The Foolish Princess by Amber Schamel Sample

Sample of The Foolish Princess

The icy wind made the trees shiver as the hooves of King's steed thundered through the forest. His brow was darkened with concern over the task that lay ahead of him. Trouble was brewing on the Eastern Bank of his kingdom, and if he did not get there in time, a war would be set in motion that could fracture his entire kingdom.

The Eastern Bank had been on edge for several months. Discussions and negotiations had been going on for weeks; but this time it was serious. The Lords of the Eastern Bank had assembled an army and had already attacked one of the parishes, killing many and burning every building in their path. The smoke that ascended from the carnage could be seen for miles and had wedged fear into the hearts of his subjects. Now more than ever they needed strong leadership.

The king held up his gloved hand as he pulled his horse to a halt. His only companion, the captain of the guard, followed suit.

"What is it, sire?"

King held a finger to his lips as he glanced back at his captain. They quietly listened for a moment. The crispy leaves rustled in the wind, but all else was silent. "Must have only been the wind."

"Sire, I really think we ought to have brought more men. It is dangerous for you to travel with only one guard."

"Even if it is the captain of the guard?" The leather creaked as King turned in his saddle. "We had no time to wait for more men to assemble. Captain, please read the message again, word for word."

The knight pulled a slip of parchment from his sleeve, the paper rustling as he unfolded it. "Tell the king we will no longer cower under his tyranny. We have learned of his lies; we are no longer deceived by his tricks. He will pay dearly for his wicked deeds..."

Captain dropped his hand against the horn of the saddle. "Sire, this is nonsense. They have never doubted you before. What could they possibly be speaking of?"

"It is as I feared. The deceiver is among them, brewing storms and festering lies, justifying selfish deeds." He placed a hand on his faithful man's shoulder. "Captain, it is now that I need you most, my faithful friend. You are the only one I can trust now. Come, let us go quickly."

Suddenly an arrow whistled through the air, missing the king's ear by a fraction of an inch.

"Sire, get down!"

The king 's horse reared up as a mass of enemy arrows pierced through the air. King fell to the frozen earth as three masked assailants came over the ridge intending to take his life.

The captain instinctively drew his sword and spurred his horse forward, coming between his king and the enemy.

Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he struck the first goon's head with a mighty blow of his blade instantly eradicating him. The second assailant rushed at him and met with his heavy boot knocking him senselessly to the cold earth as he clashed swords with the third.

King gasped for breath trying to regain the air that had been knocked out of him in his fall. The world around him was swimming as he struggled to sit up. Through the blur he saw a fourth assailant standing on the crest of the ridge. The masked man pulled back his bow and sent an arrow screaming through the air; it's razor-sharp point pierced through King's body armor burying itself deep in his chest. Breaking off the end of the arrow, he slumped forward in pain.

With one final thrust, Captain finished off the third assailant and turned to the king. "Sire!"

Scanning the ridge, he saw the last assailant slip behind the crest. He scampered up the embankment vowing to slay the imbecile that would dare harm his king.