Chapter Four: Knives and Red Thread

Flora overlooked the kingdom in a dreamy state; she stood on her balcony with her baby pink dress waving around her, her auburn hair tried tightly into a plait down her back and small little roses embedded in her hair. She gazed from the giant beanstalk in the far west to the eternal ocean of mermaids in the east and lastly to the north the wondrous city of creatures that served as the kingdoms citizens. She could see the little people bustling about in the streets, as soon as the announcement about Brandon's bride had gone out things had gotten louder and more active while she remained where she was, trapped in her castle.

Flora sighed at the idea of getting to go outside, just once. It had been her dream for years but the king and queen and forbade such an act. They always told her it was dangerous and frightening, told her she was like a delicate flower that would be crushed the second she set foot outside. So stayed inside she did, stuck to her duties and did as she was told but that hadn't stopped her dreaming of the day she would leave here.

The door opening inside her room alerted her; she quickly turned from the view and crossed back inside her large and royal bedchamber that doubled as her sitting room. When she got inside she found Prince Brandon draped over on one of the couches, an arm over his eyes "Oh well don't you look like the picture of excitement!" Flora cooed as she smiled at the sight of the prince.

"I haven't really reached excitement yet, I haven't had time. She always does this; can she really just spring an engagement on me?" Brandon mumbled without moving except for placing his feet on the small table in front of the couch and crossing his ankles.

Flora narrowed her eyes at the muddy boots "Icy does what she wishes, we aren't to question her. But I thought you would be happy about getting to choose your bride? Aren't you ready?" She sat down on the armchair next to the couch.

Brandon spoke in a mock offended voice "Ha! I'm the poster boy for ready!"

Flora smiled "Really, all Icy expects you to do is just look over every girl and see which one you like best and pick her as your queen!"

Brandon moved his arm away from his face to give Flora a look "Yes that's what Icy wants, not me"

"Well what do you want then?" Flora asked crossing her arms and leaning back into her chair.

Brandon spread his arms wide and spoke in a despairing voice "A little quality time to get to know her would be nice. I mean..." He smiled a small smile "It'd be great if she was beautiful but I want the whole deal. Pretty, funny, not afraid to speak out, not going to agree with everything I have to say...I want someone...different...unique"

Flora clapped her hands and laughed sweetly "Oh Brandon that's so adorable!" he gave her a grudging look and she laughed more "No really, I mean it! It's wonderful you aren't after a girl just for her looks, you want more and it's commendable that you do" She patted his knee "You'll make a fine husband" This is the way it had always been between them. Flora and Brandon had developed a brother/sister relationship and it suited them whenever they needed to go up against the king and queen.

Brandon took his feet off the table and leaned over to her "Are you sure you're okay with Icy doubling your birthday ball? It is your eighteenth, after all. You're not mad?"

Flora shook her head "Oh no, It'll make everything that much more interesting. I'll be fine! I'm more worried about you, picking your queen in just one night, how...abrupt"

Brandon smiled and stood up while straightening his shirt "I believe I'll rise to the task" He spoke proudly.

Flora laughed while looked around "Where's you trusty squire? You two are never apart for very long, have you had a fight?"

Brandon wandered around the room, glancing toward the breathtaking view "Sky? Nah, I just asked him to go fend off the hoard of fathers that have arrived at the palace gates, trying to bribe me to pick their daughters to be my wife. Sky can handle them"

"That man needs a promotion; he does so much for you!"

Brandon turned to face Flora "But then he wouldn't be my squire anymore!"

Flora threw a pillow at him "Selfish! Greedy! Ungrateful prince!" Brandon dodged it easily and leaned against the wall with a sad smile "Well maybe after the wedding, I'm going to need a head of security"

Flora nodded while standing "Very good" She picked up an embroidered coat and made for the door "I'm going for a walk in the gardens, try not to get on Icy's or the kings bad side while I'm gone, there'll be no Sky or me to protect you" As she closed the door she faintly heard him yell after her "I'm only going to need protecting at the ball, all those fine ladies!"

Flora snickered to herself as she made her way toward the gardens, she was in a good mood but that changed when she almost collided with Queen Icy "Oh your majesty, my apologies!" Flora did a small bow.

Icy looked down on the girl with contempt for a moment but then smiled a tight smile "No harm done. How are things Aurora? Looking forward to your birthday celebration?"

Flora smiled but on the inside she was wary and slightly afraid "Yes, certainly. There is so many people coming and I look forward to meeting them all. And of course Brandon has some of his friends coming too, all from his school days"

"Yes I think it's wonderful" Icy replied with a bored voice, she certainly didn't look please "But we can't let it all be about him, now can we? You must have a great time, look your absolute finest. I've taken the liberty of hiring an old seamstress from out of town to come and mend anything on your dress and also help me out with your present" Icy gestured to a small bag she held in her hands.

Flora looked down on it curiously "My present?"

Icy smiled a cold smile and pulled from the bag a long train a red silk, red lace and red cotton material and thread "I'm having a red cloak made for you, I'm sure you'll love wearing it but it's not going to be ready until after your birthday"

Flora looked at the bright crimson material; the cloak would be wonderful and unique. She just knew it, although it probably wouldn't suit her "It sounds terrific" With that she marched off, relieved to be away from the evil queen.

Icy glared after her with hate in her eyes, she had been waiting years to finally get rid of her and now in just one day's time, Aurora would be gone from her life. Icy turned and strode up the grand staircase and through the halls of the castle, servants bowed as she passed and this always brought a smile to the evil queen's face. Once she reached her own private chamber she called in two servants she knew she could trust, they stood before her staring blankly at the wall behind her. Icy sat in one of the regal thrones she had ordered to be placed and spoke with royal authority "I have two requests. You..." She pointed to the servant on the left, a small girl of fourteen years "Are you seek out the princes squire, Sky and bring him here" The girl nodded and exited, Icy turned to the other servant, a tall lanky man of twenty "And you are to go into the village and find one of those...wooden children...and order them to bring me a girl by the name of Belle, have her here immediately" The man bowed and exited.

Icy leaned back in her throne and smiled. It was wonderful when things went her way, she had power, a kingdom, servants, people who obeyed her and she didn't need to worry about any little servant girl or a stupid adopted girl ruining everything! At least not after tomorrow night. After a few minutes the door to the chamber opened again and in walked a tall blond squire, Sky.

Ivy smiled and beckoned him forward, Sky had always been the prince's squire and Icy had found him very useful in the days when she needed to know what the prince was ding and who he was seeing, although Sky would never remember any of those occasions since she had wiped them from his memory. She stood from her throne and walked slowly around the room "Squire, how long have you worked for the prince?"

"Eight years" Sky answered briskly, honestly he really didn't want to be here. He always got the chills whenever he was near the queen, he even sometimes got weird confused feelings after speaking with her, like he'd forgotten something very important.

Icy continued on her walk "Eight years. I understand your family is very proud of you, achieving such a high role in the servants ladder" Sky resisted the urge to roll his eyes and just nodded "It would certainly be a very big shame if you were to be let go from our services" Icy gave him a look he didn't like at all.

Is she...is the queen threatening me? Sky thought, he knew this was serious "What exactly is it that you're saying, your majesty?"

"I'm saying that if you were to...disobey a direct order from your queen, it wouldn't end well for you...or your family" Icy's stare turned cold and she stopped walking about a metre in front of him.

Yep, she's threatening me, Sky sighed heavily and tried his best not to answer her back "What order do you wish for me to do?" Sky wasn't happy about this, not at all! He hated doing this kind of business for royal people, thinking they could have anything! But before he could even blink the queen was suddenly in front of him, her strong and cold fingers wrapped around his throat. Wow she is freakishly strong! Sky thought in between his confusion and suppressing the urge to push her away. Icy leaned in and whispered in a deadly serious voice "There's a girl on her way to the castle right now, I want you to take her out to the forest and when she's distracted..." Icy lifted up a skinning dagger from nowhere "...take this danger and plunge it into her heart" Sky felt a chill go down his spine "Make sure no one sees you, come back to the castle and make sure people suspect the wolf for her disappearance. Oh and be a dear and bring back her heart, just so I know the deed is done. Simple?"

Sky thought for a long time. He had killed people before, assassins and enemies of the crown but never an innocent and never a girl. Damn! He really didn't want to do this but really, he had no choice. Maybe there was a way...

"Can you do it?!" Icy screeched in a whisper, he voice menacing.

After a long silence "Yes, I can" Sky spoke steadily but on the inside he was wary. Icy released his throat, smiled and walked back to her throne. Sky stood there and in a small voice that sounded haunted asked "Why do you want her dead? What did she ever do to you?"

Icy looked over at him with cold eyes and a piercing smile "Absolutely nothing"

...

Musa hurried up the steps of the palace, she was careful to be quiet and stuck to the side, she didn't really want anyone to see her and she was good at being invisible. It was just her nature. As she reached the main hall where hundreds of people gathered, all chatting and laughing Musa felt a chill run through her. She couldn't help but think she really didn't belong here. She wandered slowly through the crowds and tried to figure out what she was supposed to do when a voice sounded behind her, startling the life out of her "Belle" Musa whirled around to face a tall lank man, maybe out twenty years old. He stared down at her blankly and she took a long step away from him and nodded.

"Follow me" He turned and walked abruptly away.

Never did I suspect when I got out of bed this morning that in one day I would make a new friend, meet an old one, get invited to a ball and be requested by the queen! Musa thought as she walked to keep up with him, she asked him where they were going but he didn't answer her so she took it as a sign to not ask questions. Musa felt cold even though outside it was a beautiful sunny day, bird's chirped and whole chipper feeling everywhere, like you expected everyone to suddenly break into song. But not her, she felt something colder...more sinister. Musa couldn't, not matter how hard she tried, shake the feeling that something very bad was coming her way, if only she knew what.

...

What an insane crazy bitch of a queen! Musa thought as she trudged along the forest floor, I mean come on! She summons me to the palace to order me to go out to the woods to find her some weird herb that I've never even heard of, who does that?! Doesn't she know there's a wolf on the prowl, that it could suddenly jump out of nowhere and rip my throat out? Where's the logic? Where's the sense? I have seen way too many of the villagers killed by this thing, why should I risk my life too? Oh yeah, BECAUSE QUEEN BITCH TOLD ME TOO AND I'M A MAJOR PUSHOVER! Musa sighed as she looked around the dark and gloomy forest, it was sunset and things in the thick branches of the forest were getting creepy. And, just saying, the fact that see sent along a guard does little to reassure me.

Musa looked over at the blond soldier the queen had ordered to accompany her, he looked strong enough, pretty fit and he wasn't that bad looking. Too bad I'm not into blonds. Musa shook her head and scolded herself for such thoughts against her trusty bodyguard and the queen. She hadn't known what came over her, ever since this afternoon she had been having these weird little mood swings. Sure every girl has mood swings but by god, this wasn't one of those situations! This was different! It was like she had been flipping from one personality to another, even the queen had noticed.

"Excuse me your majesty but I don't know anything about this herb your sending me out for" Musa mumbled warily, she looked at the floor and didn't dare glance up at the mighty queen who stood over her. She just looked at the ladies shoes and tried not to forget her manners.

The queen's voice sounded annoyed "Don't question me! Just do as you're told little brat!"

Musa shrunk back a step "Y-yes your majesty. But...how will I find it?"

The queen's voice sounded sarcastic "Well maybe your little forest friends can help you! Would that make you feel better?"

Musa rolled her eyes and looked the queen straight in the eyes and yelled "I don't know, I'm not snow white, this isn't my fairy tale!"

The queen took a step back with wide eyes "What?!"

"What?" The blond squire who stood next to the queen asked as he looked at her like she was crazy.

"What?" The two guards outside the door yelled in unison.

Musa looked confused at the two other people in the room "What?" She asked innocently.

Musa shuddered from both the memory and the cold, what had gotten into her? It occurred to Musa that the guard had led her way out into the forest, like way too far. Shouldn't they be keeping it close to the kingdom in case the wolf showed up? "Do we really have to go this far?" Musa asked timidly, sending a glance up at her guard.

"Yes we do" He answered quietly and Musa couldn't really miss the dread in his voice. Huh, he was as nervous about the wolf as she was. Looking up at him, he did seem wary and timid, like he really didn't want to be doing this, like something was really wrong.

"Are you okay?" Musa asked giving him a curious look; he looked down on her with a restrained sadness that shocked Musa. When he didn't answer Musa kept talking "You don't have to worry about the wolf, I mean it's still sunny...a little. You and I can find that herb for the queen in no time and be back before supper!" Ha! Wishful thinking much! We're both going to totally die here. Musa shook away the unhelpful thoughts and continued walking "It can't be that hard to find, what was it called again...a Trixen vine. Have you ever seen one?"

Sky shook his head without saying a word, he was having his own little inner struggle at the moment and the nice girls chatter was making it increasingly hard to picture her as an enemy.

"My father has this whole book about herbs in his study, he used to show me all of them when I was little and I would try and find them. But I never once came across a Trixen vine" Musa continued as she carefully stepped over a fallen log, the crickets were starting to chirp all around her, signally darkness "I hope my dad doesn't worry if I'm not home for supper"

Oh come on! You've got to be kidding me! Sky thought, resisting the urge to groan. Why did she have to bring up the fact that she has a loving family, come on Sky focus! She's the enemy, the enemy! Sky had his hand over his hip where he had placed the queen's dagger; it felt cold against his hand. Even when it was contained in leather.

Musa was looking off into the forest with frightened eyes; she was simply talking only to distract herself from the darkness now. She gripped her brown cloak around her that covered most of her shivering body, her golden dress was really not practical for walking in the woods "Hey Sky, is there any way we could do this another time, maybe when it's lighter out-Oh my god!" Musa jumped and gripped Sky's arm in terror, she looked wildly out into the trees "Did you hear that?! Was it the wolf?!"

Sky almost smiled at her overreaction "It was an owl"

"Oh..." Musa mumbled, trying to order her fingers to loosen on Sky's arm and step away "Sorry. Can't be too careful" Musa stepped away from him and slowly walked over to the area where she heard the owl, glancing curiously into the dark. Behind her Sky gulped in dread while slipped the dagger out of its sheath, it was now or never.

Musa smiled and laughed for a moment "I guess I really am frightened of the woods, huh?" She turned back to Sky with a small smile but the dagger flying at her made her scream in terror and stagger back into an oak tree, as soon as she landed she clenched the dirt under her hands and stared wide eyed at Sky. He stood a few metres off, with a saddened look on his face as he stared back at her. It took her a long moment to notice that he had missed his target. Musa looked behind her quickly to see the dagger imbedded into a deer, blood flowing from the wound and the poor animal falling to the ground. Okay apparently now this is happening. Musa whipped her head around to stare at Sky "Y-you killed a deer! Why?!"

"So I wouldn't have to kill you!" Sky yelled back, he practically sagged against the tree, all he needed was a bottle of gin to take a swig out of and the picture would be perfect.

Musa's mind whirled fast "Oh, ok then. That's good" Musa sat for a second until it clicked "Wait! You were going to kill me?!"

"Yeah...sorry" Sky looked ashamed.

Musa shook her head with her mouth hanging open "Why?!"

Sky stood up from leaning against the tree and sighed "Because the queen told me too"

"Why?!"

"Because she hates you!"

"Why?!"

"No reason"

"What a bitch!"

"You're telling me!" Sky sat down on a nearby log and sighed with relief "I'm sorry Belle, I really am. But the queen wants you dead and she won't stop until you are, you know what this means don't you?"

Musa paused for a long time before she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the tree "I can't ever go home" She felt tears forming under her eye lids and somewhere deep inside a voice was yelling at her fiercely not to cry "Sky...what do I do? Where do I go?...W-what about the wolf?" Musa's voice shook and she looked over at him with such pleading eyes that he could feel his heart tearing just a little, he felt horrid about this whole thing.

"I don't know, Belle. But you have to run, run as fast as you can and don't look back. Icy will never give up, I'll make her think you're dead but you have to make sure you're never spotted by any of the guards again. Do you understand?"

Musa nodded, the tears running down her cheeks now. In that moment she wished more than ever that she were stronger and braver, to be better than herself. Not the scrawny book worm that always waited for her father to come home or the girl who was never asked to dances, or the girl that never stood up for herself. Musa sniffed and stood up from the ground and brushed herself off, taking a deep breath she smiled at Sky who stood up also "Thank you...for letting me live...I guess"

Sky nodded back "Try running north, it'll be a long journey but I think you can make it"

Musa felt the arrogance rise up from the unknown depths "You want me to go to Narnia? That Ice queen is bitchier than Icy and those fawns are a lot more pervy than people think!" Sky gave her a look and Musa blushed at her attitude "Sorry, north is good"

"Good luck" Sky said warmly "Oh here" he handed her a giant axe from the holder on his back; it was huge but surprisingly not that heavy. Musa took it and tested it in her hands, it looked easy enough to wield "Thanks. See you around"

With that Musa sighed heavily and turned to walk into the darker depths of the forest, she looked confident but on the inside she was screaming in terror. Soon she got so scared that she started to run with all her might, the axe firmly in her hands ready to be swung at anything that dare approach her. Musa ran until her lungs burned and her legs felt like they would give out at any second, it felt like hours later when the moon was high in the sky that she stopped to rest.

Musa leaned against a thin tree and breathed deeply, sweat marked her forehead and her fingers had gone numb against the cold. It wasn't until she heard a strange cracking that she opened her eyes, she had just enough time to mutter "Crap" before the tree she leaned against buckled under her weight and she fell down into a small chasm, the dry leaves and wet dirt shielding her from the fall while she tried desperately not to scream. Musa fit the bottom with a crash as her head connected with a rock, Musa was plunged into blackness and it was a good thing too because a moment later a loud and unmistakable howl of a certain wolf was heard throughout the whole kingdom.

If she had been awake, Musa would have known that not only was the wolf hungry, it was very very close.