~ Flashback~
The suns peeked out form the grey clouds. Their light glistened on the light snowy ground. It was days like these that DG enjoyed. Days where it was warm enough to go riding, without worrying about a storm. Yet riding alone was always prohibited for her. Even for a well riding Princess. However, should the company be suitable, DG did not mind. Those were days when she could enjoy her ride with friends and not 'escorts'. This was definitely, one of those days.
DG sat atop of her Orlov Trotter, inhaling the cool northern air. DG sighed deeply, enjoying the opportunity. Her eyes roamed the snow-covered forest, trees lightly dusted in snow, bushes hidden in the ground, and a well-hidden trail, untouched. Behind her, she made out the crushing footsteps of her partners horse. She turned, waiting for her partner to ride up.
A smile crept across her face. She tried desperately to hide it, but failed miserably. Her partner rode up, nearly blending in with the scenery. His dark duster, covered lightly in a coat of snow, hung off the back of the saddle. His hat spattered in complement. His scowl, though, was what got DG's smile.
He caught DG's smiled, "What are smiling at Princess?"
DG kept her laugh inside, "Just a rusting Tin Man."
DG had a hard time keeping her laughter when she watched his expression change. She turned quickly, so not to be caught laughing. She redirected her horse and began to ride slowly.
Cain ignored her comment and caught up to her. "I heard a rumor spreading through the palace the other day."
"Oh no. What's it about this time?" DG asked.
"That the Princess has a birthday coming up in five days. I thought it couldn't be true. Then again, my wife hardly tells me anything nowadays. Is it true?" Cain explained.
Dg remained silent. If she said it was a lie, she'd be caught. If she said it was true, the interrogation would begin. Why she hadn't told him, why she was avoiding it, and the dreaded question: what she wanted. But then, she couldn't find any way around it now. So, DG just shrugged.
"So it is true then." Cain said.
"You can guess what my excuse is." DG replied.
"I'm sure I can. Let's see. Your family would probably throw a party for you, which would mean the entire OZ would be told. You would be treated even more as a Princess that day." Cain explained.
DG smiled. "Yeah, but….I might be able to live with those."
Cain's eyebrows rose. "So why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Honestly, I hate being asked what I want." Dg answered.
"Why does that bother you?"
"Because I never want anything. A few years ago, maybe it would've been to travel. But now…I have parents who understand me, I have a great relationship with my sister, I have the best friends I could ever ask for, and a husband who constantly protects me from danger. What more could I ask for?" DG explained.
Suddenly something hit DG's head. It wasn't hard or fast, but slow…and cold. She brushed her neck, catching snow in her hand. Surprised she turned back to her partner. She found him laughing slightly on his horse.
"You have no idea what you've started." DG explained. She smiled wickedly and took off on her horse. She could hear Cain's horse break into a following run.
Dg sped up, wanting to get as much distance between herself and Cain. She quickly jumped off her horse and landed in the bank. She hid behind a bushel of trees and shrubs, waiting for Cain.
The patter of his horse came quickly. DG lay low in the snow, waiting. His figure finally came into view. He looked around for DG. Dg gathered snow into her hand and formed a tight ball. She stood quickly and threw the ball into the air.
The snowball made impact with the side of Cain's face. Dg ducked quickly and moved around him, unseen. Cain wiped the snow off his face and looked for DG in the direction of the snowball.
DG gathered more snow into her hands and threw another ball. This time it struck Cain in the back of the neck. She ducked again, covering her mouth to keep from laughing. Nevertheless, a small sound came out. That was enough to give Cain her location.
Cain dismounted and quietly began walking towards the bank. He crouched low to the ground. As he grew closer, he could hear the faint laugh of the Princess. He gathered a handful of snow and packed it together. Quickly he threw the ball over the bank.
A gasp of surprise rang out. DG bolted upright, wiping the snow off her head. She looked up at Cain, trying to keep a straight face. She gathered snow in her hand, ready to use it if necessary.
"You really think that's going to help you?" Cain asked.
"You started this!" DG replied.
"But can you finish it?" Cain asked.
Dg smiled wickedly, "Oh yeah." She threw the snowball over Cain's head.
"You mis-" Cain's call was cut short by a large clump of snow falling onto him. The snowball had knocked the snow off the branch.
DG laughed and ran. She didn't dare look back, not until she was safe. As she ran, she came across a patch of ice. She gasped and slid, falling down the side of the hill. DG rolled down the hill, deeper into the snow. She finally stopped at the bottom of the hill, buried in snow.
"Ouch." She said. She pushed herself onto her elbows and examined the damage. Her shoulder hurt, but not that bad. Her head was stinging badly though. She touched her head lightly, revealing a cut above her left eyebrow.
"Great." DG said.
"Everything's ready for the invasion." A voice said. DG froze.
"Excellent. Tell the troops. We leave the day after tomorrow." DG recognized that voice. It made her insides freeze in fear, Zero.
DG turned her head slowly. She moved closer to the ridge and looked over. Zero was stand below the ridge with at least five other Longcoats. They stood over a small table, a map below them. It was a map of the Northern Island.
"And tell your men not to harm any member of the Royal Family. If we want this to work, we need their full cooperation." Zero said.
"Yes sir." The man said.
"Sir, what of their friends; the advisor, viewer, and guard?"
Zero was quiet for a moment. "The advisor we made need, along with the viewer. Keep them alive as well." Zero said.
"And Wyatt Cain?"
"His time was up long ago. Kill him." Zero answered.
DG had heard enough. She turned from the edge and began crawling up the side of the hill. Once she was above, she broke into a run. She weaved through trees and bushes until she was back on the trail. Dg ran faster along the trail.
From behind, something grabbed her shoulders. DG screamed in shock and spun around.
"Deeg it's me." Cain said.
Dg covered her mouth and calmed her breathing. Her body was shaking from shock. Her hands tried their best to cover her mouth.
Cain watched DG's terrified figure tremble. He held her shoulders, "DG what happened?"
"I- s-s-aw Zero! Below the ridge. There's hundreds of Longcoats." Dg explained.
Cain looked over her, towards the ridge. "Get back to the palace."
"I'm not leaving without you." DG replied.
"Dg-"
"Cain I'll explain everything, just please don't go back there!" DG pleaded.
Something in DG's scared voice told Cain to listen to her. Nothing could scare her so quickly. Cain nodded and followed closely to DG as they mounted his horse and rode back to the palace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
let the panic begin. so what do you think so far?