The Fallen Princess

Six

Chapter 6

“Oh, it’s the little elven Princess. I almost forgot you were here.” Prince Callen says sarcastically, holding a bowl of steaming soup that smells like heaven to Zaria’s empty stomach. If she could pierce his heart with her eyes alone, she surely would and then steal his soup. “Could you be so kind as to untie me now your highness. I cannot feel my hands.” Zaria requests in agony.

“And why would I do that? So, you can run? I think not.” The prince says and Zaria scoffs at him, “where would I run too, oh great dragon prince of the west.” She mocks, “back to the home that you destroyed, oh I know! Perhaps I can run back to my dead mother's unmarked grave and see if that brings me any consolation,” she says in seething pain. “Please untie me,” the princess asks, clenching her teeth.

The knight standing beside the prince looks between the two surprised that the prince has not cut out her tongue already, but Prince Callen just laughs. “No.” he says, taking a sip out of his bowl of soup. “Fine but please do keep in mind that I asked you kindly first. I am tired of sitting like this.” She tells him before grabbing the rope binding her waist and attempting to cut through it using her light. It creates a wind that shakes the tent and makes clutter of the loose items that have been placed inside it.

“Damn it woman!” Prince Callen says and shoves the bowl of soup he was eating at his subordinate. “Go get me another.” He growls, then stalks over to Zaria whose attempt to break the ropes failed. He kicks her chair hard, and it falls to the side. “You’re rather weak for an elf,” he says annoyed. “I’m only 1/2 elf your highness.” She retorts unaffected by his remark, looking up at him from the floor.

“You probably couldn’t even kill a human child.” He mocks as he lets his anger subside and pulls the chair upright. “You underestimate me your highness.” He quirks his eyebrow at her. “However, it wasn’t my light I used, but a dagger.” He kneels in front of her and begins to cut the ropes from her legs and ankles. “You killed a child?” he asks smirking “Of course not!” she says defensively as he releases her hands from their bindings. She rubs her hands together to try to bring some feeling back to them. “It was a man.” she states proudly, and the prince chuckles.

“Come.” He grabs her hand and drags Zaria to stand in front of a small wooden chest, then reaches inside and pulls out a handle of clear liquor. “Thank you for the offer your highness, but I need to keep my wits about me if I wish to escape.” She says half teasing. Unamused Prince Callen captures both her hands and pulls them straight out, away from body and before she can understand exactly what his intentions are, he removes the cork with his teeth and pours the clear liquor over the open wounds on her wrists, making her hiss in pain.

“All this was unnecessary, little elf” he says replacing the cork and flicks Zaria’s forehead. “Your brother surrendered to me as soon as he seen you were unharmed.” He tells her and she almost cries in relief. “We’re not monsters, in fact it’s quite the other way around.” he says looking back to her after replacing the handle of liquor into the chest. “Are you going to cry? Now, out of all the times you probably should have cried, you chose now.” He teases and she glares at him.

“You’re quite spirited Princess and I’m curious as to why you feared your father, when you are so obviously defiant by nature.” The prince says amused. Zaria chooses to ignore his last comment and instead makes one of her own “I’m also missing my youngest sister,” she states seeking an explanation. “You will be missing a lot of sisters.” He admits collecting the papers Zaria’s light scattered around the room. “Not everyone was as willing to betray their King and country as you.” He says, placing the papers on a small table.

“I did not drive a knife through King’s heart, as much as I may have liked too.” Zaria whispers that last part, “And I do not have a collective ‘people,’ to be worried for.” She tells him, “My mother was basically a prisoner. . . . although there are a few good people I have come to care for deeply.” She finishes sadly. It is the first moment she has had to be concerned for Cecil and Aldric’s well-being.

“So, you have a lover then.” The prince cuts into her thoughts, “What? No, how did you get that from what I said?” she asks. “Well, you said it with such longing, that I assumed-” he started but she cut him off “well you assumed wrong.” she answered haughtily, but she decides to change her attitude to try her luck at having another of her questions answered. “Also . . . is there another wagon?” she asks, beginning to help the prince pick up the clutter.

He looks over and pauses for a moment curious as to why she is assisting him but decides against making an issue of it. “Yes, there are more wagons.” He sighs knowing she is pressing him to find the location of her brother and this younger sister of hers. “Listen little elf, if you promise not to run and to stop causing me trouble, I will walk you over to those who’ve surrendered.” Zaria nods, grateful the prince extended her such an opportunity.

“Is my brother there? Can I see him too?” She nearly begs “If I could just see him, even from a distance, I promise I will not run.” she knows she is pushing the bounds of his kindness, but if her brother is truly here, she will keep her word and comply with the princes every wish. Well almost every wish she corrects her internal monologue.

“I will allow it, but you cannot stay with him,” he warns, “so don’t even ask. You’ve already caused me too many headaches with your failed schemes.” he says annoyed. “I understand, thank you your highness.” She bows to him truly thankful, and he smiles appreciating her changed attitude with him. “I am nothing if not a gentleman.” The prince tells her. The princess can’t hold back her laughter at his words and receives a glare in response. She takes a deep breath to gain control of herself. “Certainly, your highness.” she says smirking.