Chapter 1
The smell of war still hung in the air. Blood was spilled on the muddy ground almost everywhere as I stepped over the bodies in a rush. The hands of the wounded lunged to grab my skir or feet. With a thrust, I pushed them off and glanced back at the knights walking up to my father's castle. My mother and father sat at their thrones proud and looking as if they were never going to back down.
"King Fior. Step down for you have lost this war." One of them said just as I stood by my mothers side. The knight took his black helmet off and held it under his arm, never glancing away from my father. I watched in terror as my father cleared his throat, stood up and brought his loyal servants and knights to stand with him. "Nay." He drew his sword and pushed me and my mother back. She took my hand and flung me into the kitchen. Her green eyes took one last look at her husband before turning to me. Her hair spilled over her shoulders and fell to her waist. "Reagan, please run. Your father will not win the battle out there. Please! RUN!" I shook my head and stared up into her eyes. "NO!" She grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "Reagan! If we do not live, I still want you to in freedom..." I shook my head at her followed by a scream and a clang of the sword. With my eyes shut tightly, I ran back out to look at what had happened. My father was kneeling, his stomach bleeding badly. In a heart beat, I ran to his side and glared up at the knights with my green eyes blazing.
"Why are you doing this?! Already thousands have died, why anymore? Why can't their be peace?!" My mother, Heran picked me up off the floor and went to her husbands side. The knight walked up to me and looked over my face, inspecting my eyes, lips, neck and chin. "She will be a fair one to sell. Bind her wrists so she will not try to escape."
Two more of his size came up behind him and tied my hands with a peice of rope. "Tomorrow we ride back to Parinuil after the others arrive to claim this kingdom." Another rope was put around my neck and knotted tightly. My parents were moved to a small corner in the hall of our castle and was gaurded, while I was forced into the kitchen. "Cook slave."
"I am not your slave, nor will I be any body elses.." The man grabbed my neck and stared me in the eyes. "Well, for tonight..you are my slave. Now COOK!" He laughed teasingly as I fell back agaisnt the old wooden table. I began to question OUR slaves loyatly as I looked around and found the kitchen deserted. A tug on the rope released my hands but he still held onto my neck leash. "Are you finished yet?" He demanded grumpily. "It does take some time to prepare a meal."
~~~ A grunt was the answer she got. As Reagan set a plate and a goblet of wine in front of him, she was forced to the cold floor to sit while the knight ate. 'What have we done to deserve this?' She brought her knees up to her chest and waited until it was well on into the night. After her parents were asleep in a pile of hay that were thrown at them, Reagan was handed to the knight who was first to speak.
"If you wish, I will give you time in the morning to say goodbye to your kin." She looked up into a pair of brown soft eyes unlike the ones she saw before. He had his chain mail removed now and only wore a dirt stained white tunic and his strong leather leggings and boots. Reagan pushed her long black hair out of her face, turning to gaze at the sleeping couple on the floor. "What will happen to them?" She asked in a soft voice, still keeping it strong and proud. "I do not know. Perhaps they will become slaves for the ones coming in the morning. Whatever it will be, I hope them a fair future." He said, almost reaching out to stroke her porcelain skin. His senses got a hold of him adn he backed away just before she turned to face him. "Set them free. I beg of you. You can sell me to the devil himself but please do not bring them anymore harm." She pleaded with him but he did not back down. "I am sorry. I can not disobey my instructions so easily. What is your name?" He asked changing the subject. "I am princess under the prince of this castle. My name is Reagan."
"Princess? Who is the prince?" He tiltled his head to the side and raised a thick black eyebrow. "He perished this afternoon." She said, lowering her head. "Go to your chamber and gather your things for the morn. And...enjoy one last sleep in your bed. I will have Cornell gaurd your chamber door just in case." Reagan stared at the knight until he turned away and called for Cornell to take her up to her quarters.
"Could I have thy name?" She asked, standing up and brushing her skirt off of the dust. "Orion, March Warden of the forest city of Parinuil." "Good night Orion." She said before being tugged by Cornell. She sat on her bed and sobbed at the thought of never seeing her family or this room again. Only 17 years at home she spent and now she was being forced into slavery. No matter how charming or nice Orion had been, she still wanted to rip his throat out and feed his heart to a pack of wolves. Reagan pulled her hair up halfway back with a white ribbon and crawled into bed, after pulling on a silk night gown. Even in her dreams she was haunted by the sounds and screams of the soldiers being killed on the battle field. The sky was grey, not letting the sun to shine. Hurridly, Reagan got dressed in a long sleeve black boddess and a grey skirt that reached the ground. After putting her locket necklace in a silk bag, she tied it to the inside of her dress to prevent it from being snatched from her master. Orion smiled as she walked down the stairs, her hair combed and left to swing in her face. "I have kept my promise to you Reagan." He stepped out of the way to present her mother and father sitting at the hearth, in front of a fire. "Reagan." Fior stood up to hug his daughter, no matter how much the pain was killing him from his wound. "I will miss you."
"Not as much as I will you." She kissed his cheek covered in a light beard. Her mother hugged her and slipped a dagger secretly into her daughters hands. "For protection my dear. Fare thee well." Reagan nodded and placed the dagger into the side of her boot. "Goodbye.." The girl said before she was carried outside along with another girl and a boy. The girl Reagan knew. Her name was Julia, daughter of the captain of the army. "Julia..." Reagan smiled weekly to her as tears spilled down the 15 year olds cheek. Her blonde hair was pulled all the way back and her dressing was poor but, she still held a beauty as she did a week ago.
"Your family?" Reagan asked as Orion and Cornell helped them mount their steeds. "I have none.." Julia replied with a sigh. She looked at Reagan who looked away, feeling her own eyes start to fill with tears. They stung at the eyelids but she forced them back. The boy rode behind Julia and Reagan was in front of them with Orion leading them all. Cornell was behind them, watching in case some body decided to escape. Two scouts rode ahead every now and then, sometimes slowling down to walk besides Reagan and Julia. The fourth time they stopped, one of them put his hand on Julia's theigh. "How much are you worth wench?" He asked snarling his yellow teeth. Reagan cringed at the fear Julia must be feeling. "More than you could ever give.." She turned around in time to see Julia shoved his hand off, causing him to catch his balance. Reagan looked up at him and noticed him to be the one she had to make dinner for. Cornell gave a loud laugh and they proceded their journey. By nightfall, they had reached the cities gates. They were guided through large trees that reached halfway to the clouds and as thick as castles. In fact, the castle in the distance was built around three of the trees. "Welcome slaves, to Parinuil!" Cornell dismounted and gave his horses reigns to another man. Orion helped Reagan down off her horse just as more people crowded around them. "Are these the captive? Why not more?" A stronger voice said, pushing through the crowd. Moving her eyes over the crowd, the girl saw a man with muscles as big as her body walk up to them.
"They shall do. I suppose." He grabbed the boy and shoved him along with Julia and Reagan up to the castle stairs. Reagan looked back to see Orion wrap his arms around a young woman and smile at her. "Lord Duncun..I bring you the slaves from the kingdom of Senhul. They were the noblest of blood." The lord walked down to them and looked over them. "Yes..Im sure they will do. The boy. How many years is he?" "13 years my Lord. He is mute but seems to be loyal." Reagan watched as the Lord spun the boy around and smacked the back of his legs with a cane. "Seems strong. The bidding will start at 5 peices of silver." After the man with large muscles took the mute boy to another room, the Lord was testing Reagan.
"She was the highest rank of the kingdom?"
"Under her Mother and Father..Yes. Cornell tells me she minds well." Reagan glanced up and then over to Julia who stood tall and oblivious like she was back at home. "Age of this one?" "Im not for sure My Lord.." Both the men looked to Reagan. "19." she lied. She knew if she was younger, she would not get a master right away. They wanted the more older ones who are able to work and do more things. "And that one there?" "18, my Lord." She also lied, catching Reagans gaze as she glanced back at the blonde girl. "Start them at 7 gold." After that, the man shoved them in a room of more slaves. "This must be how they make their pay." Julia said as we stood against a wall with shakles on our feet. Most of the slaves were starved looking and smelled as if they hadn't had a bath in years. Reagan covered her nose and looked at Julia. "I lied because you did." She said with a smirk.
They both sat against the heavy metal door and waited until the auction. A small window on the opposite wall, facing the door, there was a window with three metal bars to prevent escape. However, the moonlight poured in and cast eerie shadows everywhere. Somehow, Reagan found the peace to sleep, wishing she was still in her bed safe in the castle walls with her parents.
The smell of war still hung in the air. Blood was spilled on the muddy ground almost everywhere as I stepped over the bodies in a rush. The hands of the wounded lunged to grab my skir or feet. With a thrust, I pushed them off and glanced back at the knights walking up to my father's castle. My mother and father sat at their thrones proud and looking as if they were never going to back down.
"King Fior. Step down for you have lost this war." One of them said just as I stood by my mothers side. The knight took his black helmet off and held it under his arm, never glancing away from my father. I watched in terror as my father cleared his throat, stood up and brought his loyal servants and knights to stand with him. "Nay." He drew his sword and pushed me and my mother back. She took my hand and flung me into the kitchen. Her green eyes took one last look at her husband before turning to me. Her hair spilled over her shoulders and fell to her waist. "Reagan, please run. Your father will not win the battle out there. Please! RUN!" I shook my head and stared up into her eyes. "NO!" She grabbed my shoulders and shook me. "Reagan! If we do not live, I still want you to in freedom..." I shook my head at her followed by a scream and a clang of the sword. With my eyes shut tightly, I ran back out to look at what had happened. My father was kneeling, his stomach bleeding badly. In a heart beat, I ran to his side and glared up at the knights with my green eyes blazing.
"Why are you doing this?! Already thousands have died, why anymore? Why can't their be peace?!" My mother, Heran picked me up off the floor and went to her husbands side. The knight walked up to me and looked over my face, inspecting my eyes, lips, neck and chin. "She will be a fair one to sell. Bind her wrists so she will not try to escape."
Two more of his size came up behind him and tied my hands with a peice of rope. "Tomorrow we ride back to Parinuil after the others arrive to claim this kingdom." Another rope was put around my neck and knotted tightly. My parents were moved to a small corner in the hall of our castle and was gaurded, while I was forced into the kitchen. "Cook slave."
"I am not your slave, nor will I be any body elses.." The man grabbed my neck and stared me in the eyes. "Well, for tonight..you are my slave. Now COOK!" He laughed teasingly as I fell back agaisnt the old wooden table. I began to question OUR slaves loyatly as I looked around and found the kitchen deserted. A tug on the rope released my hands but he still held onto my neck leash. "Are you finished yet?" He demanded grumpily. "It does take some time to prepare a meal."
~~~ A grunt was the answer she got. As Reagan set a plate and a goblet of wine in front of him, she was forced to the cold floor to sit while the knight ate. 'What have we done to deserve this?' She brought her knees up to her chest and waited until it was well on into the night. After her parents were asleep in a pile of hay that were thrown at them, Reagan was handed to the knight who was first to speak.
"If you wish, I will give you time in the morning to say goodbye to your kin." She looked up into a pair of brown soft eyes unlike the ones she saw before. He had his chain mail removed now and only wore a dirt stained white tunic and his strong leather leggings and boots. Reagan pushed her long black hair out of her face, turning to gaze at the sleeping couple on the floor. "What will happen to them?" She asked in a soft voice, still keeping it strong and proud. "I do not know. Perhaps they will become slaves for the ones coming in the morning. Whatever it will be, I hope them a fair future." He said, almost reaching out to stroke her porcelain skin. His senses got a hold of him adn he backed away just before she turned to face him. "Set them free. I beg of you. You can sell me to the devil himself but please do not bring them anymore harm." She pleaded with him but he did not back down. "I am sorry. I can not disobey my instructions so easily. What is your name?" He asked changing the subject. "I am princess under the prince of this castle. My name is Reagan."
"Princess? Who is the prince?" He tiltled his head to the side and raised a thick black eyebrow. "He perished this afternoon." She said, lowering her head. "Go to your chamber and gather your things for the morn. And...enjoy one last sleep in your bed. I will have Cornell gaurd your chamber door just in case." Reagan stared at the knight until he turned away and called for Cornell to take her up to her quarters.
"Could I have thy name?" She asked, standing up and brushing her skirt off of the dust. "Orion, March Warden of the forest city of Parinuil." "Good night Orion." She said before being tugged by Cornell. She sat on her bed and sobbed at the thought of never seeing her family or this room again. Only 17 years at home she spent and now she was being forced into slavery. No matter how charming or nice Orion had been, she still wanted to rip his throat out and feed his heart to a pack of wolves. Reagan pulled her hair up halfway back with a white ribbon and crawled into bed, after pulling on a silk night gown. Even in her dreams she was haunted by the sounds and screams of the soldiers being killed on the battle field. The sky was grey, not letting the sun to shine. Hurridly, Reagan got dressed in a long sleeve black boddess and a grey skirt that reached the ground. After putting her locket necklace in a silk bag, she tied it to the inside of her dress to prevent it from being snatched from her master. Orion smiled as she walked down the stairs, her hair combed and left to swing in her face. "I have kept my promise to you Reagan." He stepped out of the way to present her mother and father sitting at the hearth, in front of a fire. "Reagan." Fior stood up to hug his daughter, no matter how much the pain was killing him from his wound. "I will miss you."
"Not as much as I will you." She kissed his cheek covered in a light beard. Her mother hugged her and slipped a dagger secretly into her daughters hands. "For protection my dear. Fare thee well." Reagan nodded and placed the dagger into the side of her boot. "Goodbye.." The girl said before she was carried outside along with another girl and a boy. The girl Reagan knew. Her name was Julia, daughter of the captain of the army. "Julia..." Reagan smiled weekly to her as tears spilled down the 15 year olds cheek. Her blonde hair was pulled all the way back and her dressing was poor but, she still held a beauty as she did a week ago.
"Your family?" Reagan asked as Orion and Cornell helped them mount their steeds. "I have none.." Julia replied with a sigh. She looked at Reagan who looked away, feeling her own eyes start to fill with tears. They stung at the eyelids but she forced them back. The boy rode behind Julia and Reagan was in front of them with Orion leading them all. Cornell was behind them, watching in case some body decided to escape. Two scouts rode ahead every now and then, sometimes slowling down to walk besides Reagan and Julia. The fourth time they stopped, one of them put his hand on Julia's theigh. "How much are you worth wench?" He asked snarling his yellow teeth. Reagan cringed at the fear Julia must be feeling. "More than you could ever give.." She turned around in time to see Julia shoved his hand off, causing him to catch his balance. Reagan looked up at him and noticed him to be the one she had to make dinner for. Cornell gave a loud laugh and they proceded their journey. By nightfall, they had reached the cities gates. They were guided through large trees that reached halfway to the clouds and as thick as castles. In fact, the castle in the distance was built around three of the trees. "Welcome slaves, to Parinuil!" Cornell dismounted and gave his horses reigns to another man. Orion helped Reagan down off her horse just as more people crowded around them. "Are these the captive? Why not more?" A stronger voice said, pushing through the crowd. Moving her eyes over the crowd, the girl saw a man with muscles as big as her body walk up to them.
"They shall do. I suppose." He grabbed the boy and shoved him along with Julia and Reagan up to the castle stairs. Reagan looked back to see Orion wrap his arms around a young woman and smile at her. "Lord Duncun..I bring you the slaves from the kingdom of Senhul. They were the noblest of blood." The lord walked down to them and looked over them. "Yes..Im sure they will do. The boy. How many years is he?" "13 years my Lord. He is mute but seems to be loyal." Reagan watched as the Lord spun the boy around and smacked the back of his legs with a cane. "Seems strong. The bidding will start at 5 peices of silver." After the man with large muscles took the mute boy to another room, the Lord was testing Reagan.
"She was the highest rank of the kingdom?"
"Under her Mother and Father..Yes. Cornell tells me she minds well." Reagan glanced up and then over to Julia who stood tall and oblivious like she was back at home. "Age of this one?" "Im not for sure My Lord.." Both the men looked to Reagan. "19." she lied. She knew if she was younger, she would not get a master right away. They wanted the more older ones who are able to work and do more things. "And that one there?" "18, my Lord." She also lied, catching Reagans gaze as she glanced back at the blonde girl. "Start them at 7 gold." After that, the man shoved them in a room of more slaves. "This must be how they make their pay." Julia said as we stood against a wall with shakles on our feet. Most of the slaves were starved looking and smelled as if they hadn't had a bath in years. Reagan covered her nose and looked at Julia. "I lied because you did." She said with a smirk.
They both sat against the heavy metal door and waited until the auction. A small window on the opposite wall, facing the door, there was a window with three metal bars to prevent escape. However, the moonlight poured in and cast eerie shadows everywhere. Somehow, Reagan found the peace to sleep, wishing she was still in her bed safe in the castle walls with her parents.