II.
Intruder
One year later..
Ani looked up at the customer who had made his presence known so well. He was tall and young, maybe eighteen or nineteen, and was very finely dressed. His black hair was carelessly brushed, giving him a carefree look. His eyes surprised Ani, though. They were black as well, but seemed to shine brightly.
"Excuse me," he cried. "I want to buy a bouquet."
Ani shook herself out of her thoughts and nodded. "What type, sir?"
He frowned down at her. "I have already said that. You should have been listening."
"I am dreadfully sorry, sir, but I was thinking of other things. Please, repeat your order?"
He sighed. "A bouquet of daisies please."
Ani fumbled around the booth, gathering the freshest daisies. "Would you mind telling me who they are for? I would have some suggestions, sir."
He stared at her warily. "I am meeting a young lady tonight. A princess, or at least that is what the woman said."
"A blind date." She raised my eyebrows.
"Nay, I'm searching for the lost Princess."
Her heart beat faster. "The lost Princess?"
"Yes, I already said that. Do you have hearing problems?" he looked down at the flowers in her hand. "Hey! Watch that! You're destroying the flowers!"
She stared down at her hands, surprised. She had twisted the flowers into a knot causing almost all the petals to fall off. "Oh!" She cried. "I am terribly sorry! Here, I'll give you a better bouquet for free." She searched for more daisies, but there were none to be seen. It was late in the season and there were no more left. "I am sorry. There are no more daisies left. I will make a rose bouquet. Ladies like roses better though, sir."
He stared at her angrily and muttered, "Fine. Roses they are."
She arranged the roses just like Des had taught her and handed the bouquet to him proudly. "Here you are, sir. The best roses in the city."
He stared at them surprised and smiled. "They most certainly are. Thank you very much." He dropped fifteen Agrro on the booth and turned to leave.
"But sir! They were free!"
"It's a tip! For the best flower merchant in the city!" He called over his shoulder.
.................................
Just before the sun went down, she gathered the left over flowers and headed towards Des' house. She whistled as she walked, happily recalling the exceptional sales that day. Remembering that Des had wanted her to pick up a fresh watermelon, she stopped at a nearby booth that was selling different types of fruit for half off. When she had finished wagering with the merchant, she headed to the house with a watermelon and flowers in tow. She walked into the house, still whistling and was interrupted by Des.
"Hurry up and put those things on the table. You're late and I have to hurry up and get dinner finished. Why don't you go upstairs and put on one of those very lovely gowns I gave you and put your hair up real nice? We're having a visitor and I want you dressed up and gorgeous."
Ani frowned. "A visitor? The only visitors are ones that need help. What's going on?"
"You'll know soon enough, now go!"
Ani thoughtfully walked up the stairs, wondering who this visitor was. But she couldn't figure it out, and for some reason the man who bought the roses kept coming to mind.
She hurriedly picked out the beautiful dress that was the color of an emerald and put it on. She slipped her feet into the shoes and stood in front of the mirror, pinning the hair off her neck, the way she used to put it up before the fire. When her hair was up, she turned to make sure her bed was made. It was. But there was a little green thing on it. She looked at it closer. It was a beautiful emerald necklace to match her dress. She picked it up and put it on. Ani turned to gaze at herself in the mirror. The dress had no shoulder on it, and yet had sleeves. Her necklace glittered just above where the dress began, in the most graceful position. The dress was slim fitting around the waist and loosened up just after her waist. Her hair added emphasis to the necklace. She gasped, surprised at how gorgeous she looked.
Hearing voices in the den downstairs, she checked her appearance quickly in the mirror and carefully made her way down the stairs, making sure she didn't trip.
"Ani, is that you?" Des called out.
"Yes, ma'am. I will be there in just a moment." Ani walked into the den and gasped.
He was standing right there, frowning at her. He had recognized her as well. The bouquet of roses fell on the floor.
Des frowned at them. "Do you know each other? Or is there no reason for both of your stupidity?"
"We met at the market." He said, not looking away from her. "She sold me the roses."
She glared at Des. "How dare you? He told me why he was here when he picked up the flowers! How dare you?"
Des stared at her calmly. "It's for your own good."
"For my own good?" she cried. "Where did you get that idea? I like it here! I don't want to leave!"
"It's for your good."
She clenched her hands into fists. "No wonder you're a witch! You don't know how to keep out of other people's business!" She turned around and stampeded up the stairs.
"I'm sorry, she's just had a rough-" the witches voice faded away.
Ani ran into her room and began to cry. It was all ruined. She had been revealed and now her beautiful dress had a horrible memory attached to it. It had gone all too wrong. She tore off the hideous necklace and kicked off the ugly shoes. When she turned around, she saw her reflection in the mirror. A spoiled brat throwing a tantrum.
..............................
The next morning, Ani took a quick bath and put on a normal workday dress on. He had to be gone, so she didn't have to worry anymore. She left her hair down. When she reached over for her necklace with her father's ring on it, she rejected it.
She walked down the steps, smelling the rich aroma of Des' cooking, and smiled. She decided she would ask the woman's forgiveness and then everything would be all right again.
She turned the corner into the kitchen and began to call out Des' name but stopped in mid sentence.
He was sitting at the table, his back to her, eating some of Des' fine cooking. Hearing her, he turned around and smiled weakly at her. "Good morning."
She looked around for Des. She was nowhere to be found. She bit her lip. "Where's Des?"
He frowned at her. "Haven't seen the lady. She left you a note on the counter, I believe."
Ani hurried to the note.
It said:
Ani-
Breakfast is on the table. I hope you enjoy it. Mrs. Barri is birthing her first child. I must hurry and help her. You are forgiven.
Des
Ani groaned and sat down across from him. He stared at her, wondering if he should say something and what should he say.
"Um," Ani looked at her hands. "I'm terribly sorry about last night. I must have horribly embarrassed everyone. I certainly embarrassed myself. I just don't agree with what Des has done."
"Is that her name?" He looked thoughtful a moment. "Tell me, what's you're name? I want to make sure, beg my pardon, that this isn't a scam."
She grinned at him wryly. "Believe me, this isn't a scam. Here, I am called Ani. My real name is Anillielle."
He frowned. "But everyone knows the Princess' name! Do you have any other proof besides your name?"
She frowned right back. "Of course I have more proof."
"Would you mind showing me it?"
She sighed and replied, "Hold on, let me get it." She ran upstairs and grabbed her father's ring on the chain. When she returned to the kitchen she handed it to him.
He stared at her in surprise. "Beg my pardon for asking so many questions, but what is this?"
"It's Father's ring, the one he uses to put his seal on documents, laws and letters. I grabbed it when I was running out of the house."
"The house?" he frowned at her.
"Ayah. The house. That was after my family hid from the Urais when they took over. We were living in a house in a forest, I'm not sure which one, and we were safe there. But then the chimney to the fireplace caught fire and blew up, or something like that, and engulfed the house. I just barely made it out alive."
"Can you prove this fire really happened?"
She nodded. "Ayah, I can. When I was running out of the house, and ember landed on my arm and burned me." She pulled up her sleeve and showed him the scar.
"How can I be sure you are who you claim to be?" He asked sternly.
She sighed. "I have given you almost everything you need to know. Except-"
"Except what?" He pressed.
"On my left hand," she replied. "Is the royal mark. Everyone destined to become King or Queen, either by blood or adoption, has it. I have it. See?"
She held out her left hand for him to see. The royal mark, a crown with a sword in the middle of it, was blunt.
"How did you get the mark?"
"I was born with it." She shrugged. "I have always had it."
He grinned. "So you are-"
"Yes," She replied, not happily. He frowned at her, stood up and walked over to the window. Suddenly, Ani felt that something was wrong about him and realized she had felt it all along. She looked him over carefully and spotted it at once. His hand was on a sword at his side. It was like no sword she had ever seen. Strange marks were written on it. She cringed. She recognized those marks. It was the language of the new race, Umbadao. They were said to kill off Men, or use them as sacrifices to their leader. Her heart beat faster. Had Des known what he was when she had told him about her? If so, why had she wanted him to come? Ani's head reeled. Was Des a traitor? She took a deep breath and stood up. He whirled around to look at her. "What are you doing?" His voice was stern and harsh. And his eyes were older than she had thought. Something had gone terribly wrong. "I'm going outside, I need a breath of fresh air." "You are staying inside. I have my orders." Ani clenched her fist. "I will do as I want. Neither you or Des can tell me what to do." The man growled. "You will listen to me and you will not disobey." She spit in his face. "My life is my own." She turned quickly around and ran out the front door. The chilly air of autumn hit her face but she had no time to enjoy it. Where was she to go now? She glanced around at the busy street. The street headed north and south. North led further into the heart of the city while the south led to flat open countryside. North would hold more hiding places. She jogged through the crowd, toward the looming castle. A festival was being held just ahead. She could hide there until nightfall, she thought. "Ani!" A deep voice called out from behind her. She turned and saw him running towards her. She gasped and ran faster, into the crowd of happy tourists. She pushed her way through, not stopping to apologize or look behind her. Her life depended on it. She was sure of that. Suddenly, she bumped into someone. She didn't look up but tried to pass them. They grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Gasping hard, she stared up into the face of a young man, about nineteen, frowning down at her. He was dressed opulently, his brown hair neatly brushed. "Hallo." He said. "Tell me, why are you running and who from? Who are you and why do you not apologize?" "My apologies sir. But that is not your business." Her voice calmed a little. "Please, would you let me go? I am in grave danger." "Who is threatening you?" "An Umbadao. Now, please, let me go!" She tried to pull away from his grip, but he only held tighter to her arm. "An Umbadao? None of their kind is allowed in this country!" "One is here, sire. And he is bent on hurting me, I believe. Now, please!" He shook his head. "I can not let you go. You will be safe with me, and you will need to explain to the King this tragedy." She stared up at him. "I cannot see the King, or any of the family. They may recognize me." "How would they recognize you?" She shrugged and looked away, pulling her left hand behind her back. "Very well, I will take you myself to them, if that must be so." He led her through the crowd, still gripping her arm tightly. "Please, sire," she cried. "Let go of my arm. You are hurting me!" He stared down at her, his eyebrows creasing. "You promise you will not try to escape?" "Ayah." She muttered. As soon as he let her arm go she bolted into the crowd, but he must have expected it and ran after her. She heard a sort of scrape behind her. "Stop! Or you will be worse off than you are now!" Cold metal touched her back. She stopped in her tracks. He put his sword back in his sheath. "You will come with me and there will be no more room for escape." He took her arm once again and led her up towards the castle. "What is your name?" "It is none of your-" "It most certainly is." She hesitated. "I am called Ani." "And why is an Umbadao chasing you?" She shook her head, looking at the ground, an old habit not quite gone. "I cannot say." "And why is that?" "I am not. a commoner." He sighed and led her up to the humongous iron gates that were attached to a ten-foot high wall. A soldier stood on the other side, on guard. "Darrin!" the guard called. "I haven't seen you in weeks! And who is this prisoner you have?" "Prisoner!?" Ani cried. "I am none of the sort! How dare you-" "She is being chased by an Umbadao, I thought it only necessary to bring her here." "An Umbadao?" The guard raised his eyebrows at her. "Why is that, missus?" "Raouel!" Darrin growled. "Quit stalling and let us in! We must speak to the King immediately!" Raouel grumbled to himself and unlatched the gates, pulling them apart only enough to let the two in. Darrin led her through a courtyard and through the large doors of the entrance hall. Ani remembered a ball, dimly, that was held in a room to the left side of the hall. A grand staircase led up to the next floor. Carpets, brand new, lined the hallway, pictures of past Kings and Queens on the walls. Darrin pulled her along, past five doors and into the sixth on the right. She found herself in the throne room, the King seated majestically on the large throne. He was old, his beard white and long, his hair already balding. From what Ani could remember his wife had died about a year past. They had no children, heirs to the throne. The King held out his scepter, a signal to continue. Darrin led her up to the throne, stopping her only feet from it. He motioned for her to curtsy, and she did. He watched her in surprise. She was extremely graceful. He bowed quickly. "Who have you brought to me, Captain?" "Her name is Ani. She is being chased by an Umbadao." The King stared at Ani, confused. "You're name is Ani? Perhaps short for Anillielle?" Ani shook her head. "Nay, sire." "You are of the ruined kingdom, I hear." The King began. "Only the Elder speak with Nay and Ayah. Adopted from the elves, I hear. Have you ever met an elf?" Ani shook her head. "Too bad," he continued. "They are quite lovely folk, always happy and joyous. Except for that one, who set our treaty. She was always worried things would go wrong, what's her name again?" Ani smiled as she shook her head again. "Oh well, she was beautiful though. That made up for her sternness. And she married that strapping young man too. Was his name Jayden, or am I mixing up the history?" "Sire." Darrin replied sternly. "Now you need to lighten up a bit, young man. You're a bit too worried as well." The king shook his scepter at him. "Now, what were we talking about?" Ani stifled a laugh. Darrin glared at her. "Sire, we need to talk about the Umbadao!" Darrin cried. "Ah yes." The King grinned at Ani. "It's chasing you? Oh dear. Well, what do you suggest needs to be done, Captain?" Ani stared at Darrin. He was obviously stressed at this losing battle of wits. "I came to you for guidance, sire." "I was asking you, Captain." The king paused, frowning at Darrin. "You know, you're just like your father. Always tense and never relaxing." Ani chuckled, this time not hiding it. Darrin glared at her as if saying 'if you think it's so funny why don't you try it?'. Ani grinned at him, taking up his offer. "Sire," She began. "As you know, Umbadaos are very dangerous. We cannot have them scurrying all over the countryside and cities. Something must be done and we need your help." The king stroked his beard. "Yes, I see what you are saying. Do you think perhaps I should deploy some soldiers to go and fight these. things?" "That would be wise, sire. But what about the one chasing me?" "Oh dear." He frowned. "We simply can not have one chasing after a lady like yourself! CAPTAIN!" "Yes, sir? I'm right here!" Darrin said. "Oh yes." The King frowned. "Sorry about that. I forgot you were here. Now, what was I going to say?" "That the Captain here, should go and find this Umbadao. You also wanted to remind him that this certain kind of Umbadao is disguised as a Man and the only way to recognize him is his sword, that has the Umba language carved into it." "Ah, yes." Said the King. "You are right, as usual, milady. Captain! You heard the Lady! On the double!" Darrin stared at Ani astonished and said, "Yes, sir." Promptly turning towards the door and leaving the King and Ani alone. The King looked back at Ani. "Well, then. Are you sure I don't know you?" .............................
Intruder
One year later..
Ani looked up at the customer who had made his presence known so well. He was tall and young, maybe eighteen or nineteen, and was very finely dressed. His black hair was carelessly brushed, giving him a carefree look. His eyes surprised Ani, though. They were black as well, but seemed to shine brightly.
"Excuse me," he cried. "I want to buy a bouquet."
Ani shook herself out of her thoughts and nodded. "What type, sir?"
He frowned down at her. "I have already said that. You should have been listening."
"I am dreadfully sorry, sir, but I was thinking of other things. Please, repeat your order?"
He sighed. "A bouquet of daisies please."
Ani fumbled around the booth, gathering the freshest daisies. "Would you mind telling me who they are for? I would have some suggestions, sir."
He stared at her warily. "I am meeting a young lady tonight. A princess, or at least that is what the woman said."
"A blind date." She raised my eyebrows.
"Nay, I'm searching for the lost Princess."
Her heart beat faster. "The lost Princess?"
"Yes, I already said that. Do you have hearing problems?" he looked down at the flowers in her hand. "Hey! Watch that! You're destroying the flowers!"
She stared down at her hands, surprised. She had twisted the flowers into a knot causing almost all the petals to fall off. "Oh!" She cried. "I am terribly sorry! Here, I'll give you a better bouquet for free." She searched for more daisies, but there were none to be seen. It was late in the season and there were no more left. "I am sorry. There are no more daisies left. I will make a rose bouquet. Ladies like roses better though, sir."
He stared at her angrily and muttered, "Fine. Roses they are."
She arranged the roses just like Des had taught her and handed the bouquet to him proudly. "Here you are, sir. The best roses in the city."
He stared at them surprised and smiled. "They most certainly are. Thank you very much." He dropped fifteen Agrro on the booth and turned to leave.
"But sir! They were free!"
"It's a tip! For the best flower merchant in the city!" He called over his shoulder.
.................................
Just before the sun went down, she gathered the left over flowers and headed towards Des' house. She whistled as she walked, happily recalling the exceptional sales that day. Remembering that Des had wanted her to pick up a fresh watermelon, she stopped at a nearby booth that was selling different types of fruit for half off. When she had finished wagering with the merchant, she headed to the house with a watermelon and flowers in tow. She walked into the house, still whistling and was interrupted by Des.
"Hurry up and put those things on the table. You're late and I have to hurry up and get dinner finished. Why don't you go upstairs and put on one of those very lovely gowns I gave you and put your hair up real nice? We're having a visitor and I want you dressed up and gorgeous."
Ani frowned. "A visitor? The only visitors are ones that need help. What's going on?"
"You'll know soon enough, now go!"
Ani thoughtfully walked up the stairs, wondering who this visitor was. But she couldn't figure it out, and for some reason the man who bought the roses kept coming to mind.
She hurriedly picked out the beautiful dress that was the color of an emerald and put it on. She slipped her feet into the shoes and stood in front of the mirror, pinning the hair off her neck, the way she used to put it up before the fire. When her hair was up, she turned to make sure her bed was made. It was. But there was a little green thing on it. She looked at it closer. It was a beautiful emerald necklace to match her dress. She picked it up and put it on. Ani turned to gaze at herself in the mirror. The dress had no shoulder on it, and yet had sleeves. Her necklace glittered just above where the dress began, in the most graceful position. The dress was slim fitting around the waist and loosened up just after her waist. Her hair added emphasis to the necklace. She gasped, surprised at how gorgeous she looked.
Hearing voices in the den downstairs, she checked her appearance quickly in the mirror and carefully made her way down the stairs, making sure she didn't trip.
"Ani, is that you?" Des called out.
"Yes, ma'am. I will be there in just a moment." Ani walked into the den and gasped.
He was standing right there, frowning at her. He had recognized her as well. The bouquet of roses fell on the floor.
Des frowned at them. "Do you know each other? Or is there no reason for both of your stupidity?"
"We met at the market." He said, not looking away from her. "She sold me the roses."
She glared at Des. "How dare you? He told me why he was here when he picked up the flowers! How dare you?"
Des stared at her calmly. "It's for your own good."
"For my own good?" she cried. "Where did you get that idea? I like it here! I don't want to leave!"
"It's for your good."
She clenched her hands into fists. "No wonder you're a witch! You don't know how to keep out of other people's business!" She turned around and stampeded up the stairs.
"I'm sorry, she's just had a rough-" the witches voice faded away.
Ani ran into her room and began to cry. It was all ruined. She had been revealed and now her beautiful dress had a horrible memory attached to it. It had gone all too wrong. She tore off the hideous necklace and kicked off the ugly shoes. When she turned around, she saw her reflection in the mirror. A spoiled brat throwing a tantrum.
..............................
The next morning, Ani took a quick bath and put on a normal workday dress on. He had to be gone, so she didn't have to worry anymore. She left her hair down. When she reached over for her necklace with her father's ring on it, she rejected it.
She walked down the steps, smelling the rich aroma of Des' cooking, and smiled. She decided she would ask the woman's forgiveness and then everything would be all right again.
She turned the corner into the kitchen and began to call out Des' name but stopped in mid sentence.
He was sitting at the table, his back to her, eating some of Des' fine cooking. Hearing her, he turned around and smiled weakly at her. "Good morning."
She looked around for Des. She was nowhere to be found. She bit her lip. "Where's Des?"
He frowned at her. "Haven't seen the lady. She left you a note on the counter, I believe."
Ani hurried to the note.
It said:
Ani-
Breakfast is on the table. I hope you enjoy it. Mrs. Barri is birthing her first child. I must hurry and help her. You are forgiven.
Des
Ani groaned and sat down across from him. He stared at her, wondering if he should say something and what should he say.
"Um," Ani looked at her hands. "I'm terribly sorry about last night. I must have horribly embarrassed everyone. I certainly embarrassed myself. I just don't agree with what Des has done."
"Is that her name?" He looked thoughtful a moment. "Tell me, what's you're name? I want to make sure, beg my pardon, that this isn't a scam."
She grinned at him wryly. "Believe me, this isn't a scam. Here, I am called Ani. My real name is Anillielle."
He frowned. "But everyone knows the Princess' name! Do you have any other proof besides your name?"
She frowned right back. "Of course I have more proof."
"Would you mind showing me it?"
She sighed and replied, "Hold on, let me get it." She ran upstairs and grabbed her father's ring on the chain. When she returned to the kitchen she handed it to him.
He stared at her in surprise. "Beg my pardon for asking so many questions, but what is this?"
"It's Father's ring, the one he uses to put his seal on documents, laws and letters. I grabbed it when I was running out of the house."
"The house?" he frowned at her.
"Ayah. The house. That was after my family hid from the Urais when they took over. We were living in a house in a forest, I'm not sure which one, and we were safe there. But then the chimney to the fireplace caught fire and blew up, or something like that, and engulfed the house. I just barely made it out alive."
"Can you prove this fire really happened?"
She nodded. "Ayah, I can. When I was running out of the house, and ember landed on my arm and burned me." She pulled up her sleeve and showed him the scar.
"How can I be sure you are who you claim to be?" He asked sternly.
She sighed. "I have given you almost everything you need to know. Except-"
"Except what?" He pressed.
"On my left hand," she replied. "Is the royal mark. Everyone destined to become King or Queen, either by blood or adoption, has it. I have it. See?"
She held out her left hand for him to see. The royal mark, a crown with a sword in the middle of it, was blunt.
"How did you get the mark?"
"I was born with it." She shrugged. "I have always had it."
He grinned. "So you are-"
"Yes," She replied, not happily. He frowned at her, stood up and walked over to the window. Suddenly, Ani felt that something was wrong about him and realized she had felt it all along. She looked him over carefully and spotted it at once. His hand was on a sword at his side. It was like no sword she had ever seen. Strange marks were written on it. She cringed. She recognized those marks. It was the language of the new race, Umbadao. They were said to kill off Men, or use them as sacrifices to their leader. Her heart beat faster. Had Des known what he was when she had told him about her? If so, why had she wanted him to come? Ani's head reeled. Was Des a traitor? She took a deep breath and stood up. He whirled around to look at her. "What are you doing?" His voice was stern and harsh. And his eyes were older than she had thought. Something had gone terribly wrong. "I'm going outside, I need a breath of fresh air." "You are staying inside. I have my orders." Ani clenched her fist. "I will do as I want. Neither you or Des can tell me what to do." The man growled. "You will listen to me and you will not disobey." She spit in his face. "My life is my own." She turned quickly around and ran out the front door. The chilly air of autumn hit her face but she had no time to enjoy it. Where was she to go now? She glanced around at the busy street. The street headed north and south. North led further into the heart of the city while the south led to flat open countryside. North would hold more hiding places. She jogged through the crowd, toward the looming castle. A festival was being held just ahead. She could hide there until nightfall, she thought. "Ani!" A deep voice called out from behind her. She turned and saw him running towards her. She gasped and ran faster, into the crowd of happy tourists. She pushed her way through, not stopping to apologize or look behind her. Her life depended on it. She was sure of that. Suddenly, she bumped into someone. She didn't look up but tried to pass them. They grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Gasping hard, she stared up into the face of a young man, about nineteen, frowning down at her. He was dressed opulently, his brown hair neatly brushed. "Hallo." He said. "Tell me, why are you running and who from? Who are you and why do you not apologize?" "My apologies sir. But that is not your business." Her voice calmed a little. "Please, would you let me go? I am in grave danger." "Who is threatening you?" "An Umbadao. Now, please, let me go!" She tried to pull away from his grip, but he only held tighter to her arm. "An Umbadao? None of their kind is allowed in this country!" "One is here, sire. And he is bent on hurting me, I believe. Now, please!" He shook his head. "I can not let you go. You will be safe with me, and you will need to explain to the King this tragedy." She stared up at him. "I cannot see the King, or any of the family. They may recognize me." "How would they recognize you?" She shrugged and looked away, pulling her left hand behind her back. "Very well, I will take you myself to them, if that must be so." He led her through the crowd, still gripping her arm tightly. "Please, sire," she cried. "Let go of my arm. You are hurting me!" He stared down at her, his eyebrows creasing. "You promise you will not try to escape?" "Ayah." She muttered. As soon as he let her arm go she bolted into the crowd, but he must have expected it and ran after her. She heard a sort of scrape behind her. "Stop! Or you will be worse off than you are now!" Cold metal touched her back. She stopped in her tracks. He put his sword back in his sheath. "You will come with me and there will be no more room for escape." He took her arm once again and led her up towards the castle. "What is your name?" "It is none of your-" "It most certainly is." She hesitated. "I am called Ani." "And why is an Umbadao chasing you?" She shook her head, looking at the ground, an old habit not quite gone. "I cannot say." "And why is that?" "I am not. a commoner." He sighed and led her up to the humongous iron gates that were attached to a ten-foot high wall. A soldier stood on the other side, on guard. "Darrin!" the guard called. "I haven't seen you in weeks! And who is this prisoner you have?" "Prisoner!?" Ani cried. "I am none of the sort! How dare you-" "She is being chased by an Umbadao, I thought it only necessary to bring her here." "An Umbadao?" The guard raised his eyebrows at her. "Why is that, missus?" "Raouel!" Darrin growled. "Quit stalling and let us in! We must speak to the King immediately!" Raouel grumbled to himself and unlatched the gates, pulling them apart only enough to let the two in. Darrin led her through a courtyard and through the large doors of the entrance hall. Ani remembered a ball, dimly, that was held in a room to the left side of the hall. A grand staircase led up to the next floor. Carpets, brand new, lined the hallway, pictures of past Kings and Queens on the walls. Darrin pulled her along, past five doors and into the sixth on the right. She found herself in the throne room, the King seated majestically on the large throne. He was old, his beard white and long, his hair already balding. From what Ani could remember his wife had died about a year past. They had no children, heirs to the throne. The King held out his scepter, a signal to continue. Darrin led her up to the throne, stopping her only feet from it. He motioned for her to curtsy, and she did. He watched her in surprise. She was extremely graceful. He bowed quickly. "Who have you brought to me, Captain?" "Her name is Ani. She is being chased by an Umbadao." The King stared at Ani, confused. "You're name is Ani? Perhaps short for Anillielle?" Ani shook her head. "Nay, sire." "You are of the ruined kingdom, I hear." The King began. "Only the Elder speak with Nay and Ayah. Adopted from the elves, I hear. Have you ever met an elf?" Ani shook her head. "Too bad," he continued. "They are quite lovely folk, always happy and joyous. Except for that one, who set our treaty. She was always worried things would go wrong, what's her name again?" Ani smiled as she shook her head again. "Oh well, she was beautiful though. That made up for her sternness. And she married that strapping young man too. Was his name Jayden, or am I mixing up the history?" "Sire." Darrin replied sternly. "Now you need to lighten up a bit, young man. You're a bit too worried as well." The king shook his scepter at him. "Now, what were we talking about?" Ani stifled a laugh. Darrin glared at her. "Sire, we need to talk about the Umbadao!" Darrin cried. "Ah yes." The King grinned at Ani. "It's chasing you? Oh dear. Well, what do you suggest needs to be done, Captain?" Ani stared at Darrin. He was obviously stressed at this losing battle of wits. "I came to you for guidance, sire." "I was asking you, Captain." The king paused, frowning at Darrin. "You know, you're just like your father. Always tense and never relaxing." Ani chuckled, this time not hiding it. Darrin glared at her as if saying 'if you think it's so funny why don't you try it?'. Ani grinned at him, taking up his offer. "Sire," She began. "As you know, Umbadaos are very dangerous. We cannot have them scurrying all over the countryside and cities. Something must be done and we need your help." The king stroked his beard. "Yes, I see what you are saying. Do you think perhaps I should deploy some soldiers to go and fight these. things?" "That would be wise, sire. But what about the one chasing me?" "Oh dear." He frowned. "We simply can not have one chasing after a lady like yourself! CAPTAIN!" "Yes, sir? I'm right here!" Darrin said. "Oh yes." The King frowned. "Sorry about that. I forgot you were here. Now, what was I going to say?" "That the Captain here, should go and find this Umbadao. You also wanted to remind him that this certain kind of Umbadao is disguised as a Man and the only way to recognize him is his sword, that has the Umba language carved into it." "Ah, yes." Said the King. "You are right, as usual, milady. Captain! You heard the Lady! On the double!" Darrin stared at Ani astonished and said, "Yes, sir." Promptly turning towards the door and leaving the King and Ani alone. The King looked back at Ani. "Well, then. Are you sure I don't know you?" .............................