Zaria and her bodyguard Fynn escaped the palace when the invaders attacked, but her brothers are still trapped inside. With her parents missing and her brothers in imminent danger, can the last princess of the kingdom save them all?
“Fynn! You’re back!” Zaria breathed a deep sigh of relief. “I was worried they would capture you.”
Fynn grinned at her. “I know all the secret pathways through that palace. No one would be able to catch me there.”
“Were you able to find anything out? Do you know where they’re keeping my brothers?” Zaria twisted her hands anxiously. Thanks to Fynn’s efforts two days ago, she’d been able to escape the palace, but her twin brothers had been stuck inside. She hated to think what the invaders were doing to the two young princes.
“They’re locked in their room. They also seem to be driving their captors crazy, complaining how bored they are, how hungry they are and refusing to tell them where their sister is!”
This news put her slightly at ease. At least they weren’t harming the twins yet. It was sweet of them to protect her, not that they knew where she was anyway. “We have to get them out, Fynn. I can’t let those monsters hurt them. Once they figure out that the twins don’t know anything about my location, who knows what they’ll do to them.”
“I know, Zaria, I’m working on a plan.” He reached out as if to take her hand, but hesitated and let his hand fall back to his side. She wished he would comfort her in some way. “I’m heading into town to get some supplies. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Can I come with you?” she asked, a bit desperately. “I’m tired of hiding out here in the forest.”
Fynn looked at her regretfully. “I wish you could, but it’s too dangerous. You know it is. If even one of the invaders recognised you, the chances of escaping the city would be slim at best. We’d lose our chance of rescuing your brothers.”
Zaria sighed and looked at the fallen leaves. “You’re right, of course. I just wish …” She let the thought trail off. There was no point in wishing things were different. They had been invaded, the King and Queen were missing and her brothers were trapped inside the palace.”
This time, Fynn did take her hand and held it firmly. “I know this is hard for you, Zaria, but you are the last princess of the kingdom. If the King and Queen can’t be found, you will have to take their responsibilities on. You’re the heir to the throne. I have to keep you safe.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thanks,” she whispered.
He smiled at her. “You don’t have to thank me, Zaria. I would do anything for you. I’ve protected you and watched over you since you were a child. I could never let anything happen to you.”
The stress and worry of the past few days threatened to overwhelm her at his kind words. She smiled back at him, trying to keep her tears at bay. She was strong enough to face this. With him at her side, she could face these invaders.
He laughed gently at her valiant attempts to keep the tears from falling. “Come here, you little nuisance!” He hugged her tightly and she couldn’t help but giggle at the old nickname.
Hugging him back, she relaxed. He may only be her bodyguard, but he was also her best friend. It would have been impossible for her to face this alone. With Fynn by her side, she felt like she could accomplish anything.
Stepping back, she set her shoulders. She may be the last princess of the kingdom for now, but she wasn’t going to let it stay that way. She would find a way to get her kingdom back, rescue her brothers and find her parents.
She would put everything right.
Is this one of your favourite 500-word-story-starters? Click the heart to like it and it may become a fully-fledged story! –> 1