The Leader

Hours later, my behind was hurting intensely yet again. I had a very disgusting taste in my mouth, and my unpleasant smell only went unnoticed because everyone else smelled even worse. I had barely slept, so I could say with some certainty that we had been travelling for hours. The sun was setting in the distance, casting beautiful orange light over the mountaintops and the deep valleys.

Behind me, on the horse, sat the dark-haired man that had opened the door of the carriage. I soon found out that most of the bandits were even more insufferable than he was. Most of them smelled bad, were loud, uneducated and generally uncivilized. Perhaps I was lucky with the companion I had.

Perhaps.

It was very annoying that he was sitting so closely to me. When he talked –which happened often- I could almost feel his breath on my ear. Even more annoying was his constant fidgeting. It was no nervous movement –although it unnerved me to no end- it was rather impatient.

"That's no way to woe her Alex," said the man closest to us, riding the biggest horse out of all of them. His piercing eyes were cold. Up until now he had been stoically staring at the road in front of us. Now, we were standing on the edge of a line of trees.

"So, little Lady, what is your name?" he said unexpectedly. His voice sounded hoarse.

I stiffened when he spoke to me. Alex laughed.

"My name is Ignacia."

Cheers suddenly erupted from all around me.

"Did all of you hear that? We just captured old Collios' daughter!" shouted Alex. The men around us started whistling and cheering. I could feel their gazes on me, and shivered.

I have to clarify some things about myself and my family now. My father, Ignacio Collios, was the owner of at least half of the Blue River, which ran through the middle of our country, Ferrus. The power of the river’s current kept the mills running, which aided the mechanisms necessary to produce the fabric of Ferrus’s tapestries, clothing, curtains and more. Our little country, existing almost entirely out of mountains, was famous for this. Needless to say, owning half of the Blue River made my father a very wealthy man. And me, in turn, a very wealthy woman. Of course, not everyone was very happy about my father owning half the river. Despite this, it still shocked me to hear these simpletons refer to my father as “old Colios”, as if he were an old fisherman, instead of a wealthy lord.

In the very middle of the country, snugly between the mountains, lay the Green Lake. A lake that had been the object of conflicts for centuries. My father had had his eye on the lake for years. I however, had always had my eye on the region behind it, because that was where Lady Silvana, the dressmaker, lived. Ladies from all over Ferrus ordered dresses, skirts, and gloves from behind the Green Lake. Peasant girls dreamt of a chance to prove themselves to her. This was hardly possible, because Lady Silvana was notorious for only taking in five students every two years. In these cases, having a wealthy father surely proved as an advantage.

That is, if I hadn’t been abducted by bandits on my way. My hands trembled, realizing that this wasn’t a coincidence. The man on the horse next to me grinned at me, as if my abduction was a funny joke to him.

“My name is Baldwin. and I think it would be wise to call you Ignis for now. These buffoons tend to favor familiarity. Especially your companion!”

Alex chuckled behind me. I shivered, realizing how close he was, and tried to appear as if I was enjoying the conversation with Baldwin, which luckily wasn’t that difficult. I appreciated any friendly conversation I could get, after seeing some of my previous companions dead. And especially after learning that these people were enemies of my father.

"We've been together for way too long if you're starting to confuse yourself for me," replied Alexander, "and I will prove my superiority by being the first to arrive at the camp. We have been on horseback for way too long, and I've never ridden a finer horse!"

He whistled tauntingly to the other men before galloping off full speed. I screamed when I was thrown with my back against my companion, at which Alexander let out a throaty laugh. The other men soon followed, but they were unable to keep up with the well-fed horse Alexander had stolen from my father.

"You're exhausting him!" I shrieked.

Alexander just released a honing laugh again. The wind waved through my hair as we became more distant from the others. When exactly had been the last time I had ridden a horse? I didn't recall it feeling so amazing. I laughed, just a little bit. At least, if I would meet my death in the mountains, I would have had a good time being on horseback with a stranger.

"He'll be fed soon enough, princess."

I turned around, feeling bolder now that I wasn't surrounded by bandits. Now, I only had one to fear.

"I am not a princess," I said to the bandit sitting behind me, while looking into his dark, triumphant eyes.

"You sure resemble one," he said, grinning still. My eyes widened, and I felt my heartrate increase.

"I mean, in the way you get startled by the nearest movement. Your terrible accent, not to mention the look of disgust you throw at everyone. You ought to change that. If you want to live."

He burst out laughing when he saw my terrified face.

"I don't think you are going to get killed. If I were your father, I'd definitely pay the money. Then again, I would probably kill all of us if that were the case. I hope he won't pay the money any time soon."

"Why not?” I responded. “A prize like me is certainly a loss."

He looked at me, a bit startled.

"Because we never get to see arrogant ladies like you."

I was arrogant?

Before saying anything else, he waved enthusiastically. We were met by six men with spears. To my surprise, they wore armor, and if I remember correctly, it was not armor of the cheap kind. I assumed we had reached their camp.

Before I knew it, Alex was off his horse and talking to one of the guards, making wild gestures towards me. I looked around. The other bandits were still riding towards us in the distance, and the guards were a few feet away. It was a good opportunity to escape. But where would I go?

Alex was soon reminded of my incapability to get off the horse by myself when he turned around to meet my angry eyes.

The positive aspect of being held hostage was that the camp looked unexpectedly enchanting. Flowers were growing in a circle around the main group of at least ten tents. Tents of which the fabric resembled tapestries, exhibiting images of battles, monsters and beautiful women. Of the latter I was the only real-life example.

Trees rose higher in these mountains than I had ever seen them grow. And in the distance I heard the streaming of what could be a river, or perhaps a waterfall.

Once off the horse, the six guards were stationed around me. I could hear the grumbling voices of my travel companions in the distance. But when my attention was again brought towards the guards, Alexander was also nowhere to be found. Traitor.

We walked inside the circle of towering hedges to find three tents. A yellow one to the left, a red one on the right and a blue one, twice as big as the ones on the sides, was stationed in the middle. There was a large fire in front of the tent and I sighed when I felt the heat of it.

The tent was covered in depictions owls and foxes. Silver, green and orange fabrics shone in the light of the late afternoon, enhanced by the fire and the torches held by the guards. The embroidered figures must have been made with a skill that took a lifetime to gain. This rich decoration and enchanting environment made the band of thugs look like an entourage of wealthy exiles.

The guard in front of me rasped his throat before speaking up. His helmet shone in the setting sun, and his beard was nicely trimmed. He was standing up straight, meeting my gaze haughtily, but I couldn’t help but see a faint blush rise in his neck.

"You are about to meet Melchior, leader of exiles and bandits."

A sharp pain shot through my legs, forcing me in a clumsy bow when I was pushed by the guard through the entrance of the tent.

The ground of the tent was nothing more than tamped earth. A few expensive looking pieces of furniture were put in the tent. My eyes, which were accustomed to seeing costly belongings all my life, wandered over the items curiously. I couldn’t help but notice that this wealth appeared mismatched. As if random objects had been added to the collection after being found. Or, I realized, after being stolen.

In the middle of this accumulated wealth stood a man who was probably in his mid-twenties, like Alexander. That was where the comparison ended. His fair, spiky hair looked like had run his hands through it in distress, but his blue, cool eyes regarded the world around him with detachment. He had a sharp nose and delicate lips. It made me imagine that he had the kindest heart, as well.

He was dressed extravagantly, but like the pieces of furniture, his clothes did not fit together quite well. However, the blue silken shirt he was wearing, with a high, ruffled collar, made him look elegant.

I had a feeling I already knew this man before he had even spoken a word.

"You may release her now," Melchior spoke. His voice was deeper than I had expected.

Melchior gestured to one of the guards, before sitting down in a silver chair. He was quickly handed a golden cup which probably also contained wine. He took slow, calculated sips from it.

Something knocked my legs from under me. I fell with a shriek, realizing I had also been given a chair. These guards were not the most hospitable people.

"Leave us," Melchior said, gesturing towards his guards. They left without a word, leaving me alone with the wine-sipping leader of the bandits.

Said leader was eying me, sitting cross-legged on the opposite end of a large chestnut table. His gloved hand, decorated with two rings, rested on the left end of the chair, the other loosely held the golden cup.

"Ignacia Collios," he stated.

I simply nodded.

"I have been waiting for you."