It only took an hour for the Dark Prince's men to pack up, and it was now time to continue on their journey. Amora sat on a log in front of the heavily used fire pit, while the Soldiers worked. Listening as everyone around her spoke amongst themselves. So far, she had learned that the Dark Prince named Godwynn was her captor. And they were heading to his land, The Kingdom of Nyberius. The dark Elf named Novus was his majesty's right-hand man, and he highly disliked her. Finally, When the last horse had been saddled up, and camp had been completely broken down, Godwynn walked over to Amora, rope in hand, ready to put her back in her restraints. "Give me your hands" He commanded her.
"Surely you don't plan on keeping me tied up like a wild animal?" Amora Scoffed. She was becoming annoyed with him. He motioned for her hand, "Hands…now." He continued…
"How do you expect me to properly ride my horse?" she said, her chin high in the air.
"What horse do you think you will be riding on?" Godwynn asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Amora stood still and looked at him…looking around. Half of the dark eleven armament had already mounted their horses. The others stood in front of their horses preparing to ride, the soldiers each tossing the two of them curious glances. She felt as if a sea of Black eyes were pinned on her. She realized there were no available horses, she became nervous, her voice dropping low, almost a whisper, "Am I to ride with one of your soldiers?" She looked up at him, her question instantly got under his skin. Of course, she wouldn't ride with some other Male. His nostrils visibly flared; his chest felt heavy at the thought. He snatched her hands wrapping the rope tightly around her wrist.
"Ow! That hurts!" She exclaimed. He yanked twice for good measure. She winced.
"You will be walking behind my horse, Captives do not receive their own horse, nor do they ride with one of my men." The Dark One growled. His brows bunched together in a scowl. Her mouth opened in disbelief. She knew she had made him angry somehow…but she wasn't sure what she had done.
He mounted his Massive Stallion, the war horse looked back, huffing in her direction, its red eyes were frightening to look at. She stepped back at the sight of the beast's aggressive display as Godwynn tied the other end of the rope which bound her to his mount's Saddle horn. He then took the horse's reins in hand. Clicking his tongue twice he set the horse in a trot, briskly pulling her along.
Nearly 3 hours later Amora was drenched in sweat, she was having to jog in her royal robes and bodice in order to keep up with him, but she was burning up, and was so thirsty. She hadn't had anything to drink since she had begun traveling with Torwynn. She wondered if he was ok, and she hoped those two helpless hand maidens of hers were ok. Deep down though, she had a bad feeling about the fate of them all.
At times she could see the dark prince look out of the corner of his eye, and she figured he was enjoying this. Being a dark Elf, she was certain he enjoyed watching his victim's struggle. She swore to herself she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She put on an aloof air, and held her head high, as she continued on, attempting to maintain some semblance of dignity. Trying not to let her exhaustion show through.
Eventually, they came through to a small village, its inhabitants filled the streets to view the spectacle. They were all Dark Elves, lowborn dark elves, and their distaste for High Elves… for her, was apparent on their faces. She could hear a village crier announce that The Nyberian Prince was here, and he was kind enough to add that the prince was dragging a High Elf Woman through their streets, and for all to come. She hid her face behind her hair, too ashamed to let anyone see her face. It didn't take long for the crowd to begin antagonizing her.
"What's the matter High Elf? Too good to look at a Dark Elf" Someone in the crowd mocked.
Another pointed to her golden ear cuffs announcing that she was some sort of High Elf Royalty. "Oh, I'd love to take a turn with her!" Yelled another, someone threw a piece of food at her, a rotten tomato landing in her hair, triggering a whole onslaught by the crowd.
Amora was getting pelted with rotten vegetables, rocks, and anything else that could be found. The crowd laughing at her expense. The prince had stopped his steed ahead of her, watching and not saying anything, his eyebrow cocked, he was still deciding how he felt about the situation. He knew he didn't have to do anything, and that this would definitely help to qualm her arrogance. But…for some reason he didn't enjoy this as much as he thought he would.
"Please…Please make them stop!" She looked up pleading to him. Her eyes full of fear, tears flowed from them. For a moment he only looked at her, a frown twitched across his lips, then he looked upon the crowd.
"ENOUGH." The prince growled, and the commotion subsided, as the crowd stilled. Confusion filled the air in whispered voices from the crowd. Why would their prince deny them, no one understood why the Dark one would have stopped their onslaught. Hatred for the High Elves was something they all had in common. It didn't matter your status in their Dark Society, it was the one thing they all agreed upon. And in most cases, a high elf would have been dead by now. Very few had entered the Shadowlands and come out alive, let alone unscathed. The dark one, however, stood his ground "I HAVE NOT THE TIME NOR DESIRE TO ENTERTAIN THIS TODAY, I MUST BE OFF" the prince declared. Glowering at each member in the crowd, to let them know his decision was final. Before long, the crowd began to disperse.
Novus sat on his beast, his jaw set, he was slightly annoyed at his prince. What was wrong with him? It was the right of the people to take out their frustrations on her. She was the daughter of the High King, they may not know who she is now, but they would eventually. King Nolick, the one who had practically starved the Dark Kingdoms by refusing all routes of Trade for them coming from the High Kingdom and the Forest Kingdoms.
Godwynn stared at his captive for a moment longer, before turning, and continuing upon the path. "Let's keep going" Pulling on the rope that held Amora bound. She looked over her shoulder as they left the little village. She was thankful to be away from there. But now, being so much more aware of how hated she was, she dreaded the Dark Kingdom even more, and what that would mean for her. She continued to follow behind the prince, covered in filth, her head bowed. Her dignity now sat in shambles…
Chapter 5
Lewan, was busy Saddling his horse, when the sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind him. Without looking back, he knew it was his father.
"Good morning my son…." The king said.
"Morning Father." Lewan said dryly, no emotion in his voice.
The smell of Manure and fresh morning dew filled the Royal Stables. They stood there in silence unable to talk further. Lewan finished tightening the belly strap of his horse, and yanked twice to ensure it was secure. It was a white stallion whose name was Starlight, the Prince's personal War Horse. Looking into the horse's eyes was similar to looking at a galaxy through the lens of a telescope, hence the name… Lewan grabbed Starlight by his halter and began leading him towards the door.
Stopping in front of the Large white Barn door.
"I should have been the one to escort her" Lewan suddenly said.
He looked over his shoulder at his father who hadn't moved from where his son had been saddling his mighty beast.
"If I had been with her, they would have never gotten ahold of her."
Lewan began rub the nose of his horse, getting lost in its eyes, "Starlight could have made it to Lethoria before they even knew we had left." His voice cracked.
"No, my son, it was I who made the decision to entrust her to Torwynn, this guilt is my burden to carry…mine, and mine alone." Nolick said to his son, sorrow filled his voice.
"We will get Amora back, and If for some reason we don't, they won't kill her."
The king cleared his throat. "Just know, that even the Dark Kingdom's wouldn't waste Royal blood" …especially when she is untouched…. Not saying the latter aloud. But his son understood what he was saying.
Lewan's eyes snapped to his father's, anger suddenly filling him. Nolick raised his hands and continued "We have to face every possibility… even that one my son."
"ABSOLULTELY NOT! I WONT ALLOW THEM THE CHANCE!" Lewan roared, mounting his beast he burst from the Royal Stables, a blue glow trailing behind Starlight as the Elven Magic in the animal erupted, surging the beast forward. Within moments the young prince disappeared into the horizon.
Nolick stood behind, running his hand through his hair…a heavy sigh escaped his lips. He had spent all day yesterday coming to terms with the possibility that they may try to harness her power. It had been part of what had awoken his Blood Lust. He was still exhausted from it. But he had to force himself to face that possibility. And the possibility that if they chose to use her, in that way, He would no longer be willing to defend his kingdom. Because it would require destroying her to do so.