"You know, when women look at my face usually they don't scream and faint." Zanbar mused aloud. The silence that had overtaken the camp was broken by the howling laughter of his younger brothers. Sighing in exasperation he lifted the girl into his arms and placed her near the fire he had just started. The light seemed to play tricks across her face and for a moment Zanbar stood frozen. Her obsidian hair appeared as richly colored blood, and her skin left its golden glow behind for pale porcelain. No, it couldn't be! As if the fates had been reading his mind her form became as it was before. Shaking his head in vexation Zanbar moved away from her. For a second there he'd actually thought she looked like...no it just could be. She was just a mortal girl, nothing else. The sound of hooves brought him us short. Could the royal guard have realized the princess was missing already? They had figured they had at least until dawn. Tensing in anticipation he whistled at his brothers. Ignoring him completely they kept their conversation on silly nothings going. As much help they were they were at least twice as much of a hindrance at times with their silly boyish attitudes. Then again they were only teenagers, much too young and soft to have become soldiers when they did. He should never have let them join with him but there hadn't been a lot of choices at the time. Crouching low in the bushes Zanbar waited expectedly to give the prowler a quick death. Much to his surprise the only thing that came around the corner was a lone horse. The being was the ugliest thing he had ever seen before. The coat on the beast was coarse and gray, and its shaggy mane and tail stuck out at weird angles. Looking into its eyes he was taken aback. The twinkling brown eyes held an intelligence only the preternatural could have. Bowing slightly Zanbar left it in peace to graze. Silently he sat next to the fire and stirred it with a practiced hand. Although his mind was planning on what to do the next day his eyes kept catching on the sleeping form next to him. Finally blowing out a frustrated breath he waved a hand to put the fire out, his mind was too tired to work properly anyway. Settling down for the night he took in one last glimpse of the girl. What are you?
Light split the early morning mist and seemed to drive the unknown back into the shadows like some anonymous avenger. Teak woke to the sounds of laughter and running water. Am I dead? She thought ominously. It would make sense that all of what happened the day before had been a dream. But if I'm dead how can I dream? Slowly she twisted her back to get all the cracks out of it before looking around her. Yes, the elves were in fact real. Teak even managed to smile as she saw the fair one wake up the "prince" with a tiny rain cloud pouring water over the brute. For some reason she wasn't sure of she just didn't like him. Oh yes, he had been the one who would have charmed and kidnapped her, that was a good reason to be angry with him. His yelp of horror gave Teak some satisfaction. Yes this was all retribution, and if she was to be a captive she was definitely going to give him hell. A moan to the side of her gave her pause. Twisting her neck she couldn't believe her eyes. The "royal" Raquel was lying, trussed up like a pig, next to her. Teak was going to savor this moment for the rest of her life. Who really cared when or if she ever returned home? As for now she could enjoy this moment of freedom. "Excuse me, but could I get a drink of water please."
The expressions on all three men's faces were incredibly amusing, a mixture of complete shock, even suspicion on Zanbar's part. The fair one was the first to speak. "Why milady I believe we can accommodate you there. After all we are not barbarians. Oh dear me, we haven't even been introduced! I am the fabulous, incredible specimen of an elf-Zimmer. The boy who looks exactly like me yet with his common dark hair would be my brother Frig, and I believe you've already met Zanbar."
A groan interrupted their introductions as Raquel awakened. "Where am I?!!!" Her yell of frustration was so shrill even the birds stopped singing. "The last thing I remember was....YOU!" Accusingly she pointed a grimy hand at Frig.
"Yes well I believe you were kidnapped, Majesty. Although it is just an educated guess from a servant I believe you will probably agree with me." The words left Teak's mouth before realized what she was saying. Realizing that the Princess couldn't even do anything about it filled her with euphoric glee. "Hah! You're also a spoiled brat whom I would pay money to see work for a real day of life and not in some high and mighty palace!" A crimson blush crept up into her face with every truthful word she spoke. When she finished she was actually panting slightly in a dazed kind of exhilaration. The only thing to break the awkward silence was the applause that Frig and Zimmer suddenly broke into. Satisfied with herself Teak gave an abrupt nod and stood up. "Since I have the feeling that you men aren't going to just release me I suppose I might as well tell you outright that I am going to give you hell and speak my mind whenever I please from now on and there isn't a thing you can do about it!" The hush that overcame the camp after that announcement made her think she might have gone too far except for the moment when Frig and Zimmer were once again laughing and clapping.
"Great you guys encourage her, that's all we need." Zanbar muttered a slight smile in his voice. Seeing the girl work herself into a temper was incredibly exciting. Whoa there! Where did this come from? Zanbar you are not having fantasies about this girl you have as a captive no matter how stunning her looks are! I forbid you! Zanbar nearly didn't catch himself that time on laughing at himself. Life was getting way too military oriented if he was giving himself orders. Just one more real mission left and you can go far away and live in peace with your brothers. Well as peaceful as it can get with the punks there. Realizing he had been silent long enough Zanbar stood to get attention. "Alright people this is how it's going to be. One-we will be traveling through large expanses of countryside on horseback. Two-women will be riding double depending on their behavior."
"Wait a minute! Just wait one minute there, depending on our behavior?!! That is an incredibly biased opinion. Who is to say what good behavior is? I mean there are many different views on the subject."
"The girl has a point Zan I mean you are waaaaaaaay more strict than Zimmer and I. So someone should be appointed the specific job of behavior supervisor and personally I think it should be me.."
"Why you, I was born before you by a few moments therefore I should be.."
"Listen no one! I repeat no one is going to be given a specific job. I can't believe I am related to you two idiots. I am leader of this brigade, I'm in charge and when I don't like someone's attitude than I get to say what is what. Got it?"
"Crystal clear," was unanimous in the clearing.
Having been quiet and without attention for too long Raquel had to speak. "I don't care who you people are I want to go home! This isn't some sick adventure that my pathetic maid servant would like to think of is it? You people seem like military so what? Is this a ransom? I can tell you right now I'm not going to budge no matter what. I want food, water, and some clean clothes." A smug smile turner her upper lip into a sneer.
Teak nearly laughed aloud. Does she think that they don't have a choice in the matter of her needs or what? Ugh, royalty! Deciding to leave the elves to explain the situation more clearly to Raquel, Teak took in the sights of the woods. The sun had long since risen above the tree line and the last remnants of mist laid low to the forest floor giving the surrounding wood a magical feel. Random birds were singing in the joy of daylight and Teak tipped her head back just to enjoy the smell of pine. It had been only long ago that she had been able to simply enjoy the day instead of regretting the fact she would be going to work at the palace once again. The low murmur of voices raised to the shrill level that was usual for the Princess when she was unsatisfied.
"What do you mean no clean clothes?!" Raquel spit at them.
"Just that your highness." Frig muttered between clenched teeth. "I believe we have gone over this numerous if you still don't get it I don't think I can help you."
Zanbar had had enough. "Pack up. We're leaving. You don't seem to understand the circumstances highness, but for the next few days we're in control of every aspect of your welfare so arguing with us won't do you any good. In fact the only thing our superiors really said we had to do was bring you in alive. He didn't say feed her, clothe her, or even fetch her slippers, imagine that!" With an abrupt wave of his hand he put the fire out and walked away to ready the horses.
Calmly Teak smoothed her dress down. It had taken a serious beating in the last day and was now a muddy color. Well who needed one good dress anyway? It wasn't like she ever had the chance to use it. With a last frustrated swipe she went to join the men.
Raquel had never been spoken to so rudely in her entire life! Why even her little scummy maid had shown the blade of her tongue this day. Oh you wait Teak! The minute we're out of this I am going to drag you back to the castle with me and put you on the gallows for my own private entertainment. A wicked smile glinted in the sadistic depths of her eyes as she glanced at the retreating backside of her nemesis.
Frig shifted his gaze up the minute that Teak entered the clearing with the horses. A lock of black hair fell into his silver eyes as she met his stare head on. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. For some reason a chord of familiarity struck him deep in the chest. Shaking his head vigorously to clear his thoughts he looked away, right toward his twin brother. The crazy man was trying to mount backwards. As the attempt failed and he landed in the bushes on his head Frig gave into the temptation to just throw his head back and laugh.
Realizing that he had been seen Zimmer quickly righted himself. His white hair probably looked as odd as the girl's horse sticking out at angles and such. The silver of his eyes glinted in the sun as he scanned the clearing for exactly who had seen his little incident. The girl stood frozen still her shoulders were shaking so hard that she looked about to pass out. Of course his twin was snorting with laughter on his knees, and also as usual Zanbar was ignoring everything that incited his brother's abnormal sense of humor. Sighing in resignation Zimmer went to go beat the comedy out of his brother.
"I just realized this but I have never formally introduced myself to you guys," Teak spoke around her giggles. "My name is Teak."
Zimmer looked up at her from mid punch on his brother. "Teak eh? I believe there is a specific type of wood with that exact name. Funny." Just like that he resumed battle.
If morning is anything to go buy everyday with these guys should be a real hoot.