The Loom and The Blade Chapter 1

Prince Gareth Dunmoor is attacked and saved by a mysterious woman who then disappears

The Loom and the Blade

Prince Gareth Dunmor rode through the crowded streets, his burnished armour dusty and blood-stained. He had proved himself in battle. The campaign against the rebels had been a success. But at a cost. Almost half of the men he set out with died on the field. He also knew that there were those at court who had contrived to have sent him to lead the army against the rebels, hoping that he would fail or even be killed in battle. Although he wasn’t sure who was behind it, there were a few he suspected, although they were too clever to give themselves away. The crowds cheered as they rode past. The prince sighed, looking around at the cheering crowd with a heavy heart. He waved and gave a tired smile. He glanced over his shoulder at his men, equally tired and weary, and encouraged them. They raised their arms, waved at the crowd and saluted their prince, inciting the crowd to raise their voices even louder in praise for the prince. As he turned forward again, suddenly a figure stepped out in front of him. His horse stopped and reared on its hind legs, unbalancing him. At a glance, the figure seemed to be a woman wearing a hooded cape.

The prince stared in startled surprise at the woman, his ire rising. Before he could speak and rebuff her, the woman spoke first. “You're in mortal danger, your highness.” She reached up and grabbed his arm, pulling him from his horse, just as an arrow passed over his head, narrowly missing him. Several more arrows flew into the crowd, one of which hit one of his men in the arm. The crowd panicked, running in all directions, shouting and screaming. The woman held the prince by the hand firmly, half-dragging, half-pulling him along. He had no choice but to go with her amidst all the chaos. Two of his men dismounted and tried to pursue the prince and the woman, but they lost sight of them in the crowd. Eventually, the prince pulled her roughly to a stop. She turned, letting go of his hand, she stared at him impatiently, “Stop, who are you?" The prince began. "Where are you taking me? Are you in league with those who tried to kill me just now?” Prince Dummor asked, still flustered by what had transpired. The woman glared at the prince sullenly, “I just saved your life, your highness. A thank you might be more fitting, don’t you think?”

He gave the woman careful scrutiny before speaking. She was of average height, with deep blue eyes, long red hair streaked with white, and a fair complexion. “I’ll not give you thanks yet. How do I know you are not just part of a plot to kidnap and kill me? Tell me your name and explain how you knew I was about to be attacked. Then I might at least give you the benefit of the doubt,” he asked suspiciously. Looking around, the prince noted they had ended up in a narrow, almost deserted side street. “My name is Serenya, and I knew you were about to be attacked because I had foreseen it. The prince shook his head in disbelief. “What…!” Just then, the prince’s men who gave chase appeared. He waved and called to them when he turned back to the woman, but she had gone.