* = Flashback.

It was dark. My mind fogy with the constant rocking of whatever vessel I was within. I tried to feel around and move my body to learn about my space. I tried my arms first. I pulled and twitched, hardly feeling my own movements.

'Have they drugged me,' I thought to myself.

In a panic, I twist and move my whole body. I could hardly feel anything though, I knew I was moving. 'Shit,' I gasp in my head. 'What did they give me,' I quickly think, grasping at my thoughts and trying my best to remember. My head aches as if someone is stabbing it. I have to focus on my breathing to even think of remembering.

******

"Good day to you, Lady," the cunning and, handsome prince says. A smirk made its way up to his face. I bow quickly not wanting to stay in his presence.

"I greet the Crown Prince of the Empire," I say monotonously, keeping my head down until the Crown Prince mentions with his hand to return to my original position.

"I hear you finally joined the ranks of my brother's guard," his eyes run along my body, observing the way my knight uniform fits my body.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Oh, how I would wish you would have thought to apply for my guard," he pauses smirking. "You do know that the people here call him, the villain and me, the hero," he states. His light, crystal blue bored into my muddy brown ones.

Thankfully being born into a world full of magic and not having a single drop to spare in my body, saved me. "You don't allow those that don't know magic into your guard, Your Highness," I respond.

"I'm sure I could bend the rules for someone like you," he says, his eyes roaming my body now in a suggestive manner.

I fight the look of disgust as it threatens to spill across my face. I wanted to retort something back. At least defend the man who chose me to protect him.

The second prince was far from perfect but, he was no villain. I knew that better than anyone not being blind by the Crown Prince's charms and deception. I vowed when I was knighted that I, Phrynia to protect Raynard, the second prince with my life, and I will. The reason the second prince had such a reputation was from the Crown Prince's lies. Oh, the Crown Prince Saruman was so full of lies.

The sound of trumpets interrupted my thoughts. The trumpets meant that the King would be making an announcement and that the Crown Prince and the second prince must gather at their rightful spots. Thankful for the timing I breathe out to calm myself. 'Careful Phrynia,' I speak in my head.

"It seems I must excuse myself," the Crown Prince says.

"It seems so," I say in return with a bow.

"You best to train your swimming."

The Crown Prince disappears into the crowd. At those words, I feel a chill run up my spine. 'Something not right' I search the crowd, and my eyes fall on a man in black leather hanging around the back of the crowd. I feel a chill up my spine once more. The man clad in dark leather pulls something long and thin from the inside of his garments. A needle, pointed at the Sencond prince Raynard. without thinking my body lunges, and I tackle him. 'If only I could have gotten my official sword' I grumble in my head.

I dodge the blows with ease until I trip on the carpeting falling the man uses that to his advantage. He thrusts the needle into my arm, right below my shoulder. My vision goes black. I fight to keep my mind conscious but, it's no use. The only thing I can hear is Prince Raynard shouting orders.

****

I gasp. "That Crown Prince bastard," I let out, my voice raspy and weak. It hurt. My whole head hurt and oh, how it spun. I whimper as I let out whatever was in my stomach. I noticed I was in a new room, one that did not rock. My vision goes black once again.

I spent several days in and out of consciousness. At times I could hear voices but, it seemed to be the wind that blew on this horrid place. I thought I was about to die of hunger before a man opened some sort of door behind me he set a tray down at my side. The smell of the food made me salivate on myself.

The man left. I lunged at the tray stuffing whatever was on it, into my mouth. I eat my fill then some not wanting a crum to go to waste.

An hour or so later I heard a familiar sound, the whistle the archers in Prince Raynard use to communicate to the foot soldiers. I let my yells fill the space I was in. "I'm here! I'm in here." I call out like a wild animal. The door behind me comes crashing down with Prince Raynard at the opening. "My Prince," I croak out "Thank you for coming to my rescue."

"Don't speak," he says, his voice gruff. His dark eyes look at mine. "Do you know who did this to you?"

I don't say a word for I can't stop staring at the slash that sits on the left side of his face. I reach out to touch it he winces in response. "I failed to keep you safe," Is all I could say as my head went dark once more.

Prince Raynard watches as his guard's eyes close. He lets out a breath picking her up something catches his eye. On the ground written in blood was: Crown Prince Saruman.

Anger floods through the second prince's body. That cursed brother of his always taking away what was his. The second prince handed Phrynia to the healers and he went to his horse. He rode through the night and hard to the castle where the Crown Prince stays.

Willing to do anything, everything in his power for his sweet revenge.