Scorned as a Coward

Adara rose with the sun the next morning. She dressed and descended the stairs. Stepping out into the sunshine, she stood for a moment. The birds sang in the trees. The sky lit up gold, pink and blue. The perfume of flowers wafted on the breeze. She stood captivated by the beauty.

Suddenly she heard pounding hoofbeats. A dust-caked rider came into view. His horse was crusted with sweat. The rider dismounted, and the horse stood panting. Adara turned and hurried into the palace. She knocked on a door.

“Come in,” said a voice.

Adara opened the door and stood on the threshold . King Raymond half-turned in his seat. A man sat across from the King. Adara quickly told her father of the rider. King Raymond’s face creased with worry, as he hurried down to the front hall. Adara waited, and he returned with the rider. They disappeared into the room, and the doors closed behind them.

Adara stood silently for a moment, and then turned away. Going around a corner, she met her older brother, Kylos.

“What is the matter?” he asked.

Adara explained about the rider. “He probably had a message for Father.” she concluded.

“Probably. I wonder what it was,” Kylos mused, “It must have been important, if his horse was in the condition you said it was.”

The two went to breakfast. Adara asked Kylos what he was doing that morning. He replied that he was going riding with Sir Adrian. Just then a servant came in. He informed them that Sir Adrian was in the drawing room. Kylos excused himself and left.

Adara finished her breakfast and went to the drawing room also.

When she entered, Kylos and Sir Adrian rose from their seats to greet her. Sir Adrian advanced and lifted Adara’s hand to his lips. He then escorted her to a seat. They sat for a moment, talking. Then there was a knock. When the door opened, there stood Master Blake, Kylos’s tutor.

“I beg your pardon,” said Master Blake, “But it is time the Prince and I commenced his lesson.”

Kylos groaned, but he rose from his seat.

“You will have to excuse me, Sir Adrian. I cannot go riding with you after all,” Kylos said, apologetically, “As you can see, I must go off to prison!” he then turned to Master Blake, “Handcuff me!”

Master Blake glared disapprovingly. The two then disappeared down the hall. The door shut behind them. Sir Adrian turned towards Adara.

“Princess, do you wish to go riding with me?” he asked, “With your father’s permission, of course.”

Adara smiled, “I would be delighted to do so.”

They went to the room in which King Raymond was. A servant met them.

“I am sorry, Princess, but your father is not to be disturbed,” he informed them.

“Very well,” said Sir Adrian, “Tell his Majesty that the Princess and I will be going for a short ride. We will not be gone for long.”

The servant nodded, “I will be sure to tell his Majesty.”

Adara and Sir Adrian left. Going to the stables, Sir Adrian ordered the Princess’s horse saddled. Adara returned to her room to change. When she joined Sir Adrian again, the horse was ready. They mounted and rode off together.

It was a beautiful morning. They rode for a time in silence. Then they mounted a hilltop. The countryside lay before them. They gazed with delight at the scene. Rolling hills, wide forests, lakes and rivers lay before their feet.

They had dismounted and were leading their horses, when they came to a wood. Sir Adrian tethered their horses to a tree. Adara leaned against the trunk of another tree. Sir Adrian stood beside her. He gazed deep into her eyes. She smiled. He leaned close, and their lips met. Just then, they heard a noise. It sounded like the cocking of a pistol. They both froze. A voice said quietly, “Beautiful morning, is it not?”

Adara raised her eyes, and Sir Adrian turned. Before them stood a sinister looking man. He smiled a sneering smile.

“Who are you?” asked Sir Adrian.

“I am a good friend,” the man said, “I wouldn’t harm a hair on your head.” He said this, but the pistol waved menacingly.

“What do you want?” Sir Adrian asked, keeping one eye on the pistol.

“Ah,” said the man, with an evil grin, “I don’t want much, just that pretty charge of yours.”

“The Princess!” exclaimed Sir Adrian.

“Yes. I want her not for me, but for my master.”

“Well, you shall not have her!” declared Sir Adrian.

“Really?” the man said. He raised the pistol and pointed it straight at Sir Adrian.

The young knight swallowed nervously, and then looked down.

“You will not hurt her?” he asked.

The man laughed wickedly.

“Of course not!” he exclaimed, “My orders are to deliver her alive and unharmed, or I do not get my pay.”

“Very well, you may have her. But if you harm her in the slightest.”

“Do not fear, sir knight. I will treat her as if she was my own daughter.” the man said.

Adara was pale. Angrily she turned to Sir Adrian.

“You would give me to this…this ruffian!” she cried.

Sir Adrian looked at her, “Princess, if I do not, he will kill me.”

She gave him a look of fury, “You…you…” she sputtered, “You coward!”

He turned pale, but he set his lips together firmly.

“Now be off with you!” ordered the man, fiercely.

Sir Adrian hesitated, but the man waved the pistol. Sir Adrian turned and went to his horse. Untying it, he mounted. Adara stood watching him with scorn.

“You! You coward! You run from danger like a child!” she cried, in a heartrending voice, “Don’t you ever show your face to me again!” She turned her back on him angrily.

Sir Adrian sat on his horse, his face white with shame. Then, turning his horse, he rode away, leaving Adara alone with the man.

End of Chapter Two

(Still good? I should keep going? Ah! As I put this on Prose, I suffer with great pains, and wish that I'd edited this a bit more thoroughly)