A/N: . I have finally updated… Thanks to all who reviewed…anyways tell me what you think of the story…. Ideas and comments accepted….. 0o
This chapter is longer for you guys who reviewed and liked my story. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: same as last time…..i don't own…. Blah……… and stuff
>
>
>
Chapter 4: The trip back
The next day Lyrin was walking towards the stables to groom the horses.
A hand shot and grabbed her by the hair. It was Riana, her face in a triumphant yet angry manner as she muttered, "Lyrin, you will come with me now!"
some minutes later
She knew she was in big trouble. Riana's face was stony and blazing with hatred as she hauled Lyrin to the hall, where Lady Evelyn and Lord Tory sat there looking accusingly at her.
Riana's eyes were an icy blue as she stared icily at the pile of rags on the floor, muttering in distaste.
Lyrin just shivered, awaiting her punishment.
Finally Lady Evelyn spoke, her face distorted with undisguised disgust and anger.
"You have disgraced our household of Driakes, you wretched girl by tarnishing our house's title by your mere presence with the Prince of Kyrria. After all we have done for you, you wretched girl. Riana has informed us of your misdeed witnessed with her own eyes. You must have another beating again I'm afraid," she said softly as she stood up and left with Lord Tory, Concluding this matter.
With this, Riana's face lit up in a malicious smile, as she was left to leave whatever marks on Lyrin as she would.
She slowly took a whip from a secret compartment in the hall, and turned around smiling as she raised the whip. "You deserve this, you wretched bitch," as she landed the first stroke on Lyrin.
Lyrin doubled over with pain. The wounds last month have not yet healed and the whips now made the pain more unbearable, as healing wounds started to split open again.
Riana smiled at the pain Lyrin was in.
She whipped her even harder, and heard the wretched girl scream helplessly.
The torment went on for another hour.
Finally, she was satisfied with the results.
There was a pile of rags with blood soaking through dripping on the floor.
Riana clapped her hands. A maid came, her eyes widening in horror, but quickly disguised it in a mask of blankness.
"Throw that wretched girl outside and clean the floor up." Was the command and the maid rushed to obey.
Riana smiled. No one dared to disobey her.
She looked at the bloodied pile on the floor and felt a wave of satisfaction.
She went upstairs to take a bath from the blood splattered on her dress.
The maid took pity on Lyrin, and slowly lifted her up and gasped. She was not yet fully grown and yet she was subject to such harsh treatments. She lifted her gently and supported her as she took her back to the slave quarters.
She heard the girl child groan.
Something had to be done, or she would die.
As they reached the door, an angry cook was standing there. It was Tarilne looking for Lyrin. She had called that girl, but she never came. Now she looked up at the approaching figures.
She gasped at the bundle of red staggering, being supported on the maid's shoulder.
The maid looked apologetically at her and said one word, "Riana"
Tarilne shook her head and started tending Lyrin's wound with the aid of the maid.
>
>
>
>
The next day, Turestor Manor had a surprise visit from the Prince of Kyrria, and Riana gushed in happiness that she was so favoured by the prince.
Her parents saw the carriage first, and told Riana to hurry and get dressed up in her best dress.
It was very exciting.
Riana got on her best dress, a dark blue one which brought out her shape in a modest but revealing manner, making her all the more beautiful. Her hair was curled and twisted up in an elegant knot.
She was ready.
A she neared the stairs, she breathed quietly. All she could hear were the formal greetings.
She went down the stairs, and the guest and her parents stopped talking.
The prince of Kyrria smiled at her and asked her if she was well in a mannerly fashion.
His attitude is much better than last time she thought as she rewarded him with a smile.
He smiled charmingly back.
Oh! He's gorgeous She thought as she neared them and sat opposite to the prince.
Her annoyance at the prince has disappeared completely.
"So, what gives us the pleasure of your visit?" asked Lady Evelyn, as she glanced slyly over at Riana whom blushed a rosy pink.
The prince looked uncomfortable, and answered after a long pause, "I have come to seek the black haired girl whom I spoke with last time in the garden."
"Oh! You mean Lyrin?" asked Lady Evelyn, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Wasn't the prince coming to talk about her daughter?
"Yes, was her name Lyrin? Well, I've come to take her away with me, with your consent of course." The prince spoke unaware of the glance exchanged between Lady Evelyn, Riana and Lord Tory.
Riana was getting furious. Not that Lyrin again. What was so good about her? Wasn't she good enough and prettier than Lyrin?
She asked slowly, controlling her temper. "So… are you…going to marry her?'
The prince laughed, and answered "I cannot answer your questions yet. All will be revealed in good time. Now may I please go and see Lyrin?"
At this, Lady Evelyn answered shifting uncomfortably, "Lyrin is unwell, and she is in her quarters right now."
"The more the reason that I see her," he persisted. "I have to take her today."
He noticed the nervous looks they exchanged but decided to ignore it.
Lady Evelyn could think of no polite ways to refuse him, so she unwillingly obliged.
"Follow me," she said and as she leaded him out the door, towards the slave quarters.
>
>
>
>
As the prince walked in the door, he sensed something was wrong. Lady Evelyn was tense as she reached the door, "I'll leave you here then," she said as she walked away quickly. Way too quickly.
He hesitantly entered, pushing open the door.
There was short middle-aged woman who turned around with a glare, but it disappeared after she saw that it was not one of the Driakes who entered. She loathed them for what they had done to Lyrin.
"I'm Tarilne," she self introduced her self. "And you are…"
"Tal" he replied.
Tarilne's eyes widened in surprise. The prince of Kyrria. What's he doing here?
Her questions were answered soon enough when he asked, "Is Lyrin here?"
Her eyes filled with tears as she remembered the brutal injuries that her dear girl was subject to the previous day. She nodded.
The prince stepped closer to the tattered mattress piled on top of a bunch of hay. There he saw a tiny figure, her face covered in bruises.
"Who did this?" he asked, his face showing compassion, anger and distress at the figure lying there, barely breathing.
"Who else do you think? Riana, she whipped her half to death." Tarilne replied bitterly.
"Why?" The prince asked in horror. Whipping was not a common use in the lands of Kyrria and it is seen as a cruel punishment, fit only for treason.
"Why did no one help her?" he asked.
"What do you think, my prince? We are all slaves, and are all subject to the will of our cruel masters." replied Tarilne.
The prince looked at the still pale form again.
"Will you come with me Tarilne as I am taking Lyrin to my castle now?" He asked.
"What about the Driakes? And why do you want to take us both?" she asked hesitantly.
"They have given me permission enough, and I am taking you two because Lyrin is very important. I shall tell you on our way there. Pack," he commanded.
Tarilne was ready in a few minutes, taking only Lyrin's ring which she had kept for her and a change of clothes for them both.
>
>
>
>
Within moments they were out of that manor for good, as a worried Driakes family stood by the windows, watching, and dreading what's to come; as they saw the prince glare at them as he carried a small figure followed by a trailing figure of Tarilne.
The carriage left, leaving the Driakes family in despair and fear.
.>
>
>
How was the story? Tell me and reivew please so i know people like my story! thanks again to those who have reviewed