The Kidnapped Princess

[Lizzy]

"Ok then." She replied with a simple shrug as if she couldn't care less. Her eyes slowly dropped down to the bag at her feet and then she looked back up at Lucian.


"Leave the room. I don't undress in front of people." She then stated, crossing her arms over her chest. If he didn't leave, she wouldn't change. Simple as that. Then he could be the one protecting her while the poorer people tried killing her, because if he was doing this for money, she probably had to be alive at least, if not unhurt or healthy.

 

[Cyan]

Lucian gave a curt nod before swiftly exiting the room. He had others way to keep an eye on her if she tried to escape. Muttering a few ancient words, a silhouette of a bird made its way down his arm before materializing onto his palm. Its eyes opened revealing two white, orbs that shined like the moon. "Alert me of any suspicions" He commanded. The bird fluttered its wings once before flying into the shadows. It flew through the blackness and into the room where it lay hidden among the darkened corners. 

I've found dresses. Pick anyone you like but if you would like something different or have found something better than don't hesitate to tell me . (Or if you prefer pants and a shirt better)

 

[Lizzy]

Slowly she picked up the satchel and peered inside. Clothes, obviously. She pulled them out and examined them. Obviously, they weren't meant for royalty, yet they weren't so terrible she'd rather take her chances in her own clothing.


Quickly, she changed. Azule managed to get her own clothing back in the leather bag, and then she put it over her shoulder.


Because her kidnapper wasn't in the room, she slowly and stealthily crept up to the room's only window. It was small and quite dirty, but she squinted until she could see the outside. It was an alley next to another building.


Still trying to be quiet, she tried to pry open the window. If she succeeded, she would hesitate over the thought of climbing out. Wouldn't it look suspicious? Wait, no one would be able to really see it, if she was quick.

 

[Cyan]

With eyes closed, Lucian listened at the faint sound of the window creaking open up. It wasn't a moment later that the shadow bird came flying back, opening and closing its beak as if speaking.


"Follow her"


Lucian had limitless patience but if the princess insisted in ignoring his words then so be it. She'll learn that defiance and bravery will only get you so far in the slums.

 

[Lizzy]

She looked back to the door, and not seeing Lucian barging in or anything, she sat on the sill then carefully lowered herself down. Ha... Or not. She had no idea how the slums worked, and she had no idea what direction her home was. Maybe she could ask a friendly looking person?


Azule slowly walked out onto the street in her new outfit and hopeful thoughts. She gazed around before going any farther, but she figured she only had a little bit of time before Lucian realized she was gone. It might have helped if she had shut the window. Suddenly she ran across the street and began making her way in a random direction, scanning the streets for her friendly person.

 

[Cyan]

With a little whistle a man with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes made his way down the crowded street. He seemed to stand out from the rabble with slightly cleaner cloths and a more carefree atmosphere.

 

[Lizzy]

Suddenly Azule turned to see someone, and cautiously crept closer. She hadn't thought of what she would say, so she just winged it.


"Excuse me? Sir?" Once he answered she would continue, "Do you happen to know what direction the royal castle is?" Hopefully he would just tell her so she could be on her way quickly.

 

[Cyan]

The blonde gave a pleasant smile and nodded his head enthusiastically.


"Yes but from here it'll take you at least a day to get there on the main road" He explained "But lucky for you I know my way around the slums and can get you there before the sunsets"

 

[Lizzy]

"Really? I would defiantly appreciate it." She said with a smile in return and a little voice in the back of her head laughing at her kidnapper.


"Are you willing to take me now?" She asked, hoping he'd say yes and start leading the way right away.


Because she didn't know about the shadow bird, she figured Lucian would be finding out about her escape any moment.

 

[Cyan]

"Absolutely!"


He led her down the ever twisting and maze-like turns of the slums. He pointed out little well-known locations like a tour guide, making friendly small talk along the way.


"And were here" He declared. Though they were nowhere near the palace but instead were in a completely dead end. A second later men ranging from thirteen to forty three jumped down from the surrounding trees. The blonde immediately restrained the princess arms with an iron grip.


"Sorry to disappoint but haven't your parents ever told you to never trust strangers?" He purred. "Looks like we've got our entertainment for tonight, boys!!!"


They all yelled and whooped with excitement all except for one. He seemed to be the youngest of the group and looked to be about nine years of age. He hid in the back and eyed the princess with curiosity but didn't dare move closer in fear of being punished by the older kids.


They made there way to an abandoned townhouse and trapped Azule in the basement. The blonde wrapped chains tightly around her ankle that painfully dug into her soft flesh and locked it in place.


"Just in case" He said with a bit of amused sarcasm before making his way upstairs.

 

[Lizzy]

She followed the blonde man, but looked around with confusion at the dead end. "This isn't--Hey!" She began, though ended her words in a shriek. Azule tried breaking away, but failed. This was far worse than being kidnapped by a single person.


And now she was entertainment? What exactly did that even mean?


She struggled the whole way to the house, and even tried kicking the blonde when he began putting the chains around her legs.


"Ow!" She yelped, trying to at least find some way to adjust her leg so it wouldn't hurt so bad.

 

[Cyan]

Lucian eyed the decrepit building before glancing at the shadow bird. It ruffled its feathers once, answering his silent question before perching on his shoulder. He once again dissolved into the darkness and made his way down to the cellar with ease. He was just about to reappear from the shadows when the creaking of the wooden steps caught his attention.


A little boy, looking no older than nine limped down the stairs with a half a loaf of bread in hand. Lucian watched in silence as he offered the food to the princess.


"Y-you can have all of i-it if y-you want"

 

[Lizzy]

Azule turned her head to watch a little boy with the bread in his hand. Yes, she was quite hungry, but she didn't think she could just take food from a child, let alone one living in the slums. "No thank you. You can have it." She said kindly, her voice soft and comforting. She had always liked children, but had never gotten to have any younger siblings of her own.

 

[Cyan]

The boy let a small small grace his lips before taking a seat on the stone floor. An obvious grimace seemed to pass across his face as he carefully moved his right foot to the side. It was covered by the ragged ends of his pants but one could clearly see the slightly odd angle that it was bent at.

 

[Lizzy]

Azule watched the boy, and then spotted his leg. "Are you alright?" She asked, actually sounding concerned.

 

[Cyan]

"I-its nothing!" He stuttered, instinctively hiding the injury under his lap. The sudden movement immediately ripped a choked sob from the boy as he scrambled to the side in an attempt to change positions. The pants lifted slightly in the process, revealing a dark purplish bruise the size of a grown mans fist that seemed to be forming around his ankle.

 

[Lizzy]

"If it was nothing, I wouldn't need to be asking, would I?" She said smoothly, though when seeing the bruise, glared. This poor boy was being beaten by older men that probably deserved to be beheaded? That was wrong and cruel.


"Was it someone here?" Azule inquired, fixing her gaze on the child's face.

 

[Cyan]

"I...I i-it was my own f-fault..." He whispered, eyes shining with unshed tears "I-i made a m-mistake and t-this is my p-punishment..."


Lucian watched on with an air of indifference but if one could look close enough, they would notice his slit pupils narrow as he glanced at the child's wound. He could tell it wasn't just a bruise but a broken bone that seemed to be just a few days old. If the boy doesn't have it fixed by the time it heals, he could end up as a cripple.

 

[Lizzy]

Azule was silent, just looking at the boy. Suddenly she saw something near the child and squinted to see better. Now that she was focusing on the shadowed red color floating near the boy, she could see it was a rather familiar eye.


"Lucian?" She said, confusion clear in her tone. The child probably thought she was crazy now, and she was beginning to wonder if she was too.

 

[Cyan]

The daemon silently stepped out from the shadows, the bird glancing at the two with glowing eyes. The boy yelped and scrambled away from the unexpected company. He looked about ready to scream for help but one look from Lucian caused the words to catch in the boys throat. He made his way to the princess and immediately unlocked the chains with a single twist from an iron pin.


"Come, were leaving" He stated.


"W-wait!!" The boy called, scrambling to his feet. He winced again but ignored the pain as he limped in between Azule and Lucian. "I-I was sent to g-guard her! I-if she e-escapes I'll be p-puni..."


The child couldn't even get the words out of his mouth as tears slowly fell from his brown eyes.

 

[Lizzy]

Red markings were clear on her ankle and she limped slightly at first. "Come along then." She put her hand on the boy's shoulder and led him over to the stairs, now waiting for Lucian.

 

[Cyan]

"The boy stays" Lucian commanded. As cruel as it sounded the injury that the child had obtained would only make the journey to Avenia more troublesome and slow. The boy's hopeful eyes dimmed and his shoulders sagged at Lucian's words.

 

[Lizzy]

"Then so do I." She said stubbornly, crossing her arms over her chest. She was still next to the boy, and didn't plan on budging.


She knew Lucian couldn't leave without her, so basically, they would all either get in trouble, or the child would be coming along with, at least, in Azule's mind.

 

[Cyan]

Lucian was already reaching for the pouch of drowsy dust hidden away in his coats when the basement door unexpectedly came bursting open. A seemingly drunk member of the group came stumbling through and shouted something incoherent. The boy hid behind the princess in fear. The other man seemed to notice Lucian and his eyes widened in realization.


"Intruder!! Th--" But he barely managed to the get the first word out before the daemon was looming behind him. There was tiny, inaudible crack as Lucian swiftly hit the man on the neck. He immediately went limp and came rolling down the stairs. But it had been too late. Rushing footsteps could be heard coming from the rooms below and above.


"Go. Now!" Lucian shouted. He came bounding out of the room and towards the oncoming figures, a hidden sword in hand.

 

[Lizzy]

"Come along now child." Azule said, grabbing his hand and running up the wooden steps. Then she let go of the boy so he could lead instead. "Hurry." She added, hoping not to be followed.