Chapter 1



The world was at peace in Antharon. The king, Richard Carter, looked out over his kingdom through his window. Even with a dangerous rogue being sentenced to a hanging this afternoon, things were extremely peaceful. Suddenly, guards yelled throughout the castle, "The Crow has escaped!" Snapped the king out of his thoughts. He came storming out of his study. "What has happened?"

"The Crow has escaped my king." The guard passing by stopped, looking shocked at the king's rage. "A hunter passing past he gallows managed to shoot and injure him, ht he has run out of town and into the forest." He explained, then bowed his head and took off into a run to join the search party.

Something occurred to the king and he took off towards his daughter's chambers. "Annabell!!" He bellowed, knowing his daughter all too well.

Annabell was peacefully brushing her hair as her dress she was to wear to the hanging was laying on her bed. The second she heard the commotion, she had got up and put on her hunting suit, the very suit her father instructed her to get rid off. She pulled her long hair up into a pony tail and grabbed her small knives and as she reached for her bow and arrow she had her fathers yell. "...shit..." she whsipered as she looked around for something to hide herself.

It wasn't long before the king had reached her room. He slammed open the door and scanned the room for her, then his eyes landed on her. "I'm relieved to see you are still here." He said with a sigh, not realising what she was wearing.

Annabell froze where she was and turned to face her father, as she hid her bow and arrow behind her back. "I-I wouldnt dream of leaving father" She whispered. "I-I am glad you are safe, what is going on out there?" She asked playing the innocent card.

He was about to answer her, but realised what she was wearing and what he could see poking out from behind her. "Annabell... what did I tell you about those dastardly things..." he said warningly. "I thought I told you to get rid of them. You are not going after the Crow."

"B-But father please! This is my kingdom as well!" Annabell stated as she placed the bow around herself. "Father please step aside" she whispered softly. "I can do this. Brother is not here to do it so it is my turn! I may be the princess but I can-"

"No." The king said harshly, not standing back from the doorway. He was obviously mad, since he was always a kind and gentle man. He always let his daughter get away with anything, but not this time. "He is a dangerous criminal, and you will stay here until we have captured and killed him." King Richard ordered calmly, as if he were talking to one of his guards.

Annabell stood there starring at her father. She went to speak but shut her mouth. A few moments passed before she opened it to speak "You talk to me as if i am just another one of your guards" She stated softly. "I am your daughter, not a guard or a servant!"

Though it pained him to say it, he muttered, "then start acting like the princess and not the knight." With that, he quickly shut the door and locked her inside. A guard came up to ask if he was okay, but the king just straightened up and shook his head. "Watch this door. Make sure no one comes in, and no one goes out other than myself. Understood?"

The guard quickly saluted him and stood at attention, even as the king went back to his study. When he got to the circular room, smelling of sandelwood and old cedar, he sat down at his desk. He felt like he was 80 rather than 60, the years and stress finally weighing on him.

Annabells eyes widened in shock as he spoke that to her. She ran after him to stop him and squeaked as he slammed the door in her face and locked it. She banged on it to get out "Please let me out!!" She yelled. After what seemed like an hour of trying to open the door she sat on her bed. She sighed and then a thought hit her. A small smirk appeared on her face causing her to get up. She opened her window and began to tie her sheets together.

The king turned in his chair to look up at a family painting that hint over the fireplace. His queen, Vivian, their son, Analdo, their daughter Annabell, and a younger version of himself stared back at him with smiling faces. "My queen.... my love.... what am I to do?" He asked the ghosts, then put his head in his hands and gave a tired sigh. It was going to be a long, stressful time before he got the rogue back.

Annabell finished placing her tied sheets out the window. She sighed softly as she looked back at the door "Im sorry father" She whispered. She began to climb down the sheets. When her feet hit the ground, she took run immedatly. She had left a note on her bed explaining to her father, that the moment she comes back she will be the princess that he wishes her to be and that she loved him. Running into the forest she hid behind a big tree from her fathers soldiers.

There was a soft meowing in front of her. A black cat with a blond stripe across it's forehead stared up at her with one bright red eye. The other looked as though it had been scratched out by another creature. The cat meowed again, then walked forward, deeper into the forest where the soilders refused to go. The cat stopped and meowed at her again, as if it were beckoning her to follow it.

Annabell followed it and stopped as she stared at the forest. "Th-the dark forest" She whispered. She looked back at her kingdom and swallowed hard. She took a step into the forest and glanced around, before she began to walk with the cat "I do hope you know where you are going little one"

The cat gave her a look of confidence as it strolled along. It had three piercings in one of it's ears and one on what looked to be it's eyebrow. After a while of walking, the at led her to a circle of trees with a small clearing. It was a tight squeeze for someone of human size to squeeze through the trunks, but the cat managed it easily. In the clearing, laying against one of the trees, was the Crow. He had an arrow sticking out of his side, and his face was pale. He looked at the cat with a grimmance on his face. "Velor... did you manage to find medicine?"

The cat transformed into a tall male. He pulled an eyepatch out of his pocket and placed it over his bad eye. He lightly grabbed Annabell's arm and pulled her into the clearing. "Even better. I found a little lost princess."

Kenta looked up from where he was at Antonio's side. "... you're joking, right? She's not going to help his injuries you moronic cat."

Annabell sighed as she struggled into the trees. She stood close as she saw the crow. Her eyes widened as a smirk grew on her face. When the cat turned into a human her eyes widened. As he grabbed her, her eyes widened as she shook her head "Un hand me right now or Ill have all of your heads!!!"

"Oh I'm so scared." Kenta said sarcastically. He looked up as another person came into the clearing. She was a beautiful woman in warrior's clothing, her long red hair flowing down to her waist. She had a faint scar across her neck. She walked over to Antonio's other side and handed Kenta what looked to be a potion. "Thank you Alasasha, this should help." Kenta said. He looked at the arrow and sighed. "I'm going to have to push it through, then you'll have to drink the potion."

"We have more important matters right now Kenta." Antonio said and looked back to Annabell. "My apologies. However head taking isn't going to be happening any time soon." He said calmly. Kenta nodded and concentrated on the trees. They seemed to close together so no one could get in or out. The effort seemed to have a strong effect on him however, for he suddenly looked tired.

Velor nodded to Antonio and with a flash of movement, he cut he string of her bow with a knife that had been strapped to his leg. Watching her cautiously, he lit up a cigarette. "Protection duty. You try to harm the prince, and I won't play nice anymore." He said calmly, taking a drag from the cigarette and blowing the smoke in her face.

Annabell strugle to get free as she looked at the trees. She spat at Antonios feet. "Do not speak to me! You tratior! Murder" She snapped and her eyes widened as she felt her bow fall to the ground. She glared at him and coughed from the smoke. She screamed and jumped on him pinning him down with a knife she had to his neck "I dont play nice. He is wanted, dead or alive! I am your princess you do as i say when i say! Lay a hand on me or blow smoke in my face again and see to it you dont breath!" She hissed as she pushed it to his throat harder

Kenta got up and grabbed Annabell's arms, quickly overpowering her and tying her hands behind her back after taking her knife. "Enough you mindless twat. You are no princess with the way you act." He said, then helped Velor up. "And you. Stop that habit. Its bad for you."

Velor hissed at Annabell and tied her feet as well, then took her weapons and tossed them up into the trees, to where two more members of the group were. "Lance! Alex! Keep those safe will ya?" He said, then glared at the princess. "And as for you, you are not my-"

"Enough." Antonio said and stood up, using the tree and Alasasha's shoulder as help. "This is not necessary. Just let her go and lead her back to her castle. Or Kenta, transform and fly her there, or run her. She does not need to be involved in our mess, especially if she already has it in her head that I'm the murderer. Obviously, her mind has already been poisoned by my brother." He grimmanced and fell back down against the tree, despite Alasasha trying to help him.

Annabell squeaked loudly as her eyes widened. She struggled to get free. She glared at every one and then at Antonio. "You are the murder! Why would your brother lie?" she asked glaring at him. "Why would he want his own brother to be a criminal." She asked as she had Kenta's words repeating in her head. "explain"

Antonio was about to explain, but he was stopped by Kenta. "Injury first Antonio." He said, "don't bite your tongue." He warned as he grabbed the arrow. Antonio braced himself as Kenta pushed the arrow through, earning a yell from Antonio. Kenta quickly tossed the arrow to the side as Alasasha poured the potion down Antonio's throat. He grimmanced, but was already feeling better as the wound healed.

He looked at Velor and motioned for him to keep a lookout with the twins. Velor nodded and climbed up one of the trees, then was gone. Antonio then let out a sigh. "My brother has lied to you to gain your trust. He intends to destroy all the kingdoms, kill all the royals, and to rule the people as his own." Antonio said. "He got rid of me by pinning my father's murder on me. He branded me a rogue, then threw me out to the other kingdoms to slaughter. Raeth was the one who killed father, not I."

Annabells eyes widened. She swalloed hard as she looked at him. A few months ago His brother told her father that there should be a marraige between the two nations. She began to piece things together with the war her brother is in the stress on her father. Before she knew it, she was on the ground on her knees, then passed out on the ground completely. The shock of everything being peiced together and her world of lies clearing into the truth, caused her to pass out.

Kenta sighed. "Great, another child to look after." He said with a shake of his head. He walked over and picked her up with great ease, laying her against the tree opposite of Antonio.

Antonio leaned his head back and sighed. "He will planting attack her kingdom any day now..." he murmured. "We shall protect her from now on." He decided.

"Awww, do we have to? Shes meaner than Kenta." Velor said from Antonio's tree, earning a snort from Kenta.

"Yes, for it is no longer safe for her to return to her kingdom. Isn't that what you're telling me you found out?" He asked Alasasha, who was staring at him with golden eyes. She then looked to the group. Yes. Raeth's army is marching towards Antharon. a beautiful voice echoed around them. It was Alasasha's, but it was through telekenisis. Her mouth did not utter a single word.

After a few moments, Annabell began to move. She coughed a little as the first thing she saw when her eyes opened was Antonio. She sighed softly and got up. "I shall go and tell my father the truth. We shall see you set free and your brother hung for his lies. you will be a prince once again." She stated as she brushed herself off.

Alasasha was the one to "speak" before anyone else. Without moving her lips, her voice echoed through the clearing, We cannot allow you to go back to your kingdom. Raeth's army is heading there as we speak. It is too dangerous, and we wish to keep you protected. her voice echoed calmly, the look on her face serene as she stared at the young girl.

Kenta nodded. "The best we can do is to send one of us quickly to warn your father and the people so we can evacuate as many as possible. I'm the fastest here, so I shall go. In the meantime, we need to warn the other kingdoms and make a plan. I never thought I would have to go through this again..." Kenta muttered the last part, then he stepped away from the others. He suddenly became engulfed in flames as he turned into his true form; a Nightmaere. He was a beautiful black horse with black satin wings, his mane, tail, and part of bis hooves covered in flames that danced in their places. He snorted at the group, which was obviously telling them to stay as he took to the skies.

Annabells eyes widened as Alasasha spoke of the kingdoms attack. She shook her head and tried to squeez threw the circle of trees. "You must let me go! I have to stop him!" She snapped as she began to try to climb one of the trees. She didnt wish it, but in her mind the only thing she could think of to stop the man was to accept his marriage. She hated him more then she hated her fears.

Antonio whistled to the trees, and two men jumped down and grabbed her by her arms, holding her still. One had pure black hair and a scowl on his face, the other had black and white hair and a smirk. "Now now miss. We can't let you leave if Antonio wishes you to stay." the one with the white hair, Lance, said calmly.

"I say we tie her up again so she doesn't cause problems." Alex, the one with the black hair, growled lowly.

Antonio stood up with an effort, but it wasn't as bad as it was before. "There is no need to tie her up. We just need to make sure she stays safe." he said with a sigh and smiled as Alasasha took his arm to steady him. "What we need to do is go talk to King Amareth." he said.

Annabell struggles to get free "unhand me!" she snapped as she glared at everyone. "I will not abandon my kingdom mr father! I must go please!" she snapped as she struggled more. She ha a faint blush on her cheeks from him caring about her safety "Please crow I must go to him!" she stated panic in her voice.

Alex growled. "Can we please just tie her up already? She's annoying." he stated.

Lance glanced at his brother, but stayed silent. He agreed, though he didn't want to say it out loud.

Antonio sighed. "Miss. It isn't safe for you to go back there." he said calmly.

Get it through your head. You're not going anywhere. Alasasha's voice said. Consider it kidnapping. she added, which caused Antonio to look at her with a disapproving look.

Annabell sighed as her eyes widened. She went limp in the twins arms and sighed softly as she stared at the ground. She did not speak a word or move, she just waited to see what would happen next. In her mind her father and her kingdom was being destroyed while she was being safe, well now kidnapped.

Alex groaned in annoyance and handed her off to Lance, transforming into a black wolf. He stared at Lance and Lance nodded, putting her on his back gently. He was large enough that she could ride him like a horse. "Alex thinks we should find shelter for the night, until Kenta returns." Lance said.

Antonio nodded. "I am in agreement. It looks as though it is going to start raining." he said and looked at Alasasha. Alasasha whistled to the trees, and they split so they could go towards the caves. Velor yelped and fell out of the trees when they split. He groaned and stood up, brushing himself off. "A little warning would've been nice." he said. He transformed himself back into his cat form and climbed up Alasasha's clothes, laying himself across her shoulders with a loud meow, followed by purrs.

Annabell jumped a little as she was placed on his back. She sighed softly and just sat on Alex. She couldn't bring herself to talk or fight back or even move. Her mind was as if it was pulled out of her head and shipped over seas far out of her reach. Her bright blue eyes began to slowly dull from the stress she was causing herself.

Alasasha put a hand on Antonio's arm and stared at him, talking to only him. He looked over at Annabell, then back to Alasasha. "Do you think the ancients could snap her out of it?" he asked, then stared at her as if listening to words no one else could hear. He nodded after a while and started leading the group towards the caves. It took about half an hour on foot. Alasasha was the one that walked forward and into the caves. Follow. her voice said.


Annabell closed her eyes till they got to the cave. Opening her eyes, she turned and looke back Twards her kingdom praying that everything was alright. In her mind was a different story. Everything was on fire, children woman men animals houses everything on fire and burning while the evil king laughed and stood in the middle of it

Alasasha picked Annabell up gently and stared at her. The Ancient one wishes to speak to you. she said, Annabell being the only one that could hear her at the moment. Alasasha led her in slowly, while Antonio and the other waited outside the cave.

Alasasha brought her to a large pair of reflective silver eyes, belonging to a beautiful, long silver coated dragon. He stared intensely as Alasasha approached him and hugged his snout ever so gently. She was speaking to him, and when she did, his expression softened. My child, his own voice echoed, deep and sounding like a rolling river, What has happened to you? he asked.

Alasasha shook her head and gently dragged Annabell forward. Help her of her daymares.

I shall do what I can... the old dragon answered, leaning forward so his nose touched Annabell's forehead gently. He showed her what was actually happening to the kingdom. Things were on fire, yes, but all of the people had been evacuated. He showed them escaping through the mountains with her father and Kenta. Everyone is unharmed, but your kingdom has fallen.

Annabell let out a soft squeak and her eyes widned as she stared at the dragon. She then looked at Alasasha when he said child. She swalloed hard and tensed up as he touch her. Her eyes widened even more as saw her village. A tear slipped from her eyes. It was as she thought, it was a bit better, but still, her life, her childhood, gone. She stared down at the ground and silent.

The dragon pulled away from her and looked at Alasasha. Give her time, child. he said and with that, he retreated deep into the caves, not to be disturbed by the new comers.

Antonio walked in when Alasasha whistled the okay. He walked over to Annabell and looked down at her. "Are you alright?"

Annabell was on her knees as Antonio walked in. She stared at the ground as her hands gripped her knees. "M-My kingdom. Gone. Destroyed. Everything I know, everything I had...stripped from me." She whispered as she faught back tears.

Antonio knelt down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Things and worldly possessions can be replaced, people cannot. Your father and your people are safe." He said with a soft smile. He looked up over at Kenta, who came flying down. He snorted smoke at them before turning back into his human form.

Annabell looked at Antonio with tears in her eyes. She nodded her head and smiled a little before staring at the ground. Her eyes widened as she looke at Kenta. "what of my mother?!" she asked then realized he wouldn't understand what she ment "What of the family picture? It's the only thing we have of my mother"

"That blasted thing? It is unharmed. Your father, myself, and a few guards got it down, then I was forced to carry it on my back to the Northern Mountains. The safe haven protected by the shadow wolves." Kenta said and looked to Alex and Lance. "Your father sends his regards."

Alex snorted, turning his head since he was still in his wolf form. Lance smiled kindly. "Well that was kind of him."

Alasasha sat down against the wall of the cave and moved Velor to her lap, petting his fur gently and earning purrs of gratitude.

Antonio stood straight and smiled at them, then walked over to a secluded corner and sat down, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

Annabell smiled as she got up and bowed to Kenta "you don't know how much that means to
Me. Thank you" she stated and then walked close to him to kiss his cheek. She looked over at Antonio and bit her bottom lip. Fixing her clothes and hair she walked over to him. Clearing her throat she took a deep breath "I-I owe you more than an apology"

Kenta looked at her with a raised brow, then shrugged it off and leaned against the mouth of the cave, keeping an eye out.

Antonio looked up at her, then patted the spot next to him. "An apology will be accepted, but it is not necessary."

Annabell smiled as she sat down slowly next to him "It is though. I tried to Kill you, an innocent man. I was going to kill you before I heard your side of the story. My father too. And for that I am sorry though I know it won't make what I said any better" she whispered softly

"You were going by what information you were told. If it were my kingdom, we wouldn't have listened to the other side of the story at all. A poison arrow to the throat on sight." Antonio said softly, looking at Alasasha. He felt bad, because it had happened to her.

Annabell smiled a little as she took off her sword and placed her bows and broken arrow next to her side. She closed her eyes and rested next to Antonio with a small smile. "I will help you get your rightful place and name back even if it kills me" She whispered.

"Don't speak like that." Antonio said calmly. "My crown is not worth you losing your life. That is just foolish for you to think that." He said, not trying to sound mean, only truthful.

Annabell sighed and looked down "Sorry" She whispered as she looked at her bow. She knew it was un fixable, and when they all go to bed, she planned on going out into the forest to try to make a new one.

The only ones not asleep now were Antonio and Kenta. Antonio was slowly starting to drift off, however, Kenta was keeping guard, and never slept. "Just be careful." Antonio said softly as he closed his eyes. He was exhausted from his injury still, even though it had been healed.

Annabell sighed and nodded her head. She got up brushing herself off and walked deep into the woods. She began to look at branches and then at some twigs. She rolled her eyes and looked up at the sky. "oh mother" she whispered as she sat down under a tree. "What am I going to do?" She asked as she yawned and started to fall asleep under the tree.


























Back to: The Princess and the Crow