Within_1
Chapter 1
" Good day to you, sir."
" If you can call this a good day, Sakura."
" Aye, you observe well. There's a squall brewing on the Southside. Rumored to be a whopper."
" Lucky we're here in Gentylshore." The boy grinned.
" Aye. We never get anything down here." A yawn escaped the bar-maid as she wiped the counter," Nothing."
" Well, I'd best be going."
" So soon?"
" Yeah," The boy leaned close and whispered," Got a summons from the King."
" Oh," She smirked in response, her short brown hair swishing," Hoping for a raise in our earnings are we?"
" Wouldn't you like to know." Eriol laughed. With a tip of his hat, he was gone, walking briskly towards the horse stables.

Inside, the musky smell of animal sweat, and hay filled his nostrils, and he hurriedly looked for the proprietor.

" Sir Hartule? Sir Hartule!"
" He's not here." Replied a voice from the shadows of one corner," Would you like to leave him a message?"
" No, actually I was just going to request a horse for a trip."
" I can help you there." The occupant of the corner revealed himself to be a boy of about Eriol's age.
" Can you really? Alright. How much for a horse?"
" 75 wrens. If you want one of the stallions its an extra 15."
" No, one of the mares will do fine. May I choose?"
" Of course," Eriol began to look through the pens, and found a slender gray mare frolicking about. He pulled her out by the reins, and turned to the boy.
" Thank you..." Eriol paused, what was the boy's name?
" Oh, sorry, I am Syaoran, Assistant Stable Keeper."
" Well, it was a pleasure doing business with you, Syaoran." Eriol handed him a sack of coins.
" You're welcome. But, you never introduced yourself."
" Oh, beg your pardon, I am Eriol."
" Well, safe journey. Oh, and Eriol?"
" Hm?"
" Stay away from the maid. She's mine."

Eriol laughed. It was funny to think that he'd have interest in the tender of the bar, but it was flattering to know someone found him worthy of competition.

" I'll remember that."
" You'd do well to. Good luck!"

Eriol spurred his mount on, and turned her in the direction of Themure Castle, about 15 miles north of the city. Resident to the ruler of the surrounding cities, and his possible job opportunity.

" Your Majesty! Introducing, the Duke of Sydentaryn Province of the Western Region." The announcer read the sheets.

King Trenston rolled his eyes in boredom. How he would so love going out and hunting rather then sitting here in this dull place planning the wedding of his daughter. He may not have been well-educated, but it didn't take an idiot to see that his daughter wasn't too hot about the idea of marriage.

" She'd remain chaste if she could, and I'd allow it too." The king had remarked to the child's governess.
" Oh, no! A girl must not become an old maid, especially not a Princess. She must marry. For the safety of her position." Evilla had purred.

That had been a reasonable assumption. After all, Tomoyo herself certainly couldn't reign alone, what with her docile nature and character the whole country'd be in shambles and chaos. Still, he felt awful. The girl refused every suitor that had come, and finally, after he'd built up enough steam, found himself roaring as she dismissed yet another worthy suitor.

" THAT IS ENOUGH! I CAN NO LONGER STAND BY AS YOU TRY TO UNRAVEL ALL THAT I HAVE PLANNED!"

Even his royal majesty was shocked at the way he'd addressed his daughter. The shocked look on her face, as he continued.

" AS YOU FATHER, AND YOUR KING, I BESEECH YOU TO CHOOSE ONE! IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE A CHOICE BY THE FESTIVAL HARVEST, I WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR YOU!"

He'd purposely given her enough time, so that at least she could make a choice. He was angry, but he wasn't heartless. But, Tomoyo was too dismayed by the proclamation, and ran to her room, wide-eyed and weeping. Why was her father acting this way?

" You did the right thing your majesty..." Those words rang in King Trenston's ears, Evilla Dae's comfort.

And now, here he sat, reviewing yet another suitor for Tomoyo's hand. Quickly, he composed himself, as a tall stringy man paraded into the throne room. The man bowed low, and over his shoulder, the King noticed someone just arrived. It was a boy, no older then his Tomoyo, and he must have been new, as his face was knotted in confusion. The King, finding this the perfect excuse to escape, er, excuse himself, muttered a pardon then rushed to greet the new arrival.

" Welcome, newcomer, to Themure Chateau! As the ruler of the residence, I extend my fondest greetings to you."
" It's a pleasure your majesty." The boy, Eriol, bowed. Suddenly he heard a scream. " What was that?"
" That? I don't know. I assume its one of the maids."
" If you'll excuse me..." Eriol bowed again, and ventured further into the castle. Again, the scream echoed through the halls, but this time, it seemed to be pleading.

" Please, no more!"
" Hello?" Eriol called out into the darkness.

Eriol began to run faster, and as he did, he practically vaulted up the stairs to the second story. As he reached the top, someone ran out from the darkness, and collided with him. They both ended up on the floor, she struggling to get up, and he trying to calm her down. As he looked closer, he saw a girl about his age, with disheveled hair, and a beautiful pair of pale dark blue eyes. She wore a thin nightgown, and her cheeks were stained with tears.

" Please. Help me." She muttered fearfully.
" Yes, of course, but..." Eriol had no time to finish. An old woman came bursting out, waving in her hand a cane and screaming bloody murder.
" Where did that little wench go?!!" She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Tomoyo hiding behind Eriol.
" Sir, if you will kindly hand over the maid...she is in my care..."
" Care? Sounded more like torture to me."
" She is an insolent little child, and does not learn her lessons well unless she is punished."
" That seems rather harsh."
" It is the only way to drill the teachings into that thick skull of hers." Evilla reached out to grab the girl, but Eriol grabbed her wrist.
" I shall speak with the King about this manner of "instruction"." Eriol murmurred, tightening his grip.
" No you shall not," the old lady reached her other hand to try to get the girl, but Eriol barred her way.
" Until then, she shall remain under my care, and protection."
" Don't be absurd! The king's daughter lodging with you?"
" Better then with you..." Eriol retorted calmly.
"......very well. But, the king shall hear of this."
" Yes, he shall. From me." With that, Eriol hurried back down to the lower levels, the girl tagging along.