The Forgotten Daughter

"Ugh, why do I have to go to that stupid meeting I hate it. Having to bow every five minutes", Priscilla whined, as she was being sized for a dress by the Tailor.

Priscilla is a young Half-Elf with majestic silverish blue hair and a fair light brown complexion. She was renowned and widely known as the fabled daughter of the late King Rafael.

"Your Highness, as you must again understand as a Princess and future Queen you must attend these events. It is your duty as your birthright, and you must abide by these laws." Ms. Matilda gave a slight nod as she looked down upon the young lady, "Listen sweetheart I know things may not all be as fun and entertaining, and it may be annoying to do these things but if I may add it is for your good and might I add 'safety."

Priscilla glanced over at Ms. Matilda catching the hint of urgency when she heard the word 'safety.' Known as the Head of the Royal Staff Ms. Matilda, A magnificent mid-aged Half-Elven/Half-Orc Noble. She could make anyone second guess their thoughts as she never speaks in doubt. Ms. Matilda walked over and stood in front of Priscilla, her hands on her hips staring intently. Priscilla knew from previous times, that when Ms. Matilda would get like this, she could kiss her free time goodbye. "OK Ms. Matilda, I understand," Priscilla calmly sighed, "but only if you tell me why it's for my safety, as I know I am by birth to perform these tasks, but how or why would I not be safe if I didn't do the task."

Ms. Matilda rubbed her chin to this pondering the question, they stared into each other's eyes, Priscilla more hoping to receive the answer she wanted. "Hmmm," Ms. Matilda began. "Ok, I see as though you are more ready than you were before compared to years past."

Upon hearing this Priscilla jumped in a quite joyous cheer, causing the Tailor to fall onto his back, as it is not at all often, she gets approval from Ms. Matilda. Recoiling at a swift motion Priscilla apologized trying to help the Tailor off his back.

Then like nothing more than a shadow on a wall, a man came into view standing just a bit taller than Priscilla herself. Ms. Matilda was already in deep conversation with the man. (when did he get there), Priscilla thought to herself.

They stood there in front of Matilda, paying little to no mind to the young princess, then after taking a glance at Priscilla, the man handed a few parchment documents to Ms. Matilda. "May you remain safe forever until he arrives." Was what he whispered to Priscilla, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

"Who was that?" Priscilla asked rather skeptically.

Ms. Matilda stood still much like a stone reading over the parchment, and from the eyes of Priscilla, this was the first time she seen fear in the eyes of her caretaker.

Ms. Matilda turned to the Tailor exchanging a look that even in the eye of the Tailor, he knew it was time. "Looks like the time is upon us all Malady, hey when you see him tell him, I said Hello." The Tailor spoke, then turned for the door leaving the room. A loud lock was heard from the other side.

Ms. Matilda now alone with Priscilla, quickly walked over to the northernmost wall of the room. It was blocked off and covered with desks and scattered books. Priscilla was still standing about wondering what was going on. "Ms. Matilda-"

"Priscilla, I know what you are wondering and no it is not at all easy to explain right now, but for the time of present, I need you to only trust me as you have for so many years, and cease uttering any more words. All I can say is there are Hunters within the walls trained to find you by your, 'voice' I know it sounds crazy but yes these are no ordinary Hunters. They are highly trained assassins and were sent to kill those who stand in their way to get to you."

Ms. Matilda reached into her front Maid apron pocket and pulled out a staff that, obviously was too big to have been in there. Something was different with Ms. Matilda she was scared. Seconds later Priscilla felt someone tug on my arm, before she could pull away, she heard, "Your Highness we must go now." It was Ms. Matilda. Pulling her. She was facing away pointing toward the wall she just walked from, but from what Priscilla saw was still just the desks and books. "Come on," she pulled Priscilla harder, with more urgency.

They began run for the wall building speed, and just before impact Priscilla closed her eyes, everything fading out.

β.β.β.β.β.β.

Priscilla's body felt numb as she felt after running straight into a wall. She was lying down on the ground, but the only difference was that it felt soft and not the usual hard wooden flooring, actually it felt rather 'Grassy.' Like her body her eyes were numb, and it took a strong effort just to crack them.

Her vision slowly caught up with her she was beginning to catch the baring of her surroundings. (A Glade?) Priscilla, or so she thought she spoke. She blinked looking about the area. (but why am I in a Glade?) (Ms. Matilda?) she called out.

"Oh," a calm voice chimed.

Priscilla glanced over in the direction of the voice. There stood a slightly older boy with a fair complexion and quite tussled hair. Priscilla quickly looked about for Ms. Matilda. She tried to call out but again only managed to speak through her head. Taking a few steps back she thought the idea to run, and just as she began to turn and run, she tripped snagging her dress to on a fallen root.

The boy started to step over "Uh miss, are you okay," the boy nearing him reached out for Priscilla. Priscilla now frightened and could only scream in her head, closed her eyes and threw her hands over her head in defense. "You should be more careful, or you might have hurt yourself,"

Then I felt a sudden bit of pressure on my face it felt as though it were massaging and rubbing across my cheeks, nevertheless I couldn't see so fear began to seep in as my mind began to assume the worst. 'Why is this all happening to me, is it because I didn't listen to Ms. Matilda,' I thought to myself.

"Hey, are you alright?" The voice again sounded. With more clear understanding I knew I didn't recognize it, but I did notice that it did not seem evil. "Hello, are you okay?"

I was still numbed and powerless, but I attempted to shake my head to let whoever was next to me know that I was not okay. I don't know if the message was received, instead, I felt again silent like no one was there anymore.

The little bit of hope I began to muster soon started to fade away. It was then my body started to pulsate. The numbness felt as though it was going away, no it was leaving as I went to open and close my hands. I could.

I started to feel a strong warmth throughout my body. Like it was coming back to life. "Hello?" I again heard the voice say. Sending a bit of joy back into me, "Can you move?" Weirdly I couldn't respond vocally, to add my eyes were still locked shut. So, I went for a feeble wave. To attempt my response." Okay, that is good, but I only just barely removed the poison put inside you. If I am not mistaken about this, it was a paralysis toxin locking and slowly killing you from inside of you. I did manage to remove just enough to prolong your life. I'll need to find a special ingredient to create a potion to fully cure you."

Though I was thankful that I was being saved things did not seem right, when was I poisoned, the last I remember was my body fading to darkness after looking at Ms. Matilda standing guard in front of that unknown attacker, and then things started to hit me all at once. The smoke from that explosion. I tried to focus harder, the texture was not normal now that I think of it.

Could that have been the reason for my fainting, if that were the case shouldn't Ms. Matilda be here, where is she? My eyes could open just enough to see who my savior was. If I wasn't feeling sick to my stomach and still vaguely stiff I'd have a more prominent reaction to who I saw.

"Ian," I questioned rather weakly. I am really glad to see you.

He cocked his head to his side with a raised eyebrow at my question and statement. "My name is not Ian, Miss, my name is Jason."

I blinked rather skeptically and took in all I could see, this boy looked just like the duke's youngest son Ian. I again felt a bit of nausea building up. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else. But thank you for helping me."

"Oh, it's 'Ver okay, I cannot say you are fully healed as I said before, I only managed to remove a little bit of the poison inside of you," Jason stated. "I can add that given the nature we would have to Hurry 'n get you to 'n Oracle.

I followed carefully what he told me, it did scare me that I was still poisoned, but relieved that I was still alive and being helped, I still did feel a bit uneasy wondering about Ms. Matilda. "Excuse," I began. "Before I guess I wound up here I was with someone. A friend, or more of like A big sister…" I started to trail off into my thoughts about how Ms. Matilda was always there.

She was my head Castle maid head of staff for, care of me to say she was family only showcased that we were very close. I did miss her as I thought more and more of her, " uh, Miss" Jason spoke riling me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay, you seem a little flustered."

"Oh, it is nothing," I responded quickly "Now how far did you say the Oracle was?" changing the subject just as swiftly.

"Oh, Ah to be exact there is an Oracle Podium at the village just West of here." He said, pointing away from me.

"Well then we shall be going," I demanded, grabbing his arm and pulling it in the direction of the village.

With that, we were on our way to this Oracle to cure me (and in hopes to learn of my separation from Ms. Matilda. I have to find her; I just have to) I thought to myself.

β.β.β.β.β.β.

We traveled for what felt like days, and I knew Jason was beginning to get a little annoyed with my constant questioning of 'How much further', or 'Are we there yet'. He was quite a generous boy because he would calmly respond with a simple 'no'. I have come to enjoy that about him. But it was more about when we began talking that he did not answer my question about my Castle, Forlorn Castle. He did mention that he had never heard of such a place in the world of Astrolia. The place we were located.

"You see Miss-"

You know you don't have to call me 'miss', as I do have a name." I spoke up cutting him off.

"Be 'hat as it may, miss but you still have yet to inform me of your name." He retorted rather quirkily.

Completely caught off guard, he was right. Quickly I stopped to give a decent bow of my head and, explain my name.

"Ahem, sorry for the delay, my name is Princess Priscilla Estrelia."

Upon raising my head back up to face him I noticed he seemed more in thought than needing to return my bow.

"Hmmm"

" 'Hmmm' what?" I asked seeming rather annoyed.

"Oh, well you say princess, so I am wondering if you happen to be related to one of the 12 Royal Families, that is all."

"12 Royal Families?"

"Ah, yes Ms. Uh, Priscilla, there are 12 Royal Families here on Astrolia, they are all biased towards their Originated Zodian Parent. Some are well respected while others have a bad history." He said the last part rather weakly looking away. Trailing away in a faraway thought. When he looked back up and saw me observing him deeply, he continued, "A great many years ago there was a war between the Zodian homes, where a vast amount of blood was shed throughout the world."

"How did the war end?" I asked.

"Well, it was thanks to the alliance of the Upper Realms that helped steer the good guys to victory and, last but not least the sealing of the Dark Zodians."

Before I could ask my next question, we heard the sounds of wheels rolling by, Jason did mention that a road was close by leading the rest of the way to the Village. So we decided to push forward toward the road.

At first glance, we saw a carriage just sitting on the side parked but upon closer inspection, we noticed a wheel had completely fallen off, "I told you to slow your roll on this road." We heard a guy say just on the other side.

"And you also said hurry, the hell up we're being chased by robbers." Another guy said rather irritably.

We made our way around the carriage to see who was speaking and spotted a pair of rather thin-looking guys who both sported a Monocle, one on his right eye and the other on his left. Everything about showed similarities and yet with its opposite counterpart. They see us, immediately ceasing their argument. As though like a wind breeze, they quickly jumped in surprise unholstering a pair of 'Rapiers' and pointing them directly at us, "Oh no they caught us we prepare yourself, brother, we have our orders." the first guy screeched.

"Oh, yes my dear little brother, we are to protect the heiress with our very lives." The other spoke, taking a ready step.

Jason quickly threw up his hands to signal he meant no harm or had the ill intention to begin a fight, " uh sorry but we are not here 'o harm you We are just passing by," Jason stated. "My name is Jason, and this here is my friend, Priscilla,"

"Oh okay," the first guy said.

"Hmmm, well what do want" the other one spoke still hiding seeming more and more ready to push his brother into the line of fire every second.

"Well like I said we're only passing by, we were on our way to the village just up the road," Jason explained.

They all again kept up their defense while Jason kept trying to get them to calm down. But I started to feel something pull at me from the carriage. When Jason looked towards it in one of the windows noticed a silhouette sitting on the inside of the carriage. It was then that I saw the silhouette look back at me.

It was then I had to know who was in the carriage. I slowly made my way over to the door of the carriage it was a vibrant green with gold and silver trimmings, which reminded me a little of my old toy carriage (as a matter of fact it looked exactly like it).

When I got within arm's length I started to reach out for the door and then boom, it swung open, and out came someone right on top of me, causing me to fall to the ground. "YOU ARE HERE FINALLY" was what I heard before I hit the ground.