Chapter 2: The Chase
Crownlands / Kingswood / Afternoon
The Kingswood stretched endlessly around them, the thick canopy above filtering the sunlight into a muted, greenish glow. Twigs snapped underfoot, leaves rustled, and in the distance, the thundering hooves of fleeing horses faded into the chaotic noise of the battle on the Kingsroad. But here, in the dense, shadowed part of the forest, all that remained was the eerie quiet and the sound of desperate breathing.
Lucan crouched low, his body moving instinctively with practiced stealth as he maneuvered through the underbrush, keeping to the shadows. Ahead, he could see them—three bandits, rough and bloodied, chasing after a woman who had fled into the woods. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, every sense heightened by the anticipation of battle. The young woman's light colored gown stood out among the foliage, making her an easy target.
The bandits were gaining on her, their jeers and taunts filling the air as they closed in.
"Look at the lady run," one of them sneered. "This will be fun."
Lucan knew he had little time. He moved quickly, eyes narrowed, calculating his strike. The nearest bandit drew closer to Alys, his blade raised as if to cut her down. Lucan surged forward, emerging from the thicket like a shadow, his sword cutting through the air with lethal precision. The first bandit barely had time to react before Lucan's blade cleaved into his side, the force of the strike dropping him where he stood.
The other two turned in shock, eyes widening as they saw their comrade fall. Lucan didn't wait. With a fluid motion, he spun to face the second bandit, parrying a wild swing aimed at his head. The clash of steel rang out in the stillness of the woods, sharp and violent. Lucan's movements were swift, unrelenting—his sword arm a blur as he drove the bandit back with a series of rapid strikes. With one final thrust, he drove his blade through the man's chest.
The third bandit, realizing the tide had turned, hesitated, fear flashing in his eyes. Lucan stepped toward him, sword raised, ready to finish the job. But before the bandit could run, Lucan struck him down with a swift, merciless blow.
The woods fell silent again, the only sound the ragged breaths of the young woman standing just a few feet away, her chest heaving as she struggled to process what had just happened.
Lucan wiped the blood from his blade, turning toward her. She was clearly shaken, her once pristine traveling gown torn and muddied from her desperate escape. Her dark hair had come loose from its pins, strands falling messily over her pale face. She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Are you hurt?" Lucan asked, his voice low but steady as he stepped closer, his sword now sheathed.
Lady Alys Bywater didn't answer at first, still too stunned to speak. She blinked rapidly, trying to bring herself back to the present. Finally, she shook her head, though her hands were trembling.
"N-no," she managed to say, though her voice wavered. "Who... who are you?"
Lucan paused, giving her a brief once-over to ensure she was truly uninjured before responding. "Ser Lucan Farrow," he said, his tone calm, though his heart was still pounding from the fight. "I saw the attack and came to help."
Alys narrowed her eyes, clearly still unsure of him. Her mind was racing, and though she had just witnessed him dispatch her attackers with ease, the idea of trusting a stranger, especially a wandering knight, seemed foolish. She took a step back, still unsure. "Why should I trust you?" she asked, her voice firmer now, though laced with caution.
Lucan ran a hand through his disheveled hair, taking a deep breath. "You don't have to," he admitted, meeting her gaze. "But if you stay here, more will come. And if you go back to the road now, the bandits will have already taken it. I'm the only thing standing between you and them."
Alys glanced back toward the direction of the Kingsroad, the faint sounds of the skirmish still carrying on the wind. The weight of his words settled in, and her shoulders slumped slightly as the reality of her situation hit her. She didn't have much of a choice, and they both knew it.
"I'll take you somewhere safe," Lucan continued, his voice softening. "But we need to move now."
Alys bit her lip, clearly torn. Her instincts screamed not to trust him, but there was something in his eyes—an honesty she couldn't deny. With a final glance at the fallen bandits, she nodded, her resolve hardening. "Alright," she said quietly. "Lead the way."
Lucan gave a single nod, relief washing over him, though he didn't let it show. He motioned for her to follow as he turned and led her deeper into the Kingswood, away from the bloodied road and the danger that still lingered behind.
As they walked, the tension between them hung heavy in the air, but for now, survival was all that mattered.
Crownlands / Kingswood / Afternoon
The dense trees of the Kingswood closed in around them as Lucan led Lady Alys deeper into the forest, the muted light casting shadows over their path. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, while the distant sound of the bandits faded into the background. For a long while, neither of them spoke, their footsteps muffled by the blanket of fallen leaves beneath their feet. Lucan kept a steady pace, glancing over his shoulder occasionally to ensure Alys could keep up.
She walked just behind him, her breath still uneven, though her composure was beginning to return. Lady Alys Bywater was a striking woman, even in her disheveled state. Her dark hair, normally pinned up in an elegant style, had come loose, with soft waves framing her pale, heart-shaped face. Her eyes—large and a rich shade of hazel, with flecks of green that caught the light—were wide with a mix of fear and determination. She had high, delicate cheekbones, and her lips, though pressed in a thin line, were full and naturally rosy. There was something magnetic about her presence, a quiet strength beneath her otherwise graceful demeanor.
Her traveling attire, though practical, still spoke of her noble status. She wore a deep blue gown, its fabric luxurious but now dirt-streaked and torn from the escape. The bodice was laced tightly, accentuating her slim waist, and a cloak of fine wool, lined with silver embroidery, was fastened around her shoulders, though it had been tugged askew during her flight. Despite the dirt and disarray, there was an elegance about her that couldn't be diminished, even in the chaos of the forest.
For a while, they walked in silence, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot. Lucan could feel her eyes on him, studying him, but he didn't press her to speak. He knew enough to give her space after the ordeal she had just been through. His thoughts, however, raced. Who was this woman? Her nobility was clear, but her identity still a mystery.
Finally, Alys broke the silence, her voice low but steady. "You said your name is Ser Lucan Farrow?"
Lucan glanced over his shoulder and nodded. "Aye, m'lady. A hedge knight, as I said."
She didn't respond right away, her gaze dropping to the ground as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. Then, with a deep breath, she spoke again. "My name is Lady Alys Bywater. I'm... I was traveling to King's Landing with my family."
Lucan raised an eyebrow but kept walking. He had suspected she was someone important, but hearing her name sent a spark of recognition through him. House Bywater—he had recalled that name when he first saw the banners. But her next words stopped him in his tracks.
"I am betrothed to King Edric Baratheon."
Lucan froze. The weight of her words hung in the air like a leaden curtain. Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression unreadable, though the surprise in his eyes was clear. "The king?"
Alys nodded, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of apprehension and resolve. "Yes," she said quietly. "We were on our way to the capital for the final preparations before the coronation."
For a moment, Lucan said nothing, his mind reeling with the implications. This woman wasn't just any noble—she was the future queen of the Six Kingdoms. The gravity of the situation hit him like a blow. The ambush, the bandits—it was no coincidence. They had likely known who she was and were either after ransom or something far worse.
Lucan ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his thoughts. "You're saying the king's betrothed was left to flee into the forest with no one to protect her?" he asked, his tone edged with disbelief. "What about your guards?"
Alys flinched slightly at the reminder, the memory of the attack still raw. "They were overwhelmed," she said softly. "My father... my mother... they were captured. I... I couldn't do anything."
Lucan's expression softened as he saw the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. She was strong, but there was no mistaking the fear that lingered beneath her calm exterior. He sighed, turning away for a moment as he considered their options. Escorting a noble lady was one thing, but taking the king's betrothed through the dangerous woods, with bandits still hunting them, was another entirely.
"You understand what's at stake here, don't you?" Lucan said after a moment, his voice steady. "If those bandits catch you, they'll either ransom you for a king's fortune or..." His voice trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought.
Alys swallowed hard, her eyes darkening. "I know."
Lucan studied her for a moment longer, his mind made up. He wasn't the type to walk away from someone in need, especially not someone in as much danger as she was. With a nod, he stepped closer, his expression resolute. "Then I'll take you to King's Landing. We'll avoid the main roads, stay out of sight. I know the woods well enough to get us through."
Alys hesitated, still wary of placing her trust in a stranger. But there was something about Lucan—his confidence, his calm under pressure—that made her feel safer than she had since the ambush began. She could see the determination in his eyes, the quiet strength that belied his modest appearance. Despite her reservations, she nodded.
"Alright," she agreed, her voice quiet but firm. "I'll trust you, Ser Lucan."
Lucan gave a small, reassuring smile, though inside he felt the weight of the responsibility he had just taken on. The future queen's life was now in his hands. And though he was less experienced than many knights who had walked this path before him, he would see her to safety.
"Let's keep moving," he said, turning toward the dense forest ahead. "King's Landing is still a long way off."
Together, they pressed on, the shadows of the Kingswood closing in around them as the danger of their journey began to settle in.
Lucan paused for a moment, glancing back in the direction they had come. "We need to get Buck," he said, his voice low but firm.
Alys furrowed her brow, confusion crossing her face. "Who's Buck?" she asked, wondering if Lucan had a hidden ally.
"My horse," Lucan replied, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "He's just as much a partner as any man could be. We can't leave him behind."
Alys' expression hardened, her anxiety returning. "We can't go back, not with those bandits searching the area. It's too dangerous."
Lucan hesitated, torn between reason and the bond he shared with his horse. "I cannot leave him," he said softly, but with unmistakable conviction. "Buck is... very important to me. He's all I have."
Alys studied him for a long moment, the determination in his eyes cutting through her fear. She sighed reluctantly, understanding there was no arguing this. "Fine," she agreed, though her voice was tense. "But we need to stay hidden. I just hope the bandits haven't found him first."
Lucan nodded, his jaw set. "I'll keep us out of sight. Let's move quickly."
With a final glance toward the shadowy woods ahead, they doubled back through the thicket, creeping cautiously toward the spot where Lucan had left Buck.
Crownlands / Kingswood / Dusk
The light was beginning to fade as the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows through the dense trees of the Kingswood. Lucan led Alys carefully through the underbrush, his eyes alert to any movement, any sound that might suggest the bandits were still nearby. The soft crunch of leaves underfoot was all that broke the oppressive silence.
They moved with purpose, though Alys remained tense at Lucan's side. Every few steps, she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes filled with worry. She had been running for her life—running from the ambush, from the horror of seeing her father fall, and from the guilt gnawing at her insides. They had nearly reached the spot where Lucan had left Buck, but as the forest darkened, an unsettling stillness hung in the air.
When they reached the clearing, Lucan let out a quiet breath of relief. Buck was still there, tied to the tree where he had left him, grazing calmly on the grass. The horse lifted its head and gave a soft whinny as Lucan approached.
"Good boy," Lucan murmured, patting Buck's side affectionately before checking the reins. "We'll be out of here soon."
Alys stood back, watching the way Lucan interacted with his horse, a faint smile touching her lips despite the fear gnawing at her. "I didn't think a knight would care so much about his horse," she commented softly.
Lucan chuckled as he secured the saddle on Buck's back. "A knight may not, but I'm no typical knight. Buck's been my companion through more than a few rough patches. I owe him."
As Lucan tightened the straps, his eyes wandered back toward the direction of the road, toward where the ambush had taken place. His smile faltered as the memory of the chaos washed over him—the shouts, the clash of steel, the terror in the eyes of the guards. His brow furrowed as the reality of the situation hit him once again—Alys' family had been captured.
"They've taken them," Lucan muttered under his breath, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders.
Alys stiffened at his words. Her breath hitched, and she stepped closer, her voice trembling. "I know," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "My father, my mother… I should've stayed with them. How could I just leave them behind?"
Lucan's jaw clenched as he glanced at her. He could feel her guilt and anguish, and part of him understood it. But he also knew it wasn't as simple as running back to save them. "Alys," he began softly, "you didn't abandon them. You did what you had to. There's no way you could have fought off that many bandits."
"But I left them to die!" Alys cried, her voice cracking. "My father, my mother... they're my family. I just… left them."
Lucan turned to her, his expression grim yet resolute. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "I know how hard this is," he said quietly. "But going back now will only get you captured—or worse. Right now, the best way to help them is to stay alive. You are their hope, Alys. If the bandits discover who you are… if they know you're the future queen, they'll use you as leverage."
Alys' shoulders sagged under the weight of his words. She wiped at her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay, but her voice was fragile. "I feel so helpless, Lucan. I just... I don't know what to do."
Lucan's expression softened. "You're not helpless. You're still here, and that means we have a chance. I promise you, we will find a way to help your family. But first, I need to get you to safety."
Alys swallowed hard, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill over. "Fine," she whispered, her voice shaky. "But you have to promise me that we'll go back for them."
Lucan met her gaze, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "We'll get you to King's Landing, Alys. Once the king knows what's happened, he'll have the resources to negotiate for your family's release—likely send his men after them. But right now, the only way to help them is to make sure you're safe first."
He turned back to Buck, swiftly mounting the horse before extending a hand to her. Alys hesitated only a moment before taking his hand, allowing him to pull her up onto the horse behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging tightly as they prepared to move. Her grip was tense with fear and uncertainty, but there was trust there too, fragile but growing.
Lucan glanced back at her, offering a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this."
With Alys settled behind him, Lucan guided Buck toward the forest trail, his mind racing. He had chosen to protect her, to take her under his wing, but the weight of that decision pressed heavily on him. He knew the bandits were still out there, searching, hunting. But with each step Buck took, they put more distance between themselves and danger.
The Kingswood stretched out before them like a maze, dark and foreboding. Lucan steered Buck carefully, his eyes scanning the shadows, always alert. They would need to rely on stealth and speed to evade the bandits. Dusk was settling in, casting the forest in a deepening gloom, but Lucan pressed forward, knowing they had no other choice.
As the shadows deepened, Alys whispered, "What if they find us?"
Lucan glanced back at her, his voice steady but firm. "They won't. I'll make sure of it." He glanced around the darkening woods. "But first, we need to put more distance between us and them. We'll find somewhere to rest soon."
With the last light of day fading from the sky, Lucan urged Buck forward, knowing they had to keep moving. There was no turning back now, and with Alys clinging to him, the responsibility to keep her safe weighed on him like never before.