A Wish from the Damsel

The dead line of a month was approaching fast as the hunt to find the lost princess continued. The seven hadn't found any major clues at all , yet they obliviously approached her location more and more each day. Many of the Krio manor were scrabbling to ether prep to fight the kings men, or we're looking for the ring. All except for Landor who watched over Ivory, who could now not leave the bed she laid in.

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Landor lifts another spoon of the hot broth to my lips. I drink it off the spoon, only just able to make myself sit up to eat. I look at Landor making eye contact, he has never once done me wrong. He's been taking care of me ever since we met, his sister even said he wished to be a royal knight. Surely he must be loyal to me to the crown, I can trust him can't I.

"Landor?"

"Yes princess?"

I adjust my posture sitting up the best I can my hands in my lap.

"Please help me leave," I say begging.

"Princess, I don't know."

"At this rate that ring is never coming, I'm going to die here. There's something I need to tell you. It's not possible to replace me, as Hugh suggested. The truth was my "father" the king, isn't of royal blood. The king you know, isn't the original he is a commoner, I'm the last of the royal blood line. I know Hugh thinks he can save me, but I can't risk this you understand the severity don't you?"

His eye widen he puts the bowl on the side table, standing, so he can pace. He did that when he was anxious. I learned that from listening to him do it every morning waiting for me to wake up.

"Your sister told you that you couldn't become a knight as long as you're name was connected to this place. That's not true, I can excuse you, make you a knight, a seven."

He turns at my suggestion, I can tell he's thinking about my offer," if you worry about them coming back after you. You will be safe in the castle. My mistake was leaving, but if you don't they'll never be able to get to you."

"Tonight? How does that sound?"

I smile weekly," that sound better than staying for sure."

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I slept that evening expecting to have to stay up during the night. However I didn't expect to get awoken at sunset, as Landor runs down the hall with me in his arms.

"What's wrong?"

"The kings men are here, and there not merciful. They don't even know you're here, they just found out that this is the Kiro hide out, and their killing everyone in the manor. Of corse usually you wouldn't be threatened by that, but they don't know what you look like, so I can't say for sure that they'll actually spare you."

"I see, well if that's true I hope you're not going out the front door."

"Course not, I have a path out the back of the manor. Just hang on and don't pass out because if they do find us, the least I can do is try to make them believe me about you."

He runs down the hall, I hold onto the fabric on his body as he darts threw hall to hall. Into a room then threw a passage. As we get to the exit I hear the cries and the squish of metal cutting flesh. I close my eyes instinctively, I had heard the sounds before, but spending all that time with Cloud and not seeing it, I didn't want to start now. He continues to pant as he slows down. The sounds far in the distance now.

"It's clear if you wish to open your eyes princess."

And I do, I open my eyes, looking up to the snow covered leaves in the canopy above us. The wind rustles the trees, and soft powder falls from above. He lets out a cloud of steam into the cold air when he goes to speak.

"I planned on getting us horses for the trip, but I guess we'll have to make due."

"I'm sure there are horses nearby, we can ask for the kindness of someone to help."

"yes, I'll try my best princess."

We walk for a long while before reaching the village. Landor approaches a merchant with horses, asking him for one to bring me to a doctor. He offers to get the town doctor.

"Is a special case there's only one doctor that can treat it."

"You will be repaid," I promise him," I'll make sure of it."

He huffs giving over the reigns of a chestnut colored horse. Landor hops up onto its back, me with him, he runs off into the woods.

The rushing motion of the horse galloping makes my head feel like jelly, and it's hard for me to keep my eyes open. In a matter of moments my eyes are sealed in an attempt to steady my brain. It only felt like a blink when I opened my eyes again to find that I was laying on the floor of a temple.

"Princess?"

My eyes strain to open as the light pores down on me. I raise my body off the cold floor to find Landor with a worried look on his face.

"How are you feeling?" He asks holding my back in his hand, as he helps me sit up.

"Much better."

I hear clicks on the floor and I turn and see a man walking towards us.

"My princess," the man greets with a bow.

"Please that's not necessary," I insist.

I grab Landor's hand and he stands bringing me along.

"I wouldn't expect to have seen you all the way out here. I almost questioned you since you're apparel is more common that I would think."

"Well if I want to walk around town without being swarmed than this is my only hope don't you think?"

"Please my princess, let me get you something."

"There is no need, this is more than enough for me, thank you."

I approach him slowly and with one hand over his heart I form a small bird brooch to sit on his clothes. It was a great gift for anyone of the church to be recognized by the royal family this way. It was my thanks to him. The bird shown softly blue against the white fabric it held to.

"Goodbye, may all the light find you. Let's go Lander, we still don't have a lot of time."

The hesitates before jogging up next to me, the priest stood still in the church almost star struck.