Evil Hero

One

"Are you sure that you are alright," The Prince asked me for the fourth time. "I don't want to leave until I know you feel okay, you must be traumatized." He wrapped his hands around mine, attempting to be reassuring. I just found it creepy. His greasy black hair and dull blue eyes unsettled me. I nodded my head. "Thank you Prince Varen, but really, I am fine," I replied politely. Finally, he accepted my response and awkwardly walked backwards toward the door. "Well, just ask for me if you need anything," he said while slowly closing the chamber door. As soon as his repulsing face was out of earshot, I groaned, smushed my face into my pillow, and screamed until my lungs hurt. I need a plan. A plan to leave the castle without raising suspicion. My options are; the window, the door, and the terrace. The window and terrace were three stories up so I couldn't just jump. The door is guarded by two fully equipped royal guards. I can cause a diversion to distract the guards and sneak out the door. No, that won't work. Glancing towards the bed and the curtains, I remembered a tactic I read about in books. Tying the sheets and curtains together to create a rope to climb down with. I estimated the drop and slung the makeshift rope over the side of the terrace. When I arrived at the castle earlier today after my "traumatic" day, I was forced to change from my tunic into a formal dress. The tight bodice and skirt were incapacitating so I gripped the  fabric above the knee and ripped the bottom off of the dress. I tore down the sides of the top, revealing the corset underneath. In my strange outfit, I began the descent. I'm not exactly the strongest person, but I could just barely hold myself up. Sweat beaded on my forehead and slid into my eyes.

Just before my feet dangled in front of it, I noticed a candlelit window. Voices seeped through a                                         thin window pane. Pausing to listen, I heard Prince Varen's voice among two other men. The first sentence I could decipher was the Prince's voice saying, "yes, yes, but who would volunteer to slay the dragon? It is the most feared beast in all of Sanxia and we've already spoke to the military, they've declined also!" There was an exasperated sigh and another voice spoke. "Well, we offer a hefty reward and they'll come running, that dragon is a bigger threat to our kingdom than any deficit.    spending we may encounter." Finally, the other man spoke. "Haven't you heard the rumor of the king of Sanxia? How his son was cursed to never find love, all because of his ruthless pillaging. I'm still not quite sure of how the king's son went missing either..." After his words, I lost my handhold and went tumbling down to the cobblestone ground. My ankles and wrists ached from my landing but I made myself get up and start running. Surely the men behind the window had heard me fall, I had to get away before they could search for the noise, the only thing between me and escape was the courtyard.

Nearby, a cart carrying the castle laundry was stopped, I took a hefty robe and raised the hood to cover my face. At this late at night, few people donned the courtyard. The bridges into the kingdom were open for the vendors to come and go to the marketplace. I was almost through the gates when a citizen tapped on my shoulder. I jumped and the old man's eyes widened. "Oh, I am very sorry Miss, pardon me, but- do you need a pair of shoes? It's a cool night, you must be freezing," he said genuinely. Truth is, I was too focused on the adrenaline coursing through my veins, worrying about what is happening to Lyss, to feel the chill. "That is very kind Sir-" I began. The old man had had a moment of realization. "Oh! I just remembered why you look familiar! Your father was the Lord of the city of Greenwalde- Miss, I am so sorry. Your parents were good people... That makes you Damaris Cordello, correct?" I nodded somberly at the mention of my parents. "What are you doing at the castle so late? And especially dressed  like this?" I am not a particularly great liar but I can warp the truth ever so slightly. "I was visiting the Duke, briefing him on the matters of Greenwalde and on the way out I stepped in a mud puddle. I fear I would've caught something far worse than a cold with those icky shoes on," the words tumbled out like a babbling brook, set off course by lies. He was skeptical, no doubt, but he didn't seem to have the energy to argue. "Alright then, I must be going, it was lovely to see you Lady Damaris, best wishes to you," the old man responded, waving goodbye. "Best wishes," I mumbled. Admittedly, I didn't know who exactly the man was, but he was friendly with my father and my father knew many people.

Back at Greenwalde Manor, I greeted my three servants and returned to my chambers to freshen up. Bathed, clothed, and fed, I packed my horse with provisions and supplies. As soon as I was ready, I departed for Sanxia.

The journey wasn't unpleasant, a calming ride across the river and into Demarco's neighbor country, but it felt like an eternity when I finally arrived. Past the rolling hills of Sanxia's countryside, wedged in between mountains, was the cave, a small entrance nestled into a harsh rock exterior. My armor chinked when I removed myself from the horse and ventured into the cave. This cave that I had seen not eight hours before, seemed ancient now, holding dangerous secrets yet not hidden enough to keep the Prince away.