Crimson Princess and Her Fated Lover

Raging River

The crickets and tree frogs ceased their songs, which were replaced with the chorus of song birds. The gentle stomping and light whinnies were periodically sounding from the horses, as soldiers began saddling them up. The night faded all too quickly for Serenity and her eyes begged her to keep them closed. A foot lightly kicked her bottom “The day waits for no one, not even royalty.”

Serenity pried open her eyes to see Alexander kneeling beside her packing up his things. His shaggy bed hair was messed up in the back and he definitely looked like he also needed more sleep. She felt bad that she had deprived him of his sleep too. She stretched her arms and sat up. Looking around, she saw that everyone else had already packed away their blankets and were busy preparing for their departure. At the thought of their departure, she found a new surge of energy revive her. She popped out of the blankets and began packing up her site. Alexander bent down and helped her finish gathering her blankets and picked them up to pack up for her.

Serenity fixed her hair in a new bun and placed her helmet upon her head. She filled some dirt in her hands and applied it to her face. She wasn’t about to let Alexander have the satisfaction of doing that again. She finished getting herself ready and then turned to grab her swords. Let’s have a good day today, okay sword, she thought. She grabbed both swords and placed them in her back strap. She stared over at Alexander, who was finishing getting her horse ready. She was thankful he never said anything about last night. She wanted to start the moment fresh and not think about the ‘what ifs’ in her life. She really did appreciate having him in her life and she’s not sure what she would have done without him. He always kept her company, was her play mate, confidant, and the best friend she could ask for. Although, she thought with some annoyance, he is definitely asking for major retaliation for all the little jabs he was getting in. Alexander waved her over and held out the reins to her horse. It was time to go to the Shadow castle.

Serenity bounced over and hopped upon her horse. “Ready when you are.” She said, shooting a wide grin at Alexander. He laughed and got on his horse as well and with that, they were off.

The morning ride was fairly quiet and Serenity began to think about the Shadow kingdom. That’s weird, she thought Alexander from the Apollo kingdom and Damien from the Shadow kingdom were best friends. The kingdom names were practically polar opposites. What kind of name was Shadow for a kingdom? Serenity furrowed her eyes at the nonsense.

The gentle clip clopping of horses hooves continued to beat along the dirt trail. One side of the trail followed along a river that swiftly ran along side them. And on the other side a forest rested which blanketed them with much appreciated shade. Serenity had let her horse trail towards the end of their procession as she watched a couple of squirrels chasing each other in the above tree branches. A sound was heard in the distance making its way closer to them. It was voices ….no...it is screaming, someone was yelling for help. Serenity stopped her horse and turned to face the sound behind her. A woman was running along the river bank in the distance yelling towards the river. Serenity noticed something flowing towards them in the river. To her shock, it was a child that was barely treading above the water.

Serenity’s body moved on its own with pure instinct taking over. She kneed her horse to the river, flipped her helmet off and dove in. The strong current of the river beat against her body as she continued to fight against it, trying to reach the fast approaching child. The child was flowing helplessly, completely at the mercy of the current. Serenity, poured all her focus on reaching the child and with a desperate attempt, flung herself forward. Her fingers barely clasped cloth, but that was enough to allow her to pull the child up next to her so she could keep their heads above the water.

Alexander’s face paled at the scene. The rushing river was pushing Serenity around mercilessly. He kicked his horse into a run. He had to get in front of them. No matter the cost he had to save her. In the distance, he spotted his opportunity and pushed his horse even faster. Leon was keeping the pace with him and as if they had communicated mentally, was already heading to the side embankment.

Serenity was a strong swimmer, but this current would be tough enough for any swimmer to handle, let alone with another body in tow. Serenity allowed her body to be swept away by the river, using her strength to keep the child above the waters surface. Her eyes danced along the shoreline frantically as she continued to kick her body in its direction. Her eye caught a tree that had fallen and laid from the land and outstretched into the river. This was her chance. She used all her strength to attack the current and get them to the safety of the tree. She was able to make out a couple bodies quickly running across the fallen tree, it was Alexander and Leon. They looked to be fully prepared to dive in if she didn’t reach them. Her body was exhausted, but she gave one last push and felt a hand grab her arm and lift her up while her other arm still clung to the child. Leon grabbed the child from her and raced to the land. Alexander lifted Serenity up and carried her gently across the tree and then laid her down on the ground.

She coughed up some water and then laid there panting. She was exhausted. Her body couldn’t even move, all she could do was lay there and try to catch her breath. She could hear the soft crying of the child, a little boy, and then heard the loud sobs of his mother as she reached his side. She was relieved to hear that the child was crying since it meant that he was okay. The child’s mother kept sobbing “My dear baby, Thank you so much. Thank the heavens for you.”

Serenity managed to open her eyes and nod to the woman with a small smile. The child’s mother scooped her young son up in her arms and held him close. “If there is anything I could ever do….if there is anything I can give you…” The woman trailed off as Leon interrupted her. “No, no.” Leon smiled kindly to the lady. “Please just go and look after your son. I’m sure the two of you need to rest.” The woman nodded thanking everyone again and carried her child away back in the direction from which she had ran from.

Serenity slowly began to catch her breath and felt a little less fatigued. She slowly sat up on her arms and took a deep breath in. Her body made small aches in protest. She managed to make it out practically unharmed, just a few small scrapes and bruises were left as evidence. She lifted her eyes up to Alexander who was still kneeling beside her. He was fuming. His bright blue cheerful eyes were stormy, his lips were pursed and his brows were furrowed.

“What...were…..you….doing?” Alexander growled between clenched teeth.

Wait a minute….he’s mad at me? Serenity thought. She was taken back by his outrage, but continued to remain calm. “Ummm saving a life? And you said thinking wasn’t MY strong suit.”

Alexander stared at her not amused. His eyes continued to dance with fury as he narrowed them in on her. His fist pounded the ground and he roared “You jumped into a raging river! Are you an i***t?! You could have been killed!”

Wow...my body is completely exhausted and he really wants to fight? And who the hell does he think he is speaking to me this way? Serenity took in a sharp breath and then said as a matter of fact still keeping her composure “If I wouldn’t have jumped in to rescue that child he would have drowned.”

“You both could have drowned! You barely made it out of there with your life. The river could have easily claimed you both. You risked YOUR life. The life that many people depend on. BE MORE RESPONSIBLE.” Alexander yelled.

“And why is my life more important then another? All life has the same value regardless of status.” Serenity’s voice began to sound more agitated. She was exhausted, but a new fuse ignited and she was preparing to tap into her reserves.

“Your people need you, you can’t be out risking your life like that.”

She lost the self composure that she was desperately trying to control and let it out. “You’re a hypocrite! How dare you speak to me in such a manner. Who do you think you are speaking to?!” Serenity had enough. She was not about to be spoken down to. She wasn’t some obedient soldier and wasn’t about to play that part when being attacked like that. “You go out and fight side by side with your soldiers. Be more responsible.” She quipped. “You risk YOUR life, which is the life that your kingdom depends on…. But that’s okay, huh?” The arms that she was resting on began to tremble. She was exhausted, but had to defend herself.

Alexander glared at her and then snorted and stood up. His fists were balled together with his knuckles white and he stomped away. “Leon...see to her. And don’t leave her side.” Alexander was too angry to talk with her. He decided it was best to walk away until he was calmer. He walked across the dirt road and rested himself against a tree on the opposite side. He let out a heavy sigh and punched the ground…. what a way to start the day.

Serenity’s arms buckled and she slid her back to the ground. She glanced at Leon, who was looking at her with concern. He glanced to Alexander nervously and then back to her.

“Don’t.” She whispered out. “Don’t you dare call him back. Just let me rest a minute.” She was trying to relax, but was irritated. What an ass she thought. Serenity closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the river. She used the rhythmic sound of the river to help calm her anger. Alexander and her have fought before, but he never yelled at her like that. She let out a breath and opened her eyes. So much for having a fun day.