The sound of horses hoofs, children playing and the town’s people filled the air. Children ran through the streets, laughing and screaming.

A young twenty one year old prince rode through the woods near by the town on his horse Julian. His horse rode like a flash of lighting; he rode her whenever he needed time to himself and when he wanted to get away from the castle. The calmness of the wind was soothing him, and the sound of his horses hoof’s beating the ground calmed his thoughts. His thoughts however, seemed to be heading in all different directions. Where is she? Why did she leave without telling me? He wondered to himself; his thoughts seemed to be brought back to his best friend Maggie. A noble town girl, whom he had fallen in love with when he first met her six years earlier; her black curly hair and sparking mossy green eyes, peered into his mind. He shook the feelings from him. He hadn’t seen her for nearly four years. She had gone off without telling him and for all he knew she was married. Bitterness filled his body and showed through his eyes, he hoped selfishly that she wasn’t. He suddenly realized that his sister was riding towards him; she was beautiful and every young man wished for her hand in marriage. She was tall, and had blue eyes that were bright along with her long wavy blonde hair, which was back in a royal braid, laced with ribbons and beads.

“Nicholas,” She called riding towards him,

“Syleen, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be interviewing all the young men that come to the castle door steps asking for your hand?” he said teasingly, pulling back on Julian’s reins to slow her down to walking speed and came up next to his sister. Syleen laughed at his comment.

“If only they would stop, I can hardly stand the way the present themselves. Although there is one young man whom I am found of,” she smiled knowingly towards her brother and he laughed.

“Yes, indeed a very eligible young man; though I must have him do a series of tests to know whether or not he is worthy of your hand.”

“Your highness, your highness!” shouted a rather stout man riding towards the brother and sister. He was holding the reins with one hand and waving a letter in the other hand. Coming up beside the two he handed the prince the letter.

            “For you dear prince, I was told that it was very important!” Nicholas grabbed the letter and quickly broke the seal. He dismounted his horse and began to stroll the yard.

            ‘Dearest Prince Nicholas,

I am sorry it has taken me nearly four years to finally contact you. Leaving without word must have taken a sudden turn on our relationship, but I must tell you that I left not on my own matters, but on the matters of my family. You see the night we had our spat was the same night that I received news that my parents, Lord and Lady Witherthyme had been captured by the dark knights of Dohoiada. I left the night in search of them and I am still unsuccessful. I am now asking that you help me in my time of desperation. There have been rumors in Akillia that King Uzzikiah is planning on bringing war upon your father and our country, along with all the other countries your father is allied with. He has joined together with the Kings of Sammillio, Zellie, and many of the other Western kingdoms. I tell you this so that you may warn your father, but I am also asking for your personal help. When you reach Akillia, go to Midnight Inn and ask for Joash. Please write me soon with your response and send it to the Inn.

            Yours truly,

Maggie Libyal.’

 Nicholas looked up from the piece of paper and quickly mounted his horse. Syleen eyed him with suspicion.

            “Well who is it from?” she asked, he rode towards the castle with his sister keeping pace.

            “Maggie,” he shouted back, half of it was with joy and the other half was concern. He didn’t answer anymore of his sisters questions, but just rode as fast as Julian would carry him. Upon reaching the palace he had a servant take his horse to the stables and rushed inside the house. Within minutes he was in his courtiers and sitting at his desk. His hand was quickly at work composing a letter for Maggie. Once he had finished his reply, he sealed the letter with the royal seal, grabbed a few things and quickly dashed down the stairs and went to look for his father.

© Copyright2008 by Reflectional Media. All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce product without asking the author first.