2 Hunter

Going down the corridors of the palace, they could hear the faint sounds of the booming march outside. The enemy knew the King has died. So there was a spy inside. Who could it be? Who dared to betray the Kingdom of Hallor?

"How bad is it outside?" Harod asked the little servant. The horror on the young man's face defined more, remembering what has been happening. "It was bad Sir. Our defense is outnumbered! They're storming in like a pack of hyenas!" Another massive quaking has been felt, few debris from the old palace crumbling, nearly toppling them over while running down the stairs. They were moving on the opposite direction of the riot, going towards the secret passage in the dungeon. The exit would be a least a few yards away from th palace itself, gaining the princess a headstart to run away.

Realizing this, Persophone felt helpless and guilty. Here she was, running away like a coward, leaving her people dying from the hands of a tyrant. If she just accepted the role hours before, maybe this didn't happen. Perhaps the spy would tell the other that they have not fallen because she is there.

"Do not blame yourself Rianon! This is not your fault, child.  Have courage! It will be over soon." As Harod said those words, the door was within reach. They opened the door and pushed the Princess outside. Stumbling from her long dress, she fell on the grass shouting "No! Wait!" as the door closed. With a heave, she stood right up and beat the heavy metal door with her tiny fists. "Open the door! Harod! Sacho!" She was banging at it until her knuckles became red.

"Princess, please run away! Save yourself and look for your brother! We will hold fort here and wait for your return!" Rianon heard the old adviser say. "Please Princess. For the kingdom."

Tears ran down hear eyes, sobbing so much she just slumped on the door with a heavy tired body. "Please leave Your Highness. Please save us."

Hearing those pleas, it made the princess' heart clench. Despite the wobbling of her knees, Rianon composed herself. With a determined resolve, she stood up and tightened her fists on the door.

"I will save you. I will be back. I swear on it."

"We believe in you Your Highness."

Then she ran. Away from the palace she went without knowing where to go. She just knew she has to get far. For the meantime, she has to get away. The princess ran and ran and ran until her feet hurt. Refusing to look back and see the smoke coming from the palace. She tried to deafen herself to not hear the echoing cries of her people.

The farther she ran, the darker her surroundings became. The trees grew thicker and taller. When just on the outskirts of the forest, you can see the moon illuminating the night, inside was almost pitch black. It was eerie. The gush of the wind sounds like whispers in her ear. The princess blindly sprinted, shoving away branches that gets in her way. Until loud laughters were heard coming closer to her. 'Are those King Jean's people? Have they found me?' Rianon halted, fear creeping up in her body. Her escape has been futile, they'll get her...

"What should we get for tonight boys?" A female voice asked above the laugher. A woman! She could help her, ask for a way to go to Desúit. Her brother must be there. It was the last place he was heard to be in. No bells rang on her mind and just ran towards the voices. As she drew close, she could see the silhouette of a hulking person on the left- almost as tall as a tree, an elfish skinny man on the right and in their middle is a woman. The desperation of the Princess ignored the suspicions she should have, seeing those three. Instead she shouted and pleaded. "Help! Help me please!" Catching the attention of the strangers.

Their laughter died down upon seeing the distressed royalty, almost fling on her knees. "Huh." The woman in the middle stared at Rianon. "He-help me p-pl-please."

It was dark, but when the princess got a better look at those she thought was help, her blood ran cold. She was wrong. They may be not King Jean's soldiers (theh do not have the snake crest on their chests), but they were worse. The small yet very imposing bronze skulls decorating their necks like chokers gave her a hint of who they are.

Princess Rianon was very carefree. She did not deem any political, kingdomly problems. Her only problems where what dress should she wear; the prince of a neighboring kingdom kept on courting her; and what party should she throw that in that moon span. But despite her ignorant tendencies, the news of a slayed an Earl of a kingdom reached her ears. It was brutal and bloody. They skinned him, stole all his posessions and dumped his poor body at the outskirts of the victim's hometown. Rumor has it that At the time where Rianon heard that the Hounds, a group of hunters did it. They have skull chains adorning their necks. At the time she heard the stories, she hurled and had nightmares for days. And now it looks like she would be at their mercy. She would be like the late Earl. This is how her story would end. Bloody and pathetic.

The woman in the middle stared at the princess with heat she cannot fathom. The glint in her eyes were dangerous and burning. Rianon tried to run back, turning away from them after realizing who they were; but she was too late. The gigantic man was quick despite his hugeness and held both of her arms, hauling her around to face their mistress. The smaller man remained at where he was standing but remained alert. Like he was watching out for something.

Rianon tried to break free even if it was a lost case. The man's big arms enveloped her frail limbs like a vice. The redhead kept on struggling and kicking until a punch to her got sweot the wind out of her. "Stay still sweetheart." The woman holding the hilt of her sword that she used to hit the princess' stomach smirked and cooed at her. "We do not want to ruin that pretty face would we?"

The woman was dressed like a beggar man. Sacks and rubbish. But her face was smooth, almost angelic not counting the devilish smirk and evil eyes she's sporting. Her cropped short hair, making her look more of a man.  Her strength is that of a man as well as she squeezed Rianon's face to look at her. It took all the princess' efforts to not look, closing her eyes when the hand forced her to bend her head towards the face of her soon to be tormentor.

"Oh dear. You're shaking. Are you afraid of me my darling?"

"You wish." Rianon spat at her.

It angered the female wolf more. 'Oh what a joy to rip this lady apart'.