Prologue

A Chapter by Wolfwind

Shyanna leaves Rosethorn with the aid of the Cavalier Croft

“My Lady, there is no time to waste. The guards will return very soon.” Hushed words spoken as Shyanna looked up from where she had been stuffing a bag full of clothes. Locking eyes with the dashing, yet roguish cavalier, her cavalier, she quickly whispered a reply.

“I’m hurrying!” Her eyes sparkling in a grinning glare. A spare lock of hair twirled in the air downside her cheek.

Croft leaning back, glanced down the hallway that ran outside the Rosethorn Royal Sleeping Chambers. “You need not bring your entire wardrobe Shyanna. We’re supposed to be traveling light.”

Shyanna’s glare of frustration melted quick. She could never glare too long when Croft raised his eye brow and his lips curled into that half smile. Sighing…

“Alright… Alright,” The princess grinned back at Croft. “Just one more thing,” The young woman reached under her beds pillows and retrieved a small crystal locket. “I can’t leave with out this.”

Croft smiled as Shyanna held up the surviving Crystal of Ahyrin. “So true my Lady, so very true.” The cavalier held out his hand. “Now, we must go. I hear the jangling of the Palace Regulars returning on their watch.”

Slipping the locket over her head, letting gently fall around her neck, the crystal finding home within her tunic, “Ok, I’m ready,” Shyanna whispered, taking Croft’s firm hand.

The two quickly and quietly, dashed down the hallway, where it turned to go down stairs. A narrow window sat within the stone of the palace’s outer wall at the corner.

A quick looked back Croft nodded to Shyanna, who kept an eye down the stairs. The man opened the window, grabbing hold of the rope already secured to the roof.

“Grab on tight.” Croft spoke softly but with urgency, taking Shyanna into his strong arm.

Taking a quick moment to gaze into Croft’s steel blue eyes, the princess let out a soft sigh. “You’re amazing, my Rogue.” Her gentle voice drifted. Wrapping her arms tight around the larger man, she gave her trust into him, pressing her head into his shoulder.

The princess could hear his chest rumble with soft laughter. “Amazing will be when we’re halfway to Kaitlynn’s Shire and away from Rosethorn.”

Croft reached out, gripping the rope firmly. With the princess secure in his other arm, the two slipped out into the night.

Shyanna felt the chill of the Rosethorn autumn breeze against her face. She was glad the cavalier had made her fore go her normal attire and wear simple traveling garb instead. Her heart raced as she clung to Croft, watching his face as the man that she loved, lowered them to the ground, four floors below.

Reaching the cobble stone path upon the ground, the two ran quickly, slipping in and out of the shadows, being careful not to be seen by the city guards. The minutes seemed to lengthen as the rows of narrow stone homes and the occasional business passed by as their legs continued to carry them to the South Gate.

Croft let out a low whistle as he and the princess came to a stop just outside the open public gateway to the Castletown of Rosethorn. Both his and Shyanna’s chests were heaving from the run through town.

Turning to the young woman, Croft caught her eyes and smiled, “Almost free my sweet.” He gently brought his lips to hers in a soft kiss.

“To a new future away from my wicked mother,” Shyanna’s eyes caught the moonlight and twinkled.

“Aye my love, to a new…”

“Hey! Who goes there?” A voice boomed from behind where Croft and the princess stood close together.

Shyanna’s heart skipped a beat as the voice echoed into the night. She glanced quickly at the lone city guard walking their direction, then back to Croft.

“That’s Jory Bryerson…” She whispered, “I never liked him.”

“Stay behind me my love, don’t make eye contact with him or he may recognize you. I’ll handle this.” Crofts voice carried confidence into the young ladies heart. She did as he asked.

The guard stopped a short distance away, the light of a hooded lantern falling upon Croft and the lady beside. “I asked you a question. Who are you? There’s a curfew in place tonight.”

Croft took a small breath and released it with a grin. “I’m terribly sorry. I just got into town late this evening and was unaware. Perhaps you know of a good Inn that I and my cousin might find lodging, at this hour?”

The wary guard held up his light closer, scrutinizing the stranger. “I was on duty this evening and I don’t remember you.”

The cavalier could see the guard’s free hand resting upon the hilt of his rapier. “Good Sir, night time shrouds the eyes of even the most watchful soldier. If it helps, I do remember you.”

The guard frowned and took a step back. “Why is your cousin hiding her face?” There was a nervous tension in his voice.

“Oh dear friend, she is very shy. She has always been timid around soldiers.”

“Let me see her face.” The guard’s voice was now resolute and his eyes gleamed of authority.

Croft sighed, giving Shyanna a reassuring rub upon the shoulder, his eyes still upon the city guard. He knew that he could defeat the guard easily in a duel, but knew as well, such an action would only bring more attention too himself and the princess. It was at this moment that a shadowy form loomed up large behind the guard who stood just off the cobblestone path and in the grass. Croft raised his head and gave the guard a very large smile.

“Do you have stables?” The question was out of the blue and the guard shot back a frustrated but quizzical look.

“What?”

“Are there stables in this town?” Croft kept his focus on the guard’s face, not upon the form coming up behind the young man.

“Look here Sir! Show me the woman’s face. And give me your names or I’ll ring the alarm and have you both….”

Croft raised up a hand with one finger extended, “No… I don’t think so.” He then pointed behind the guard who instinctively looked.

Whump! The guard fell to the ground uninjured, but very much unconscious.

“Sorry my good man,” Croft glanced down at the guard and then up to the black horse that had just head butted the man. “Glad you could make it Andromeda.”

Shyanna had looked up when the guard fell and now found herself gazing at Croft’s horse. She let out a soft chuckle and smiled as the horse replied to Croft with a shake of the head and a snort.

Croft turned to Shyanna, “Quick now, up you go. I really don’t want to be standing around when poor Jory here wakes up.”

The princess smiled as the cavalier boosted her up onto Andromeda’s back. As her legs slid across the horse’s body, Shyanna leaned down and spoke, “You really know how to make life exciting don’t you Croft?”

The man threw himself up into the saddle behind the Princess. “I really don’t know what you mean.” His calm unknowing tone prompted a laugh out the young lady.

Croft slid an arm around Shyanna, “I hope you don’t mind me holding onto you for awhile. I wouldn’t want you to slip and fall off.” His voice radiated a warm calm.

Shyanna gave off a slight purring sound, “I don’t mind at all my good man.”

With a quick flip of the reigns, Andromeda carried them out and away from the South Gate and into the night time landscape. The Cavalier quickly urged his mount off the main road and onto the smaller farming roads that stretched out into the countryside from the Castletown of Rosethorn.

They rode in silence. Croft’s eyes keenly watching for any sign of a threat as they passed by farmhouses and barns. Though the only sounds were of an occasional cow off in a field, the cavalier knew they were far from safety. He hoped the four days to Kaitlynn’s Shire would be uneventful. There, at least, he knew they would be safe…for a while at least.

Thornfall World Map (Copyrighted)

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© 2012 Wolfwind

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Shy Girl

That is one brilliant horse. It's a mare to boot!!! I'm already in love with Croft ;) Your Lady is graced with a lovely lyrical name. You had me enthralled and giggling all at once. Does Croft have a brother? If so, is he as stunningly romantic also? I abso love this story. LOVE THIS STORY, can't wait for more :)

Lady Shy :)
(one hungry fan)