“It can’t be true...” she cried, “I don’t want to be alone,”“You’re not alone, we can help you find a new home,” said James ,“I don’t want a new home! I want my daddy!”She ran away through the snow. Alex stayed behind staring at the moon while James followed her. She ran towards the city, but tripped and fell into a snow-bank. She laid there screaming until James picked her up to rock her.She only hugged him and cried as he carried her home. When they arrived she was asleep. Scarlett met him outside the hut. “What happened?”“We informed her of the truth, she didn’t take her father’s death very well,”“How would you expect her to take it?”“I know, but hopefully we can find her a new family,”“I guess we’ll worry about it in the morning,” said Alex now appearing around a corner, “We could all use a little sleep.”The troupe entered the hut and did their best to find places to sleep. James put Isabelle on her bed and he covered her before retreating to the floor. All three dri

He kept pushing forward listening to Isabelle’s screams. Something grabbed the back of his shirt keeping him from swimming farther. He looked back to see James trying to hold him. “Don’t be a fool, we can’t catch him!” James shouted, spewing the seawater from his mouth.“We have to! I will not leave her!”“And I won’t let you die in vain! She’s gone Alex , there’s nothing we could have done!”Alex watched the boat disappear and felt the overwhelming dread enter him. James pulled himself and his friend along the rope he’d tied to the ship until they were at the side. James pulled himself up followed by Alex .James went to the helm and steered the ship east towards the shore. He locked the wheel and went to sit with his companion who laid on the deck in agony over the loss. “There was nothing to do, he would have killed her,”“And we condemn her to a fate worse than death? To be some pirate’s slave?”James wasn’t sure what to say, he too was feeling the loss of Isabelle weigh on

Alex thought about it for a moment, “James , you are a wise man and I’m glad to call you friend,” he put out his hand. James clasped it with his own, “Now let’s go do as the Lord will.”The four of them went to the stables and hooked two horses to a large wagon. They took it to the storages and took a bag from each one while Michael spoke to the guards. Once they were all loaded up they took the wagon out into the night and towards the village. “Haha!” laughed Michael as his body swelled with excitement, “I’ve never done anything like this!”When they arrived at the first farm they each took a bag and placed it in the farmer’s storehouse hanging them from the ceiling to avoid mice getting to them. They quietly went back to the wagon and then went to the second farm, then the third and so on until the wagon was empty and each farm had a sufficient supply of seed.They then took the wagon back to Doranth while the sun began to rise. Michael entered his quarters and returned with three

Alex appeared and grabbed the guard’s hand. “There is no crime here,” he said, “This is a family matter,”“But the missus here has expressed--”“I know what she said, but nothing has been stolen save this young man’s affection, leave it alone,”“What say you sir?” asked the guard to Coltyn,“She has committed no crime,”The guard looked around and seeing he was not needed returned to his post.“How dare you intervene!” shouted the mother at Alex ,“I must as a knight stand for justice and truth,”“A knight? Where is your garb if you hold such an honor?”“This is my badge,” he held up his shield, “And this is my king’s favor,” he held up the emblem,“I apologize sir knight,” the woman bowed,“All is well ma’am, but you cannot stop these two from leaving, they must live as they see fit,”“But his life is meant for so much more,”“What more is there than love?” Coltyn asked as he took Amber’s hand,“A life of wealth and honor, you’ll squander your fortune and family name for poverty and

James ’s eyes suddenly opened as he heard a wolf howl. Scarlett felt him shudder and she too was now awake. The two sat up and James thought he saw a shadow move.“What?”“Something’s out there,” he whispered,Through the darkness of the forest Scarlett could see slight movement in her peripheral. She signaled for James to follow her lead. She slowly reached for her bow and an arrow. Another twig snapped and Scarlett shot her arrow into the shadows. A deep howl came from the beast as it turned and ran.James tried to chase it, but it was large and faster than he was. Eventually the pounding footsteps faded and James stopped his chase. He returned to the campsite where Scarlett was explaining to Alex and Ruby.“It seemed like some sort of beast, without any light I couldn’t get a good look,”“What about you James ?” Alex asked, “Did you see it?”“No, but it’s steps were loud and heavy, it must be gargantuan,”“Well there’s no need to worry, it’s wounded and shouldn’t return tonig