NightTime Roads

Sorry about the lack of updates... I was hoping to get this done sooner, but some things came up... then I had to reformat my computer... I managed to save this story and back it up however, so hopefully I will get a chance ot update this more frequently.

Anyway, on with the next chapter!

Chapter 10


"This is terrible..."

Rekia had just delievered the painful news to the queen about her daughter. He refused to speak last night, or even this morning, because he knew what kind of information like this would to her. Indeed, she had almost fell over had not a servant kept her standing. "Your Highness... in light with the fact that the Elite Guards have failed, and Lady Ayisa is gone... I request permission to go myself to find Antros."

"You go? Are you sure about this Rekia?"

"Of course your Highness," Rekia said bowing. "I will not fail you. Antros will rue the day he chose to to take the princess from this castle."

"Rekia, please make sure no word of my daughter's capture leaves this castle. I want her back as soon as possible."

"And what of Antros?"

The queen grimaced, and turned away. She hadn't wanted to have for it to come to this, but now the options were running out. "Do... as you see fit with him." Rekia bowed as he left the chambers. Several guards were outside, waiting for him.

"Sir, what now?"

Rekai said nothing for awhile but started to walk to the training room. "Listen, protect the queen with your lives. I will not be around for awhile. I must search and eliminate Antros." Walking into the room he pulled down his spear, eyeing it carefully. "Whatever you do, you must protect the queen and keep the princess' disappearence a secret. If anyone asks where, tell them anything, so long as it's not the truth. The people will go into panic and chaos if they find out."

"Yes sir!"

Rekia departed from the castle ground and headed into the town. The moment he was outside the town gates, he broke off into a run. "Antros... your mine now!"


The sun was high over her head when Ayisa woke up. At first she couldn't remember what had happened to her, but slowly the memories came back to her, and she prayed it was only a dream. She refused to open her eyes, hoping that Antros would awaken her any minute in his own playful way. But when none such thing happened, she opened her eyes. She was in a sitting position tied by a rope. Nearby, tied to a tree, was a horse that belonged to the royal guard. She could tell by the brand that had been placed on it. Some distance away was a fire and a man sitting there, his hood down and his hair lifted slightly by a small passing breeze. Ayisa wanted that person to be anyone but the one that caused all this, but when he turned and she gazed into those crimsion red eyes, she knew that hope at this point was lost.

"Ah your awake. Good, I was starting to think I used too much."

"Where... am I?"

"Your near a small woodland. We managed to cover alot of ground thanks to the horse." He gazed to the horse that was still tied. It seemed calm as it stood there. Very unnaturally calm for a horse that was probably forcibly taken from the castle. "It's a good thing I'm not afraid to take the main roads... much faster this way, although we did have to get off of them at dawn."

Ayisa could tell he seemed pleased by this, but she still didn't understand why he needed her. "Idroa... was it? Why have you brought me here?"

Idroa smiled and instead of answering brought a plate with a bit of food on it. "Eat. You'll need it."

Ayisa would have gladly done so. She felt very hungery after all, but two things stopped her. One was that he was an enemy, a known enemy that could have easily poisoned the food. Another was that she was tied up. "How do you expect me to?" Idroa smiled and offered the food to her, intending to feed her by hand. Ayisa turned away. Bad enough he capture her, but she refused to let him treat her that way.

Idroa put down the food and shook his head. "You won't be like that for long. You need to eat something. Hunger will not submit forever under pride." Idroa took the food away and lay back, intent on getting some rest.

Ayisa immediately started to struggle, hopefully to break free from her restraints. Surprisingly it wasn't that hard at all. Soon enough the knots became loose and she could move again. Standing up slowly in order to gain her balance, she thought about what to do. She had to get back to the kingdom, but she had no clue in which direction they had traveled. And they were off the main road, meaning she could wander for days and come nowhere close to the castle. Even worse, he would most certainly fin her.

Then of course, there was the fact of clearing Antros' name. She knew her mother would listen, but she wasn't so certain about the guards, moreover Rekia. He and Antros never saw eye to eye, but he certainly wouldn't disobey an order.

First things first then... Ayisa thought, looking ot Idroa. I have to get away from him. Ayisa quickly wet into the forest, hoping to lose him there and figure out a way back to the castle.

When she left the clearing and was gone into the trees, Idroa smiled, his eyes still closed. "Excellent... all according to plan..."