Invisible Threads

    Something important to know when living in the crowded village I call home is that when you hear the galloping horses, you better get out of the way.      A royal escort is thundering through the streets, heading full speed towards the castle. With this being a market day, the sidewalks were already full, so pushing in was quite the task. As the group passes, I loose my footing, slipping slowly into the street. Directly into the path of two huge horses. With no time to stop, they barrel over top of me, stomping me into the dirt.       After a kick to my head, my vision begins to blur while horses continue to pass overhead. But, they are getting less and less and I can hear them slowing. When my vision turns to just shadows, I know that something is wrong. I can't move as even the shadows darken. But that isn't completely right either. I realize there are two figures standing over me. Two identical figures. When one reaches for me and touches my neck  at my pulse point, an electric pulse runs through me.      They must feel it too because they jerk their  hand back quickly. "Miss, are you alright?" I don't answer. Not because I don't want to,  but because I physically can't. I'm barely conscious.      "Let's get her up," the other says solemnly. When they both come into contact with my skin, it's like something breaks loose inside of me. A loud clap of thunder booms directly overhead and it begins to storm. There was only sunshine not seconds before. The two holding me gasp, yet don't let go, which I am grateful for. I can feel the confusion, concern and realization wafting off of them in waves. I'm not sure what has them so shaken up, but at the moment, I don't really care.       My saviors are warm as they carry me towards the group of horses. As neither seem to want to let go now, I wiggle a bit, snuggling closer to the body holding my top half. With that, it's settled. They pass me over to the other, but only temporarily. After the subtle squeak of soaked leather, I am lifted into the warm arms and tucked against a chest. Without so much as a warning, the horse begins to peel through the streets, in the original direction. Towards the castle.                                                                                            -----     I wake up to the beeping of machines and a warm blanket. When I open my eyes, the florescent light makes me shut them tight again. Slowly, I let the light in and open my eyes. Looking around in confusion and awe, I can't stop the gasp from leaving my lips. Suddenly, I can't think as my brain starts running into overdrive. 'Where am I? How did I get here? Why does my whole body ache?' With no answers apparent, I decide to figure them out.      I quickly and quietly swing my legs out of bed. Standing up causes a tremendous headache to form right behind my eyes. Holding in a pained groan, I close my eyes, willing it away. When I feel ready, I open my eyes and look around again. Stepping away from the bed, my muscles complain and that's when I notice the splint on my leg. "Hell", I whisper. I try another timid step, realizing the contraption allows me to walk without much pain.      I continue to walk, moving towards a large wooden door of to the right. As I near the door,  I notice a familiar insignia but can't place it at the moment. When I am a few feet away, the door swings open unexpectedly, catching me off guard. Standing on the other side of the threshold, surprised faces greet me.      "Hi", I mumble stupidly.      Suddenly, two of the people rush towards me as another rushes towards the bed I woke up in. He must be the doctor. He pulls out some vials and syringes from the bedside table, beckoning me over. Looking to my left and right, I see two identical faces staring back at me. These are the two figures. They each gently grab an elbow and what feels like an electric shock jolts through me. One of the men leans over and presses a glancing kiss across my temple, shocking me. With me not paying attention, they are easily able to lead me towards the bed.       As they sit me down, I continue to stair. Completely having forgotten about the others, the startle me when the woman speaks. "James, Jackson, step back and let the doctor work." She has a kind face, and I instantly warm to her. The other man is a different story. I recognize him from a couple years ago.      Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. I'm not in any old hospital. The insignia on the door belonged to the royal family. The woman must be the queen, seeing as he's the king. And the two strapping young men looking at me with concern and desperation as one would look at their fated. They are the princes.      "Shit." I mumble to myself.