Once upon a time...
It was a beautiful story, and a beautiful setting. It had been a favorite as she grew up, the one story her brother had told her that soothed her during the long bouts of illness that plagued her youth. He had brought all the characters to life, and woven them both into the story; she as the sleeping Princess, and himself into the loyal champion who had to leave her - but only for the time it took to vanquish the evil fairy who had cursed her.
As a result, it was a story she knew well. Standing in the Knight's place, though, was a new experience.
"No," Maea said in a low but firm tone, "the princess is the hope and future of the kingdom. If she dies, all will be lost. No matter the outcome, she has to be saved." Was it her brother's words that came to her, or some strand of the story that wove loyalty into her heart? Maybe it was the image of herself she needed to protect; small and frail, lying feverish in a room full of shadows and uncertainty.
She needed that child to have a future.
"Anyway, all we can do is try to play our roles as best we can. How about you operate under the assumption that there is an outward evil, whilst I follow the court's view that you are the problem? Maybe we can uncover what's actually true."
They were approaching the main gate of the castle. The other guards drew up to encircle them both which made conversation difficult. Maea had to admit she didn't much enjoy the idea of using her sword on the merman made fairy, nor was it exciting to even pretend to die - her first experience with death was one she'd rather not replicate.
But if that was the only way out... perhaps they didn't have a choice.
As a result, it was a story she knew well. Standing in the Knight's place, though, was a new experience.
"No," Maea said in a low but firm tone, "the princess is the hope and future of the kingdom. If she dies, all will be lost. No matter the outcome, she has to be saved." Was it her brother's words that came to her, or some strand of the story that wove loyalty into her heart? Maybe it was the image of herself she needed to protect; small and frail, lying feverish in a room full of shadows and uncertainty.
She needed that child to have a future.
"Anyway, all we can do is try to play our roles as best we can. How about you operate under the assumption that there is an outward evil, whilst I follow the court's view that you are the problem? Maybe we can uncover what's actually true."
They were approaching the main gate of the castle. The other guards drew up to encircle them both which made conversation difficult. Maea had to admit she didn't much enjoy the idea of using her sword on the merman made fairy, nor was it exciting to even pretend to die - her first experience with death was one she'd rather not replicate.
But if that was the only way out... perhaps they didn't have a choice.
The End
