Tall lanky trees, covered in bright green leaves, showered the ground below their branches in shade. Two men stood leaning against the tangling roots of the trees, both wearing light armor around their chests and waists over red uniforms. Long, newly sharpened swords hung from their waist along with filed daggers tied down the sides their left legs.

The two soldiers watched a young woman with long strawberry blonde hair which fell down her shoulders as she leaned over a book. Apple green eyes peered at the words on each page, scanning the sentences as her mind drank in the story.

“It isn’t wise to stare so hard at the letters, Little Princess Antonia.” A third man, who had been leisurely draped across the branches of a smaller tree nearer the woman, leaped to the ground and plopped down in front of her. He folded his hands and smiled smugly at her. Honey colored eyes watched the younger girl as she slowly closed her book and looked up with her own jade iris’.

“And why not?”

“Because they’ll become frightened and jump off the pages then run away.” He made two fingers run like a person over the ground.

“Uh huh… well then, Littler Soldier Daichi, how about you read to me so that I do not panic these letters?” Antonia smiled slyly and handed the man her book.

“With pleasure.”

“Oh, and the book is in Latin, hope you can read it well.” She had, tapping her chin.

“Of course...” The soldier opened the book and then closed it, “or… instead of reading, the princess could practice her drawing skills?”

Antonia laughed, taking the book back and setting it in a small bag.

“It is a magnificent day today. I suppose I could draw the trees.” The young princess pulled out a pad of paper and writing utensils from her bag then started on drawing the surrounding foliage.

The two soldiers, who had been relaxed on the high and twisted roots of the trees, became uneasy as the shrubbery behind them rustled. Both men drew their swords and awaited the possible attacker.

As a small pure white rabbit hopped from the bushes, the two soldiers’ worries eased. Suddenly the leafy bushes were torn apart as a group of unwanted visitors charged forward. The two soldiers, caught off guard, jumped back and began blocking the attackers from the princess.

“Your highness!” the soldier, Daichi, held his hand out for the Princess Antonia, once Daichi had a firm grip on the princess he hauled her onto the back of his stallion then mounted the large creature behind her. He clicked his tongue, signaling it to go.

“What about Cornelius and Michael?” Antonia asked, trying to talk over the pounding of the stallion’s hooves against the ground.

“They’ll be fine! It’s more important that you’re safe—hya!” he kicked the sides of the stallion signaling it to run with more haste. Neither noticed the large man hiding in the shadows of a looming tree. The assailant tackled Daichi and Antonia from their mount; Antonia slowly got up, rubbing the back of her head while Daichi wrestled with the larger man.

“Dai--!” Antonia squealed as a second man appeared, he wrapped his soiled hand over her mouth and began dragging into the woods.

Daichi pulled a dagger from one of the pockets on his leg and went to stab the larger man, but as he did this the larger man grabbed a rock and before Daichi could penetrate the man’s clothing, he was knocked unconscious.

End of chapter two part 1

Crimson Night

Written by Cole Caralee G.

(This is an original story.

Anyone found copying and posting this as their own story will be penalized.

Don’t be a jerk. Write your own stories.)