A/n: Though I love the idea of being unique with the way I write my titles this isn't the first someone has asked my how I've done it. In order to get things such as…♥♣♠… I press alt. and a number such as… 1, 2, 3… and so on but only the ones on the right of the keyboard not the ones on top. Make sure you hold alt while you do it though. I do this in Microsoft Word then copy and paste it on fanfiction. Though since I took the hearts off one of my recently deleted stories I haven't been able to put it back.
Now that you all know that on with the story…
A Traitor in Our Mist...
Lily and Sir Edgar sat on fallen trees leaning into a fire Sir Edgar had prepared. Lily watched in disgust as he roasted the poor defenseless rabbit he'd killed earlier. He was very skillful with a sword. The poor thing didn't see it coming.
She shook her head as he offered her some. "I'd rather not." She adjusted herself on the hard log. It was beginning to hurt sitting there.
They'd been traveling for a whole day. At least the sun had come up and was beginning to set. They weren't able to make a sundial do to the fact that they were surrounded by nothing but forest so it would be useless to attempt at making one.
Lily glanced at Sir Edgar. He rarely said a word to her except to direct her and warn her of fallen trees in their path and harmful creatures. "So," Lily began, "Are you and my father close?"
Without looking from his meal he answered, "I am but a mere servant of the royal family."
"Why would my father ask you to escort me?"
"My father is a nobleman and suggested I be the one to bring you to safety."
"Where exactly is safety?" she asked curiously.
He spared her a glance. "You'll see." Then he returned to his. "You should eat something.
"I refuse to eat a harmless creature such as a rabbit. I'd rather a fruit, thank you." She looked at him expectantly but he didn't move. "Aren't you going to get me something?"
He looked at her. "I was told to guide you to safety, not to wait on you hand and foot. I'm a knight, not a kitchen maid."
She glared at him but said nothing else. No one had ever spoken to her in such a manner. She took her time to assess him. He had to be at least 19 which were not that bad compared to her 16. He was cute with dark brown hair and matching eyes. He was obviously built but why would her father send her off with him? He should have sent her with a more experienced knight.
"How old are you exactly?" she asked.
He sized her up. "Why?"
"Just curious."
"When I took on this post I was under the impression it would be peaceful and quick."
"Are you trying to say that I'm bothersome?" She was getting quite irritated with his disrespect.
"No Princess." He sighed. "I'm of 18 yrs."
She was irritated with the emphasis on her title. "Call me Lily. It's a command," she added when he looked ready to argue. He nodded. "So, do you have any siblings?"
"I had a younger brother."
"Had?"
"He died in his first battle the previous year. He was 15."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Then she realized something. "There was a battle last year?"
He looked surprised. "We've had several battles with Belarus over the past 2 years."
"I wasn't informed of this. What is the cause? Do you know?"
He got up and wrapped up the rest of the rabbit. "I think we should be on our way."
She grudgingly accepted his silence but she vowed she would find out what was going on. She'd never seen Gezailya in such a state. Obviously this had something to do with Gezail and she was going to find out what. He helped her mount her horse and she couldn't help but blush when his hands touched her waste. No boy has ever touched her and she couldn't help but feel slightly attracted to him.
"Thank you," she mumbled.
He gave her a small smile and mounted his horse. Then he rode off and she followed.
"Can we please stop?" Lily whined. "I'm exhausted."
Edgar stopped. It has been 4 days since the cordon and they'd grown on each other. They've playfully bickered and he no longer kills defenseless animals.
"If we continue to stop we'll never get there."
"Get where?" she asked, irately. "I don't know where we're going." She dismounted her horse. "I'm hungry and my back aches. We've been riding forever."
He looked around and seemed to come to the conclusion that this was a good place. He descended. "Alright. I'll find you something to eat." He turned to go.
"Wait!" she called. He stopped and turned to face her. "You're leaving me alone?"
He looked around. "There's nothing here to for you to eat so I have no choice but to go in search for food."
"Oh alright then. Go on," she said reluctantly. When he left she took time to take in her scenery. They were now in an open valley where there was a beautiful river. She looked to see that Edgar had gone back into the forest. She couldn't help but feel a little scared. She looked around once more. There was no one around.
She went to sit by the river, careful to hold on to the reins of both horses as she went. She sat there for what seemed like centuries. Where is he?
Then she heard something. It was faint but it sounded distinctly like something like a bird call of some sort. She stood up in fright looking around for Edgar. Suddenly a hand closed over her mouth. Her scream came out as a sob when she felt a blade press against her throat. She held her breath in fear.
"Scream and I'll slit your throat. Understand?" She nodded slightly. He turned her around never letting go of her. There were about 12 men surrounding them. The man holding her finally let go of her mouth and she almost vomited when she saw how filthy that had was.
Then she spotted Edgar at the back of the crowd of men. He was slowly moving towards them and for a fleeting moment she allowed herself to believe he'd try to rescue her. That is, until she saw the look of guilt on his face.
Her eyes widened in disbelief and he had the decency to look down. "Edgar you rotten traitor!" she shouted.
The men laughed. "I had no choice," he pleaded. "They threatened harm to my family."
Lily saw red. "So you betray your kingdom?" She tried her best to get out of the man's grasp but he held her tighter. "Mark my word, when my father hears of this you will be sentenced to death and your family exiled!" Once again the men broke into a fit of laughter which irritated her. She looked up at the man holding her. "And what, pray tell, may I ask is so funny?"
He was pale with a hooked nose and had no hair to speak of. Not very good combinations. "What exactly can your father do with a sword through his heart?"
"No," Lily gasped. She didn't have time to dwell on this.
"I think it's time we start moving. My Lord would be furious if we do not bring her to him as soon as possible."
Who were they talking about? Obviously her father had tribulations with this 'Lord' person if he… she couldn't bring herself to think of the death of her father and what may of happened to her mother and sister. She had to get out of this.
They were resting at the edge of yet another forest. Lily rolled her eyes. The stupid hoodwink had tied her hands behind her back and sat her by a tree. She glared at Edgar sitting awkwardly amongst the bunch. They were dancing and acting like fools. Of course they'd had a little too much of whatever was in that flask. She looked around. With them in such an awful state it should be easy for her to escape.
She tried getting up but one of the men came and pushed her back down… hard. Lily glared at him.
"Just where do you think you're going?" he slurred.
"I need to go."
"You're not going anywhere," he said roughly.
"You don't understand. I really need to go," she looked down to emphasis her point.
"Oh, well… just hold on one sec." He went over to the guy who'd held her earlier. He seemed to be the leader of the lot. He whispered a couple of things then the man returned. "Just behind this tree. Don't go any further."
She wrinkled her nose in disgust but got up anyway. "Aren't you going to untie me?" He didn't have to answer. She saw by the look on his face that it was a no. "Well this will take a while then." Then she looked up at the tree. It was a very thick tree. She went around it and immediately started working at the rope. It was so damn tight.
After five minutes she heard him call, "Aren't you done yet?"
"You have no idea how many things are under this gown. It will take a while."
"Two more minutes and I'm coming back there."
She began to panic. Two minutes? The rope hadn't loosened at all. I guess I'll just have to make a run for it. Very slowly she tip toed to the next tree. When she reached it she looked back and rolled her eyes. He wasn't even watching her. Just laughing at some ridiculous dance his comrade was doing. After 3 more trees she decided to make a dash for it. It was a risk but one she was willing to take.
It was difficult for her to run with her hands behind her back but she managed. She knew better than to keep running straight forward so she took a left every once in a while. She could hear footsteps distantly behind her and she began to panic. She couldn't let them catch her. Not again.
That's when she spotted a cave. It was kind of far but she was sure she could make it. She lifted up her gown and dashed for it. Careful not to look behind her. She didn't need any distractions. Her waist length crimson hair was smacking her in the face but she still kept on running.
When she finally made it she quickly went inside. Then peeked out to see where the men were. She could see them just a couple yards away. They'd stopped and looked around then kept moving. She sighed and leaned against rocky walls.
She stayed there for a couple of moments until she heard some rocks shifting. She looked into the shadows of the cave and saw something move. She began to step back but the creature immediately came running and stopped right in front of her. Its eyes piercing.
Lily groaned inward. Out of all the bloody things I could have come across! She'd heard tales about creatures such as this one but had never come across one till now. For a moment she and the creature stared at each other. Its body part bird, part lion, and part woman. A sphinx!
"Riddle me this, Riddle me that. Looks like I've caught a curious cat." Its voice sounded friendly but Lily knew it was too good to be true. She was going to have to answer the Sphinx riddle if she wanted to exit the cave alive…
A/n: So that's it. It wasn't much but I love the idea of the sphinx. I'd just finish reading "Oedipus the King" and it seemed like something good to put in the story. Anyway, don't forget to review.
