***   Ivan sat outside watching the beautiful morning sun rise, he had always been an early riser. He had found it extremely hard to sleep in the house because he had never really had a home to call his. Every night was an adventure with him, from sleeping in taverns, stables and underneath the open skies, one could never get used to a house. He itched to go back to the life he knew and loved.   Unfortunately, he was stuck with a certain old man and his annoying but beautiful daughter. Beautiful, he thought to himself. It made no sense to him why he would compliment her. After all she was the reason he could barely move on his own let alone be out in the woods…    He still thought she was beautiful, all could see it. He brushed it off his mind but somehow it was ha

 Ivan watched as Cleopatra gathered the woods together and then with a mere wave of her hand, she lit a fire. She picked up a large pot and placed on it. She had on a sky blue dress, with a rope belt around her waist. He looked at her hair, he had never seen anything more dark and long. She wore a frown on her face but he knew he had to approach her and do whatever it took to make her feel better. It had clawed at him throughout the whole night.  He limped slowly towards her and cursed himself for even making the effort. Why did he have to make the effort he asked himself repeatedly. It was however too late to turn back because he was already before her.  “Cleopatra”, he called out to her.  She turned to look at him, when her eyes met his, her frown deepened if that was even possible, “What do you want?”  He igno

Aileen rode into the small town of Averna, she was accompanied by ten guards on her father’s insistence. Although she knew she had told him she would have need for one. She slowed and got down from her horse, she patted her back.    She had colored her hair red, it fell straight framing her petite face and her expressive brown eyes. She had on a red top with leather pants and knee high leather boots.   She turned to guards, she did have need for them after all, “I want you to gather all the people of this town. I do not care how you do or what measures you resort to, provided it is done!”  “Yes your highness”, they scurried off, none wanting to incur her wrath.                                           &

He heard the constant bickering from inside where he lay, he walked out, it was a beautiful night, a full moon and a starry night. He admired it for a while, on nights like this he chose to sleep under the open skies so he could admire the beautiful night sky. He stared ahead and he spotted them sitting outside.   He walked towards them, he could not conceal his disappointment when he saw Cleopatra sat next to Dylan, a smile on her face. He didn’t know why but it disturbed him.   Iris broke into his thoughts when she saw him approaching, “I saved a spot for you”   He sat besides her.   He and Cleopatra exchanged brief glances. Dylan glared at him, he merely smirked at him, it was nothing he was not used to. They fell into an awkward silence but thankfully Iris came to their rescue, “It is such a beautiful night…”, sh

                               ***    Cedric had on a red royal mantle, that flowed down and trailed behind him. He sat at the head of the high table, he stared bored at the guests that were gathered in his party. The swaying dancers and leaping acrobats did nothing to lift his mood. The ladies subtly glanced in his direction where as the men tried so hard to get favors from him. He was bored to say the least. He hated balls and parties.   He munched on an apple and sipped wine, the music did nothing to elevate his mood. Then in the sea of guests, something caught his eye. It was not flashy or colorful, neither was it eminent like all the guests where. As a matter of fact it was dark and broody.  He saw a dark haired beauty that stood out amongst the others, he couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was that made her stand