Damsel Indeed

2. Fate's Sense of Humor

"Eric, what are we doing out here..."

The greenery was crisp and fresh, and sunlight filtered through the trees. Wildflowers sprung in scattered patches of grass and light, and the loamy earth cooled the air in the shade of the trees. It was a beautiful day for a walk in the forest.

"We're walking, Philip. Look, isn't that the prettiest shade of pink you've ever seen?"

The blond knight groaned into the open air, his shoulders hunched under the weight of his pack. Fortunately, the hapless sod that was his liege was carrying his own pack and not making him take it as well. Still, this was a fool's errand.

"No, your highness, I mean what is our purpose here? As in: what are we doing in the bloody woods alone when there is a plot against your life?"

The deep golden strawberry hair was ruffled by the shorter man's thick hand. It was a trait he shared with his father. Broad shoulders and muscled hands. He wasn't fat, though the girth of his neck and wideness of jaw made him seem vigorous and healthy.

"I'm not alone, I'm with you. Besides, who's going to recognize us?"

Philip sucked in a breath to prevent him from shouting at his best friend.

"Paid assassins. And by alone I mean without your usual guard detail. I'm hardly adequate, Eric. With or without your crown."

"That's why we're in disguise, my friend. Relax, no one is going to find us here. This is the same wood that kidnappers escaped into and were never discovered, not even after four years! And besides, I don't know who in my detail to trust anymore. We're better off by ourselves. I didn't even tell anyone where we're going."

"You call this a disguise? We look like well off merchant's sons. You're even wearing your favorite shade of blue! You stand out."

It was no use really. Philip would argue with the second prince for hours, and he'd never get so much as a full bellied laugh out of him. He was too naive. Too good natured. If they were going to make it to wherever they were headed, it would be an act of God that got them there.

"Eric...why do--"

Philip exhaled sharply and went silent. The prince looked around to see why his friend had suddenly stopped his yammering. They were entirely alone in the woods and, as he surveyed the path behind him he realized he was now entirely on his own. Philip's sword lay on the ground.

"Phil?"

"Hngh... I don't get paid enough for this."

Eric had to tilt his head back at an uncomfortable angle to see his knight dangling by one foot with his tunic and shirt riding up. He was ten feet above the ground.

It was a trap.

"Money. Now."

The voice was soft and muffled but brokered no argument as Eric felt the tip of a blade at his throat. His eyes moved to the dark and hooded figure and he wondered how they had missed him. It was a lad nearly as tall as he was, yet shorter. Though his black leather tunic and hood made him wonder how a youth could afford such things. Ah, but then he was robbing them.

Eric put on his friendliest grin.

"Greetings! Your trap, then? It's quite good. Say I give you my purse, will you help me get my friend down?"

The air was deadly still, and he surveyed this young highwayman. For a moment he considered parrying the blade away from him. He'd had training and plenty of matches where he'd been successful in it. But there was something in his eyes that told him it was a bad idea. Eric looked more closely.