PROLOGUE

The decaying air and the stifling atmosphere along with hammering of my heart against my chest made this forest unknown to me despite the familiar trees that once gave me the comfort of a mother’s arms. Tonight, they were just dark tree trunks with their overhanging limbs blocking every turn I took.

Yet the eerie silence amid the wind had me turning around, no, they were no longer behind us, we had lost them in the forest. A sigh of relief left my trembling lips as I slowed Trixie down, “Its okay… we outran them.” I whispered. A stir from behind had me tightening the cloth around me, “You will be fine, I shan’t let you die. Just hold one for a little longer.”

A groan was the only thing I got in reply. Trixie threaded closer to an oak tree and stopped for me to get down from her back. I removed the cloth from around me and slid down the horse before helping the wounded General down. The cloth that had been wrapped around him was bloody, if I wanted him to survive then I will have to get him to bandaged up soon. The night was closing in, so I wouldn’t be able to ride for much longer when the winds will become harsher, and Trixie’s foot was already injured from an arrow. A cough from the General, brought my attention back to him, barely being able to see his face in the moonlight. I opened the water bag on Trixie’s saddle and found it empty. Sighing, I looked at a tired Trixie and the General, “I will try to find us some water, General.” I said pulling the hood over my head and getting up from the ground.

“Your highness...” He called, trying to help himself up. I know how hard it was for him to be in this situation, being the strongest soldier despite his age in the entire army, a man I have always looked up to from an incredibly early age. “Be careful.” He mumbled with a shiver. I could not leave them in the cold with nothing to keep them warm.

After looking around, I found a few dry branches and then lit a small fire in front of the tree that they were resting beside. “You will have to adjust with this now, too much light can lead them to us.” The General nodded as he moved closer to the fire. I removed the saddle off Trixie and ran my hand along her mane. “Just a little longer, okay?” She shook her head as if she understood and then stepped closer to the fire.

Pushing the strands of my hair behind my ear I found another branch, before tearing off a piece of cloth from my dress and laying it on the ground to get it slightly wet before wrapping it around the end of the branch and then lighting it from the fire I had made for them. “I will be back soon.” I muttered before walking off into the dark.

The flame from the torch lighted the path ever so slightly as I walked around the trees, my eyes searching for a hint of water in this dense forest while my ears waited patiently for the murmur of the water flowing. I walked towards the east, trying to remember the path I took every morning, I know there was a river somewhere over here but with everything happening around me I couldn’t remember whether I had to take a left or right.

Despite trying not to think about home, I couldn’t help but remember the blood, the cries that had awakened me in the morning. A small sound of trickling had me straining my ears and walking towards the sound until I reached the familiar stream of water. Kneeling beside the stream I removed the hood from my head and looked at my reflection in the water. The person looking back at me was not the girl I remember; she didn’t have dust all over her face and scars on her cheek.

Taking a handful of water in my hands I washed my face, the cold-water seeping into the scar and making me flinch. Once I washed my face, I took another handful and drank from the curves of my palm, greedily washing down the water through my throat until I felt a little satiated. Grabbing ahold of the water bag I filled it with water and closed the lid when I felt a drop on my shoulder, I touched my shoulder and shuddered when I saw the white snow pellet, which now increased in number as it fell on the ground.

I had to get back to them, the fire wouldn’t last long, and we need to find some shelter. After letting the water touch my face one last time I got up and turned in the direction I came from when I heard hooves on the ground. Rushing towards a tree, I hid behind its trunk as I watched two soldiers, stop near the water and get down from their horses. I thought the search was held off for tonight but looks like I was wrong. “He wants her back alive, and the general with her is going to make it hard for us to get to her.”

I watched as they let their horses drink up from the stream, when the other soldier nod before a strange fear covered his eyes. “What about the other soldier? Despite his ranks, I have heard that he will die before letting anything happen to the princess.” Who were they talking about? But before I could wonder more about this person, I noticed my error.

And it was not just me, the first soldier had seen it too. “Hey, look at the torch, it is still lit which means someone was here not long before.” As they started to look around, I got up from the crouched position from behind the tree and but caught my leg on the thornbush nearby, a small yelp left my lips before I could stop it making them look in my direction. “There she is. Stop right there!” he yelled but I had already started to sprint as fast as I could.

The snow was falling heavier than before filling the ground up with ice, making it harder for me to run. Without the torch I could not see where I was running towards but letting my gut speak for me, I ran blindly into the dark.

I had to divert them if I wanted to save the general, but my feet were getting tired, and I couldn't risk drinking from the water bag and finish it before I could reach them. Running had now turned into a pathetic walk before I fell into the snowy pillow as I drifted in and out of consciousness. The general and Trixie was alone… my legs were no longer moving, as my eyes began to close just when I felt something heavy fall on me.