City of IF

[mystery_girl]

"Ahhhhh," I screamed.

I had been having another nightmare. The third one this week, and it was only Tuesday.

"Anna Anna whats wrong? Are you o.k ?"

I sighed. "Yes father I'm fine. Go back to sleep,"

I listened to his footsteps trundling back to bed. I smiled.

Things were so different. So wrong. Things had changed so much and I hated it. I hated it all.

"I wish you were here," I whispered into the darkness.

It Had Been 3 months. 3 months exactly since she left. God how I missed her. Father too, I knew he did even if he didn't let it show.

Unlike me however, Father had gave up hope of finding her. But I knew, I just knew she was out there waiting, waiting on us finding her, I just didn't know where.

The next morning I woke with a start. The servants were busy bustling about my room as usual.

When I was fed, dressed, and alone I decided to put my plan into action.

As princess of Amandale I had never stepped outside the castle walls. It was of course improper for a princess to be seen around the town. That's what servants were for. But, if I was going to find my mother, I certainly wasn't going to do it sitting on my royal behind.

It was then when I came up with my plan. I had to escape. But how ? Then an idea struck me. Every Wednesday morning father sent the servants into town. If I could get by father while they were away I could get out.

I creaked my room door slightly open and pushed my small rounded nose out. I could just make out fathers silhouette on the wall opposite his bedroom.

Slowly I Tip-toed down the long narrow corridor reaching the huge oak doors. I pushed as quietly as I could and made my way down the marble steps hurriedly. I pulled my long cloak up over my head and made my way down by the guards praying they wouldn't notice me.

Finally, I was out.

I looked around. I sighed. What to do now? All I planned was to get out the castle, now I was out I wasn't sure what to do. All I knew was that I had to find mother, no matter what it takes.

I felt about my cloak making sure I still had my purse. Mother had given it to me for my birthday. It was of red silk and golden embroidery. It was more of an ornament than a purse, but it was all I had to contain the 6 gold coins I had collected for my journey.

Looking around for a disguise outfit I spotted a familiar face. Najma I'm sure her name was. She worked at the castle serving the meals. She was a pretty girl and had a very friendly face. I decided to trust her. What's the worst that could happen?

I pulled her out of sight behind the stalls. Into a dark alley.

"Let me go!" She screamed.

"Please be quiet?" I asked as I edged the cloak down to my shoulders.

"Princess, What are you doing here? You should be at the castle."

"I know," I sighed, "Look I don't have much time to explain I'm trying to find my mother and I need your help, I need you to take this gold coin and get me some common clothes."

Najma took the gold coin and did as I asked. I knew it was risky, she could bring back a guard, but I had to take the chance. I had little knowledge of the outside world I needed someone who knew.

After a little while Najma returned. She was carrying a tatty servants outfit and some silver siklings. I took the siklings and placed them in my purse. I then climbed out of my gown and slipped the outfit on. I smiled. I looked perfect. Well I fitted in. I discarded the gown at the back of the alley and placed my cloak back around my shoulders. I was ready. Now all I had to do is figure out where mother was and I was on my way.

I could feel the girls gaze on me. I smiled at her. She really was a pretty girl, olive-skinned, small hazel eyes that had a hint of orange when the sun shone, and beautiful long glossy black curls. She smiled back at me and turned to walk away.

"Wait!"

"Yes princess ?"

"Please will you assist me on my quest? Only I don't know my way around and I could use a companion. I will pay you one gold coin?"

"Of course princess."

"Please call me Anna now, no one must know I'm the princess."

"Yes of course."

I followed her out of the alleyway feeling the warm sun shining down upon us.

"Where are you mother? Where are you?" I thought to myself.

I closed my eyes thinking of when I last saw her. 3 months. 3 whole months ago.
It was a normal day that day. I woke as normal, and once I was dressed I went out to the gardens where mother was waiting.

"Morning!" I called out to her.

The sun shone brightly that day, brighter than it ever had. Mothers smile was as radiant as ever. She was the most beautiful in all of Amandale and she had the kindest heart. She wasn't only my mother she was my best friend.

I had never ventured outside of the castle walls, even when I was little, as far as I could remember I had never left the gates, I watch sometimes from my room, from the open shutters, I watch the outside world and ponder what it would be like to be out there.

Since I had never been out I hadn't had a chance to make any friends, to converse with others outside of the castle, because of this mother and I had formed a special bond. I relied on her for everything, and her me.

Father always said mother and I could be took as sisters, as twins almost. I wasn't so sure. Mother was tanned, dark with large green eyes, as was I, but mother had no freckles over the bridge of her nose, her lips were large and full whereas mine were small and pink, and her long mane of hair was silky chestnut whereas mine was more of a tangle. My hair was neither curly nor straight it was just hair, it also wasn't glossy or shiny it was just plain normal chestnut hair.

When I was younger mother used to tie my hair in ribbons and bows, but now I had servants, sometimes I wished that mother,father and I were normal, that we weren't royal in any way. Maybe then mother would still be here. With us. With me.

On that day father had annoyed a lot of people. The Sultan of Morganna, the King of Alashia and the Ambassador of Janapal had came over to sit in fathers chamber and discuss plans. What they were discussing and what the plans were I wasn't certain. All I knew was father had some ideas they didn't like and had already put them into action. The men stormed out by mother and by me through the gardens and out the front gate.

Father looked worried. At the time I didn't really care, I watched them walk out and smiled. My father was the greatest King of our town, no one would dare upset him. I was wrong, That night is when it happened, the worst moment in my life. I awoke in the middle of the night with a hand round my mouth, I tried to scream but the grip was too tight. Once my eyes had adjusted to the light that had been turned on, I realized what was happening, We were being kidnapped, mother and I.

At that moment mother didn't look pretty, she didn't look like her, she looked drained and afraid. She looked exactly how I felt. I heard father stirring down the hall.

"Malaya?" He called out.

"Hurry!" I heard one of the men mutter.

....

When I opened my eyes father was standing over me crying;

"Father," I said.

But no reply came, father stood silent looking out at the world. Looking out at where mother could or could not be.

[Chinaren]

Well it's short but well written.

DP? Er. Go wandering around and find a bumbling old fool that says he knows where she is, but who everyone thinks is crazy.

[mystery_girl]

I've still to finish it got a little tired will do the rest tomorrow.

[Jack_D.Mented]

Ah, I see. Not a bad start though.

I think that perhaps she should outfit herself in some less noticeable attire, perhaps that of a peasant, and then begin asking around town.

[Mephistopheles]

yeah, not a bad start. hope to see the continuance soon. :)

[Crossfire]

Very mysterious, mystery_girl... There's a couple of spelling and grammatical issues in there, but I'm sure you'll pick them up when you return...

Just have her set out on the northern road and see what she finds! Maybe danger, maybe a companion or two to aid her in her travels... who knows?

[Masterweaver]

Welcome to IF and the concept of storygaming. You need to work on your punctuation, but no qualls other then that. FOr the DP, I would suggest shanghaiing one of the local yokels into helping you.

[Lilith]

Not beating around the bush, are we? The pace of the story could be fast but, with the way you write, it seems to be flowing at a steady pace. Maybe we could get some more background on the princess and what the heck happened with her mom?

And maybe if you get the chance, you could pad it out a bit more with some description of the princess, her father, her mother, the girl that just got her the clothes.... possibly the town?

Overall, a nice story and I like it. I'm sure you'll fit it just fine here.

[Kirranna]

I like it, the story is very intriguing. I can't wait to see how it develops. Personally I think she should quite ignorantly ask the girl to show her where the kinds of people who would kidnap someone would be. And then have the girl take her to a way sketchy bar or something and then she getts tossed into a burlap sack or something....sorry kinda ranted there. :)