Ares walked back to the castle, his training with Snow complete for the day. He was amazed at her fire and how quickly she was learning. He felt confident that he could make her into a warrior.
When he walked through the doors to the palace he was greeted by a young servant woman. "The Queen wishes to see you in the throne room," she told him.
"Alright, thank-you," he said. Did the Queen somehow know about his practice with Snow White? Impossible… or was it? Aphrodite was working with the Queen after all.
He walked down the hallway, reaching the throne room. The doors were open and he walked right in. The Queen stood in the center of the room talking with her advisor. She turned to face him with a smile. "Oh, Antoni," she said, "thanks so much for meeting with me."
"It's a pleasure to meet with the Queen," he said with a smile.
"I was hoping you would join me for lunch tomorrow," she said, "we have so much to discuss, especially if it's my daughter you wish to marry."
"Let's not jump to any conclusions yet," Ares said.
"Of course, of course," the Queen said, "so will you join me for lunch?"
Ares thought for a moment. He couldn't very well refuse the Queen but he couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of trap to keep him away from Snow White.
"I would gladly join you, my Queen," he said with a slight bow.
"Good, good," she said, "I look forward to it."
"Do you know where I might find Lady Aphima?" he asked, "I was hoping to perhaps meet with her before dinner."
"She's went to town for sewing supplies with her teacher," said the Queen.
"Very well," he said, "perhaps another day."
Ares left the throne room, not believing the Queen's story for a moment. He would go to town and find out what Aphrodite was up to.
"I really don't want to spend the afternoon with Aphima," Snow said as she and Sarah headed down the hall to Aphima's room, "I really don't want to listen to her stories today."
"I'm sure it will be over before you know it," Sarah assured her.
Snow let out a sigh before knocking on the door. A smiling Aphima pulled it open. "I'm ready to go," Snow told her.
"Great," Aphima said, "I've been needing this walk."
The three girls began their walk down the hall. "Sarah you're always working so hard," Aphima said, "why not take a day to spend with your family."
"That's an excellent idea," said Snow, "you're always tending to me."
Sarah's face lit up, "Oh thank-you so much," she said, "my family will be thrilled to see me."
Sarah rushed down the hall, clearly eager to get her things and head to town. "She's so devoted to you," said Aphima, " you seem to inspire loyalty from everyone."
"She's my best friend," said Snow.
Aphima looked troubled by this. Perhaps she was jealous that she or Chastia weren't her best friend. Snow just ignored it.
The girls walked in silence along the path to the forest. Once they reached the forest's edge Aphima spoke, "What are your plans for the future?"
"Well I suppose eventually I'll get married and become Queen," she said.
"Well of course," Aphima said. Snow felt a sense of animosity coming from Aphima.
"What about you?" She said.
"Honestly? I picture a future without you," Aphima growled. She grabbed Snow White, pushing her to the ground.
The gesture caught Snow off guard. She landed face first on the path. She quickly jumped to her feet, wondering where Aphima had gone. She was nowhere to be found. Instead a lone man stood on the path before her.
"Snow White," he said, "I've been sent by the Queen to kill you."
Snow felt a sense of dread creeping upon her. This couldn't be real. What was happening? Aphima had brought her out to her death. It hadn't been out of kindness that she had sent Sarah away, it was so she could ambush her.
"I'd like to see you try," hissed Snow. But she was weaponless and she couldn't help but notice the long sword at his hip.
"But you have allies that are more persuasive," he said, "and so instead I am leading you to safety."
"How can I trust you?" she hissed.
"It's either trust me and possibly die or return to the palace and definitely die," he said, "I think your choice is obvious."
Snow knew he was right. Reluctantly she approached the man. "What is your name?" she asked.
"Eric," he said, "I'm a huntsman."
"Where will you be taking me?" she asked.
"Lord Antoni has a safe house set up for you," he said, "I'm sure the Queen doesn't know of its existence."
"Why is Antoni helping me?" she asked.
"It's like he told you before," said Eric, "he made a promise to your father."
Snow felt uneasy about all of this, how could she just leave her citizens under the hands of her step mother, who apparently tried to have her killed.
"Won't the Queen know you didn't really kill me?" she asked the man.
"I'm going to present her with the heart of a stag," he said, "she's just a foolish woman, she won't know the difference."
Snow had her doubts. The Queen was a lot of things but she knew she was no fool. And she had Aphima helping her. She didn't know what that silly girl was capable of but she knew that she had obviously been in on the plan.
After the two had been walking for a time the man led her off the forest path and into the woods. It was rather dark amongst the trees and Snow knew it would only get darker as the day went on. She only hoped she wouldn't be here when night fell.
She followed behind the huntsman, trying her best to not trip over her skirts. She cringed every time her dress tore on a branch.
Once they reached a clearing the huntsman turned on her. He grabbed her around the waist and reached to cover her mouth. She let out a high pitched scream, attempting to bite the hand as it closed over her mouth. She struggled against him, attempting to kick.
Panic overwhelmed her and she nearly freed herself from his grip. "Calm down," he whispered in her ear, "I had to make you scream so she'd think I killed you."
He began to carry her through the woods, not releasing his grip over her mouth, but she relaxed a bit. She didn't trust this man at all but clearly fighting was going to get her nowhere. She would save her energy and try to escape later when his guard was down.
"Aphrodite was watching," he said, "well you know her as Lady Aphima."
Snow was confused. Aphrodite was a goddess and Lady Aphima was a ward in her father's palace. How could they be one in the same?
Finally the man let her go and she tried to flee but he grabbed her arm. "You need to come with me," he said, "running will do you no good."
She glared at him, but knew he was right. The woods were dark and she honestly was not sure of the way she had come.
"What did you mean about Aphrodite?" she asked, "and is she still following us?"
"No I think she turned away after you screamed, but I wanted to be sure," he said, "she has been disguised as Lady Aphima for sometime."
"But Aphima has lived in the palace with me since we were seven, you mean to tell me I've lived with Aphrodite for eight years?"
"No, Aphrodite kidnapped Aphima," he said, "she's been pretending to be her for around a year or so now."
Something inside Snow's brain clicked. "I knew she had been acting different."
"We are almost to the safe house," he said, "once we arrive I must depart."
He led her through a grove of trees. A small two story shack stood next to a rocky cliff. The cliff was full of what looked like mining caves. "What is this place?" she asked.
"A safe house," he said, "now go. Just knock on the door and tell them Antoni sent you. They will know what to do."
Snow gulped and took a few steps forwards. She looked back but Eric was already gone. She really was on her own.
She approached the door, taking a deep breath as she knocked. "Who goes there?" asked a gruff voice. A short stout man with an irritated look on his face opened the door. "Get out of here, wench," he hissed.
"Antoni sent me," she said, "this is supposed to be a safe house."
The tiny man looked her up and down. "Doc," he said, "get over here and show this lady inside."
A tiny bearded man came forward and greeted her, "You are most welcome, miss," he said, "what is your name."
"Snow White," she said. She crossed over the threshold and into the small house.
"The princess?" Doc asked in amazement.
"Yes, the Queen tried to kill me and I was told I could stay here," she said. She looked around and saw various tiny men milling about, cleaning pick ax's and drinking ale. "Er, how many of you live here?"
Doc chuckled, "Seven," he said, "or eight I guess now that you're here."
A very goofy looking fellow walked over to them. He stared at Snow white a dazed out look on his face, "This is Dopey, he don't talk," said Doc. He leaned in close whispering, "his marbles aren't all there if you know what I mean."
Snow tried to sustain her laugh. Doc then proceeded to point out the names of the other five dwarves. The one who had answered the door was Grumpy and there was also Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy and Bashful.
"You must be starved," said Doc, "let me get you some supper."
Snow White took her seat at a table that was much to small for her. She felt quite confused by all the circumstances and wondered what exactly she would do. Why was her step mother trying to kill her? How had Lord Antoni known her step mother would try to kill her? What had happened to Aphima? And most importantly, what was going to happen next?
