Chapter 3. The Voyage

Emi was biting down on her tongue to stop her trembling lips as she steps into the carriage. She was riding with Ginger, the maid, and two guards she had known since childhood. They were to be traveling through Druidia, enemy territory. And the alliance would not be official until the wedding, so there was no promise the humans would not be punished.

They had a three day trip ahead of them to reach Prince Roman and would not all be smooth sailing. Emi felt anger and fear boiling inside of her. How could her father send her away so easily? Personally, Emi believed it was all a trap and she would either be killed or held prisoner as soon as they got there. Thats why she would spend her trip planning her escape. Planning how to escape and find Adam, the love of her life.

Hours had passed of silence as Emi refused to speak to Ginger or the guards. She just sat stiff and stared out the window, watching the passing scenery. Would she ever see her own room again? Would she... would she ever see Adam again? She shook her head at the question. Of course she would.

"You're doing the right thing, Emi" Ginger broke the silence.

Emi rolled her eyes and scowled "Psh. The right thing... there is no right thing anymore"

"Emi-" One of the guards finally spoke leaving her with a pitying glance.

Emi looked the other way signaling them to stop initiating conversation.

Thought plummeted through Emi's mind as the hours passed. She knew she was no match for the guards not only there to protect her, but to keep her there. Maybe she could wait until they all fall asleep? Hmm, that wouldn't work. They take shifts. Maybe she could convince Ginger to help her and create a distraction? She sighs as her brain overflows with anxious thoughts.

All the overwhelming events of the day caused the drowsiness to overcome her as her eyelids fell shut.

A clanking sound of the carriage riding over a rock woke Emi up.

"Druidia..." A guard spoke as he watched intently out the window.

The other one continued, "I never thought I would be here... Are we sure this isnt just a trap?" His worried voice sent shivers down everyone in the carriage.

Ginger squeezed her eyes shut at the thought trying to shake away any bad thoughts, "Of course n-"

The carriage then came to an abrupt stop and the horses began to whine.

Emi jumped and grabbed her belongings, "Wh-what was that?!"

The guards gave each other a knowing look and nod. The hands already on the holsters of their swords. "Stay here Princess" The guards both jump out of the carriage to see what is going on.

What could be happening? Ginger notices Emi's trembling hands and attempts to calm her nerves, "Emi... It is going to be okay". Her weak smile did nothing for Emi, but the fact that Ginger cared did mean something.

"AHHHHHH" A scream shatters the silence and any hope Emi had of escape sank with her soul. "Princess...! Run!!!" A weak warning was all she got before the door next to Ginger gets ripped open and thrown a couple yards away into the woods.

Gasping Emi turns the other way shaking the door handle on the door near her. "Open!" Her command had no effect on the door.

A pull on her arm turns her attention to Ginger grabbing towards Emi as she is being pulled towards the stranger attacking them. Frantically Emi grabs her hands "Ginger!" Having only had to carry tea in her training, she was no match to the Morath with super human strength ripping Ginger away from her.

In a low, almost smiling, growl the creature speaks. "Come Princess".

Flailing her legs in the direction of her attacker she reply's, "Get away!" Her voice breaks. "Who-who are you?! What do you want from me!" Sweat swims down her neck. "I-I am Princess Emi of Valleguard! You-you cannot hurt me! I command you to leave at once...!" Throwing out commands a sudden sharp pain claws at her ankle. "AHHHH" Screaming in pain the clawed attacker brings her out of the carriage and pins her against a near bye tree.

Emi struggles to make out his features as tears clog her vision. Only a silhouette of what might of been a man stood before her. His dark demeanor and red eyes pierced her will to fight.

"A human princess... It must me my lucky day" The Morath growls and slowly brings her smile closer to Emi's face.

Paralyzed in fear all Emi could do was sit against the tree praying to be saved, hoping someone would rescue her from this nightmare.