Chapter 1
Blaine kneeled, her tattered gown puddling about her feet as she bent to bring water to her face. She gently scrubbed her brilliant green eyes, which were red-rimmed with tears. Surely no one would recognize her noble stature now, with her raven hair stringy and muddy cascading down her back. Her beautiful gown was soiled and ripped in tatters beyond repair, while her fair face was streaked with dirt. Slowly another tear leaked out; angrily she brushed it aside as she contemplated her future, her survival. Glancing down at her dress, or what was left of it, she admitted she'd never really been fond of it or any dress for that matter. So she felt no guilt when she proceeded in ripping off the bottom of the skirt and the long sleeves.
Sinking down to her knees she gazed at the strong, crystal clear water of the river she'd been staring at aimlessly. It was dusk, too late to begin looking for an inn that would no doubt be filled with drunken men. No, she decided firmly as she drank her fill of water, she would have to stay here. She settled down at the base of a massive oak tree, protectively her fingers curled around the sheathed blade of her father's beloved sword.
* * * Brilliant sunlight smiled down upon Blaine's face, caressing her hair and slight body and brought out her auburn highlights. Blearily she sat up and blinked several times. It was morning and time to begin her new life, or what she could plan on at the moment. She knew that eventually she'd have to find someplace to live, undoubtedly with complete strangers. She had no friends, or relatives she could turn to in light of the recent tragedy. As of a week ago, Blaine Shashawna was the last of the Shashawna line.
However, appearing like this, no one would take a second look at her. Fumbling slightly through the morning fog she found a secluded spot, and began to bathe, the cold spring water shocking her out of the bleariness still accompanying her. Dirt ran in tiny rivulets down her slightly tanned skin, while her fingers patiently rid her waist length midnight black hair of mud and tangles. Carefully she shook back her sopping wet hair and exited the river. Using the fabric she'd ripped from her dress she dried, then dressed, herself. Spotting a boulder conveniently located by the oak tree she'd spent the night at the base of, she spread out her tresses to dry in the sun. In quiet content she closed her eyes and prepared to bask in the sun, but immediately she wished she hadn't.
Quickly memories of her family flooded her mind, every detail. Her younger sister's expression when the man wrenched his blade from her small heart, the cruel laugh of the murderer as her parents cried out in anguish. Even as her family was slaughtered before her eyes, she hadn't cried a tear. Even as the thieving murderer turned to her, his lusting hunger evident in his black beady eyes. Oh, there was no doubt in her mind that he would've taken her then and there, if it hadn't been for his companions. Apparently he was exceedingly selfish, and wanted her for himself.
Blaine gave a small shudder when she pictured her home, empty of anything of value, being consumed by flames. After letting her stay awake to see her very life destroyed, the boss's (who it turned out was the one who did the honors of murdering her family) patience was gone. He'd knocked her out in order for his band to have a celebration night. She'd faded in and out of consciousness; at times she even imagined she could interpret what they were saying. But throughout the day she gathered enough information to determine what they were planning to do. They'd celebrate with a few good drinks at an inn, and then the boss would have her. The thieves had a good laugh at this, for they found it exceedingly funny when she glowered at them all in hatred and disgust. There were bruises all over her head from the many times they'd knocked her unconscious.
Finally, they reached the inn and left her tied to the horses. One thing they hadn't counted on however was her waking up, freeing herself from the ropes, and stealing a horse along with some provisions. A smirk bestowed itself on her face when she envisioned the shock on the small band's faces when they found her missing. Perhaps she was more of a survivor than they'd counted on. In fact, she was so much of a survivor that she rode for a full two days before stopping. And then she had only stopped then because she would've fainted from hunger, dehydration, and lack of sleep.
She supposed she'd slept for a day once she felt she'd reached safety, not intentionally of course. Then she rode for another full day and found the river she was at now.
Her eyes jerked open and she sat up, long wavy hair flowing as she jumped down from the rock and search around for the poor beast she'd almost ridden to death. Impatiently she tied her hair up and mounted. Much cleaner and refreshed the pair forged forward.
* * *
Not far from where Blaine's home had stood, a small group of travelers could be seen. Obviously they bore some noble stature, indicated by the royal crest branded on the hindquarters of the steeds they rode. It was also quite obvious that they hadn't expected the burned Lord Shashawna household either. After poking half-heartedly around in the ashes a bit, they promptly mounted once again and departed.
* * *
It was almost unbelievable; if Rownyn hadn't seen it for himself he would've thought Lord Jarchette quite mad. The loss of the most prominent Lord's household was staggering. The whole purpose of this trip was to gather support and supplies for the coming war between Ayortha and Kyrria. Now the young prince was forced to face the loss of one of the more valuable allies they'd been counting on.
Wistfully Rownyn couldn't help but think that none of this would've come to be if they were still under the reign of Kind Charmont and Lady Eleanor. His great great grandparents would've never allowed the country to be divided into three divisions, much less fight a war with Ayortha. But the golden ages were gone, leaving behind a very lost country.
A/N: Soo.how'd you like it? It hardly ties in with the whole Ella theme, but well, hey! It's an original! Lol, so.please.review. I'm kinna unfamiliar a bit with this so just gimme a break and some time. Kapeesh? Please review!
Blaine kneeled, her tattered gown puddling about her feet as she bent to bring water to her face. She gently scrubbed her brilliant green eyes, which were red-rimmed with tears. Surely no one would recognize her noble stature now, with her raven hair stringy and muddy cascading down her back. Her beautiful gown was soiled and ripped in tatters beyond repair, while her fair face was streaked with dirt. Slowly another tear leaked out; angrily she brushed it aside as she contemplated her future, her survival. Glancing down at her dress, or what was left of it, she admitted she'd never really been fond of it or any dress for that matter. So she felt no guilt when she proceeded in ripping off the bottom of the skirt and the long sleeves.
Sinking down to her knees she gazed at the strong, crystal clear water of the river she'd been staring at aimlessly. It was dusk, too late to begin looking for an inn that would no doubt be filled with drunken men. No, she decided firmly as she drank her fill of water, she would have to stay here. She settled down at the base of a massive oak tree, protectively her fingers curled around the sheathed blade of her father's beloved sword.
* * * Brilliant sunlight smiled down upon Blaine's face, caressing her hair and slight body and brought out her auburn highlights. Blearily she sat up and blinked several times. It was morning and time to begin her new life, or what she could plan on at the moment. She knew that eventually she'd have to find someplace to live, undoubtedly with complete strangers. She had no friends, or relatives she could turn to in light of the recent tragedy. As of a week ago, Blaine Shashawna was the last of the Shashawna line.
However, appearing like this, no one would take a second look at her. Fumbling slightly through the morning fog she found a secluded spot, and began to bathe, the cold spring water shocking her out of the bleariness still accompanying her. Dirt ran in tiny rivulets down her slightly tanned skin, while her fingers patiently rid her waist length midnight black hair of mud and tangles. Carefully she shook back her sopping wet hair and exited the river. Using the fabric she'd ripped from her dress she dried, then dressed, herself. Spotting a boulder conveniently located by the oak tree she'd spent the night at the base of, she spread out her tresses to dry in the sun. In quiet content she closed her eyes and prepared to bask in the sun, but immediately she wished she hadn't.
Quickly memories of her family flooded her mind, every detail. Her younger sister's expression when the man wrenched his blade from her small heart, the cruel laugh of the murderer as her parents cried out in anguish. Even as her family was slaughtered before her eyes, she hadn't cried a tear. Even as the thieving murderer turned to her, his lusting hunger evident in his black beady eyes. Oh, there was no doubt in her mind that he would've taken her then and there, if it hadn't been for his companions. Apparently he was exceedingly selfish, and wanted her for himself.
Blaine gave a small shudder when she pictured her home, empty of anything of value, being consumed by flames. After letting her stay awake to see her very life destroyed, the boss's (who it turned out was the one who did the honors of murdering her family) patience was gone. He'd knocked her out in order for his band to have a celebration night. She'd faded in and out of consciousness; at times she even imagined she could interpret what they were saying. But throughout the day she gathered enough information to determine what they were planning to do. They'd celebrate with a few good drinks at an inn, and then the boss would have her. The thieves had a good laugh at this, for they found it exceedingly funny when she glowered at them all in hatred and disgust. There were bruises all over her head from the many times they'd knocked her unconscious.
Finally, they reached the inn and left her tied to the horses. One thing they hadn't counted on however was her waking up, freeing herself from the ropes, and stealing a horse along with some provisions. A smirk bestowed itself on her face when she envisioned the shock on the small band's faces when they found her missing. Perhaps she was more of a survivor than they'd counted on. In fact, she was so much of a survivor that she rode for a full two days before stopping. And then she had only stopped then because she would've fainted from hunger, dehydration, and lack of sleep.
She supposed she'd slept for a day once she felt she'd reached safety, not intentionally of course. Then she rode for another full day and found the river she was at now.
Her eyes jerked open and she sat up, long wavy hair flowing as she jumped down from the rock and search around for the poor beast she'd almost ridden to death. Impatiently she tied her hair up and mounted. Much cleaner and refreshed the pair forged forward.
* * *
Not far from where Blaine's home had stood, a small group of travelers could be seen. Obviously they bore some noble stature, indicated by the royal crest branded on the hindquarters of the steeds they rode. It was also quite obvious that they hadn't expected the burned Lord Shashawna household either. After poking half-heartedly around in the ashes a bit, they promptly mounted once again and departed.
* * *
It was almost unbelievable; if Rownyn hadn't seen it for himself he would've thought Lord Jarchette quite mad. The loss of the most prominent Lord's household was staggering. The whole purpose of this trip was to gather support and supplies for the coming war between Ayortha and Kyrria. Now the young prince was forced to face the loss of one of the more valuable allies they'd been counting on.
Wistfully Rownyn couldn't help but think that none of this would've come to be if they were still under the reign of Kind Charmont and Lady Eleanor. His great great grandparents would've never allowed the country to be divided into three divisions, much less fight a war with Ayortha. But the golden ages were gone, leaving behind a very lost country.
A/N: Soo.how'd you like it? It hardly ties in with the whole Ella theme, but well, hey! It's an original! Lol, so.please.review. I'm kinna unfamiliar a bit with this so just gimme a break and some time. Kapeesh? Please review!