IV. SERENA

The tavern was full.

Molby's inn was located in the centre of the town. The colourful ribbons of metal hung on the walls and ceiling. The air was filed with the sour smell of wine and sweat.

Squares and serving girl alike skirted across the room to serve their masters. Nearly every table was full. Most of the men were knights of smaller houses from across the realm, dressed in armour and leather, and the rest were peasants in their woolen garbs.

A girl was taking a tray of bread to a table of more unruly knights.

She at once noticed at sight,  the large bodice of Sir Garley of House Tridenworn, at the centre of the table.

"Have you heard? The damned prince has stolen the sword!" He shouted at the other knights.

"Just a kid. Won't let him get away this time." said Sir Brackens, Captain of the royal guards.

"Yeah, just a kid. Hear him fellas! Took the sword under your nose, didn't he?" Sir Garley shouted over his wine and recieved a large applause from the crowd.

Sir Brackens looked away in disgust.

He was an old man and never in his service, someone has dared to venture near the sword and now this kid comes and takes it away.

Serena put the tray on the table and was reaching down to collect the wine bottles when she felt a strong grip on her hand.

"Well, well, we've got a pretty little thing here, haven't we?"

Sir Garley pulled Serena in his lap and twisted her wrists.

"What be your name be, pretty?" He asked her pulling her close.

Serena wriggled in his grasp until she managed to get

her hands free and hurried away in the kitchen.

She put her back to the wall, breathing heavily.

She hated knights. Every one of them. When she was a child, Kelly told her stories of brave and honourable knights and their great deeds. But not any knight she has ever known was brave and even less honourable.

This was one of the reasons she hated Kelly. The woman had fed her lies since she was a knee high. She had promised her safety and Serena had trusted her. She always treated Alex like trash and said that it was for his own good. And Alex's death was the last straw. She had completely broken down when he had ran in the fire. She had begged her to bring him back, but the wicked woman had looked at her with accusing eyes that said

'this all is your fault'. After that, Kelly had acted as his death was nothing. And Serena had ran away. But it all changed with Rodrig, he had visited and told her that Alex was alive and he was the Dark Prince. She had never felt that happy before when she learnt about his past. They had been raised together and Alex had always cared about her and kept her happy. She hadn't met him after the fire, but Rodrig had inspired hope in her heart.

If her Alex was here, he would have killed Sir Garley for laying hands on her.

Yes, her Alex.

She had loved him since they were kids. Alex might not know but he belonged to her. If she ever found out he had married someone else, she will kill his wife. After fifteen years of distance, she had become overly possessive of him. But she didn't care what he thought, someday, she will claim him for herself.

A melodious voice woke her from her thoughts

."Have you eaten today, Serena? You look frail. Or is it Sir Garley again?" Tania asked her as she put down the trays.

"Sir Garley has his problems. He should bathe more often."

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Tania had been her best friend since she came here and they had developed a strong bond during all this time. When news of Alex had reached her, she had told her at once and they had talked about everything since then.

But still, she could not understand what the Sir Brackens , captain of royal guard was doing here. The guards of Arath never ventured this far without cause.

"So, when is your prince Charming coming to get you?" She asked in a playful voice.

"More of a prince Annoying." They broke into another burst.

Rodrig had written to her that he and Alex would be visiting but there was no sign of him.

She realized too late.

It was a trap.

Just then, there was aloud noise at the kitchen door, and Sir Garley stormed in.

"The Aldegian princess! It would be my honour to arrest you in treason to House Reyjin. I give you a choice to marry Lord Lander Reyjin's son or ...." He smiled.

Serena knew she was dead until....

A sword pierced Sir Garley's armour and he fell with a thud.

Rodrig, bathed in blood, came in with his sword in hand. He was a dark knight of House Valhazar, and towered over Sir Garley's large body.

"You need to come with me, my lady. No place is safe now. They know you are here, Alex has fled and tis time we should do the same. It's only a matter of time the captain of gaurds  put the peasants to the sword. They will accuse them of treason. I request lady Tania to leave the town near moon's turn." His voice sparked with urgency.

Serena gave a last hug to Tania and gave her the mark of Aldegia.

It was a small coin forged with magic in her father's palace. It resembled serenity and only the members of household were allowed to wear one.

Tania took it and embraced her.

"Don't worry, I will find a way to help Alex to the throne "

"You won't do anything of that kind. You will flee the town and go to Ravens Moore, you will find a job at an inn and stay safe."

"Serena, the times have to change and I won't stay in a room waiting to die. I have to do something. Meanwhile Rodrig," Tania turned to the dark knight,"Keep her safe."

Serena looked at her and her eyes welled up. She had admired her courage from the time she had came here. The way she stood up to knights and the way she handled their innmaster.

"I pray, when the time comes, you will find a use for the mark."

Serena walked out of the inn and gave a last look to her hometown, this was her family and she wanted it safe. Her eyes caught on Kelly's burning inn as they hurried down the street into the cold. She knew she could not stop and could not look back now.

And at that moment, she found herself silently praying to Lunaris to keep her family away from harm.