“Ryden you’d better be getting that coach prepared for what I think it’s for,” shouted Adelaid from atop the balcony.
Ryden looked up from stacking crates to see a red-faced, wind-blown, frantic looking women wagging her finger at him. Great. What now?

he thought as she clamored down the rickety steps of the orphanage. Adelaid was not yet twenty-five, but she carried herself with the maturity of a fifty-year-old. Ryden thought that she definitely needed to lighten up. But, I guess it would be hard to take things lightly working in an orphanage that housed hundreds of young, hungry kids who all want to have families of their own.
“I told you to pack up the crates and come back inside. What is taking you so long?” Adelaid scolded.
“I wanted to make sure that everything was secure before I let the carriage take the food down to Sir Isaac’s,” Ryden knew he took longer than necessary to pack up all the crates, but he liked to dawdle on this task because it was the only chore he could do outside the orphanage. Everything was so besmirched and dark in there, he liked going outside where the fresh air was available to breathe in.
“Typical Ryden. All right then, you’re done with your chores. You can go inside now. I wouldn’t want you to catch cold,” Adelaid urged the carriage driver on and hurried Ryden inside.
Saint Mary's House of Holding was the emblematic place one would think of when someone spoke of it. It really was a house of holding; holding the orphans at least. But it wasn't a pleasant place to be held. The walls were smeared with multiple colors from different fluids, food and other unnamable substances. The floors were cold and bare; deteriorating in some areas where water leaked through the roof. The air was thick and muggy, making it difficult to breathe. The worst part was the noise. The noise of all the children running around crazy, screaming and fighting.
"Ho! What is this? Why are you all screeching like the wild banshees of the forest? This is a home for well-behaved orphans!" Adelaid rushed around like a mad woman spanking those who would not listen to her never ending lectures of how 'no family would ever want to adopt a child who was misbehaved' and left many little girls stricken with tears.
Ryden quickly exited the hallway, wanting to escape the hysterics of the others. True, he was but ten like the most of them, but he acted far beyond his years. Miss Adelaid had told him so when he first came to Saint Mary's.
"And who brought you here, Mr...?" Adelaid questioned the boy who stood in front of her.
"Ryden. My name is Ryden. I have no home to go to. I brought myself. I have been living on my own ever since my father died last winter. Pneumonia got to him. He told me to find a safe place to live. I have been wandering around the past few months from alley to alley, and finally ended up here. I found out about it from the nice Lady Richard down the street. So, Miss. Can I stay? This is a home for orphans, right?"
The pleading look in his eyes and the thin contours of his body touched Adelaid's heart and she opened the door further. "Yes, yes it is. Please, do come in. We don't usually find orphans coming up to our doors once they reach your age. They seem to fend for themselves, however unintelligent that decision is. But, independence is an issue with lads like you. How old did you say you were?"
"Eight, Miss."
"Eight? My, my. You do seem older. Much older for your wee age of eight. More like ten. Well, no matter. You may stay here at Saint Mary's House of Holding. I am sure it will keep you in comfort."
"Thank you. I hope it does."
Ryden managed to slink past the rooms where many orphans were sitting in a circle, fascinated with the falling droplets of water above their heads, and in the process, avoided talking with them. He had no time to dally with meaningless drivel. He had work to do.
As he reached his room at the far end of the hall, one of the boys he shared it with came out of the room with the water droplets. "Ryden! Come and see the water fall! We made a new game out of it. It's called Race the Raindrops. You have to stick your hand underneath the falling drops as fast as you can without getting wet. It's pretty tricky, but so far I'm doing the best," the boy looked proud and his eyes shone with excitement.
"No thanks, Aiden. I'm okay. I have other things to do right now."
"Oh. Alright. Maybe some other time then?" The boy's face dropped and his shoulders slumped.
"Sure, maybe." Ryden turned and entered his room.
The room was a small corner space that had three small beds crammed into it; two boys to a bed. It wasn't the most comfortable or convenient way of living, but it beat living in cold, dark alleys.
He lit a lamp and turned it up so the room was illuminated. The beds were made nice and neat; the blankets folded over, the corners tucked in, no creases could be seen. But, that was what happened every morning before anyone received breakfast. That was the first chore of the day, to see that the beds were made. Since there were six boys to three beds in that one room, it took no time at all the straighten the sheets that kept them warm at night.
There was no door to the room. The orphanage didn't believe in secrets, so their views on doors were of absolute distaste, for they felt that doors hid secrets that needed to be known. Because of this matter, Ryden had to be extra cautious with what he was doing.
He got down on his hands and knees once he reached the side of the bed closest to the corner. He stuck his hand under the bed and felt around. His hand touched cold glass. Perfect, he thought. Ryden pulled out the jar filled with an assortment of coins. Dusty coins, dirty coins, shiny coins, small coins, large coins; it didn't matter what the coin looked like, they were all precious metals to him. The kind of metal that would get him out of this place. He worked hard for these. He earned every penny.
"Ryden, what's that?" Ryden quickly shoved the jar back under the bed, whirling around to see Aiden standing in the opening of the room.
"Uh, nothing. What are you doing barging in like that!" Ryden panicked. If Aiden, or anyone, found out about his savings he didn't know what they would do to him, especially since he had kept it a secret for all these years.
"I didn't think you were doing anything...well, important," Aiden looked uncomfortable standing in front of Ryden. He kept looking down and fiddling with the ties of his shirt.
"Well, next time, call out to warn anyone that you're coming in. Remember, there aren't any doors in this place."
"Yes, Ryden."
Ryden felt guilty that he was so firm with Aiden, but he had to be careful. Next time, he would be sure to watch for anyone coming. Aiden had been so quiet coming in, he had startled Ryden so greatly he almost dropped the jar!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Scene: Gavion

"You are going to go through this task, correct? You chose to perform it?" The hooded figure loomed over Ryden.
"Y-yes, sir. I did," stuttered Ryden. He could smell the foul stench of his adversary standing in front of him. He felt the intensity of the situation; the pulse of his heartbeat was pounding furiously in his ears.
"Good. Very good. You'll do nicely, I think. Don't disappoint me," the bulky shadow murmured deeply.
"Yes sir. I won't let you down. I will kidnap her just like you asked," Ryden's hands shook madly as his superior stretched his large appendages forth and presented him with a gold locket.
"You must not lose this, whatever happens. This is your token that will allow you into the castle. If you, by any chance, misplace this item, or it falls into the hands of our enemy, you will have failed this mission. I will fairly warn you not to return, lest you mislay it. For you will not be welcome, and my men would be ever so happy to dispose of your presence, if you catch my drift," the man laughed at his dark joke.
Ryden swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat with great difficulty, and laughed weakly. "I understand, sir."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Scene: The Journey

The sun broke over the horizon in rays that made the sky burst into brilliant pinks and golds. The air was brisk and a slight breeze whistled over the trees. All was serene; until Ryden woke up to the sound of Kara's dramatics.
"Oh, this weather is cold! Why did you have to bring me out here? And why did you tie me up? It's not like I could go anywhere! What do you want with me anyway?" Her lips formed a pout and her eyebrows puckered above her dark emerald eyes.
"I've told you many times, Princess, this journey will take awhile and I'm not letting your complaints slow us down," Ryden heaved a sigh of regret for taking up this task. It was much more difficult than he thought it would be. Getting her out of Alahand was easy. It was the traveling with her that would be the death of him yet.
"'I'm not letting your complaints slow us down,'" Kara mimicked disgustedly, "You are quite possibly the most horrid brute I have ever met!"
Yah, sure I am, Ryden thought, wait till you've met the others. He felt a pang of guilt at his thought of taking her to the people he most feared, but she deserved it, didn't she? She was a pain in the behind and all he could think of was to get rid of her; and fast.
He took hold of the rope that was fastened to the trunk of the tree and untied it. Her wrists were bound to the other end of it, securing that she wouldn't escape in the night. But, like Kara had said, where would she go? They were traveling in a deserted part of land. Barren of any sign of life. Occasionally they would see a lizard dart out from behind some brush, or a vulture fly high in the sky. He slung the packs over his shoulder and started toward the direction of the rising sun.
Ryden walked in front of Kara, leading her by the rope like you would a dog, and this was what irritated her most. "I am not a mutt. I don't need to be led around like one. I am the princess of Alahand. My father would punish you severely if not execute you if he found out you were treating me this way."
"Yes, yes. I know that. That's why we aren't anywhere near your father now, are we?" Ryden knew his actions were of low character, especially concerning her status, but her sharp, snippy remarks were driving him insane, no matter who she was.
After complaining about the temperature being too cold and her stomach hurting from hunger, Kara eventually silenced herself. She figured it was a waste of energy. Ryden didn't care about her trivial grievances, so why waste energy on proclaiming the unobtainable?
Finally, thought Ryden, she quieted down. Maybe now we can make some progress.
After a few hours of tugging on the reluctant rope behind him and urging Kara to keep walking, he stumbled and almost fell over from the abrupt stop the rope made. He looked back to see Kara folding her arms as best she could with the restraints she had on them and a fiery look in her eyes.
"I refuse to travel any further with you. I am worn out and famished. You have little supplies to feed us, and quite frankly, I don't have to do what you say. I should have thought of this earlier. I am not going to be your little puppy dog who follows every order you give me. I am tired of it. I am the princess. I should be treated with respect. If you expect me to move another foot with you constantly pulling me along, taking me further and further away from my family and kingdom, expect differently." She stuck her feet firmly into the ground and plopped down. She ignored the dirt that would cling to her dress when she got up, that is, if she ever planned on getting up.
"Darn you, girl! I have no time for your fun and games! What has gotten into you?" Ryden yanked on the rope in vain, for Kara was not budging from her spot on the dusty ground.
"You are hurting me. Stop it this instant. I told you, I refuse to travel any further with you. I wish to go home. And you will be so kind as to take me there this minute!"
Her defiance was really starting to get on Ryden's nerves. He took a deep breath to calm his temper and then, ever so swiftly, swooped down and lifted Kara right off the ground! He slung her little body over his shoulders along with the pack and continued walking, the rope dangling by his legs.
"Stop! Put me down! This is completely inappropriate! Where is your sense of propriety? I say, put me down!" Her ceaseless tantrums and beatings of her fists on his back caused Ryden to stop in his tracks and swing her down from his shoulder.
"I told you, Princess

. I am not going to tolerate your actions to get in the way of this journey, whether you want to continue on or not. And if that means having to carry you, so be it."
He started to bend down to pick her up again when Kara's hands shot out in front of her and placed them on his chest in an attempt to push him away. "No! No, I don't need to be picked up again. I'm perfectly capable of walking, thank you," her cheeks blushed crimson as she tried to cool them with her shaking hands.
Ryden chuckled to himself. He knew how to handle her now. All he had to do was threaten to pick her up again if she ever acted up, and that would put an end to her asinine disputations.
They continued on their journey, a sense of defeat emanated from Kara's presence, silencing her for the most part. Ryden felt smug about his control over the princess, but couldn't help feeling guilty about the lack of propriety he had shown her. He was a respectable man towards women, most of the time. This wasn't one of those times.
He heard Kara sigh in frustration behind him. He looked back to see her rubbing the chaffed skin on her wrists. It was evidently irritating her, for she continued massaging it for several more miles. He stopped pulling so hard on the rope, giving Kara some slack to relieve her wrists from the strain it had given them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Scene: Dungeon

“What are you doing here?” Kara whispered in exasperation.
“What do you think I’m doing here? I’m rescuing you of course!” Ryden whispered back.
“Oh, of course you are. After you kidnapped me in the first place! What made you come back?”
Ryden looked at Kara for a moment and back down at the ground. His eyes looked ashamed, and Kara sensed that an answer was finally going to be revealed.
“I…I came back because I felt, something. I don’t know what. I feel like my life took a turn for the better and that if I let you go, it wouldn’t be there anymore. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just crazy…”
“No, I don’t think you’re crazy. I don’t think you’re crazy because I feel it too.”
Ryden looked up to see Kara’s bright green eyes sparkle with an indiscernible emotion. Something he had never before seen in her countenance.
“Kara, I want you to know something. I—” his words were cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Ryden, go! Leave or you’ll be trapped here too!” Kara’s eyes displayed a look of prominent fear, but Ryden stood his ground.
“I’m not leaving you here. Not a chance.”
“That’s very chivalrous of you, but the guards won’t think so. Please Ryden, if you really want to help me escape, you need to go. Now.”
He looked to her once more before gazing down the corridor of prison cells, and, scanning to see a way out, rushed to the nearest crevice in the wall and pressed his back against it, shielding himself from view.
The footsteps became louder and louder, coming closer and closer to Ryden’s hiding spot. He held his breath when the guards stopped directly to the side of him.
The massive bodies were silently listening for any disturbance, and, after what seemed to Ryden, an eternity, they shuffled down the corridor.
When Ryden thought they were out of safe hearing distance, he let out a long breath of relief and stepped away from the wall. A small pebble just beside his foot came loose and got kicked out from under him. It rolled down the hall in deafening echo sounds bounding from the stone walls and landed right in front of the two malicious guards. Ryden’s heart seemed to stop beating and his blood ran cold.
“What the? Where d’ya think this came from, Barrin?" Both guards looked down in wonder and slowly started to turn around.
“It’s seems mighty fishy to me, Lendel. I wonder—”
He was immediately interrupted by a small yelp coming from further down.
No, Ryden thought, no, it can’t be.
His thought was instantly answered when the guards stormed down the hall and unlocked a chamber in front of them. The guard called Barrin went inside and came back with a girl slung over his brawny shoulder.
No, she wouldn’t do this. Ryden frantically started racing towards the girl, forgetting the guards; only focusing on that girl. That one girl who changed his mind about coming back; that one girl who changed his life. Kara.
“Let her down! Stop! I swear, when I get my hands on you, I will kill you!” Ryden raced madly down the dungeon hall, not fearing the consequences that would most likely come from his brazen act.
His attempt to catch up with the guard and Kara were in vain; for the guard had long legs and swift movements—the weight of the girl had no effect on his speed of escape. Not to mention the second guard, Lendel, stayed behind to assure that Ryden didn’t catch them.
Ryden was shoved brutally down on the cobblestone floor and felt more pain in his heart than on his body, for Kara had been kept on this floor for some time. Her poor, fragile frame must have suffered to a great extent from being placed in such reprehensible conditions.
“You cruel, pathetic monster. You don’t deserve to live! How could you make someone suffer as you have her?” Ryden stood. His eyes shone with rage as he advanced toward his opponent.
“You don’t deserve her, peasant. You never have. You know that. She would never have you. How could she? You’re just a poor, lowly creature who does nothing but steal from her father’s kingdom,” Lendel laughed maniacally. He taunted Ryden with these words. He knew Ryden had considered it before; considered that Kara couldn’t love someone such as himself. But she was in danger and he vowed to save her.
“You mock me, sir. But not for long.” He squared his shoulders and pursued his target. Lendel smirked at the bold attempt to conquer him and careened out of Ryden’s way.
“You really think you can defeat me? The one who has the sword?” He raised his said weapon from the sheath at his side; it shone in the faint gleam of light that was let in the room.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 11.06.2011

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