Angel of Light: Stupid computer……deleted my story again……..
The group wandered on. Most of the journey had been made in silence; save for the few words that had been exchanged between Daisuke and the Princess.
They were coming up onto a ridge, where they would be able to see what lie ahead of them.
Takeru, who was in front, stopped at it. His eyes scanned the area. Below him, was a deep canyon. The bottom was rock, or it seemed to be from so high up. He looked up to across the canyon, and saw a marsh. A thick mist hung in the air, and the sun didn't reach those parts. The fog was much thinner on their side of the canyon.
Soon, the others came up behind him. The Prince didn't move, and his face was emotionless, and gave no indication to what he was thinking.
The dragon landed with a thump, causing the ground to shake slightly. A few stones and pebbles feel deep in to the abyss.
"We'll rest here for the night", was all he said.
The others looked at him, and wondered why he was acting so strange. Sure, he was cold and a little antisocial, but he wasn't usually like this. Even Hikari thought there was something wrong with him.
After tying his horse, the Prince went off into the forest. He told the others that he would be back, and to stay there. However, one did not listen. The dragon, who had taken quite a liking to him, followed him.
Takeru stopped. "I thought I told you to stay behind." he said flatly.
The dragon just looked at him. The creature's tongue lolled out of its mouth, and it panted happily. Its tail wagged back and forth, taking out a few trees.
"Look, I don't want you here." he told it, bluntly.
Immediately, the dragon's tongue went back into its mouth, and its face fell. Its tail stopped wagging, and it had a sad puppy dog look in its eyes. It whimpered and whined.
The Prince sighed, "Alright, alright. I guess it's not like you can talk or anything…."
The dragon immediately became happy once more, and bounded after the Prince.
~*~
Back at the camp, things were going pretty well. Daisuke had managed to light a fire, and they cooked some of the food they had. He sat close to the Princess, who was chatting lightly with Miyako. Ken widdled away with his knife and some wood, while Iori poked at the fire.
"What's it like being royalty?" Miyako asked the Princess.
"Well, like everything, it has its ups and downs." she replied.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. It's nice because you can have everything you've ever wanted, well, most things, and you don't have to worry about much…..I will later of course, but not for now. I pretty much get to do what I want as well. The downs are that there are many rules that I have to follow. I'm not allowed to talk to too many people, unless my parents know of them. They don't want me getting kidnapped or anything like that. I'm not allowed to fight, like a knight does, because I'm a girl. I think the worst is that because I can have everything, I have no room left to dream…."
"Sometimes I dream of being royalty. I never tell anyone though, because they'll all laugh."
"Sometimes, I pretend to be one of the villagers. Of course, I get in trouble when I do…"
Miyako chuckled slightly. "I never would have thought that someone with so much would want to give it all up."
Kari smiled, "You aren't royalty."
"And you aren't a peasant." She shot back.
"I guess we're even than."
The two looked at the fire, mesmerized by the flicker of the flames.
"Why do you act so cold towards the Prince?" Miyako asked.
Hikari was silent. "I, I don't know, to tell you the truth. I just do, I guess."
"That's no reason to hate someone."
"I know it's a bad excuse, but it's always been like that. We just, didn't hit it off very well."
"I'm sure you must care about him in some way. I mean, you should have seen the look on your face when he was knocked out. You were genuinely frightened for him."
Hikari looked at the girl with astonishment. "Me? Care about him? No, you've got it all wrong. I'd rather die than even think about caring for him."
"Why?"
"Would you stop with the questions?!"
Miyako put her head down sheepishly, "Sorry."
Hikari sighed, "No, don't be. You have a point there. To tell you the truth, I really don't have an answer for that one…."
"If you ask me, I'd say that he cares about you, a lot more than he's letting on."
The Princess laughed, "No. He couldn't care about anyone if his life depended on it."
~*~
Prince Takeru sat on a rock by the edge of a small brook, looking down at his reflection in the water. A million things were going through his mind, and his head was spinning. He just needed to get away from everyone, and find some peace and quiet by himself. He was confused. His life had been so simple before this journey, and now the perfect puzzle had been scrambled, and it was hard to put them back. Some of them even looked different.
He took a deep breath.
Behind him, the dragon was waiting patiently. The Prince had to admit, the thing was pretty good company. He'd rather him than any of the others.
For some reason, he'd liked it better when he was alone with the Princess. He couldn't figure out why, but that's just how he felt. He didn't really pay any mind to Iori and Ken, and Miyako wasn't all that bad either, but Daisuke was another matter. He didn't like the man, but couldn't think of why he did. There was something in his eyes that he didn't like. Another thing was that he was far too attached to the Princess, and she seemed to be growing fond of him.
That thought caused Takeru to slap the water. He was surprised at his own outburst. He hated the Princess.
His mind drifted to that for a moment. Why did he hate her? Was there any reasoning behind this feud? Or was it pointless? Maybe he hated her because she was the first not to show any interest in him, or maybe it was because she hated him back. But is that any reason to hate anyone? The prince shook these thoughts from his head. He didn't want to deal with these things right now.
Slowly, he got up from his perch. Takeru figured that he'd best be getting back, as the others could be looking for him. He didn't move all that quickly though.
~*~
Hikari had lain down on the ground, and was also deep in thought. She was thinking of what she and Miyako had discussed earlier. Did she care for him? Was this hatred she felt really an act?
A loud crash diverted her attention. She bolted upright, and noticed that things had become quiet, too quiet.
The horses, once again, began to scream in terror. Normally, this wouldn't have alarmed her, but Tallow and Erowin were panicking as well. They never panicked.
Quickly, she went ad untied her mare. She paused for a moment, thinking of whether or not to release the Prince's mount. She could keep it there, and make the Prince suffer, but it was a magnificent stallion, and she hated the Prince, not his horse. After thinking it over, she untied it.
The others had also gotten up, and had started to investigate the premises.
Just as things had begun to die down, trees could be heard, cracking and falling to the ground. Something was coming through, and they really didn't want to know what it was.
~*~
Takeru heard the crash, and became alarmed. He picked up the pace, and ran through the forest. He tripped and fell a few times, as it was dark and tree roots were everywhere. He had to stop and think of where he was for a while, as to not lose his way. The dragon followed closely behind him.
Finally, he reached the camp. Before him was a scene of mass chaos. Horses and people were running every which way and that. The Princess had gotten on her mount, and was trying to keep things under control. This was hard when there was a massive cave troll chasing you with a giant club.
The giant troll roared at them, and swung its club at Hikari and her horse. Missing, he hit the ground, causing it to shake. For some reason, he was chasing only the Princess, and occasionally, his own mount.
Acting only out of instincts, he ran to grab Tallow. The stallion stopped, and allowed him to get on. Considering the circumstances, he was still very calm. He dashed off after the troll, sword drawn and ready to taste blood.
They ran; troll chasing mare, and stallion chasing troll. They managed to lead it a ways away from the group.
Erowin halted to an immediate stop as they came upon the canyon's edge. The troll stopped too. It raised its club, ready to smash them both to pulp. It brought it down, but missed. Some rocks tumbled into the deep fissure. There was a sharp pain in its shoulder. The beast wheeled around, and found the Prince, with his sword in its back. The stallion had run around to its front.
The troll flung the Prince towards the others, barely missing the steep edge. He was out cold.
"TAKERU!" the Princess yelled. There was genuine fear in her voice. It was partly for him, and partly for herself.
She turned back to it. They were completely cornered. This was the end. With a devious grin on its face, the troll brought the club up once more. With a bang, he smashed it down again, but missed once more.
Hikari watched as time froze. The troll stood, eyes wide. Her eyes travelled down to its midriff, and saw a small point through its stomach. She looked up once more to see Daisuke clinging to its back.
He jumped away, and the creature fell.
The Princess was overcome with joy, but that was short lived.
The cave troll fell with a mighty thud, causing the ground to crumble. Takeru began to slowly slide off the cliff, still unconscious. Hikari didn't notice, for she was trying to save herself. The mare was scrambling, feet trying desperately to find ground, but finding none.
The black stallion let out a glass shattering cry as he fell. The Prince too, had fallen. Soon, Hikari found herself trying to clamber of the horse, in order to save herself, but it was no use. He four of them went tumbling off the cliff.
