Author's Note:

It's me again, wow, such close updates. Mostly I just want to thank everyone that seems to like this story so far, your support is what keeps me going! Thanks so much guys :)


Chapter 7:

|| Shock ||

xxx


The sword lashed out dangerously and she lost her footing.

She felt herself lose balance and just managed to get her hands to help reduce the fall as she topped onto the concrete.

With a cry of pain she glanced up to see the sword had stopped inches from her throat.

'Damn it.' She muttered, more disappointed in herself then her attacker.

A hand reached down to help her up and she accepted it gratefully.

'Are you hurt?' Horace asked her.

Cassie didn't bother to answer as he checked her over with a practised eye, making sure not to embarrass her.

'That doesn't look appropriate.' A clear voice broke through.

With a small turn of his head, Horace eyed the man, a small frown appearing on his forehead.

The knight stepped back as Cassie glanced up from dusting off the dirt.

'Prince Baoth.' She said coolly, suddenly looking every inch the Crown Princess even with the sweat and dirt stains that covered her.

Baoth looked amused at her attitude, completely disregarding Horace for the moment.

He came forward to take her hand, gracefully kissing it.

Cassandra looked down on him with smug satisfaction. She had spoken to him on many occasions, but little had been said; however she knew how arrogant he was.

Horace watched with a neutral expression, although inside he was trying to shake the bad feeling he had for this man. Prince or not, he certainly could irritate his usually passive nature.

'To what do we owe this honour?' The Princess asked politely, noting that the Hibernian had the courtesy to ignore the dirt that now covered his hand.

The Prince straightened himself. 'I heard you took sword lessons, I thought it would be interesting to see.'

Cassie managed to smile slightly, to hide the urge to roll her eyes.

'Yes, it is true; however practise has ended for the day.' She stated, turning her gaze to Horace.

Without a word, he turned to find her sabre she had dropped. Once retrieved, he handed it to her and she sheathed it quietly, flashing him a grateful smile.

Baoth watched the interaction with a sly expression.

'You are the Oakleaf knight?' He questioned, finally setting his full attention on Horace.

'Yes, my Lord.' Horace answered. Irritated as he was, it would take a lot for Horace to forget his manners.

'He is also my Champion and has completed many great feats of strength throughout his life.' Cassie put in smartly.

'Yes, I have heard all the stories.'

Horace's hands automatically clenched at his words. Cassie felt the same, but was much better at controlling her emotions in front of company.

'Since my practise is over, is there anything else you wish to ask?'

Prince Baoth narrowed his eyes. He realised he may be acting too suspicious and was clearly testing Cassandra's patience; as good as she was hiding it. By right, he had to give her his respect, being a foreigner.

'Yes there is something, my Lady. I did not get the chance to talk to you as much as I would have liked at your party. You would do me the honour of answering my questions, which may seem ignorant to you.' He said smoothly.

Horace, who still stood immobile throughout the conversation, felt this Baoth character was honey-coating everything. He highly doubted the man didn't already have the knowledge he was going to ask Cassie, but instead was either clarifying his own information, or simply trying to impress the Crown Princess. He did know that the Prince was cunning, which meant any simple request was really highly complicated.

In short, Horace didn't like it.

But regardless that he was courting Cassie, in this argument, he was severely outranked.

Prince Baoth had his left arm in the air, while his right folded over to rest against his left elbow. His gaze flicked to Horace and then back to the Princess.

'I heard you were taking on a relationship with a commoner.' He said, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Cassie with a piercing expression.

Inwardly, Horace fought down a rush of anger, while he managed to breathe normally. So it was back to being ignored it seemed.

Cassie, however, took the remark in her stride, returning the icy gaze.

'What I decide to do is none of your concern.' She said frostily.

Her gaze warned him not to pursue this conversation, but Baoth smirked and disregarded her as he pointedly turned around and kept talking.

'Being in the same situation as you, my opinion is valid.'

With his back turned, Cassie shot Horace an exasperated look. He merely shrugged in response.

'Opinion on what?' She asked tiredly, losing her patience.

'Why, the fare of Araluen, of course.' Baoth said, managing a smile.

'Regardless that you are a Prince, Hibernia has no voice in Araluen's affairs.' The Crown Princess, fiddled with her sabre, wishing she could engage him in combat instead of a battle of words. He was getting under her skin. 'It is of no concern to you.' She went on.

Prince Baoth suddenly stepped forward, perhaps more than was required of good manners, fixing Cassie with a serious expression.

'Would you mind if we spoke alone, Princess?' He asked, eyes darting to Horace's immobile, yet rigid, form.

Cassie blinked, raising an eyebrow incredulously.

'I would mind, actually. Horace is my guard, he is not leaving.' She said stubbornly.

Horace breathed a tiny sigh of relief. He didn't know if he could follow her orders if she told him to leave her with this man.

'Very well.' There was a new glint in his eyes, as if he realised he wouldn't get anywhere with sweet words and rich lies. 'Cassandra, Crown Princess of Araluen, I personally, although I don't believe I am the only one...' Baoth coughed when she shot daggers at him. 'There are many that believe Araluen will not benefit from this... pairing.' He finished.

'I have told you, a Prince of Hibernia has no need to worry about the state of my kingdom. Furthermore, I refuse to believe such lies since none have had the courage to tell me to my face. You would do well, Baoth, to curb your tongue and show me some respect.' She commanded, her voice high, bordering on shrill, if only to display the anger that had risen within her.

Seeing the argument was lost, Baoth turned his attention to Horace.

'It is of my concern, Princess, if a commoner such as he-,' He waved his arm, indicating Horace, 'were to inherit this kingdom and therefore be in charge of negotiations and peace treaties.'

'Have you forgotten that Horace played the role of the Sunrise Warrior and restored order to Clonmel?' Cassie told him, grasping Horace's arm.

Baoth ignored her. 'Well knight, do you think a peasant such as you could lead this country?' He asked.

Horace, in his defence, had been assessing the Prince up close. They were roughly the same height; he might have a challenge in a swordfight. But the Prince wasn't built for hand to hand combat, and would undoubtable crumble from a smartly aimed punch.

All of this had processed within a few seconds, until he caught onto his words.

Quickly, he wrenched his arm from Cassandra's grip and she let out a startled cry of protest.

He stepped forward, threateningly close to the Prince. Many people misunderstood Horace's speed, and for Baoth, he was very thrown by this manoeuvre.

Horace's body thrummed with deep satisfaction at the fear that gathered in the depths of Baoth's cold gaze.

But as soon as he had broken the confines of his own morals, Horace frowned and took a small pace back, bowing his head ever so slightly.

'My Lord, I believe you have insulted her highness enough for today, please leave us.' He commanded in the tone of her bodyguard, lifting his gaze to give Baoth a warning stare.

The Hibernian hurriedly moved away from the knight, trying to keep as much of his dignity as he could.

'Very well.' His voice quavered noticeably. He managed a small bow. 'Your highness.'

And with that, he left.

Cassie watched his retreating form. After a few moments her attention shifted to her Champion, concern written across her face.

Horace's expression was shadowed from the sun and she couldn't identify his emotions. She reached forward to take his arm once more and was shocked by the tautness of his muscles and the heat that rose from him.

'Horace...'

He retracted his arm, much more gently than he had before.

'I'm sorry Cassie.' He muttered, before walking away, leaving the Princess staring after him with confusion and hurt clouding her gaze.

Unbeknownst to her, Horace felt the same way.


Like I said, can't always be rainbows and butterflies! I need some antagonists, so here's one.

It will be explained next chapter, but Horace is worried about his emotions, not so much his ability to lead at present.

Also, I don't usually do this, but I love writing True Path, so if anyone is interested in a story about a Courier and not a Ranger (although I do not deny how awesome Rangers are), please, check it out :)

- Love Mae.