Subject:  OK, here it is finally. Sorry it took so long, but we moved and I've been w/out a computer for a while. I actually wrote two different chapter one's. This one moves faster, but the other one explained a bit more. Oh well, it'll clear up in #3, I promise! (and it won't take so long, either!) |
Author:
Rosella
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Date Posted: 22:03:04 03/03/03 Mon
In reply to:
Rosella Guillemoss
's message, "Teaser: One Love" on 20:03:49 02/16/03 Sun
Chapter 1
Dahlia hurriedly shoved a few pieces of food, a flagon of wine, and a small dagger into a pouch. Slinging the pouch around her waist, she tightened her belt and cautiously made her way down the hall. It would be no easy task trying to sneak past the many guards that lined the hallways of Ren Var's fortress, but she couldn't stand being inside any longer.
Ever since she could walk, Dahlia had wondered what lay outside the walls of her home. Now she was going to find out.
She crept along the stone, careful to stay in the shadows. After many painstaking minutes, she was finally out of the building and in the courtyard. A few more ducks and weaves and she was safely outside a side gate. She breathed a sigh of relief, then started to run. She ran towards the wood's edge, and continued on, until she was safely out of sight of the fortress' lookouts that patrolled the walls.
Dahlia strolled leisurely through the trees, enjoying not having walls surrounding her. Her ears perked, and she turned her head towards the sound of voices that were drifting through the trees. Cautiously, she made her way towards the noise. She came to a break in the trees, and found a group of beasts sitting in a circle, sharing bread and water and chatting amiably.
"Kinobi! What'd Oi tell 'e 'bout starin' bout wid dem eyes o' yourn?"
"Sorry, Roughsnout. I can't help it sometimes. I like to know what's going on around me."
"Hey Mala m' gel, would you mind passin' me that jolly nice loaf o' bread you got there?"
"Not at all, Jerry. Help y'self. You betta 'urry up though. We needs ta be gettin' back ta work 'afor them guards catch us takin' a restin' spell."
Dahlia stared at each individual of the group. The hare was digging greedily into the loaf of bread that the mousemaid had just passed him. The mole was watching the squirrel, and the squirrel was watching everything else. He seemed to absorb all things around him with his eyes. Dahlia gasped as his eyes caught hers, and she shrank back into the trees.
"I think we've got company, friends. Come on out, we won't hurt you!"
His voice resounded throughout the clearing, and somehow seemed kind and welcoming. Dahlia came out and cautiously approached the small group.
"Come on, honny. Sit 'ere an 'ave a bite ta eat! D' name's Mala."
The mousemaid held out a slice of bread and smiled a smile that plainly showed the many wrinkles on her old face. Dahlia accepted the food and sat down, conscience of the pairs of eyes that were trained on her. The hare finally broke the silence.
"Well, young squirrely-type. M' names Jeremy Whoppear Spotpaw, but me friends call Jerry. P'raps y'd like t' tell us your name, wot. I bet it's as pretty as you jolly well are!"
A crimson color crept into Dahlia's cheeks.
"It's Dahlia. I-I'm from the f-f-fortress. I've never been outside the walls, and wanted to know what was out here."
"Never been outsoide dem walls, missy? Burr, Oi didn't t'ink dat were possible! Boi the way, moi name bes Roighsnout. Sut'ble fer a mole."
Dahlia smiled, then turned to the squirrel.
"I know. I, uh, kind of overheard your conversation. Sorry. But you're name's Kinobi, right? Well, I'm glad I met you, but I think I need to---"
Kinobi clapped his paw over her mouth.
"Shhh. Hear that? Soldiers. We'd best be going. You're welcome to come with us. We could hide you, if you wanted."
"Hide me? But why? And from what? I'm not in any danger, I just need to go back to the fortress and I'll be fine."
Mala stared at her in disbelief. "Back to the fortress, sweetness? Why on earth would you want to do that?" She hurriedly stuffed the remaining foodstuffs into a knapsack, and slung it over her shoulder.
Dahlia was thoroughly confused. "I--uh--well---"
"Look, if she says she'll be fine, then she'll be fine. We've got to get out of here. You know what happens to beasts that take a break. They get broken. Now lets go!"
The group hurriedly disappeared into the forest, with Mala casting a worried glance or two over her shoulder. Dahlia stared after them for a second, then turned her face in the opposite direction. She could hear them now, plain and clear. There were beasts coming through the forests. A group of Ren Var's soldiers broke through trees, and halted upon sight of her.
"Princess Dahlia! What are you doing out here?" The commander of this particular squadron looked at her in disbelief, then turned to two of his followers. "Take the Princess back to the fortress, then report to Ren Var."
The two rats nodded, then advanced and grabbed Dahlia by her paws. She followed, downcast. How was her father going to react to her disobedience?
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