Chapter 2: Prince Zen's Gift

Zen wasn't sure what to expect. He paced back and forth in his brother's room, occasionally glaring out the windows to see storm clouds accumulating. He had been waiting for about an hour now.

Finally, the door creaked open.

Zen turned. "Lord Brot- "He cut himself off as a girl with red hair was tossed into the room.

"Zen. A present." Izana said from the door away. "This girl is a runaway slave from Tanbarun. She's in pretty bad shape."

Zen studied the girl while taking in his older brother's words. While the color was bright and beautiful her hair was a tangled mess. Her face was gaunt and her eyes were open but dulled and dim. They looked up at him pitifully and resigned. The depths of green were beautiful. Fresh clothing was defiantly provided by Izana, no doubt, hung off her frame like a curtain. A loop of chains connected a collar on her neck to a single cuff on each wrist. She didn't bother to get up. She looked up at Zen, and then back down at the floor.

Zen's shock gave away to horror when he saw a tear run down her face. It gently slipped off her chin and fell onto the carpet, leaving a dark stain in its threads. "Lord Brother! What is the meaning of this?!" He shouted. His voice echoing around the hall. The girl winced, and he rushed towards her.

It's as I said. She is yours to do with now, Zen." Izana said. "I still have work to do. I'll talk to you later." With that, the First Prince of Clarines turned and closed the door behind him.

Zen knelt in front of the girl. He stared at the door part in anger, part in disbelief, part shock. "What! How could he…" He shook his head and tried to clear his head of anger. He looked down at the girl. "Are you alright?" He lifted his voice, being gentle. He reached down, wanting to help her stand. He stopped when she winced away from his hands. "I won't hurt you, I promise." He whispered. He carefully gripped her bony shoulders, and carefully lifted the girl.

She winced as he did so, pulling her up to her knees by pushing on her shoulder gently. Her chains rattled. She kept her eyes closed and her face averted from him.

"Are you hurt?" He asked. He wiped her tear away with his sleeve gently. He was tempted to brush her hair out of her face but figured that it was too big of a step at the moment. She was obviously terrified of him, though he wished he knew why. Although a part of him also hoped he never found out the truth.

She still did not respond.

"Please, at least tell me your name." he begged.

She slowly lifted her eyelids and looked at him from the corner of her eyes. Zen sighed. "Can you stand?" He reached down slowly and grasped her elbows. She winced and closed her eyes again.

"No, no it's alright. I'm just helping you on your feet." He promised. He began to stand, slowly lifting the girl with him. She looked about his age, although it was really hard to tell, she was so malnourished. As he lifted her, his eyes darted over her body. He saw bruises, cuts, and so many scars. "You need medical attention. Urgently. I will call a healer immediately."

She stared at him, her eyes wide and not understanding.

"C-can you stand on your own?" Carefully, he began to let her elbows go. She stumbled and Zen caught her elbows again. "Easy, now. Don't strain yourself." He released her, slower this time. When she didn't show signs of falling, he let go and stepped back.

She brought her hands close to her chest, her chins rattled. She stared at him in confusions.

Zen gazed hardened at the sight of her chains. Without thinking, he unsheathed his sword. He held his sword high over his head, wrapping his hands round the ivory hilt. He swung down heavily.

The girl stepped back with fear, but then froze as a piece of metal gently tapped against her wrist. She stared in awe, as her chains loosened. The link Zen had broken clattered to the ground, leaving two short pieces dangling.

There was the sharp zing of Zen's sheathing his sword again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He stepped forward again and carefully pulled the chain though the hoop in her collar. "I just couldn't stand the sight of these chains."

Behind them, against the window, raindrops began to splatter.

The girl stared at him, her eyes wide as he pulled the chains free. He frowned at the collar and cuffs. "I'm sorry I can't do anything about the cuffs or collar, but Moken can. He's the royal locksmith. He can free you easily."

Shirayuki grasped his hand, her fingers shaking but gentle. She didn't hesitate from his stare. "Th- "She stopped, she hadn't used her voice freely in over a month. Hearing it startled her but she swallowed and tried again. "Thank you." Her voice was hoarse and dry. "I-My-my name is… Shira… Shirayuki."

"Shirayuki." Zen repeated, shocked she had reached out to him and even more, Spoke! "It's beautiful." He whispered.

Shirayuki blushed and looked down, releasing his hand.

Zen realized what he said and blushed. "Ah, um, sor-sorry! I didn't, um..." He shook his head. "I um..."

Shirayuki stared down at her cuffs.

"We'll get those off as soon as we can." Zen promised, seeing her hands start to shake.

"I…" Shirayuki looked up at him, but then started to tilt. "I just… I…"

"H-Hey! Hang on!" Zen lunged to catch her as she fainted.

Zen managed to catch her, his arms wrapped around her upper back and waist. Her head limp. "Jeez." He muttered. He adjusted her and grasped the back of her knees, lifting her up Princess-style. Her head lolled against his chest, her breath ragged and rough. She was so light; it was like holding a pillow. He stared at her, his eyes narrowed in worry. Then he finally turned and walked towards the door. "Guards!" He called.