Chapter 1 - Flames
I woke up in the early morning in my plush bed after a fitful night of sleep. My dreams had been haunted with nightmares and I had constantly been on the lookout for suspicious activity. I shook my head to remove the horrible images and I slipped out of bed and slid my body into my robe and slippers. I crossed the expanse of the floor towards the large glass windows in my room. I pulled back the curtains and winced as the sunlight poured into the room. I peered down and saw my brothers training on the field since today was a perfect day. I pressed my hand against the glass and felt that it would be a good temperature for a mid-afternoon ride. I quickly dressed and hurried down the stairs into the foyer and waited for Master Coldin, the tutor that has been in my family for years, to escort me to the rooms in the west wing of the castle. "Hello, Princess. Shall we go?" He asked as he approached breathlessly. I nodded and we headed towards the west wing. After I finished my daily studies with Tutor Coldin, I quickly hurried to my chambers to change into my riding outfit. I ran towards the stable in the back of the castle. As I turned a sharp corner that led outside, I bumped into one of the stable boys, Daniel. Every maiden in the castle had him in her eye as the most handsome lad in the castle. I fell on the floor with a thump and he reached down to help me. I gripped his strong hand and he easily lifted me off the floor. "So sorry, Milady. I was not looking as I turned the corner," He quickly apologized.
"The fault is mine. I was in such a hurry and I was going too fast. You may call me Gabrielle, if you would like to. I would not mind."
"Thank you, your majest-Gabrielle." He quickly changed his words. "May we start again? My name is Daniel Faintree. I am most pleased to meet your acquaintance." He bowed after introducing himself.
"I am Gabrielle Monterin. The pleasure is all mine, sir." I curtsy quickly.
"May I escort you to the royal stables?" He asked with a glimmer in his eyes.
"Why yes you may, kind sir." I placed my arm in the crook of his arm and we walked together to the stables. He walked me to my horse; Meriwether's stall and said, "I shall depart now, Gabrielle. I hope that I may see you soon." He swept a dramatically low bow and walked out of the stables. After he left, I quickly saddled Meriwether and nudged her with my stirrups. We galloped out of the palace gates. I could not help noticing how the guards passed a look between them, as if I was not supposed to be leaving the grounds. The look passed quickly and we took off again. I led Meriwether towards our normal route to the costal ridge. I dismounted and laid out on the sand until the sun started to set. I wanted to stay until each of the beautiful stars came out, but I knew my parents would worry, since I rarely ever stayed out as long as I did today. I mounted back on Meriwether and turned back towards the castle. As we were riding back, I got a strong feeling in my stomach that something wasn't right. I spurred Meriwether and we hurried back to the castle. As we pulled into the clearing, I saw a scarlet and orange blaze that was seizing the castle. After my eyes focused, I saw that the north tower was ablaze. I spurred forward but the reins were seized by guards who were trying to escort everyone out of the gates. They roughly grabbed me off of Meriwether, who was bucking and rearing wildly. "Where are my parents and brothers? What is happening to the castle?" I struggled in their grip. I looked into their steely faces and realized that they were not going to answer my questions. "Let me go! Do you know who I am?" I screamed hysterically. They dragged me towards a small tent on the outskirts of the gates. After I was inside, I saw Malin, the head guard, pacing on the floor. He looked up as we entered and smiled evilly. The guards put me in a chair and bound me with ropes. Malin strolled forwards and put his hand under my chin. I jerked it out of his grip. He smiled and evil grin and said," Princess, you and your family are being removed from the line of power. We decided that you are too powerful and we are selling you all to a foreign king to be servants. Well, you all would be if your parents had survived the blaze. We are searching, but all traces of them are gone. You are the only one left. We can't just give away one person, when we promised a family, now can we? I think we shall keep you here and make my bride."
"Never! I will not marry the swine that tried to assassinate the royal family!" I scream and struggle.
"Oh, I think you will, because if you don't, my soldiers will burn down the very civilization that you call home. Then you will have no choice with no money, family, and we will break your spirit so fast, you will soon not even have hope. You will, unless by some miracle someone comes and saves you, marry me, but I highly doubt anyone would notice you. If your parents ever return into this country, they will be executed immediately and you will have no choice. Now that we had this little chat, guards take her away." As the guards roughly untied me and dragged me out of the tent, I see Malin laugh and walk back towards a window to see the flaming castle. They pulled me along a cobblestone path towards the bunker in case of an emergency. I looked up at the men that had once protected the royal family and I knew that I would never be able to trust them again. I knew that I was alone in my own little world. I willed myself not to cry as I thought about my future. They roughly pushed me into the bunker and closed the cold, thick, wooden door. I ran after them and pounded my fists against the door in hopes to escape. I never imagined what could happen even inside the cold bunker.