Chapter7: The last day of school and a little bit of danger.
The sun was shining, bees buzzing, flowers blooming and birds chirping as Alex rose with the knowledge that she, and her friends, would be returning to Grov. Grov, where there was no sadistic professors, arduous eldish classes, mountains of homework and where her father was waiting to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. Pity Gavril would also be coming, but one can't have everything in life.
Today they would discover how they went in their final examinations and those that topped their classes would be presented awards; butterflies appeared in Alex's stomach but were rapidly quashed. Alex washed up and put on the now familiar grey skirt and white blouse before braiding her hair half up and proceeding to breakfast; intending to train with Thia and Dain once they made camp.
Grov was only a day and a half's ride away, they were meeting an escort party from Grov on the road; still they weren't intending to openly display valuables or proclaim their royalty. Hopefully there would be no trouble but at least all but Sandrina and Pheresa could fight if needed.
Alex sighed as she looked at her room one last time for the next few weeks; the school had become like a home for her and she'd miss her modest little room and being able to train in actual practice courts; and run around in breeches, and attack Thia with food, and talk back to princes; she grinned; and forcing Dain to dress in women's clothing and make-up pretty much once a month.
Outside her room she met Thia and Sandrina, pausing dramatically she cried "Alas room I shall miss you!" then took two steps "Alas wall I shalt miss you also" another three steps, "I shall miss you floor!" This continued all the way to an "Alas I shall miss you sweet spoon!" at the dining table.
However wonderful Alex's dramatics were she was defeated. Not by Thia or Dain; nor by Thum or Sandrina; but by the meek and timid Pheresa. Who loudly declared that she shall miss Master Broshnovic, like the night misses the day.
After breakfast the school moved into the performance hall to await the prize giving ceremony, the headmistress' speech and their results. The group managed to obtain seats at the front of the hall as the headmistress stood, drawing all eyes and muting all conversations.
"Another year has past at this academy and many extraordinary results have come from your studies. Many of you are looking forward to a nice break from your strenuous and in some cases not so strenuous, timetables; I know I shall be enjoying a little peace and quiet after the last hectic month." Smiles flicked across the assembly.
"I also realize many of you are anxious to know the outcomes of your studies so I shall say no more and call forth teachers to present awards to students who have excelled in their classes. I wish you all safety, joy and happiness until next we meet." Applause followed. "Now I'm going to present the awards for advanced etiquette and advanced magic. Etiquette, the award goes to Lady Pheresa and Magic goes to Princess Thiaterekia." Both girls stood gracefully to much applause from the front row.
The presentation continued on, Pheresa and Alex applauded loudly when Hannas and Aran topped mathematics and legal studies together, and when Sandrina was awarded for her cooking talents. Thia topped healing, to no ones surprise and Pheresa gained a surprise award for her fashion class. Gavril and Dain, to their mutual displeasure each gained first in riding but Dain went on to top eldish and come an equal first in his an Alex's natural magic class.
Alex herself didn't do too badly, she and Thum managed to top history together, as did she and Sandrina in P.A., much to her shock. Other stunning announcements lay in her topping art, mostly due to her love of art history, and that Broshnovic had conceded to giving her and Hannas equal first in physics. Master Gris, to her utmost shame and embarrassment, read out one of her compositions before awarding her first place; but the best was for last.
The final teacher to present was Mcana. The hawk-eyed teacher stood on the podium and looked out across the students. "As ye all know I am professor Mcana and I teach self defence but I am also the head of the fire house. As it is each year one lad and one lass of ye are chosen as the top students of this school; this year I shall present these awards, but first I'm sure all ye lads, and our warrior princess," Mcana looked pointedly at Alex, "wish to know the highest ranking warfare students. Aye students, there is yet another equal first place in my classes; Prince Faldain and Prince-"he paused dramtically, "-ess Alexeika Volvn."
Alex and Dain grinned at the sour look on Gavril's face before proceeding to the stage and collecting their awards from Mcana who whispered softly to them "Mighty proud I am of ye two, stay here for a moment." "Now I'm sure ye all are wondering who our most skilled students are and they stand here before ye now; please congratulate Prince Faldain and Princess Alexeika Volvn."
Alex gasped and composed herself as she took the small trophy, certificate and golden wreath from the headmistress with murmurs of thanks and left the stage with the other students filing from the hall. Once out of sight from the general populace, and laden down as she was she proceeded to squeal and bounce around with her three girl friends as Thum and Dain looked on with shock.
So passed the last hour at school.
'Why did Gavril have to come?' Alex thought to herself as her grey mare followed Thum's brown one through the shadowy forest road. The weather, bright and cheery this morning, had turned overcast, bruised steel blue rain clouds hung across the sky and a chill north wind had picked up occasionally making its way through the heavy pine branches of the thick forest.
To add to the dismal out look Gavril had been particularly sour and couldn't help but attempt to make Alex and Dain's lives as miserable as possible. Gavril's own mount was a white temperamental gelding with a nasty streak a mile wide. Disleika, her mare was wise enough to avoid the gelding where possible, snorting in contempt when Gavril rode past, but she already sported a bite mark on her rump from when she did not move out of the way fast enough. Annoyed at Gavril's lack of apology Alex entertained herself by thinking of numerous, brutal ways for Gavril to die.
She was in the middle of a particularly morbid vision involving hot tongs, wild beasts and Gavril hanging from delicate areas when the first sense of unease struck the group. Faldain pulled up, stood up in his stirrups and sniffed the air; an action that would have seen strange had she not been on patrol with the prince once before; albeit he didn't know she was in the group. Thia sat up straighter and looked around as Alex felt the tingling sensation that spread up her spine whenever believers and nonkind were around.
"Dain can you tell where they are?" she called across, fingering her sword hilt nervously; they were not in a good position to fight. Sandrina and Pheresa had reached where they were halted and were looking at them questioningly. "There's nonkind around." Alex whispered, "We're trying to see if we can pick up where."
"I can't tell. I can't feel the escort either," Dain looked worriedly to Thia who shook her head, "We'd best keep going, tighter together though, Alexeika-"
Whatever Faldain had been meaning to say was cut off as Gavril pushed his way over with a sneer, "Is there a reason for this lovely stop or are planning on presenting ourselves as a greater target to bandits?"
"There's nonkind around." Dain stated calmly, "I was going to suggest-"
"You were going to suggest what? Can you see any nonkind or is this a figment of your imagination to slow us down further?" Gavril spat as his horse began to prance. Alex gut began to churn, they needed to move; they were closing in.
"Just stay closer together we move faster." Dain said turning his mount, "Thum, Thia; stay on either side of Pheresa and Sandrina. Alex ride up front with me." Alex nodded and set forward beside Dain's large chestnut stallion.
The tension grew as they rode forward down the trail with no sign of the escort party and the pick up of the icy wind that blew in their faces. Then Alex smelt the first sign of their predators. Sharing a tense glance with Faldain they loosened their swords in their scabbards and set grimly forward. "Nonkind ahead." She whispered back to Thia, who tied her reins and knocked her bow.
There were a few tense moments as even Gavril and his friends could now smell the unmistakable scent of nonkind before they rounded a turn to meet five believers upon darsteeds with four hurlhounds at their feet. Well the odds weren't that bad.
Spoke too soon.
Just as many opponents appeared from the woods to block the road behind them and growling could be heard on either side of the road. The odds were now officially bad.
One of the believers ahead began to speak, smoke coming unnervingly from his black helmet as his raspy voice hit the cold air, "Faldain of Nether, Alexeika Volvn. You and your companions shall surrender yourselves unto me either willingly...or painfully" wicked grins spread across his bare headed companions faces revealing sharp fangs.
The smirks dropped as the two drew their swords as one, followed by Thum and Gavril's friends. "Very well little prince and princess, painfully it sha-"the last word ended in a gargle of blood as Thia released her arrow.
"Pheresa, Sandrina; once you get they chance race ahead, I want you out of this as soon as possible, Thia you with them." Dain said before turning to Alexeika beside him a wry grin on his face, "I take the left two you take the right?" then charged forward, Alex right beside him.
Alex raced forward on her brave mare towards the nearest believer, whose darsteed was almost as tall as her shoulder upon the horse; but much less nimble. Ducking past the darsteed's jaw and the believer's swing she cut deep into the beast's side and through the saddle. As the darsteed side- stepped, releasing a bellow of pain, the saddle slipped and sent the believer to the ground. Circling around to attack again Alex was caught across the shoulder by the darsteed's tail but was able to cut through the back of the beast's neck rendering it paralyzed.
Disleika kicked down the believer as he attempted to attack from behind as Alex whirled to face the oncoming believer. Neither noticed the hurlhound to the right until it had leapt. The beast ripped into the hind leg of her mare, spilling crimson blood across the back of her thigh and bringing the mare to the ground.
Alex was grateful for the wiz of Thia's arrows that brought down the hurlhound before it could shift its attention from her fallen friend. However she now had the daunting task of facing down a believer on the back of a darted whilst on foot. Drawing a magicked dagger from her boot she took aim and threw. The dagger cut through the darsteed's throat dropping the believer to the ground beside her.
Hearing the rumble of hooves as the other girls, and surprise, surprise, Gavril; rode ahead she shifted her focus to the believer that was now approaching her with a wicked looking black scimitar. "I'm going to enjoy you pretty princess," he chuckled leering at her, taking a step forward, "As will my friend."
Alex heard the step behind her and turned to face the believer behind her but not fast enough to block the slash to her uninjured shoulder, wincing she returned the attack, sliding unknowingly into the 3rd eldish sword dance between her two foes. She held off the two believers for many minutes, until her arms began to ache and blood dripped freely down her shirt from her shoulders.
Suddenly she heard Dain curse and cry out in pain, it was enough distraction for her first attacker to step in and ram the pommel of his sword into the back of her head. Last thing she saw before she blacked out was Dain keeling on the ground and staring at her worriedly, a black scimitar at his throat.
Her last thought?
'Dammit.'
She awoke to find herself bound on her knees, her hands tied to a branch above her head. The icy wind whipped through the long linen shirt that had originally been covered by her tunic and cloak, she briefly wondered why they, and her boots, had been taken from her.
Lifting her head all she could see was her unbound hair. Quickly she flicked it back, wincing slightly as it hit the cuts on her shoulders and glanced around. They were still in the forest; no surprise there. She was tied on one side of a clearing, in the centre the believers had started a fire, on the other side she could see Faldain and Thum tied up snugly against the tree.
Thum had a nasty cut to his head and appeared unconscious, his fair head streaked with red and lulling to the left. Dain's head was down, his right leg sported a gash; he looked up suddenly as though sensing her gaze at Alex and offered a resigned half smile. Alex's lip quirked in response.
Looking around she noted the lack of Gavril's friends and pondered their fate for a second before she was distracted by those by the fire. Her two attackers sat by the fire, however she could hear to more out on watch; the two by the fire were tossing gleefully through the contents of her cloak and saddle bags.
Alex was immediately grateful that her important belongings and undergarments had been stored on the pack horse she had seen Thia ride off with. As it was the two believers were only entertained by her herbal pouches, gloves, hat and scarves for only a few moments before they grew bored and started preparing their meal.
Dusk was beginning to settle, indicating Alex had been out for several hours. The meal was quickly finished and the shorter of the pair took two bowls of the broth out into the forest; presumably for those on watch duty. Stoking the fire the two gantese devoured their meal and settled back with air of stuffed cats.
Looking up the short believer locked eyes with Alex before letting off a guttural query to his companion, letting off a sadistic cackle and standing as the other nodded and rose to face her. As the two strode over towards her with predatory intent Alex couldn't help but instinctively test her bounds. This could not bode well.
"Hello little princess." The taller drawled as Alex attempted to fry him with her glare; sadly it didn't quite work as he ran a skeletal finger down her right cheek. "I told you my friend and I should enjoy you." He purred, stepping closer. Alex backed up a step and felt the lean body of his companion against her back, swinging her head back forward she came nose to chest with the tall gantese. Realizing she was trapped she let off a soft growl and glared defiantly at the intimidating figure before her.
Chuckling the gantese pushed back strands of hair that had fallen beside her face over her shoulder and forcefully turned her face upwards to meet her defiant eyes with his hard black ones, "Yes I believe we shall enjoy breaking you very much pretty princess." Still holding her chin he leaned down and was rewarded with a swift punch to the stomach. Growling he hit her across the face as his companion hit between her bloodied shoulders, effectively sending her to the ground and thus forcing her hands back above her head.
The tall one walked around the tree and Alex winced as she felt the rope tighten and force her back onto her feet via her sore arms; her hands now above her head as she stood. "Let us try this again pretty princess," the gantese hissed, bringing her chin up again; Alex kneed him hard in the groin before kicking back at his friend. Alex smirked at the joint gasps of pain for a second before she felt her scalp feel on fire as the shorter one pulled her hair back.
"Still a bit feisty hmm? We can quickly remedy that, now can't we?" Alex felt herself being turned around and pushed face up against the tree and a rough rope snake tightly around her hips. Her hair was placed beside her face and he shirt roughly ripped, exposing her back to the cold wind. Watching the tall one approach the packs by the fire Alex felt a stab of fear, "Still want to be feisty princess?" the short one asked, drawing a rough hand down the creamy planes; he was promptly kicked at, "Pity."
Alex watched as the taller stepped away from the packs, a wicked looking whip in his hands. Swallowing, Alex face the tree, determined on to cry out. She couldn't help but let out a strangled cry of pain as the leather first lashed against her back then returned again. Her back soon felt on fire against the cool wind, several times the lashes fell on her wounded shoulders causing her to cry out in pain until she trembled with the agony.
Eventually they untied her from the side of the tree. It took all of her will power to remain standing and face down her captors. The larger believer stepped close enough that she couldn't kick him and whispered into her ear, "Still opposed?" At her attempted kick he punched her in the stomach. "Still?" he hissed, she spat; he punched again, winding her. "Still?" she growled as he avoided her attack and hit her again.
"Perhaps a little cold may make her more... amiable?" his comrade suggested, pulling at her ripped shirt with a leer. It took a split second for Alex to grasp what he was saying before she reacted.
'Dear Riva!' Alex thought as she struggled violently. However, as strongly as she struggled she was eventually stripped of her clothes until she stood, trembling head to foot from cold and embarrassment. Refusing to watch the two play with her undergarments or look at her prince who she now wished did not have the legendary eld eyesight or give the duo more to see than necessary she turned and faced the tree relishing in the little shelter it gave her from the icy wind.
Shivering from the cold she willed her mind to remember warmth and fire. Her mind invariable drew her back to memories of her childhood with Thia and running down a deserted beach on a hot summer's day and scaring their nurse by running straight into the warm sea water. They sacred the nurse many times that summer; Thia had been ten and she had been five and a half, they would sneak out into the nearby orchards and hide up the trees by the road, lobbing apples at 'enemies' more often then not members of the nobility.
The habit hadn't died out until she herself was ten and the two had been sitting up in one of the largest trees and spied horsemen heading their way. Preparing their ammunition the girls waited until the riders were below them before launching out their assault. Alex's apple had hit the shortest of the riders dead between the eyes; that was her first meeting of prince Faldain.
She blushed at the thought, Thia had thought it strange how shy she had been around her brother but even at ten she couldn't help but wish she could impress Faldain as a 'lady', she'd always thought of him as handsome and would blush and hide if she ever saw him coming. Eventually Thia gave up trying to get her to spend time with her brother and balanced out her time between the two until she went to the academy three years ago.
'Guess I was smitten from the start.' She thought and sighed.
'Yay you finally admitted you like him!'
"Shut up evil voice, thought I'd got rid of you.'
'I just appear when you are in most turmoil.'
'Thanks.' She replied sarcastically, 'Why did he have to see me like this!' she coloured at the thought of the sharp eyed prince across the clearing. 'Oh dear evil one and evil two are returning.'
Looking at the tree Alex was struck by a sudden idea of avoidance, 'This going to hurt.' Flexing her leg and feet to wake them she grabbed onto the rope above and scaled up the tree to where the rope was tied. Forcing her stiff fingers to work she pried the knots open as the duo moved towards her; dropping to the floor she sprinted off into the forest, wishing she could release her wrists.
She dashed through the forest until a sudden tug threw her to the hard ground, looking up she saw, the taller of the gantese holding onto the end of the rope. Sitting on the floor she cursed him and all his descendants until the last generation. Smirking the gantese dragged her back along the forest floor, leaving gashes across her legs, to the campsite.
Once back he bound her harshly to the base of the tree and proceeded to leer at her now shaking body. "You shall be punished for attempting to escape," he whispered against her neck, producing his dagger he made several shallow cuts along her side, "My comrade and I shall not be so gentle with you now." His hand slid down her side, she attempted to wriggle from his grasp but he had her pinned down tightly. 'Riva protect me!'
He chuckled as his hands flew everywhere causing her to squirm. "No pretty princess," he leaned down to her face, "are we still a maid?" Alex's eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching in fear as his hand trailed up her thigh. "Hmm I think that is a yes..." he commented lowering his head to the top of her breast.
Alex screamed as she felt his fangs sink into the soft flesh, drawing blood. "Yes." he hissed in satisfaction, "Unplucked fruit tastes sweetest. Perhaps if you do not move this will not hurt...or not." Despite her closer eyes she could feel him lean forward and his hands fumbling by his leggings, "But you shall scream for me none the less."
"The lady screams for no one sirrah." Came the deep voice of her future king, "Step back scum." She felt the gantese move back and the cool wind hit her body. Reveling in the feeling she sent a silent thanks to Riva and opened her eyes to see the gantese's body slump to the ground by Thum's sword.
Looking up she saw the concerned blue eyes of her prince, 'oh gosh this is going to sound like some kind of fairytale story, gallant prince, damsel in distress.' "Alex are you alright?"
She looked at the prince dumbly for a few seconds before saracastically replying, "Sure. Never been better...why do you ask!"
The prince grinned "There's my Alexeika; Thum grab Alex some clothes; you must be freezing." She looked sheepily at her blue toes as he quickly untied her. She hissed as her arm muscles protested against the movement after their long inactivity.
"Can you move?" Dain asked, "We need to leave as soon as possible, I'm not sure if they'll shift watch, I can sense the escort party and Thia on the road, we just need to get to there." She blushed as his eyes scanned across her body for grievous injury and took his proffered hand as Thum brought over a spare shirt and her clothes. Flushing further she slipped behind the tree and dressed.
"How did you get loose?" she queried as she slipped the rough shirt over her tender back, flinching as it made contact with the numerous cuts.
"His highness decided to pull the same stunt you did, our captors seemed more interested in you and didn't notice." Thum said with a grin, picking up the rest of their belongings "Quite a nice trick if you ask me."
"Let's go." Faldain said softly as Alex appeared from behind the tree, leading the way softly through the thick forest, feet could be heard stamping further to the left as the group hurried on towards the road. As they neared the break in the trees a yell sounded behind them and running footsteps ensued.
"Thum go warn the escort, we might not be able to out run them." Dain commanded as they set into a run. Nodding, albeit somewhat dubiously; Thum raced ahead of the pair. Hearing the footsteps gaining they put on a burst of speed until, almost at the road Alex noted Dain lagging.
"Come on Dain we're almost there." She whispered slowing to his side as their two pursuers appeared. "Shit." She hissed as they spotted them, hearing her comment Dain picked up speed. Turning her head back around she saw torchlight just ahead, moving steadily towards them. Dain slipped. Ignoring her backs protest she dragged him upright and almost ran head first into two netheran guards moving to intercept their hunters.
Sighing in relief she and Dain hobbled into the light of the camp at a slower pace. "Thia get your princess behind over here and heal your brother's leg!" she called across the camp. Thia appeared quickly and dragged the two bodily to the fire before inspecting her brother's leg.
She quickly cleaned and bound the wound before forcing a cup of tonic into her brother's hands. "Thia take Alex to your tent, she needs your help more than me." Dain commanded, voice strong despite his weariness.
Rolling her eyes Alex followed Thia into the only tent containing Sandrina and Pheresa. Once inside she slipped of her cloak and heard Thia gasp, "Alex you top is covered with blood, what did they do whip you front and back! Take that shirt off now." Gingerly she pulled off the shirt, wincing as it stuck to the cuts on her back. "Pheresa make sure no one comes in except Sandrina, San go get some hot water from the fire, we'll need lots. Alex lie down on the cot I'll do your back first."
The girls followed obediently, Alex lay face down on the cot, 'Hmm smells like Papa, how odd.' Many minutes passed as Thia cleaned the numerous wounds on her back until a commotion could be heard outside. Pheresa's quiet voice could be heard competing with a strong male outside until the tent flap suddenly opened and the intruder was faced with the full wrath of healer Thia's glare.
The intruder was a tall, lean, middle aged man with grey hair, a strong jutting nose and bushy grey eyebrows. Right now the man's eyes flashed with worry, "Your highness, how has my daughter been injured?"
"Papa don't worry yourself, I'll be fine." Alex chastised from the bed behind Thia, who chose to ignore the father and continue her ministrations.
"Aiya! They whipped you!" she heard her father cry as he moved beside her, concern etched across his strong features, "Still isn't enough for the prince to be out there fretting. What else my pet?" he queried softly as Alexeika turned to face her father.
"Let us say had the prince not escaped his bounds as fast I would not remain a maid shall we." Alex said with a quiver in her voice, tears of shame forming in her blue eyes.
Ilymir's eyes harden, his hands shook and a growl was drawn from his throat at the mere thought before his countenance turned to one of tenderness as he knelt by his daughter's side. "Aye but I have you safely with me now and we are going to celebrate your seventeenth birthday spectacularly."
Alex smiled softly at her father as he stroked her hair softly. "Alex you need to sit up now, I'll clean the front and bandage both together." Thia said as she and Ilymir helped her upright. Ilymir hissed at the bite mark on his daughter but stayed beside her for comfort as Thia finished the last of the cuts and began bandaging the wounds. "Anything else I should know about?" Thia asked, inspecting her work.
"I have some cuts on my legs." Alex offered, Thia motioned for her show her. Her legs weren't as bad, three reasonable scratches ran across them but Thia cleaned them quickly before ordering her to bed. "But I need to thank Faldain." She protested, her comment to her father reawakening her sense of debt to the handsome prince.
"Nonsense, my brother would me most annoyed to see you up and would probably have my head." Thia gently admonished, forcing her back down and giving her a sweet tasting liquid.
"Don't worry pet, I shall give him your thanks, the prince and I need to talk." Her father offered her gently, "You need your rest. You can thank him in the morn."
"Love you Papa." She called as she felt sleep overtake her, 'damn Thia put sleeping herbs in that.'
A.N: Yes I realize the last chapter had a stupid ending so I wrote this as soon as possible, hopefully this is better...please don't kill me for doing that to Alex, at least she wasn't actually raped, I couldn't bring myself to do that to her...Anyway next chapter on to Grov! And more of our darling prince I think!
The sun was shining, bees buzzing, flowers blooming and birds chirping as Alex rose with the knowledge that she, and her friends, would be returning to Grov. Grov, where there was no sadistic professors, arduous eldish classes, mountains of homework and where her father was waiting to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. Pity Gavril would also be coming, but one can't have everything in life.
Today they would discover how they went in their final examinations and those that topped their classes would be presented awards; butterflies appeared in Alex's stomach but were rapidly quashed. Alex washed up and put on the now familiar grey skirt and white blouse before braiding her hair half up and proceeding to breakfast; intending to train with Thia and Dain once they made camp.
Grov was only a day and a half's ride away, they were meeting an escort party from Grov on the road; still they weren't intending to openly display valuables or proclaim their royalty. Hopefully there would be no trouble but at least all but Sandrina and Pheresa could fight if needed.
Alex sighed as she looked at her room one last time for the next few weeks; the school had become like a home for her and she'd miss her modest little room and being able to train in actual practice courts; and run around in breeches, and attack Thia with food, and talk back to princes; she grinned; and forcing Dain to dress in women's clothing and make-up pretty much once a month.
Outside her room she met Thia and Sandrina, pausing dramatically she cried "Alas room I shall miss you!" then took two steps "Alas wall I shalt miss you also" another three steps, "I shall miss you floor!" This continued all the way to an "Alas I shall miss you sweet spoon!" at the dining table.
However wonderful Alex's dramatics were she was defeated. Not by Thia or Dain; nor by Thum or Sandrina; but by the meek and timid Pheresa. Who loudly declared that she shall miss Master Broshnovic, like the night misses the day.
After breakfast the school moved into the performance hall to await the prize giving ceremony, the headmistress' speech and their results. The group managed to obtain seats at the front of the hall as the headmistress stood, drawing all eyes and muting all conversations.
"Another year has past at this academy and many extraordinary results have come from your studies. Many of you are looking forward to a nice break from your strenuous and in some cases not so strenuous, timetables; I know I shall be enjoying a little peace and quiet after the last hectic month." Smiles flicked across the assembly.
"I also realize many of you are anxious to know the outcomes of your studies so I shall say no more and call forth teachers to present awards to students who have excelled in their classes. I wish you all safety, joy and happiness until next we meet." Applause followed. "Now I'm going to present the awards for advanced etiquette and advanced magic. Etiquette, the award goes to Lady Pheresa and Magic goes to Princess Thiaterekia." Both girls stood gracefully to much applause from the front row.
The presentation continued on, Pheresa and Alex applauded loudly when Hannas and Aran topped mathematics and legal studies together, and when Sandrina was awarded for her cooking talents. Thia topped healing, to no ones surprise and Pheresa gained a surprise award for her fashion class. Gavril and Dain, to their mutual displeasure each gained first in riding but Dain went on to top eldish and come an equal first in his an Alex's natural magic class.
Alex herself didn't do too badly, she and Thum managed to top history together, as did she and Sandrina in P.A., much to her shock. Other stunning announcements lay in her topping art, mostly due to her love of art history, and that Broshnovic had conceded to giving her and Hannas equal first in physics. Master Gris, to her utmost shame and embarrassment, read out one of her compositions before awarding her first place; but the best was for last.
The final teacher to present was Mcana. The hawk-eyed teacher stood on the podium and looked out across the students. "As ye all know I am professor Mcana and I teach self defence but I am also the head of the fire house. As it is each year one lad and one lass of ye are chosen as the top students of this school; this year I shall present these awards, but first I'm sure all ye lads, and our warrior princess," Mcana looked pointedly at Alex, "wish to know the highest ranking warfare students. Aye students, there is yet another equal first place in my classes; Prince Faldain and Prince-"he paused dramtically, "-ess Alexeika Volvn."
Alex and Dain grinned at the sour look on Gavril's face before proceeding to the stage and collecting their awards from Mcana who whispered softly to them "Mighty proud I am of ye two, stay here for a moment." "Now I'm sure ye all are wondering who our most skilled students are and they stand here before ye now; please congratulate Prince Faldain and Princess Alexeika Volvn."
Alex gasped and composed herself as she took the small trophy, certificate and golden wreath from the headmistress with murmurs of thanks and left the stage with the other students filing from the hall. Once out of sight from the general populace, and laden down as she was she proceeded to squeal and bounce around with her three girl friends as Thum and Dain looked on with shock.
So passed the last hour at school.
'Why did Gavril have to come?' Alex thought to herself as her grey mare followed Thum's brown one through the shadowy forest road. The weather, bright and cheery this morning, had turned overcast, bruised steel blue rain clouds hung across the sky and a chill north wind had picked up occasionally making its way through the heavy pine branches of the thick forest.
To add to the dismal out look Gavril had been particularly sour and couldn't help but attempt to make Alex and Dain's lives as miserable as possible. Gavril's own mount was a white temperamental gelding with a nasty streak a mile wide. Disleika, her mare was wise enough to avoid the gelding where possible, snorting in contempt when Gavril rode past, but she already sported a bite mark on her rump from when she did not move out of the way fast enough. Annoyed at Gavril's lack of apology Alex entertained herself by thinking of numerous, brutal ways for Gavril to die.
She was in the middle of a particularly morbid vision involving hot tongs, wild beasts and Gavril hanging from delicate areas when the first sense of unease struck the group. Faldain pulled up, stood up in his stirrups and sniffed the air; an action that would have seen strange had she not been on patrol with the prince once before; albeit he didn't know she was in the group. Thia sat up straighter and looked around as Alex felt the tingling sensation that spread up her spine whenever believers and nonkind were around.
"Dain can you tell where they are?" she called across, fingering her sword hilt nervously; they were not in a good position to fight. Sandrina and Pheresa had reached where they were halted and were looking at them questioningly. "There's nonkind around." Alex whispered, "We're trying to see if we can pick up where."
"I can't tell. I can't feel the escort either," Dain looked worriedly to Thia who shook her head, "We'd best keep going, tighter together though, Alexeika-"
Whatever Faldain had been meaning to say was cut off as Gavril pushed his way over with a sneer, "Is there a reason for this lovely stop or are planning on presenting ourselves as a greater target to bandits?"
"There's nonkind around." Dain stated calmly, "I was going to suggest-"
"You were going to suggest what? Can you see any nonkind or is this a figment of your imagination to slow us down further?" Gavril spat as his horse began to prance. Alex gut began to churn, they needed to move; they were closing in.
"Just stay closer together we move faster." Dain said turning his mount, "Thum, Thia; stay on either side of Pheresa and Sandrina. Alex ride up front with me." Alex nodded and set forward beside Dain's large chestnut stallion.
The tension grew as they rode forward down the trail with no sign of the escort party and the pick up of the icy wind that blew in their faces. Then Alex smelt the first sign of their predators. Sharing a tense glance with Faldain they loosened their swords in their scabbards and set grimly forward. "Nonkind ahead." She whispered back to Thia, who tied her reins and knocked her bow.
There were a few tense moments as even Gavril and his friends could now smell the unmistakable scent of nonkind before they rounded a turn to meet five believers upon darsteeds with four hurlhounds at their feet. Well the odds weren't that bad.
Spoke too soon.
Just as many opponents appeared from the woods to block the road behind them and growling could be heard on either side of the road. The odds were now officially bad.
One of the believers ahead began to speak, smoke coming unnervingly from his black helmet as his raspy voice hit the cold air, "Faldain of Nether, Alexeika Volvn. You and your companions shall surrender yourselves unto me either willingly...or painfully" wicked grins spread across his bare headed companions faces revealing sharp fangs.
The smirks dropped as the two drew their swords as one, followed by Thum and Gavril's friends. "Very well little prince and princess, painfully it sha-"the last word ended in a gargle of blood as Thia released her arrow.
"Pheresa, Sandrina; once you get they chance race ahead, I want you out of this as soon as possible, Thia you with them." Dain said before turning to Alexeika beside him a wry grin on his face, "I take the left two you take the right?" then charged forward, Alex right beside him.
Alex raced forward on her brave mare towards the nearest believer, whose darsteed was almost as tall as her shoulder upon the horse; but much less nimble. Ducking past the darsteed's jaw and the believer's swing she cut deep into the beast's side and through the saddle. As the darsteed side- stepped, releasing a bellow of pain, the saddle slipped and sent the believer to the ground. Circling around to attack again Alex was caught across the shoulder by the darsteed's tail but was able to cut through the back of the beast's neck rendering it paralyzed.
Disleika kicked down the believer as he attempted to attack from behind as Alex whirled to face the oncoming believer. Neither noticed the hurlhound to the right until it had leapt. The beast ripped into the hind leg of her mare, spilling crimson blood across the back of her thigh and bringing the mare to the ground.
Alex was grateful for the wiz of Thia's arrows that brought down the hurlhound before it could shift its attention from her fallen friend. However she now had the daunting task of facing down a believer on the back of a darted whilst on foot. Drawing a magicked dagger from her boot she took aim and threw. The dagger cut through the darsteed's throat dropping the believer to the ground beside her.
Hearing the rumble of hooves as the other girls, and surprise, surprise, Gavril; rode ahead she shifted her focus to the believer that was now approaching her with a wicked looking black scimitar. "I'm going to enjoy you pretty princess," he chuckled leering at her, taking a step forward, "As will my friend."
Alex heard the step behind her and turned to face the believer behind her but not fast enough to block the slash to her uninjured shoulder, wincing she returned the attack, sliding unknowingly into the 3rd eldish sword dance between her two foes. She held off the two believers for many minutes, until her arms began to ache and blood dripped freely down her shirt from her shoulders.
Suddenly she heard Dain curse and cry out in pain, it was enough distraction for her first attacker to step in and ram the pommel of his sword into the back of her head. Last thing she saw before she blacked out was Dain keeling on the ground and staring at her worriedly, a black scimitar at his throat.
Her last thought?
'Dammit.'
She awoke to find herself bound on her knees, her hands tied to a branch above her head. The icy wind whipped through the long linen shirt that had originally been covered by her tunic and cloak, she briefly wondered why they, and her boots, had been taken from her.
Lifting her head all she could see was her unbound hair. Quickly she flicked it back, wincing slightly as it hit the cuts on her shoulders and glanced around. They were still in the forest; no surprise there. She was tied on one side of a clearing, in the centre the believers had started a fire, on the other side she could see Faldain and Thum tied up snugly against the tree.
Thum had a nasty cut to his head and appeared unconscious, his fair head streaked with red and lulling to the left. Dain's head was down, his right leg sported a gash; he looked up suddenly as though sensing her gaze at Alex and offered a resigned half smile. Alex's lip quirked in response.
Looking around she noted the lack of Gavril's friends and pondered their fate for a second before she was distracted by those by the fire. Her two attackers sat by the fire, however she could hear to more out on watch; the two by the fire were tossing gleefully through the contents of her cloak and saddle bags.
Alex was immediately grateful that her important belongings and undergarments had been stored on the pack horse she had seen Thia ride off with. As it was the two believers were only entertained by her herbal pouches, gloves, hat and scarves for only a few moments before they grew bored and started preparing their meal.
Dusk was beginning to settle, indicating Alex had been out for several hours. The meal was quickly finished and the shorter of the pair took two bowls of the broth out into the forest; presumably for those on watch duty. Stoking the fire the two gantese devoured their meal and settled back with air of stuffed cats.
Looking up the short believer locked eyes with Alex before letting off a guttural query to his companion, letting off a sadistic cackle and standing as the other nodded and rose to face her. As the two strode over towards her with predatory intent Alex couldn't help but instinctively test her bounds. This could not bode well.
"Hello little princess." The taller drawled as Alex attempted to fry him with her glare; sadly it didn't quite work as he ran a skeletal finger down her right cheek. "I told you my friend and I should enjoy you." He purred, stepping closer. Alex backed up a step and felt the lean body of his companion against her back, swinging her head back forward she came nose to chest with the tall gantese. Realizing she was trapped she let off a soft growl and glared defiantly at the intimidating figure before her.
Chuckling the gantese pushed back strands of hair that had fallen beside her face over her shoulder and forcefully turned her face upwards to meet her defiant eyes with his hard black ones, "Yes I believe we shall enjoy breaking you very much pretty princess." Still holding her chin he leaned down and was rewarded with a swift punch to the stomach. Growling he hit her across the face as his companion hit between her bloodied shoulders, effectively sending her to the ground and thus forcing her hands back above her head.
The tall one walked around the tree and Alex winced as she felt the rope tighten and force her back onto her feet via her sore arms; her hands now above her head as she stood. "Let us try this again pretty princess," the gantese hissed, bringing her chin up again; Alex kneed him hard in the groin before kicking back at his friend. Alex smirked at the joint gasps of pain for a second before she felt her scalp feel on fire as the shorter one pulled her hair back.
"Still a bit feisty hmm? We can quickly remedy that, now can't we?" Alex felt herself being turned around and pushed face up against the tree and a rough rope snake tightly around her hips. Her hair was placed beside her face and he shirt roughly ripped, exposing her back to the cold wind. Watching the tall one approach the packs by the fire Alex felt a stab of fear, "Still want to be feisty princess?" the short one asked, drawing a rough hand down the creamy planes; he was promptly kicked at, "Pity."
Alex watched as the taller stepped away from the packs, a wicked looking whip in his hands. Swallowing, Alex face the tree, determined on to cry out. She couldn't help but let out a strangled cry of pain as the leather first lashed against her back then returned again. Her back soon felt on fire against the cool wind, several times the lashes fell on her wounded shoulders causing her to cry out in pain until she trembled with the agony.
Eventually they untied her from the side of the tree. It took all of her will power to remain standing and face down her captors. The larger believer stepped close enough that she couldn't kick him and whispered into her ear, "Still opposed?" At her attempted kick he punched her in the stomach. "Still?" he hissed, she spat; he punched again, winding her. "Still?" she growled as he avoided her attack and hit her again.
"Perhaps a little cold may make her more... amiable?" his comrade suggested, pulling at her ripped shirt with a leer. It took a split second for Alex to grasp what he was saying before she reacted.
'Dear Riva!' Alex thought as she struggled violently. However, as strongly as she struggled she was eventually stripped of her clothes until she stood, trembling head to foot from cold and embarrassment. Refusing to watch the two play with her undergarments or look at her prince who she now wished did not have the legendary eld eyesight or give the duo more to see than necessary she turned and faced the tree relishing in the little shelter it gave her from the icy wind.
Shivering from the cold she willed her mind to remember warmth and fire. Her mind invariable drew her back to memories of her childhood with Thia and running down a deserted beach on a hot summer's day and scaring their nurse by running straight into the warm sea water. They sacred the nurse many times that summer; Thia had been ten and she had been five and a half, they would sneak out into the nearby orchards and hide up the trees by the road, lobbing apples at 'enemies' more often then not members of the nobility.
The habit hadn't died out until she herself was ten and the two had been sitting up in one of the largest trees and spied horsemen heading their way. Preparing their ammunition the girls waited until the riders were below them before launching out their assault. Alex's apple had hit the shortest of the riders dead between the eyes; that was her first meeting of prince Faldain.
She blushed at the thought, Thia had thought it strange how shy she had been around her brother but even at ten she couldn't help but wish she could impress Faldain as a 'lady', she'd always thought of him as handsome and would blush and hide if she ever saw him coming. Eventually Thia gave up trying to get her to spend time with her brother and balanced out her time between the two until she went to the academy three years ago.
'Guess I was smitten from the start.' She thought and sighed.
'Yay you finally admitted you like him!'
"Shut up evil voice, thought I'd got rid of you.'
'I just appear when you are in most turmoil.'
'Thanks.' She replied sarcastically, 'Why did he have to see me like this!' she coloured at the thought of the sharp eyed prince across the clearing. 'Oh dear evil one and evil two are returning.'
Looking at the tree Alex was struck by a sudden idea of avoidance, 'This going to hurt.' Flexing her leg and feet to wake them she grabbed onto the rope above and scaled up the tree to where the rope was tied. Forcing her stiff fingers to work she pried the knots open as the duo moved towards her; dropping to the floor she sprinted off into the forest, wishing she could release her wrists.
She dashed through the forest until a sudden tug threw her to the hard ground, looking up she saw, the taller of the gantese holding onto the end of the rope. Sitting on the floor she cursed him and all his descendants until the last generation. Smirking the gantese dragged her back along the forest floor, leaving gashes across her legs, to the campsite.
Once back he bound her harshly to the base of the tree and proceeded to leer at her now shaking body. "You shall be punished for attempting to escape," he whispered against her neck, producing his dagger he made several shallow cuts along her side, "My comrade and I shall not be so gentle with you now." His hand slid down her side, she attempted to wriggle from his grasp but he had her pinned down tightly. 'Riva protect me!'
He chuckled as his hands flew everywhere causing her to squirm. "No pretty princess," he leaned down to her face, "are we still a maid?" Alex's eyes widened slightly, her breath hitching in fear as his hand trailed up her thigh. "Hmm I think that is a yes..." he commented lowering his head to the top of her breast.
Alex screamed as she felt his fangs sink into the soft flesh, drawing blood. "Yes." he hissed in satisfaction, "Unplucked fruit tastes sweetest. Perhaps if you do not move this will not hurt...or not." Despite her closer eyes she could feel him lean forward and his hands fumbling by his leggings, "But you shall scream for me none the less."
"The lady screams for no one sirrah." Came the deep voice of her future king, "Step back scum." She felt the gantese move back and the cool wind hit her body. Reveling in the feeling she sent a silent thanks to Riva and opened her eyes to see the gantese's body slump to the ground by Thum's sword.
Looking up she saw the concerned blue eyes of her prince, 'oh gosh this is going to sound like some kind of fairytale story, gallant prince, damsel in distress.' "Alex are you alright?"
She looked at the prince dumbly for a few seconds before saracastically replying, "Sure. Never been better...why do you ask!"
The prince grinned "There's my Alexeika; Thum grab Alex some clothes; you must be freezing." She looked sheepily at her blue toes as he quickly untied her. She hissed as her arm muscles protested against the movement after their long inactivity.
"Can you move?" Dain asked, "We need to leave as soon as possible, I'm not sure if they'll shift watch, I can sense the escort party and Thia on the road, we just need to get to there." She blushed as his eyes scanned across her body for grievous injury and took his proffered hand as Thum brought over a spare shirt and her clothes. Flushing further she slipped behind the tree and dressed.
"How did you get loose?" she queried as she slipped the rough shirt over her tender back, flinching as it made contact with the numerous cuts.
"His highness decided to pull the same stunt you did, our captors seemed more interested in you and didn't notice." Thum said with a grin, picking up the rest of their belongings "Quite a nice trick if you ask me."
"Let's go." Faldain said softly as Alex appeared from behind the tree, leading the way softly through the thick forest, feet could be heard stamping further to the left as the group hurried on towards the road. As they neared the break in the trees a yell sounded behind them and running footsteps ensued.
"Thum go warn the escort, we might not be able to out run them." Dain commanded as they set into a run. Nodding, albeit somewhat dubiously; Thum raced ahead of the pair. Hearing the footsteps gaining they put on a burst of speed until, almost at the road Alex noted Dain lagging.
"Come on Dain we're almost there." She whispered slowing to his side as their two pursuers appeared. "Shit." She hissed as they spotted them, hearing her comment Dain picked up speed. Turning her head back around she saw torchlight just ahead, moving steadily towards them. Dain slipped. Ignoring her backs protest she dragged him upright and almost ran head first into two netheran guards moving to intercept their hunters.
Sighing in relief she and Dain hobbled into the light of the camp at a slower pace. "Thia get your princess behind over here and heal your brother's leg!" she called across the camp. Thia appeared quickly and dragged the two bodily to the fire before inspecting her brother's leg.
She quickly cleaned and bound the wound before forcing a cup of tonic into her brother's hands. "Thia take Alex to your tent, she needs your help more than me." Dain commanded, voice strong despite his weariness.
Rolling her eyes Alex followed Thia into the only tent containing Sandrina and Pheresa. Once inside she slipped of her cloak and heard Thia gasp, "Alex you top is covered with blood, what did they do whip you front and back! Take that shirt off now." Gingerly she pulled off the shirt, wincing as it stuck to the cuts on her back. "Pheresa make sure no one comes in except Sandrina, San go get some hot water from the fire, we'll need lots. Alex lie down on the cot I'll do your back first."
The girls followed obediently, Alex lay face down on the cot, 'Hmm smells like Papa, how odd.' Many minutes passed as Thia cleaned the numerous wounds on her back until a commotion could be heard outside. Pheresa's quiet voice could be heard competing with a strong male outside until the tent flap suddenly opened and the intruder was faced with the full wrath of healer Thia's glare.
The intruder was a tall, lean, middle aged man with grey hair, a strong jutting nose and bushy grey eyebrows. Right now the man's eyes flashed with worry, "Your highness, how has my daughter been injured?"
"Papa don't worry yourself, I'll be fine." Alex chastised from the bed behind Thia, who chose to ignore the father and continue her ministrations.
"Aiya! They whipped you!" she heard her father cry as he moved beside her, concern etched across his strong features, "Still isn't enough for the prince to be out there fretting. What else my pet?" he queried softly as Alexeika turned to face her father.
"Let us say had the prince not escaped his bounds as fast I would not remain a maid shall we." Alex said with a quiver in her voice, tears of shame forming in her blue eyes.
Ilymir's eyes harden, his hands shook and a growl was drawn from his throat at the mere thought before his countenance turned to one of tenderness as he knelt by his daughter's side. "Aye but I have you safely with me now and we are going to celebrate your seventeenth birthday spectacularly."
Alex smiled softly at her father as he stroked her hair softly. "Alex you need to sit up now, I'll clean the front and bandage both together." Thia said as she and Ilymir helped her upright. Ilymir hissed at the bite mark on his daughter but stayed beside her for comfort as Thia finished the last of the cuts and began bandaging the wounds. "Anything else I should know about?" Thia asked, inspecting her work.
"I have some cuts on my legs." Alex offered, Thia motioned for her show her. Her legs weren't as bad, three reasonable scratches ran across them but Thia cleaned them quickly before ordering her to bed. "But I need to thank Faldain." She protested, her comment to her father reawakening her sense of debt to the handsome prince.
"Nonsense, my brother would me most annoyed to see you up and would probably have my head." Thia gently admonished, forcing her back down and giving her a sweet tasting liquid.
"Don't worry pet, I shall give him your thanks, the prince and I need to talk." Her father offered her gently, "You need your rest. You can thank him in the morn."
"Love you Papa." She called as she felt sleep overtake her, 'damn Thia put sleeping herbs in that.'
A.N: Yes I realize the last chapter had a stupid ending so I wrote this as soon as possible, hopefully this is better...please don't kill me for doing that to Alex, at least she wasn't actually raped, I couldn't bring myself to do that to her...Anyway next chapter on to Grov! And more of our darling prince I think!