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Runaway Chapter 1

“There it is...” Anna breathed. She has finally made it. She stood on the grassy hill side just above the bustling town, breathing in the thick spring air, the softest breeze blowing her loose bangs about her face. The 17 year old girl quickly picked up her dress and rushed down the hill towards the settlement, not stopping till she was just outside the gates. She stood, mouth agape at the sight. People flowing in and out of the enormous place, knocking into her as they rushed past. She took a deep breath, reading the sign that was nailed to the arc of the gate “Caister” she smiled broadly.
she ran through the market stalls set up in the dusty street, dodging the carts and animals “this is great!” she squealed, rushing up to a stall selling exotic materials, she picked through them finding one softer than silk “I’ll take this please!” she thrust the scarf towards the merchant along with a couple silver coins from her purse. Once purchased she excitedly ran to the next stall as she wrapped the scarf around her neck. Then she paused...what was that sweet smell?...she followed it to a small shop with cakes and pies and bread “excuse me, what is this place? It smells amazing!” she questioned the shop keeper, who gave her a confused look “this...this is a bakery?” the man gestured to the sign, that indeed read ‘Bakery’. “May I have one of THOSE?” Anna pointed to a delicious looking cupcake set on a stand “two coins please” the Baker unenthusiasticlly placed the cake into a bag and exchanged it for the coins. Anna thanked the baker and skipped back outside and found herself in an alleyway, where she took out her cupcake and removed her delicate glove, dipped her finger in the icing and tasted it “this is amazing!” she said to no one in particular. As she finished of the treat she giggled to herself “Mother would be furious” she only imagined what she would be saying “A lady must never succumb to food with such calories.” She made a face her mother often made at her. “glad I’m out of that place.” she scoffed. How she hated it. Being a lady. It was so...boring.
she dusted off her hands on her dress, making a mental note to buy some new clothes. She let out a deep breath and turned around, only to be met with a wall of fabric, she immediately stepped back, revealing a hefty looking soldier. “oh! I’m sorry!” she panicked, trying to hide her face, but she doubted she would be recognized with her hair so messy and no makeup. “she’s a pretty one, don’t you agree?” the man grinned, stepping to the side to reveal yet another soldier. “like a flower” the other man chuckled darkly as he leaned down towards her, she gasped and jumped back. “you always scare them, Ronan” the first soldier hissed, but the second just laughed “they’re more fun when they’re scared” the one called Ronan smiled as he attempted to pin Anna against the wall of the alley. Anna didn’t know what was happening, she began to panic, but just before she could let out a scream, a gloved hand pressed firmly against her mouth “If you scream, we’ll kill you” the man whispered in her ear and kissed her neck, before his hands could make their way down the back of her dress, yet another figure walked into the alleyway, causing both soldiers to turn and look
“get. This has no concern of you, boy.” the first soldier growled. But the young man didn’t falter, and made his way towards the two men, when he walked into the light, Anna’s skin went cold. It was another soldier, how was she going to fight three soldiers!? “shouldn’t you two be on duty?” the young man’s voice interrupted the silence. “go back to your post, we will be there shortly.” The man pinning Anna growled. The young man took yet another step forward and grabbed the first soldier’s collar and delivered a punch so hard Anna heard bones crack, the soldier let out a wail of pain and fell against the wall, clutching his jaw. Anna was terrified, was he fighting them so he could have her for himself?! She should never have run away, she should have listened to her mother. Suddenly the soldier named Ronan swiftly retracted from her and jumped towards the younger man, punching him on the side of the face and knocking him to the ground. Anna took this time to run, but she was stopped by the sounds of the younger man yelling in pain, she quickly turned around only to see it was Ronan who was yelling, wailing on the ground, she looked towards the young man who was huffing, both his hands thrust out beside him, glowing somewhat blue, but he was paying no attention to her as he raised both his hands, and Anna could not believe her eyes, both soldiers raised as his hands did, as if they were his puppets.
“You are to go on duty NOW.” The young man said firmly, and he directed his hands and the soldiers to the opening of the alley, where he then flicked his fingers, sending both men running.
The young man hunched, obviously worn out from the ordeal, but after taking a few deep breaths, he straightened up and turned back towards Anna, who was shaking. Had she just witnessed magic? Was he a... “w-wizard...” she breathed. The young man slowly walked to her, Anna tried to run but her feet wouldn’t move, she was too afraid. She clenched her eyes shut and brought her fists up to her face “p-please” she whimpered “d-on’t hurt me”, she could feel his presence only inches away from her. Wizards were unpredictable and often tricksters. She could remember the short conversation she had once had with her father about them.
“I just saved you, why would I hurt you?” his voice, now sounding calm but slightly hurt. He placed a warm hand on her shoulder, which caused Anna to jump “sorry” he chuckled, pulling back his hand.
Anna shakily pulled back her hands from her tear-stained face, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. He terrified her. “why won’t you look at me? I said I wouldn’t hurt you...” the young man sounded hurt. Anna mulled it over. He did save her, after all. She looked at his shoes, then up his legs, up his torso, his neck...then his face...her eyes widened. He had the most magnificent eyes, she had never seen such a beautiful shade of blue in her life...it was mesmerizing.
“P-princess Annabelle?” his voice broke the silences, he incredible eyes widening, his mouth agape as he stood back and fell to one knee, bowing
“N-NO!” Anna yelled. She couldn’t be found out, not now!
“your majesty, forgive my improper actions!” he brought his hat to his chest, revealing his black as night hair.
“Oh shut up!” Anna huffed. This was exactly why she ran away.
“I beg your pardon?” he looked up at her with those gorgeous eyes
“THIS is exactly why I ran away. I am SICK and TIRED of being treated like...like...LIKE A PRINCESS!” Anna was beginning to lose her temper
“so you’re saying I don’t have to act like a fool?” he raised an eyebrow
“yes”
“Well why didn’t you say so earlier!” he rolled his eyes and stood up again, dusting off his knees, only then did Anna remember who she was talking to, she took a step back, starting to get jittery.
“oh come on, you aren’t still afraid of me are you? You just ranted to me and now you’ve gone back to cowering” he gave a slight smile but it was a pained expression
“I-I’m not cowering.” Anna placed her hands at her sides, trying to look more confident.
“mmhmm” he gave her an incredulous look
“what is your name?” Anna ignored his expression, and took a step towards him, he was about a head taller than she was.
“my name? now why would I give you my name?” the young man looked down at Anna, enjoying how intimidating he felt.
“people generally do exchange names upon meeting one another” Anna furrowed her brow
“I value my name like I value my life, I do not simply give it out, Princess.” He said firmly, crossing his arms across his broad chest.
“I-y-...fine. But I will not have you call me Princess.” She cringed at the word. How she hated who she was.
“Fine... Annabelle. You are a long ways from home, why?” he tried not to show his discontent at having to use such a formal name.
“Just Anna. And not that it is any of your concern, wizard, but I am sick of being who I am. I have left to start a new life. And before you even think of telling anyone, don’t. Or I will ruin your life. This secret stays between you and me, do you understand?” Anna spoke with the most threatening voice she could muster, but was surprised when the young man burst out laughing
“what’s so funny?” she growled
“you really think you can stop me from alerting the authorities?” his face was red from laughter
“do you know what the reward money would be for that!? More than I could dream of.” He grew serious, his mind racing with all the possibilities, but he was interrupted by sobbing, he looked down to see Anna on her knees sobbing into her hands, he immediately knew his joke had gone too far, he got to one knee and placed a hand on her shoulder
“Anna, I’m sorry, I was only joking, I promise, your secret is safe with me. But tell me this, what are you going to do? You have nowhere to go? Nowhere to live? Your mother will eventually find you? What ar-“
“I DONT KNOW!” Anna cried, interrupting the young wizard “I didn’t plan this far ahead! All the inns are full! I just have to see my father! He will see my reason! He will understand!” she continued
“But your father is all the way in Davenport! That is on the other side of the country! How will you make it there?” the young man was then reminded of his own journey he was about to make...
“I will walk if I have to! I don’t care how dangerous is it to go alone...” Anna let out another sob
The young man went quiet for a moment. He was packed to leave for a city just beyond Davenport, and he was dreading the lonely journey...could he possibly handle having the princess around for the two month journey?...he could always boot her if he couldn't take it...

“Anna.” He began “I am packed to leave for Arcada, the city just beyond Davenport. It will be a two month long journey and it will be harsh living conditions, but if you are willing to trust me, I can take you Davenport to see your father. You can have my word no harm will come to you.” The young man bit his lip in waiting for her reply
Anna couldn't believe it. He was willing to take her to see her father? She looked up slowly, looking into his eyes for any sign that he might be lying, but she found none.
“you would really let me come with you?” she asked, wiping the tears from her eyes
He smiled and held out his hand and helped her up
“It would be my pleasure.” He smiled.