Chapter 1.
"No! I won't let them get me!"
Olivia says out of breath as she runs deeper through the woods. In the distance behind her, the sound of knights and hounds could be heard. She continued to push through in the cold weather, lungs stinging with every inhale and exhale that was taken, branches scratched and nicked her arms and legs. The twigs on the ground pricked her numb feet as she stepped through barefoot, for her shoes were abandoned long ago back at the estate. The only garment keeping her warm was now a tattered wedding gown that had become shredded as she'd pushed through the bushes and trees.
She wanted to continue to keep a great distance from the guards pursuing her, knowing that if she was caught. The fate of an unwanted marriage would have been the least of her problems. The punishment of what would come after was something she didn't dare to even put in her mind.
Her running came to a brief halt as she approached a large entrance to a deep dark cave. She was afraid, but not enough to not enter, in risk of being caught by her pursuers.
Entering the cave, the cold brisk night sky instantly became pitch black. The woman only had her sense of touch to rely on so she stayed close to the wall. Walking deeper in the cave for some time she noticed the air was no longer cold, but warm almost humid. Relieved to be in warmth she slowed her steps a bit to catch her breath and get a feel of her surroundings. Her eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness of the cave, but not enough to see vividly. She pressed onward to what felt like forever until her body came to a sudden stop.
"Is...that water I hear?"
The sudden sound of a waterfall reached her ears. The advancement of her feet began bringing her closer to the source of the sound. Louder and louder the sound grew the closer she came, as it started to feel as if she were approaching an exit. As the approaching exit drew nearer she sees a glimmer of light. What she thought was the moon illuminating down on the earth giving off light. It was soon discovered to be luminescent plant life giving off natural light deep within the cave.
Trees, flowers, and bushes illuminated a bluish silver light as if the plants themselves had been kissed by the moon.Tears and sigh of relief she expressed when she reached the exit and the sight of everything overwhelmed her emotions. She walked through the trees, smelling the sweet warm air, and wiggling her toes in the grass. The atmosphere instantly made her calm and feeling that she was going to be okay.
She walked through the trees, seeing a stream leading to the waterfall that she heard earlier before she'd made to the exit. Going further the young woman notices trees with bearing fruit, eyeing some just a few inches above her head.
"I've never seen a fruit like this before. I wonder if its edible?"
The fruit hung from the tree on its stem like a cherry but was big as an apple with a soft blue tinge to its color. She picks the fruit from its branch and examines it, looking over then giving a whiff to the smell. The aroma of the fruit filled her nostrils awakening her appetite, encouraging a bite. Opening her mouth, readying for a bite, a loud roar bellowed through the forest shaking the area and frightening the young woman to where she drops the fruit on the ground.
Frantically she searches for a place to hide. Olivia search her surroundings seeing a tree with a hollow opening big enough for her to fit in, and immediately she rushes to conceal herself.
"WHO DARES TO ENTER MY SACRED HOME!!!"
She covered her ears as the yell vibrated and shook the land. Fear stronger than her awaited fate filled her heart as tears uncontrollably fell down her face.
"What did I get my self into. I only stumbled upon this place by accident trying to escape that dreadful marriage."
She thought to herself as her hand covered her mouth. With each step the mystery voice took the ground trembled, drawing closer as if knowing exactly where she was.
"Show yourself, NOW!"
She knew couldn't hide forever and the voice felt as if it was right outside her hiding place. Weak and exhausted, she crawled out of the hollow opening with her head held low to the ground. Feeling the presence near her cowering body she spoke.
"F-F-Forgive me your g-g-grace. I stumbled upon this place by accident in fear of running for my life. I don't mean you or this beautiful land any harm. I was just hun-."
"Your name."
Immediately cutting her off before she could finish her explanation.
"P-P-Pardon, your grace."
Her head held low to the ground and body in a stance asking for forgiveness.
"I asked you for your name."
His deep rumbling voice requested again. This time in more of a calm manner. Seeing her body in the weakened and frightened state that it was in, caused a rush of compassion to come over the individual, and feeling sorry for frightening her so. He didn't need the use of his power to gauge if she was friend or foe, the sight of her trembling scarred body was enough to see that she was speaking the truth.
Standing the above the young woman he could see her exposed back that were covered with scars that where hidden with make-up. Her bare feet were bloody, arms and legs enveloped in nicks and scrapes. His keen senses took notice to her labored breathing from being out in the cold and that she was exhausted.
"My name is Olivia your Grace. Olivia Silvermen of House Silvermen."
He could hear the sadness and fear in her voice. A rush of empathy came over him with the need to relieve her of the fright he'd placed in her heart, this young woman was no threat. So he knelt down on one knee and extended his hand.
"My apologies Lady Olivia for frightening you. You were thought to be an intruder in my sacred garden, which is off limits to outsiders."
His gentle voice caused Olivia to raise her head, immediately making eye contact with him. With the assistance of his extended hand and together slowly, brought her weak and tired body to a stand.
"Mmm."
Olivia winced from the pain of her sore and bloody feet. Gently she gripped his forearm to steady herself.
"Once again your Grace. My apologies for trespassing onto your estate. I was running without any direction. If you'll let me. I'll leave immediat-."
Olivia's words stopped and froze with panic, looked to entry from which she came, when she'd suddenly heard in the near distance the sound of guards and hounds that were after her.
"She's near, the hounds have her scent in this cave."
The voice of one guard echoed in the distance.
"But sir this is Duke Zells territory. He's not going to take kindly to knights of the Marquis in his domain."
Another guard's voice echoed in the distance.
"The both of you quiet. The hounds are showing signs that she's close by. The Duke should pardon us if we explain that we're searching for someone."
The third voice stated.
Olivia sights turned to the man before her. Out of all territories for her to trespass into. It would have to have been dragon born Duke Esiah Zells whose rumored to be the ruthless among nobility. The last voice of the guard that spoke was Lieutenant Mica Gains of the Marquis' guard. So many versions of fear showed on Olivia's face. She didn't want to be caught by her father's guards and she didn't want to anger Duke Zells.
"Y-Your Grace. I truly did not know this was your territory. If you let me. I'll leave right away. Just please, don't hand me over to those men. I beg of you!"
Olivia pleaded for her life to be spared and not to be released over to her father's guards. Hearing the guards draw near, Esiah gently gripped Olivia's shoulders grasping her attention.
"Never mind all of that. Can you still walk or even run a little."
Olivia was dumbfounded to the question but managed to nod confirming her physical ability.
"Beyond the hollow tree you've just come out of is a small cottage. I want you to go there and wait for my return so we can properly discuss this predicament you're in.
His deep voice calmed her nerves as she immediately bowed and turned rushing quickly to the pointed direction. Her body was somewhat warm from being inside the cave but her extremities like her hands and feet still weren't warm. The flow of adrenaline pumped through her veins pushing her forward. Just as the duke stated the cottage was just beyond the hollow tree she hid in moments ago. Before Olivia could reach the cottage there a river separating the land with a bridge connecting to reach the other side.
With the bridge nearing closer, the adrenaline in Olivia's body started to decrease and her momentum dropping rapidly. With her rush gone, all the aches and pains came to surface to her sense of feeling. Just to breath was a job for her let alone walk. Her bloodied feet stained the beautifully crafted light oak bridge with each step she took. Finally making it across the bridge she took a few more tired steps and was at the door. She turned the door knob and pushed through into the cottage.
"I made it." Olivia mustered saying out loud to herself before her vision went dark and her body collapsed to the floor.