The Lost Princess

The Dwarven Kingdom

Xavier and Raven were surrounded by a wall of muscle that did not allow them to look around as they walked. Which made raven chuckle, she did not need to see her surroundings to know where they were going. She knew all along where to go, but decided to walk around the forest so that they would come pick her up. If she had went straight to the door they may have tried to kill them on the spot.

Aurora had taught her many things over the years, far more than what she had thought she needed, but was grateful for now. There were maps of every kingdom, detailed far beyond just the human aspects.

It showed the other races, even those that would kill if they found out there were maps of their location. Such as the Dwarves and Elves.

She had learned of the ruling families of each Kingdom, both human and not, but there were no pictures to tie faces to the names. When she had first started learning about them, she found it pointless, as she would never travel, but Aurora never stopped them, forcing her to learn everything she possibly could over the years.

The leader, who she now knew was the Prince stopped up ahead motioning to the would be jailers around her and Xavier. They each branched off in a different direction disappearing into the surrounding forest.  Raven could feel that even more bodies were surrounding them, some with murderous intent if she did not tread carefully.

" Prince Bartag Orridin." The man in front of them tensed, slowly turning to look at Raven who had spoke his name as if they had known each other for years. The murderous intent surrounding them intensified.

"Where. Did. You. Hear. That." He pronounced each word with menace, taking measured steps back in her and Xavier's direction.

She smiled, "Aurora sends her regards to you and his Majesty Ogdrin." She took a calculated guess that they knew one another as during lessons she would throw in unnecessary information such as: the king having smelly feet and being a frumpy old man (fat and grumpy). She assumed they were on good terms though as she always talked about them in fondness.

Bartag's whole face lit up in a smile at the mention of the forest sprite. "Why didn't you say so sooner!?" He whistled into the forest causing the murderous feeling to dissipate almost immediately.

"Father will be pleased to hear about her. She used to live in this forest, but left almost 18 years ago." The change in his demeanor was so extreme that Xavier just watched on with his mouth open as the large bearded man acted like a kid talking about their favorite aunt.

He moved forward taking Ravens small hand in his two large ones and looked her in the eyes. To his behavior Xavier frowned at their joined hands not liking that he was touching Raven. "I am sorry for the earlier treatment, I cannot forgive myself for almost killing someone who is close to Aurora."

To his apology she started to giggle. which caused him to widen his eyes. "Bartag, if I may call you that. I was not in danger. Maybe we can spar later." With that she winked and withdrew her hands from his grasp. "I am actually here on business and need to see your father."

Bartag nodded, he was sure the guards from earlier had probably already informed his father that there were visitors. "Let me take you there personally in hopes of amending our earlier behavior to our honored guests.

He walked back to where he was earlier standing and squatted down to the ground. She saw him shift the dirt and moss around for a moment before lifting a large silver door. He looked to them with a huge grin. "Watch your step its a little ways down from this entrance." He motioned the two of them to go first, and when they looked over the edge it was almost pitch black. The little light coming from the entrance barely lighting up a few rungs of a ladder.

Raven shrugged her shoulders about to step down into the opening before Xavier put his hand on her shoulder. "I will go first ." He looked over at Bartag who only watched in curiosity.

She nodded her head but rolled her eyes when Xavier looked away from her. She was plenty capable to defending herself, not that she felt like she would need to. She did not know Bartag personally but she had heard how honorable he was and how he protected his people. She trusted him because Aurora had.

As they made their descent  down the ladder, Bartag coming up at the rear so that he could close the door, they could feel a draft coming from below. With the shut of door it plunged the shaft into momentary darkness. "Do not be alarmed, you will be able to see again soon." Bartag's voices echoed above them as they all froze in place.

It started off as a small glow that slowly built in intensity. The walls around them lit up in brilliant colors, as if a rainbow surrounded them. A chuckles above brought them out of their wonder and reminded them to continue going down.

The journey down took almost 10 minutes even at their faster pace. A fall down this shoot would mean certain death. As they got closer the bottom more light filtered in from below.

Raven called down to Xavier who had already reached the bottom. "What do you see?"

She received no answer to her question, making her feel nervous. She trusted Bartag, but that did not mean she could trust everyone. She started to move quicker towards her destination believing that there must be something wrong.

As her feet hit the floor she turned ready to fight only to stop in her tracks. The underground cavern was filled will gems some larger than the building she had seen in town. Xavier stood a few feet away staring up at a castle that sat right in the middle of the cavern not noticing her in the slightest.

Bartag walked up behind her happy to see this reaction. "Welcome to our Kingdom."