The Runaway Princess

The Book

I stared out the window as the carriage moved along looking out at the forest in all its shades of green. Summer was my favorite time of the year because of this, when the plants are in bloom and the animals run around night & day. A hummingbird flew by quickly causing me to smile more. Today was my birthday & my attendant was taking me to the market in town. The village closest to us has one of the best markets so i always want to go. They have places of all kinds & street performers who sing & do magic. I guess that's something I do differently, I like being in the village among my people.

"Your majesty." Silvia said to me. She was a young blonde woman who looked after me. Her blue & brown dress helped bring out her blue eyes. "Remember don't wonder off, your allowed one book. We don't want a repeat of last time."

Shifting my gaze back to the window, I didn't need reminding of that. My dad said one book, I got five & sat watching a magician all afternoon. The attendance who brought me didn't mind and besides it was better than spending my time at the castle alone. But my parents said it was unlady like. Sighing I watched as the woods became houses waiting to reach the market.

The villagers rushed around from store to store, parents chasing their kids & street performers talking just as loud as the venders from stands. The carriage stopped & the driver opened the door first helping Silvia than me. I stepped out of the carriage to see some of the villagers look at me. A girl my age stops & stares smiling at me, I smile back & she tugged on her mother's arm to tell her. It was always interesting when I came to the village & I would love to talk to the people but I'm not allowed. Silvia grabs my hand & walks with me to the bookstore. It was in the main square beside the large market in an open field. A fountain was in the center of the square it was the marker of the market entrance. But we walked along on one the other streets that led to the square. Silvia said the market was to dangerous to walk through. When I asked why she said it was for my safety. I didn't ask why my safety when I was with her was a concern, knowing it was my father's orders.

The bookstore was on the corner of this street, made of cobblestone with an oak door. Small windows let the sunlight in but but also the display case with new books. It caused me to smile seeing the new books. Silvia opens the door to let a small bell off telling the owner that we had entered. The owner was a kind old man with graying hair & had a son who helped him. The man was named Mr.Will.

"Princess Lyra." He said once Siliva had closed the door. "A pleasure as always. Would you like to see our new books?"

"Hello Mr.Wil, I would love to see them." I said with a large smile. He called his son to bring them down, they had five new books & he had one he thought I'd like. His son came out with them then went back to help the other customer in the store. He gave the colorful woman the extra book he brought down. I saw her thank him & then look at me. She had stormy green eyes that sparkled with wonder.

"This is the one I thought you'd like. A sailor wrote it but his son thought it was a great book. After it was published his dad said it was a journal, no one believes him of course." Mr.Will told me bringing my attention back to the books. The one he had was a dark green book with gold details & lettering. The corner had a gold compass & the cursive writing, A Land With No King. "It's exactly as the tittle says. Even with a map." He opened the book to the first page to see a map of an island. It was beautiful. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful. Can i get this one Silvia." I ask.

"Of course princess. Your father said one book so you can get it." She smiled, causing me & Mr.Will to smile as well. She handed him the money, I thanked him as he held the door open for me & Silvia. I liked Mr.Will he knew what kind of books I liked & supplied most of the castle library. It had a section just for me, & this book would look great among the other stories. As we walked out of the shop a woman came up to Silvia, the two were friends who began talking.