Dusk approached in a blink of an eye while I sat all day in my room wishing I could hold it back or at least cause a delay. I was scared because it was our honeymoon night, Torren was going to kill me today or in two nights to come. I was lost in thought when khalan walked in to dress me, she had two beautiful dresses on both hands, one yellow and one purple royal gown.
''It's time my lady'' she laying down the dresses ''which is your most preferred choice lady Diana'' she asked looking intently at me.
I stared at both dresses laid on the bed wondering which would give me a less painful death.
''The purple one'' after all it's a death color. 'I love the purple one better'
''Ok, my lady'' With that she dressed me up in the most beautiful way I have ever been dressed all through my royal life. I couldn't even recognize myself when I looked into the mirror. She then led me to the festival ground around the palace, I had a royal sit beside lord Torrens throne. I wasn't announced. I only just walked in like a normal citizen of Darca except for being followed by my maid Kahlan.
When the initiator of the event announced the presence of lord Torren of Darca, we all rose while he entered, after he took his seat, I took mine before the people of Darca finally took their seats. It was an open field, a battleground.
''This month is the celebration of blood, a festival commemorating the rule of Lord Torren of Darca and the tournament that proceeds to initiate knights into the powerful knights of Darca''
The initiator proceeded to announce the seven parties that will be fighting tonight. The winners joined lord Torrens knights. As for the losers, I didn't know what will happen to them. The festival was done on every full moon that appeared once a year.
Each party came to the middle of the battleground and started to fight with their swords. Swords clanked against swords as the fighters that wielded them struggled so hard to win. The first fight was a really tough and interesting one. At that point, I forgot about being killed any moment, I've always loved to watch strong men fight and these fighters were really strong. While one attacked, the other one defended.
I looked at Torren to see his reaction but he was seriously watching the fight without any form of facial expression. Was he impressed? I couldn't tell. They kept on struggling until one finally landed the other to the ground and pointed his sword to his chest, immediately, the guardian of the crown and head Knight, sir Magnus sounded the victory bell, it was a one-hit really loud sound. People began to cheer, a soldier is to join the great knights of Darca.
The winner stepped forward as sir Magnus handed him a badge which he raised to the sight of everyone, they cheered on. The people of Darca seemed happy. Now Lord Torren rose from his throne and everyone was quiet. The looser stepped forward, knelt before lord Torren and before I could realize what happened, lord Torren dug his vampire teeth into his neck and sucked his blood till he dropped dead. At this point I got scared, could this man have known what he was getting into before he joined this competition? I wondered.
The second party started to fight, swords clanking against swords, one person attacking and the other defending. When one won, sir Magnus handed him a badge while Lord Torren sucked the blood of the loser. I looked out to the other remaining five parties. Torren was going to suck the blood of the loser from each party. Thinking about it made a knot form in my stomach. I wondered if I would be next when he was done with his fighters. I needed an excuse to leave.
'My lord' I said rising. ''May I use the bathroom?'' I didn't know what else to say. Torren didn't respond, he only looked at me for a while and then waved, I could go.
''I will come with you my lady'' Kahlan who was standing behind me during the whole time of the fight led me away.
I rushed into a bathroom to do nothing at all. It wasn't my bathroom. I didn't know such a bathroom existed in this palace. I was really worried when I saw a pathway through the bathroom.
'Escape now Diana' that was what my mind could hear, I didn't even think about Kahlan, I didn't care what Lord Torren would do to her if he found out I was gone. Well, Kahlan should know she would die anytime working for such a dangerous vampire, she should have prepared for this day so a very long time now. Without thinking any further. I quickly took the path while Kahlan stood outside waiting for me. I ran so fast that I almost ran out of breath. I kept going through a dark almost unending path leading to nowhere. Well, Louisa asked told me to follow my heart and that's exactly what I'm doing. I didn't realize there was a huge hole right ahead of me, it was dark so I couldn't see. Before I realized it, I fell into this very deep hole and passed out as soon as I landed on the bottom.
A few minutes later, I opened my eyes, it took me a while to recognize where I was, back in the palace, lying in my bed. I quickly decided to make a run for it since I was alone. As I got up to rush towards the door, I noticed I couldn't move, I stumbled, I had a twisted ankle.
''You are hurt my lady, those legs won't take you far'' a strange voice said. I looked up to see the fearful lord Torren of Darca staring at me. I'm doomed, I didn't even realize he was there.