Beastly

Chapter 2

My prince was pressed tightly against my chest as I ran Shadow. No, after today, I'd have to call him Brody, to avoid any unwanted attention. We'd been running in the desert for two days already and he hadn't woken up. It was a miracle I hadn't collapsed from starvation, dehydration, or blood loss. I could still fell the burn of what used to be and arrow in my back. My vision was blurring and I could see no place to rest.

"Just stay awake," I tried to coax myself.

I decided to keep myself occupied with facts about Safore, the place we'd be seeking shelter. From what l could remember, it's an oasis. The country, though it's in the desert, is completely surrounded by water. Only another day's journey until we reached Safore, only we were headed for the Capitol, which would be an extra two days journey, not to mention having to cross checkpoints while looking like...this.

And then, there was Brody. I'd have to find him something to wear that could match this countries current style. My hood, on the other hand, should fit in fine. I'd heard that they often wore things to protect themselves from the sun.

"Mhm."

I looked down at Brody to see him struggling to wake. He looked up at me, his eyes still glazed over.

"Beast...ly? Where are we?"

"On the way to Safore." He watched me, now fully awake and shocked by this revelation. "Ishva has fallen to Tana, Brody."

"Beastly, this is a horrible attempt for a first joke." He tried to laugh, desperately, searching my face for a smile. "Please, tell me it's a joke!"

"Forgive me, my prince. No, forgive me, Brody. From what I can assume, you and I are the only survivors."

"Why me?" He whispered. "Why me?" He yelled, tears falling down his face. "You could've saved anyone, but you chose me! Why not father, the king? Why not the wise Mr. Lee? Why not the kind Lisha? Why not the strong Leo? You could've saved anyone, and you chose me!"

"I did what I was told."

"Told? By who?"

"Your father, the king. He said that his time had come and that he-"

"Stupid Beastly!"

He punched me in the stomach with his little strength and jumped off Shadow, rolling in the sand.

"Brody!"

I pulled Shadows reigns, begging him to stop. When he didn't stop fast enough, I lept off him. I used my powerful feet to launch myself at Brody, wrapping my arms around him and ignoring the throbbing pain in my back. He beat on me, using untrained fists to try to free himself from my grip.

"Please, calm down!" When I realized he wasn't paying any attention to what I was saying and only inflicting pain on me, I took to offensive and brought the side of my hand against the back of his neck. He fell, into my waiting arms.

"Please, forgive me."

I put Brody back on top of Shadow and followed shortly behind. I pulled him closer to me and wrapped part of my cloak around him to block any onlooking eyes as we approached the city. It was night time by now, and the moon was a fourth of the way through the sky.

When the pain in my back became to unbearable, I let go of Shadows reigns and let him run himself. I leaned down and held onto Shadow's neck. I held on tight and quickly fell asleep.

"Beastly, it's all your fault," Brody screamed. "How could you? I trusted you!"

I gasped as Shadow's neigh woke me. Ahead, was the border of Safore. I patted Shadow on the neck.

"Good job."

The pain in my back had receded, for the most part, and a gentle touch of my hand told me it had closed itself.

"Thank god," I whispered.

Safore, being a country surrounded by water, was only accessible by a bridge and checkpoint. I kept going, trying to keep my cool as I walked Shadow onto the bridge.

"Morning," one of the guards said. "What brings you to Safore?"

"I'm here for work."

"Work, huh? Can I see your passport, please?"

"Passport? I'm sorry, I must've left it at home."

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but you'll need a passport."

"Oh, come on. I've traveled all the way from Ishva."

"Ishva, huh?" He adjusted his hat, thinking a bit. "Hmmm."

"Oh, come on. Let the poor girl through," a new voice said. I looked back to see a young man, about my age, watching us. "She's traveled a long way with a child."

"Sir Layfon," the guard said, standing in salute. "Are you sure we can trust this stranger?"

"Oh, come on, what's the worst she can do?"

You have no idea.

"Alright," he said, "I suppose."

He signaled to another guard up above. The doors were pulled open and released a mighty creak. The young man, Layfon, came through along side me on a majestic chestnut mare, who believed it was best to stay away from me. Smart horse.

"May I ask your name, miss?"

"For now, just call me...Lyn."

"Lyn, huh? And what're you coming to Safore for?" We trotted through the gates and I took a look around. It looked like we were in a merchant section of Safore.

"Work."

"Well, I know that. But what kind of work?"

"I need to speak to the prince."

"Are you...her then?"

"Her? What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

Layfon lowered his voice to a quiet whisper. "A week ago, the prince got news from the king of Ishva that he'd send some guests, a young lady and and little boy. Is that you?"

Big news to be telling a stranger. Did they not get travelers often?

"That depends, who are you?"

"Oh, right. Forgive my rudeness. I am Layfon, of the prince's personal guard."

"The prince's guard. And what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you."

"Hm. Did the king tell you about...me?"

He glanced at me, eyeing the outlines of my cloak. "Yes, I know about you. You're king didn't tell us much, he most we know is that you look 'different', whatever that means. We don't know why you're here or how long you'll be here. We don't even know who the child is. We only know you."

So, he'd known about this attack for a while.

"So, I suppose you'll be escorting me to the prince?"

"Yep, that's how it works."

"Good, I don't know where I'm going in this place. If I had to guess my way around this place, I'd probably end up traveling in a circle around the country."

"With me here, it'll only take a day. I know a short cut." He seemed very proud of his own knowledge which made me believe he had very little of his own.

"You know, you remind me of a child."

"What? At least tell me you like children."

"You could say that."

And so, I set off for. The journey to the Capitol of Safore, the oasis country.