Conquest Or Birthright

Chapter 1: Carriage Ride

Everyone has to make choices throughout their lives. They might not always be the right ones, but there's no avoiding it. I, Jackson Spire, being the heir to my Fathers kingdom, must make them everyday. Most are small and don't make much difference. As for my friends, I don't have many in my own kingdom. So, all of them live in a kingdom adjacent to ours. I've known them since birth, and nothing could seperate us. There families raised me more than my own. But, when our kingdoms are torn by war. I must choose where my loyalty lies. With the family I was born to or the family I was raised by?

The sun shone down through the forest canopy. Illuminating the path our carriage was strolling down. Armed guards on horse back rode in formation around us. Watching vigilantly in case any attackers ambushed the royal carriage. Me, my father, mother, and newborn sister reside inside, speaking about our plans to keep the child safe on our journey home.

"This war is going to make raising this child difficult. As long as we keep jackson alive, the girl does not matter in the inheritance of the throne. But, I would still like to keep my only daughter alive" Father says, keeping a straight, clear, strong posture; even as the carriage bumps down the long dirt path. "I'm old enough to handle and take care of myself father. I believe that you should keep leading our kingdom, while me and mother deal with raising young Sierra" I suggest, folding my hands over my lap and keeping eye contact as I was taught to.

Mother adjusts Sierra to a more comfortable position in her arms. Looking towards father for his response, she knew I was right and supported my desicion. After a few moments of silence, our guard captain knocks on the side of the carriage. Trying not to look aggitated, father draws the curtain aside to allow conversation with the guard. "Is there a problem captain?" I ask, looking at him. "Our scouts found unnatural tracks on the path. We recommend you close the carriage for the time being incase of attack" the captain explains. Father nods and sends him back to his post.

Me and father calmly take down the curtains, and closed the metal window covers. "Can you light a candle dear? I'd rather not be in the darkness with the child" mother asks me. I have father hold the lantern, while I strike the match and light it, giving us vision in the darkened carriage. "Thank you dear" mother thanks me, rubbing the sleeping Sierra's back as the carriage begins to move again.

After a few more moments of silence, father looks to me. "I agree with your desicion, you and your mother shall look after the child, while I take care of the kingdom. I may still need your help from time to time, so don't believe you won't have any duties to fulfill" he explains, turning his gaze away from me. I fold my hands again and nod, "yes father, I understand" I respond, the carriage becoming silent again. Sierra begins to move and squirm in mothers arms, becoming restless and annoyed at the carriages constant swaying motion. Mother comforts and quiets the baby, trying to calm her incase she begins to cry.

Outside things were much less calm, one guard had been hit with an arrow. The attackers position was unknown and he had been surprised. "Keep your guard up, we must protect the royal carriage at all costs!" The captain calls, drawing his crossbow from its holster. The bushes and trees swayed unnaturally, no wind had kicked up to stir their still motion. The enemy communes through bird call, realistic enough to fool the guards to the thought of real birds.

Just as all was calm, the storm struck. A flurry of projectiles sprung from the foliage. "Get down!" The captain shouts. All guards slide off there horses, going prone to avoid the attack. The arrows hit the carriage, most bounce off the metal shell, but some get through the small cracks between the sheets of metal. Mother and father were lucky not to be touched, but I was less fortunate. An arrow pierced through the carriage and entered my right shoulder.

"Go! Get the king out of here!" The captain shouts to the carriage driver. He nods and ushers the horses quickly, making them start sprinting down the path. Sierra cries as the carriage bumps and rocks violently. Father snaps the arrows in the walls as mother calms the child. Keeping the arrow in, I apply pressure to stop the bleeding. "Are you alright jackson?" Mother asks. "Yes mother, just concentrate on sierra" I reply.

The attackers had hitched onto our carriage. A boy had taken out the driver and was in control. Another was trying to disconnect one of the front wheels. "Ready?" The driver boy asks the other, and they respond with a silent nod. They kick off the front wheel and release the horses before jumping off.

Eyes widdening as the carriage buckles, I take Sierra from mother and hold her close to my chest. The carriage flips and sends us, along with it, into the forest on the side of the path.