protect her and spoil her?"
"That doesn't mean you have to hold her all the time."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I apologize if I made you feel as if you were doing an inadequate job as a mother. I know it is not so, as you have been a brilliant mother to me. As has Father been a brilliant father. In fact, I feel honored to have parents such as you and him…"
She smiled as her son talked himself into a hole, "Logie, Logie, you need not apologize your Father and I know how much you love us, as we love you. And I believe I speak for both your Father and I, when I say thank you for your praises but we are not perfect, as both you and Charlie are."
"She is perfect. If she takes after you, she will give Father more problem than the kingdom does when she starts looking for suitors."
"That she will," they both looked up at the sound of the King's voice.
"How was your meeting, Husband?"
"You know how he is, but he agreed."
"Logie, why don't you take Charlie and go play."
"Yes, Mother," he reached for his sister.
"Logan, wait," his father stopped him.
"Yes?"
"Come here," the King held out his arms for his son to walk into. They hugged, the king clutching Logan close. "Whatever happens, my son, know that I love you. And I need you to protect Charlie and yourself. Can you promise me that?"
"Of course, Father. You know I love you and would do anything you ask of me."
The king pulled his wife into the hug, being careful with the small child in her arms. They relished in what they soon would find out was their last moment as a family for many years to come.
It had been six years since the Prince and Princess were forced to leave their home and their parents. Reaver had kept his promise and protected the children.
Their home just outside of Brightwall allowed for them to get supplies as needed, be far away from Bowerstone, away enough from civilization to not cause suspicion in the townspeople, and close to a library where they can be properly educated.
The Princess was currently hiding under the bridge near the house, waiting for Logan to find her, when she heard a man's footsteps. Thinking it to be Logan, she giggled. The man stopped, directly over her, for a second before continuing on to the house.
She waited for a minute before poking her head out to see who it was, only to discover no one there. She turned around, towards the path, to be faced with a tall, handsome man with black pants and boots, a long white coat with fur, a tan vest, a black cravat, a tall black top hat with goggles resting on the brim, and a pistol pointed at her.
"You should be more careful who you spy on, little girl."
"I'm not spying on anyone. This is my home."
"You live under a bridge?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I live in the house with my brother and guardian."
He put the gun down and holstered it, "Very well."
"What are you doing here? We rarely get visitors," her blue eyes shined at the thought of a visitor.
"I am here to discuss something with Sir Walter."
She opened her mouth to say something when she heard Logan's voice, "Charlie! Charlie, where are you?!"
"You should go find your brother. I would hate for him to think you've been abducted."
"I can walk you to the house," she said hoping to stay close to him for as long as she possibly could.
"I'm sure I can find my way, Princess?"
"Why did you just call me 'Princess'?"
"Do you question everything?"
She blushed, looking down at her feet, "I'm sorry if I offended you."
"No offense; now, run along," he made a shooing motion.
She proceeded to do as told, but stopped at the stairs, turning around, "May I ask your name?"
"You may but that doesn't mean I'll answer."
And with that, they went their separate ways.