It looks like it's time for an adventure... :)

As always, thanks for reading! Enjoy!

3 Linny

Two Worlds

Chapter Eleven

His eyes drooped as he slowly slipped into the unconscious realm of sleep. He was stuck in the middle of his dream world and awake, the distant barking of a frantic dog halting his descent. Jack groaned as he rolled over, burying his head in the straw-filled burlap sack he called a pillow and felt himself drift away just a little bit more.

A loud, high-pitched "yip" thrust him from the faint images of Princess Susan's angelic face and back to reality. It sounded like one of the hunting dogs had gone mad. But, that sound was too close to be one of the hunting dogs. They resided in a hut closer to the stable in case of horse thieves. It was much too close.

Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Jack climbed out of his bed and approached the window. The ground seemed quiet, only a few leaves rustling through the wind and the screech of a lone bird of prey were the only normal sounds. The dog had quieted for the moment, yet he could swear he could faintly hear a soft, yet high-pitched whining. The area was so vast he would never be able to determine which direction it was coming from.

He waited a moment, listening for the barking again, but heard nothing. Shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair, he turned back to his bed. He was more than likely hearing things after such a stressful evening. Sleep would put things right.

He lifted the thin sheet of a blanket and prepared to crawl in when the barking and yipping resumed. Thinking about just ignoring it and going to bed was overrun with the knowledge of that bark. "Levi?" he mumbled, going back to the window.

He glanced up at the princess's balcony, noting the large golden dog standing on his hind legs, his front paws perched on the large stone railing as he looked down. Jacks mind must have been so induced with fog for him not to have noticed the clear-as-day white-sheet-rope dangling down from the balcony on his first pass of the courtyard.

His eyes traveled down the make-shirt rope, horror consuming him as he watched the girl lose her footing on a knot and almost tumble down five stories. A wave of relief washed over him as he watched her regain a firm hold and slowly climb down without any more mishaps.

From this vantage point it was difficult to see her face, but as he stuck only his head out of the window, he could see the beautiful halo of golden locks tied back and out of her face. The Princess? It couldn't be. But then, why was Levi barking?

He made a quick decision. Grabbing the closest shirt he could find, he slipped it on and ran out the door. There were two directions he could go. Right, through all of the servants' quarters would take too long and he would lose her location. If he went left, he knew of a shortcut. Turning left, he quickly ran down the corridor.

The grin on his lips grew wider. Almost there. He allowed the fingers of one hand to slowly dance upon the smooth cow-hide leather hilt of his dagger. Anticipation was mounting.

Just a few more steps… a few more feet. Two doors separated him from his destination… one door… he could just imagine his blade cutting through the noble Hudson flesh. It was an even bigger achievement than killing the boy's parents in some silly fire. This kill would be so much more fulfilling.

Finally, no more rooms lay between him and Jack. Only the door Hudson had once thought of as protection remained. He could just envision the lifeless eyes staring up at him, the calm, warm chocolate brown, shrouded in death. A shiver of excitement ran down his spine.

He reached out for the latch of the door, savoring the moment and letting the cold metal warm from the heat of his touch. This is what made killing so exhilarating. It was an adrenaline rush that nothing could compete with. Pausing for only a beat more, he finally turned the latch.

"Lord Frederick?" a voice asked from behind him.

He swallowed the low, guttural growl that threatened to escape his lips. Clearing his throat, he buttoned up his party jacket to hide his side blade, though if one looked close enough or bumping into him, they would know he was hiding something on his belt.

Placing a fake smile upon his lips—like he'd done so many times—he turned.

The stable yard was quiet, the horses content. A nose or two stuck out of a couple of the stalls and he gave them each a loving pat, but as he passed one stable, he noticed something was amiss. The latch was undone and the door was ajar. Stargazer was gone along with the lighter-weight training saddle.

He cursed under his breath as he slammed his hand down upon the hard wood of the stall door. A horse nearby jumped back, and snorted loudly before going back to his sleeping haze. She'd beat him there and although Stargazer was quick, there was another horse that could cover more ground. It was just foolish to ride him.

He looked into the bead-like black eyes of the pitch black animal. His heart jumped to his throat as the horse just stared back as if he was matching the human's gaze with his own challenge. Quickshot was by far the fastest animal on four legs Jack had ever trained, but it was because of that reason that the horse never left the training pen; his spirit had not been completely broken yet. The horse would let the human ride him for only a short amount of time before remembering his wild roots and bucking him off. And the next day, usually bruised and battered, Jack would try again.

This was an emergency; he would just have to take a chance with the untamed creature.

Slipping the great beast a carrot he slowly undid the latch and led him out of the stall. The horse towered over him and probably many men over six-foot tall. His strength wasn't something to be reckoned with either; the size of just the animal's head was enough to tell a man that and you would have to be a fool to even attempt a ride. Quickshot was dangerous, but if Jack was looking to catch up with the girl before dawn's first light he would need to right smart. And that meant he would have to be that fool.

He secured the saddle around the great black belly, the horse only shifting his feet once before Jack worked his magic to calm him. There was a spot on the animal's chest that practically made him purr like a kitten… an eight-hundred-pound kitten. But, it was as if he knew what was at stake if they let the girl get away. He was ready and seemed almost eager, despite his calm demeanor.

For once since all of this confusion started, Jack couldn't help but smile and laugh. "Looks like you're ready for an adventure," he said, though he wished he could be as confident. Surprise washed over him as Quickshot lightly nudged the tip of his nose against his shoulder. It was as if he was sensing the uncertainty in the air. "Well, at least you're confident," he added before taking hold of the reins and leading the horse out through the large barn doors.

Taking in a deep breath, Jack climbed into the saddle and looked south. The castle was surrounded by a square mile of fields on all sides, but only one led to a way out. She would head in that direction, toward the center of the kingdom and a few bits of uncharted territory. A clan of unsavory people—murders and thieves mostly—resided in those parts and he just prayed that she wouldn't even dare to hedge those parts.

He slowly let the breath out and leveled his gaze. Kicking at the horse's sides, he urged the beast on, past the gardens and through the fields, he pressed and only released when they successfully jumped the high fence.

They were off; traveling unfamiliar territory, in search of the one woman who'd managed to capture his heart completely with the most innocent of gestures. An adventure lay ahead of them; a boy and his horse. Jack only hoped this honorable quest would be worth it in the end.

He would press on until he found her with only his knowledge of land and trails. He would not sleep, nor would he eat until she was safe at his side. And he would fight every man who would dare stand in his path.