The Princess and the Rock

Dustin did not bow as he approached the Minstrel’s throne. With his pinched face and upturned nose, he looked like an arrogant child.

“You called,” Dustin said flatly.

The Minstrel gazed down his nose at Dustin, disdain written across his imperious features. “Indeed. I have a task for you, Unsworn.”

Obviously. Otherwise, the Minstrel wouldn’t have called him here.

“There is a woman,” the Minstrel said, the corners of his lips turning down further. “I have pictures and descriptions written,” he waved dismissively towards the foot of his throne, where a stack of papers sat neatly. “She is an escaped slave.”

Dustin suppressed a smirk. “Pardon,” he said, “but I am not generally sent out to hunt mere slaves.”

The Minstrel gave him a displeased look. “Remember your place, Unsworn,” he said stiffly.

Dustin gave no reply.

“Normally,” the Minstrel continued, “I wouldn’t bother over a runaway slave. I care little for her, but she stole something irreplaceable from me. Do you understand?”

Dustin nodded once.

“Good. The information is in the papers. She was last spotted by patrols in Evingdale. I suggest you begin there. Oh, and, be careful. Ella can be…challenging, even for the strongest of men.”

It was three day’s ride by horse to reach Evingdale. Dustin had no idea how a simple slave had managed to elude her master for the week or so it would have taken her to reach the city on foot, or why the Minstrel hadn’t called for an Unsworn sooner. Fortunately, he also didn’t care.

He wore simple clothing, blending in with the drab colored vests and trousers of the men around him. When on duty, he had to remain inconspicuous. It was only when waiting for potential employers that he wore the easily distinguished blood-red cloak of the Unsworn.

Evingdale was small by Imperial City standards, but large enough that finding a single person was no simple task. Still, Dustin was no amateur. He knew the right people to talk to and what questions to ask, and soon learned of all the most likely places for a fugitive to hide.

It took two days, but he finally found his quarry. She was surprisingly conspicuous, which was actually why it had taken so long to find her. He’d expected her to be holed up like a rat, but he found her in the least reputable pub on the southeastern side of the city. She was in the middle of a drinking contest with a very large man. The man looked ready to pass out, but she wasn’t even speaking with a slur.

She noticed Dustin quickly. Her expression didn’t change, but she soon excused herself, ducking into the crowd of people on the open space that served as a dance floor.

Dustin stayed on her trail easily, but hung back enough to let her think she had slipped away clean. He watched her escape out a side door, and then took the front exit and circled the building.

She crouched beside a half-dead pear tree and jumped at the sight of him, deep olive skin paling in the waning light. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, the only thing covering them. Her ‘shirt’ was just a strip of cloth wrapped around her chest.

“Hello, good sir,” she said, voice dripping with sweetness.

“By order of the Minstrel of Gavendale, you are under arrest for thievery,” Dustin said flatly.

Her eyes went wide. “S-sir? Arrest? Thievery?”

Dustin ignored her feigned innocence. He strode to her in three steps and grabbed her arm before she even had time to flinch. She tugged against his grip weakly, eyes darting around desperately as he manacled her wrists. She protested and struggled the whole time, but he didn’t say a word. He pulled her along after him, back towards the horse.

So much for the Minstrel’s warning that she would be a challenge.

By the time they halted from their hard ride, Ella was drooping in the saddle. It was surely well after midnight, and the Unsworn was a terrible traveling companion.

He climbed off the mount first, then stood holding the rope attached to her manacles, clearly not intending to help her down. She sniffed, swinging one long leg over and awkwardly sliding down next to him. She stumbled and nearly fell flat on her face. The unconcerned Unsworn tugged her rope, causing her to stumble again. He tied the end of her rope to a tree before simply walking off into the woods. Was he just going to leave her here?

He returned a few minutes later carrying an armful of wood, and immediately set about to making a fire. Once the fire was built, he left again. She blew out an irritated breath. Well, at least now she wouldn’t freeze. She scooted as close to the fire as her rope would allow, letting it warm her exposed skin.

It was at least half an hour, by her estimation, before he returned. Over his shoulder he had slung a dead turkey, which he immediately set to roasting over the fire. The smells made Ella’s mouth water, and her stomach started grumbling. To distract herself, she decided to try conversation again.

“So, you’re Unsworn?” He gave no indication that he’d heard her. “I’ve heard all kinds of things about Unsworn,” she continued. “Are the stories true?”

She waited for an answer. None came. So she kept talking. “I suppose that was a bad question. I’ve heard so many stories, they can’t all be true. Some say the Unsworn are merely orphans whose House was undeterminable, others say you are outcasts from your House. Others claim you aren’t even human, but some sort of wraiths.” She’d made that last one up in an attempt to get a reaction. It didn’t work. He did, however, slice off some roasted turkey and hand it to her, so she couldn’t complain too much. She brushed her hand against his as she took the dripping, hot meat, and gave him her most alluring smile, which he ignored.

“It must be hard,” she said, softening her voice, “to be so cut off from society, not allowed to form any bonds or join any House.” He took a huge bite of turkey leg, leaned back against a rock, and started chewing loudly, looking her directly in the eyes, as if daring her to continue.

“Don’t you ever wish you weren’t alone?” she pressed, leaning towards him.

“Do you ever shut up?” he said. He didn’t sound angry. In fact, his tone was completely flat. She considered responding, but decided to eat her turkey instead.

“I used to.”

She paused in the middle of chewing, surprised to hear him speak.

“I used to wish I wasn’t alone, wish I could swear myself to a House.” He stared into the fire. “But then I learned that human company is rarely pleasant.”

She watched him carefully. He seemed to have forgotten his food.

He noticed her watching and his eyes darkened. “I don’t need your pity, woman,” he said gruffly.

“Pity?” she asked, eyebrows shooting up. “I was just wondering if you were planning on finishing that turkey leg.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and smiled sweetly.

He frowned. “Do you have something in your eye?”

She gave him a flat look. This was not a man. This was a rock. She was putting all of her efforts into her feminine wiles, and he didn’t even have the decency to be tempted.

“I’m still hungry,” she said flatly. He grunted and tossed the half-eaten leg towards her. She fumbled, but managed to catch it before it hit the ground. She glared at him. You couldn’t just throw food at unsuspecting people like that. What if she had dropped it? That would’ve been a waste of perfectly good meat.

Dustin was woken by the sound of a twig snapping.

He was on his feet in a moment, knife drawn. Ella sat up as well, her raven hair looking as though she had recently been to a salon, not sleeping on the forest floor.

Dustin caught a hint of movement. He spun with blinding speed and threw his knife instinctively. A human cry of pain followed, then the thump of something hitting the ground.

Dustin approached the fallen intruder while drawing another knife, Ella on his heels.

The dying man was dressed like an officer of the law, but he had no insignia on his breast. Ella made a soft tsking sound.

“Well, this is unfortunate,” she said.

He glanced at her. “Why? He can’t hurt us.”

She nodded. “Yes, but he won’t be alone.” She knelt beside the man who was jerking spasmodically, blood spilling around the knife in his stomach. She pulled up the man’s sleeve, revealing the seven-pointed star tattooed on his forearm.

Dustin felt his jaw drop slightly in surprise. That was the sign of the Callensta Court, the only nation possibly able to rival the Imperial Cities in strength. What was a Callen agent doing here?

“Now, my friend,” Ella said. “We should probably run.”

He turned to her. “You are in no position to be giving orders.”

She sighed. “Actually, I am.” She put her back to him and pulled her long hair to one side, exposing the back of her neck.

Dustin gaped. There, branded into the skin, was the royal crest of the Imperial Family.

They didn’t stop riding for many hours. Several times, Ella was sure she caught signs of pursuit, but Dustin just kept pushing their mount onwards.

They finally stopped in one of Gavendale’s vassal villages. They were still a ways off, but needed to give the horse a break.

Dustin turned to her as she dismounted. Even knowing she was royalty, he didn’t help her down. At least he had removed her manacles.

She gave him her most winning smile, to which he simply folded his arms. She pouted only briefly before sighing. “Yes, I’m Ellandria, the Emperor’s sister.”

“Why would the Minstrel want me to think you were a servant?” Dustin asked, characteristically stiff.

She shrugged. “Which is easier to hide, the recapturing of a simple servant by an Unsworn, or sending an army out to retrieve the Princess?”

“Why would you need to hide?”

She grimaced. “Matters of state business.” She paused, and felt herself blush. “I was actually…well, I was spying on the Courtier of Callensta’s younger brother. He’s been making subtle moves against my brother, cutting off trade routes and manipulating our allies. I was sent to investigate.”

“You.” Dustin looked unconvinced. “The Emperor risked his sister?”

“I wasn’t in danger,” she explained. “I was in character. Posing as a worker in the royal Pleasure Court.” She gave a small curtsy. The Pleasure Court was where the members of the Callen royal family went to enjoy more…sensual pleasures.

“But why you?” Dustin asked.

She flashed him a secretive smile. “Because I’m irresistible.” She paused, eying him critically. “Mostly.”

He didn’t seem to take her meaning. Sighing, she continued.

“I got the information I was seeking out of the brother, then left. Of course, since I knew sensitive information, the brother sent people to hunt me down. Once I was back in the Imperial Cities, I knew I had to lie low. So I sent a messenger to my brother to arrange for an high-protection, low-profile return.”

“I found you in a bar having a drinking contest,” Dustin pointed out. She winced.

“Yeah, I never have been very good at staying out of the spotlight.” She glanced over his shoulder. Had she seen movement? “We should go.”

He actually looked annoyed. She patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Once you return me, you’ll be a hero! Saving the Princess while helping deliver vital information to the Emperor…” She grinned. “You’ll be rewarded greatly. Who knows, maybe my brother will even let you join our House.” She gave him a wink, and then swung back onto the horse.