So, it's time for another wonderful installment of Traitor's Girl! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. And don't worry, the good stuff is coming up next. And by good...I mean a bit risque...-wink- It is Henry after all.
Traitor's Girl
Part Two
I'm walking home. I walk everywhere now; no flier would carry me if I was on the verge of death. I've become an outcast, a social pariah because of my association with Henry. I don't really mind. The common people were never really my type. But I miss my family something dreadful.
I was born an upper class aristocrat in the city of Anril; it was a trade city specializing in weapon and armor production. Thus it's name. I had a mother, a father, an older brother, and those essentials for a young noble. Servants, tutors, maids and the like. As the youngest child, and a female to boot, I was doted on. I will be the first to admit that I was spoiled rotten, and that I had no idea how to defend myself.
My city was very profitable, and my father was very high in the local Council. Eventually, we were able to afford a vacation home in Regalia. I was so excited when I heard the news. We were going to Regalia! They said the lights were never guttered, that they put on games every night, and that the Royal Family held banquets once a week. Regalia, the city of silver stone.
"Out of my way," came a rude voice and I felt a rough hand push me. Stumbling, I moved out of the way and turned to see who had shoved me. I saw a scowling man, about five years older than myself. Behind him were two more angry looking men, around the same age. "How dare you walk around the streets as though you're every bit as good as us?"
"Slut," spat one.
"Little bitch," sneered the other.
I merely scowled, and began to walk away. A large hand caught my arm. "Stay a moment, whore. If you could stomach to lie alongside that traitor, I'm sure you wouldn't object to men of our stature." My lip curls in disgust. Proudly I set my shoulders so that I can look down upon them like I was meant to do. With as much disdain as I can muster I wrench my arm out of the man's grasp. He smells of spirits.
"I will be going now," I announce with my proudest 'lady of the realm' air. I hear a growl from behind me as I sweep elegantly away. Clumsy feet pound behind me. It takes not a split second to realize that no one around me would help if they attacked. With a sigh I launched into a sprint.
It didn't take long for the bastards to lose interest in their fleeing victim. Now it would take forever to get to my home. Glancing around, I tried to ascertain where I had run to. When I saw, I let a gasp escape my throat.
xxxxx
Kaelyn was lost. It was the first time she had been out of her fancy new mansion in Regalia, and she had wandered too far. Now she had no idea where she was and she kept looking over her shoulder for the fear that gnawers would come from the shadows to snatch her away. Her breathing was harsh and erratic as she turned down another street. "No!" she moaned, and her shoulders slumped disconsolately. The young girl had turned into a dark unlit alley. "I'll never get back," she mourned, and sank to the ground to burry her face in her hands.
Henry laughed at his friends. They gathered around the young noble like moths attracted to the flame. And he was like a flame. Bright and ever-changing he was an enjoyable person to be around, and he always managed to find something to get into. One of the boys he was talking to punched him lightly on the arm.
"Our Henry," he joked, "quite the lady's man."
Henry laughed once more, and replied smoothly, "There is not a girl in Regalia I could not charm." He said it with such confidence that none of the others dared to question him on it. "However, I must return to the Palace before my aunt misses my presence."
"For she could not live without her darling Henry by her side!" One of the boys quipped. The others laughed and drifted away.
Now that the air was not full of their merry laughter, Henry could hear other things. Like the sound of a young girl crying desperately. Curious, Henry turned into the alley to investigate. When he saw what the source of the sound was he smiled predatorily. Young girls were his natural prey, and he hadn't seen anyone so beautiful in a long time. Except his cousin Stellovet, but this girl would probably give her a run for her money when her face wasn't red. That and Stellovet was a cousin. Such petty qualms weren't important at the moment however.
"Greetings," Henry murmured to the girl as he dropped into a crouch beside her. His arm found it's way around Kaelyn's small shoulders. "Why does a girl so lovely as yourself tarnish her beauty with these tears."
Kaelyn jumped when she heard and felt the newcomer. "I-I," she stuttered, then she wiped her eyes delicately and continued, "I am lost and cannot find my way."
"You have just happened upon a stroke of good fortune then," Henry informed her, "I happen to know every street in Regalia by its first name." Kaelyn awarded him a watery smile, he was very handsome and ever so kind.
Henry stood and offered her his hand. She accepted it and thanked him. "It is of no matter," he told her, "it is a pleasure."
Xxxxx
My face rested upon the cold stone of the building as another tear crept down my pale face. I had been so frightened. A young girl in the middle of a strange city. My parents had never permitted me to so much as look at a sword and I had nothing to defend myself with. My fingers brushed my dagger, and I stood up proudly. But I was Kaelyn, and I could take care of myself now.
