Chapter 2

The night came rather quickly and I found myself standing beside the princess for most of it. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I wasn't supposed to, it was my duty. But even if it wasn't, I think my eyes would follow her every move. She was elegant, in every form of the word. Her eyes glistened in the candle light and her beautiful laugh filled the air. I wouldn't mind being the man she called her King. To be at her side every moment of everyday.

I shook my head. I had to stay focused. She was the princess and I was her Knight to ensure that she was safe while greeting people who wished her a happy birthday. I had to keep a sharp eye. If what the stable boy had said was true, then there was no telling who it could be amongst the crowd.

My eyes scanned faces until they rested on one. He looked suspicious. He was constantly looking around they crowd and his eyes kept resting on the princess as if he was trying to figure out the best way to approach her. Or maybe, kidnap her?

I took a step closer to her and the face I had been staring at quickly turned away. That seemed rather odd and I couldn't help the feeling that crept over me that maybe the stable boy was right. Rolf did overhear and interesting conversation it seems. And they waited for tonight of all nights to put their plan into action?

To me, it seemed rather stupid. All the Knights were gathered in one room along with all the noble family members…

My thoughts slowed and finally stopped me dead in my tracks. All the nobility was in this room. The King and Queen, all the princes, the princess, rich families who were also considered of noble status. I took a step past the person closeted to the princess and wrapped my arm around her waist to pull her close. She was thin and easy to move in case we had to take off in a hurry.

She looked up at me and placed a hand on my armor over my chest. "Sir Kevin?"

I didn't look at her. My eyes were focused on the man in front of me who continued to twist back and forth, his eyes never focusing on me, but rather on the princess. I bit the inside of my cheek. If I were to sound an alarm and it turned out to be nothing, I would cause panic for an unnecessary purpose.

"Sir Kevin," the princess was louder this time.

"Ah," I looked down at her, "yes, my Lady?"

"Is everything all right? You're gripping my side rather tight."

"Oh," I let go of her side but didn't take my hand away.

Before I could speak there was a large blast that came from another side of the castle. Cannons? It had to be. There was nothing else that could make a noise that loud and cause the ground to shake in such a way. I pulled the princess tighter as people began to scream and run to all areas of the room, trying to escape from a possible attack.

"Protect the royal family," one of the Knights at the front of the room shouted and I saw two of the princes' jump to their feet to stand in front of their parents, blades drawn.

"What's happening," the princess asked beside me.

"I'm not completely sure, my Lady. But whatever happens," I looked her dead in the eyes—beautiful blue. "Don't leave my side."

She nodded. But it was unfortunate I was the one who had to break the promise. A blade swung for us and in order to protect her I had to push her behind me. I think she may have fallen to the ground but I couldn't look. My eyes were locked with the man I had been staring at for most of the evening. He had a huge smile on his face and he pushed harder against his blade, pushing me back a bit. He was rather strong for someone of his stature.

"Why don't you hand that pretty little lady over to me," he said. His breath was rotten and his teeth were brown. I could have gagged from the sight alone. "She seems to be a burden to you, mister Knight. Shouldn't you be off fighting dragons or something noble?"

"My duty is to the royal family," I pulled back a bit at swung at him, clashing blades again. "And since the princess is part of the royal family, it is my duty to protect her and not hand her over to some rotten bandit." We both pulled away and swung several times at each other. "However it is also my duty to dispose of creatures such as yourself."

The man laughed, "you seem so focused on this battle. Are you sure you are really that good of a Knight?"

I stopped mid-swing and turned just a tad to look behind me. She was gone; being dragged through the side door of the room that was surrounded by several other bandits.

"Kevin," she screamed as she was pulled out of sight.

I felt as if I couldn't move. But thankfully instinct kicked in and I was able to defend myself from an oncoming attack. I glared at him and his smile grew even more. I thought his smile could have ripped his face apart.

Oh wait, that's what I wanted to do. We fought for several more minutes, blades clashing. I swore sparks were flying from the metal on metal action. I certainly wasn't going to be the one who fell here. And I wasn't. When he finally took the wrong step, I swung; swinging my blade into his side, between his ribs. I twisted and listening for the cracking of his ribs beneath the sound of his dying scream as he fell to the ground in front of me.

"Kevin Dames," Alex hollered, running to my side with Rolf. "Where is the princess?"

I couldn't answer them because my feet were already carrying me through the doors she had been taken through. I had to get to them. That damn rotten bandit had been sent to occupy me so I couldn't protect the princess. I should have known better. I should have called to the other Knights. I should have been able to do my duty without problems.

The other two Knights were right beside me as we rushed to the end of the hall to look out into the courtyard. I could see her, through the darkness. She had been tied up and was sitting on the back of a horse, her hands probably tied around the rider. They were all getting on horseback and kicking them in the sides, riding off across the draw bridge.

"Raise the bridge," Alex called beside me.

But it was far too late. The horse she was on took off in a full gallop.

"Princess," I screamed.

"Kevin," I heard as she disappeared past the draw bridge and through the village.