The scream, had it come, would have been uncharacteristically fierce, loud and painfully raw. But she’d stopped herself just in time, fearfully biting her lip heavily, in a desperate bid to stay undetected. Her frantic haste to escape, had caused her to fall awkwardly and pierce her leg, just above her boot, on a broken tree stump. She‘d stumbled, disorientated, into a large oak tree and clung to its trunk for a while, catching her breath and drawing comfort from its overpowering strength and presence. She’d nervously glanced around, acutely alert for any sign of her pursuers. Seren had checked her leg, the skin had been pierce just above the top of her boot and a fine line of blood had trickled down. But she’d been fortunate, for it could have been much, much worse. Anger had quickly pervaded, and the feel of it urgently pulsing, surging throughout her veins, had sharpened her senses and reminded her of the Queen she was. She had known then, she’d been betrayed. Cadel, her betrothed for the last 6 months, handsome and strong, fierce and brave, had finally shown his true intentions. She had loved him without condition, but now it had become painfully clear. He’d wanted her crown all to himself, and he’d been prepared to kill her for it. She’d stifled the sob threatening to escape her lips, as she’d thought of the lavish wedding meticulously planned for next month, no expense had been spared. The realisation she would need to defend her birthright was now clear, and defend it she would, until her very last breath. The forest had been quiet and still, she’d known they were out there waiting for her to run, so she’d bided her time. Wiping a a tear from her soft brown eyes, she’d wearily climbed up into the relative safety of the branches, shivering in the icy coldness of the January day. She’d pulled her cloak around her tightly and watched the sparkling snow falling magically, embracing her protectively, in its silvery cocoon. As dusk had approached, she’d fallen asleep, and been lulled by the soothing sounds of the forest, from all the animals she knew so well. When darkness finally descended, she’d awoken with a start to the haunting shriek of an owl, announcing its presence and preparing itself for a night of hunting. It had been then or never. She’d took a deep breath and had silently lowered herself to the ground and had run, her hair a mass of tumbling red curls streaming out behind her in the icy air. Strong and stealthy, her long athletic limbs had propelled her through the forest at an unearthly speed. Lit by the frosty moonlight, she’d fled to her castle, her home, and choked back tears of relief to see the drawbridge down and the portcullis open. She‘d sprinted across and banged frantically on the door. Alwyn, had been right there pulling her in, dependable and loyal, his ageing but kindly face, etched with paternal concern. He’d been there by her side ever since she was born and she trusted him like no other. He’d promised her father on his death bed, that he’d protect her at all costs and he always intended to do just that. ‘Ma’am, what happened? We didn’t know where you were, we searched and searched!’ She’d sobbed, flinging herself against him. ‘It was Cadel and his men, they tried to kill me. Alwyn, we must prepare our warriors to fight, they’re coming, they’ll be here soon.’ The snow had fallen, ominous and silent, and the night ahead had looked long and dangerous… 2 days later - Seren walked out of the castle on to the surrounding hillside. She breathed in the cold wintry morning and smiled. Today would be a good day, she could feel it in the crispness of air. She vacantly stared down at the ground around her, relentlessly littered with the bodies of Cadel’s men. And like a flash, she remembered the chaos of night before, and as the memories swiftly resurfaced, she smiled. She’d watched from the castle turrets as her men took down each and every one of the enemy. The viciousness of her warriors should never have been underestimated, but Cadel had done just that, and had lead his unsuspecting men into a frenzied bloodbath. She recalled their hurried but meticulous plans, her army dispersing and hiding in the forest, surprising the enemy and surrounding them so they had no means of escape. The cries of shock as her men attacked them from behind, then gruesomely butchered them as they’d squealed and panicked like pigs. Oh how she now cherished the satisfaction of those sights and sounds! She felt no remorse for any of the traitors, they had paid a horrible and heavy price for their misplaced trust and she was enthralled by the power she now so acutely felt. She really didn’t care how they’d suffered, only that they’d suffered and died knowing they’d chosen the wrong side. Those soft brown eyes hardened and flickered crimson as she remembered the blood, the unforgiving stench of death and she raised her head and laughed. She wandered over to Cadel’s body, she had watched him suffer like the rest, but for him she had ordered he be wounded not killed. He would not escape lightly. She had left him there in agony for hours and when it was safe to emerge from the safety of the castle, she had looked down at him and smiled and driven her sword through his weakening heart. His eyes had widened with surprise and shock, then duly faded as he’d regretfully acknowledged his fate. He had tried to speak, but nothing had come out other than a raspy wisp and she had watched him take his final painful breath. She now kicked his head to one side with her boot and she looked into those lifeless eyes she’d thought she’d loved, one last time. She had loved him dearly, but love, she now knew, was a cruel lie. Alwyn came and stood by her, and together they looked out over her land, across the hillside and the valley below. The sun was rising majestically above the grisly scene and it cast its morning rays across the thousands of dead. Over the snowy landscape, a crimson cascade of blood cut starkly through its virginal whiteness, and it twisted and curled, like a giant red ribbon. A tsunami of carnage and gore, unstoppable and dark, meandered down and merging with the river below, turned it scarlet red as it ebbed & flowed as far as the eye could see….scarlet… Seren was her name, but from that day forward, they called her Scarlet…