NOTE: This is my newest story, and, like Sight Unknown, it is something I am new at writing. It has a Ye Olde quality to it (kings and queens, taverns, lots of horseback riding, stuff like that) that I’ve never really tried to write before, but I think it should turn out very interesting. ...This will most likely only be a few chapters long, considering it was only intended to be a short story in the first place. But, tell me if you think I’m doing a good job.

Ah, how oddly refreshing it is to step out of my comfort zone.

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a far away place there was a great king named Rolem, who ruled over all the land in the kingdom of Minaea with his wife beautiful Seraphim. In their kingdom they were just rulers, and generally loved by all. It was a happy time for all people, and soon to become happier.

For, on one cold Autumn day, the cries of a baby were heard coming from a window in the King and Queen’s castle, marking the birth of their new daughter and princess, Nadia. The people of Minaea rejoiced at the birth of such a sweet little girl. She was a beautiful child too, just like her mother, and as she grew she kept her crystal blue eyes, and golden blonde hair. However, she took after her mother in more ways than one...

Nadia, just like her mother, was a restless spirit. She could not be kept entertained within the castle walls. The outside world intrigued her with it’s curiously unfamiliar people and places. Consequently, Nadia was on the lamb quite often. Though, it was never terribly difficult to find her. She could usually be found at an inn called Town Haven, dressed up as a commoner and talking with a bard or any variety of weary traveler from afar.

However, it was strictly understood that she was not to tell anyone who she really was. The only people who knew she was anything more than an orphan girl named Nadia, were the innkeeper, a homely cook who worked there, and the cook’s son, Kurt, who worked as a stable boy at the castle. Kurt was a few years older than Nadia, but they had made friends at a very young age and become extremely close over the years. Naturally King Rolem highly disproved of this, but against his own will, allowed his daughter this friend, so that he might bring her the happiness which Rolem loved so dearly to see in Nadia’s eyes. She was a vibrant girl who wanted no more than to enjoy life.

When Nadia reached the age of 14, though, her parents decided that her life needed to change. She would have to start learning how to act proper and to be a lady. She had always been a nice girl, and was nothing short of presentable, but she needed to grow up, and that was that.

So, one day Rolem summoned his daughter to him to discuss the matter.

“Yes father?” She said, lightly bowing as she walked into the library, where he spent most of his waking hours.

“Come have a seat Nadia. We need to speak.”

Carefully she sat down in large leather chair, and gazed up at him respectfully.

“I’m sorry to have to say this, but, you’re getting older now, and things are going to start having to change. Your mother and I used to ignore your secret trips to town, your casual dress,” he said, looking pointedly at her trousers, “and your associations with the stable boy.”

“What!?” She exclaimed, standing up.

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid it’s all going to have to stop.”

“You can’t do that! ...You... You can’t! That’s not fair!”

“Now Nadia, you’re a young lady now, and you need to start acting like one.” He said, trying his best to be firm, but not overbearing.

“I can’t even see Kurt anymore!?”

“Kurt is nothing but a peasant. He is a servant of this castle. At the beginning of the next sevenday, your affiliations with him, above all, must be over... We... We shall begin to look for a suitor for you, and if you are seen with Kurt... It shouldn’t be seen as appropriate.”

“I have no want for a suitor! I have only 14 winters!”

“You know that that is a perfectly acceptable age to begin searching for a young man for you, Nadia.” He reasoned.

“But it’s still not fair!” She screamed.

“I’m sorry this upsets you...”

“Upsets me?! It more than ‘upsets’ me!” She said angrily.

Hastily, she ran from the library, and as far away as she could presently get from her father. Then, she began to look for Kurt. She needed someone to talk with.

It didn’t take long to find him. He was grooming horses in the stable when she burst in; her long hair flying behind her, and her chest heaving from running.

Immediately he went over to her and embraced her. Clearly she was upset.

“What has happened?” He asked, talking into her ear.

“They already want to marry me off! That is what has happened! Father called me to him, and he told me I was to stop doing everything I enjoy, including seeing you!” She exclaimed in an exasperated tone, still clutching him.

“What have I ever done?”

“He said ‘it shouldn’t be appropriate’ if I were to be seen with you anymore.”

“...Well, you can’t let them do this!” Kurt said, pulling back from her and studying her face.

“You’re right. That’s why I’m going to run away. I never liked this stupid castle anyway! I want to get away! I want to see the places the travelers talk about! I want to know what it’s like to take a swim in the Silver river, or how the air smells in the mountain city of Lyselglen, or even know what the ache of riding all day long on a dusty road feels like! I want to experience it all...”

“That’s all very well, but how can you do that? You’ve never been away from your house for more than a night or two. You have no coin of your own. Plus, you’re a lone woman. You could... Get taken advantage of.”

“That is why I want you to come with me...” She said, looking up at him through wide eyes. “Please?” She whispered, taking a few steps forward, closing the space between them.

“What will this do for our lives, though?” Kurt asked nervously, always being the thoughtful one. He was 18 years old and wanted to become more than a stable boy in his future years.

“But Kurt, I’ve always dreamed of this.” She said in a sensual voice, bringing her face close to his.

“It... It’s very dangerous out there... Minaea is such a sh-sheltered town...”

“I know. But you will protect me... Won’t you?”

“I... Uhm...”

“...Thank you.” Nadia breathed. Then she placed a kiss on his lips. He shuddered, but did not pull away. She loved the feeling of control Kurt allowed her. He could be very demanding, and decisive at times, but with her he became very gentle, and almost gullible. She knew it was wrong to sway him in such a manner, but she wanted him to agree so badly.

Slowly she parted her lips and Kurt followed suit. Their tongues mingled briefly before Nadia pulled away, always trying to stay in control of the situation. She knew the consequences that came from letting yourself go, and she understood that she was too young for that. Kurt however, was much older, and she knew that he had been with his fair share of women as he aged. It made her wonder sometimes if they had the same effect on him. He was always very polite to the few girls she had seen him interact with. Though, as far as she knew, he had never had a girl he fancied enough to court.

Nadia had never really known any other boys. Though, while she knew she wasn’t in love with Kurt, she did lust for him. Lately she had been unleashing this lust more often, also. Maybe she was just curious... Or maybe she was being a young girl, or maybe she really was ready for a man of her very own. All she did know was that Kurt was attracted to her, and she found him attractive as well.

“...Nadia?” Kurt asked, breaking her away from her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“I love you.” He confided.

“I know.”

“Do you really want this?”

“More than anything.” She said, with a smile dawning on her face and the knowledge that she had him convinced, in her mind.

“Than I will go with you.”

“Thank you.” She replied.

“When shall we leave?”

“Tomorrow night, just as we should be going to bed. We can steal a horse. I’ll pack enough food to get us to the next city, and there we can sell some of my valuables for coin.”

“Then it is settled. Tomorrow night we will flee from here... Forever?”

“We will see.”

“Yes... We will.”

NOTE: Yeah yeah, I know it’s short. But it’s only the first chapter... And quite late at night, I might add. So, you go review, I’ll work on another chapter, and then (hopefully) we’ll both be happy.