Rush Against Time (18 page)

By Nancy Lommel

“
Princess Ariyona,” he began by letting her know he was all too aware of her identity.  “My name is Captain Merrick. You are now the prisoner of My Liege Lord, His Royal Majesty, King Jareth of Ravenwood.”

Ariyona felt her stomach sink to her toes upon hearing that name and she paled visibly.

“My Lord has ordered my men and me to bring you whole and unharmed before him. My Lord is very unforgiving of failure, so it is my wish that you cooperate with us so that we may fulfill his bidding. We wish you no harm, but know that we will deliver you. It is in your best interest at this point to cause no trouble. As long as you cooperate, we will do everything possible to assure your safety and comfort on the journey to Ravenwood. Do you agree or would you like to take on the four of us?” Merrick smiled as he spoke the last.

For a moment, Ariyona did not reply.
Jareth of Ravenwood!
He was a tyrant king who ruled by fear and force. Many were the tales that had reached King Oberon’s court of the atrocities committed by Jareth upon his people. They had many refugees from his lands. He was a harsh, cruel monarch and the opposite of everything Ariyona believed in.
But why was he kidnapping her?
Ariyona could not fathom a reason. She looked at Merrick who was still awaiting her answer. She was royalty and they knew it.  She knew from his words they would respect and treat her well. Jareth wanted her delivered whole and unharmed. Ariyona preferred it that way as well. She thought of her father’s four rules of being captured. The first was to do whatever was necessary to protect herself. The second was to obey her captors as long as it did not compromise the first rule. Thirdly, she was not to do anything that would bring dishonor to her father or her kingdom. Finally, the fourth rule was to try to escape as long as it did not compromise the first or third rule. As resistance would gain her nothing and escape was not an option at this point, Ariyona forced herself to speak to her captors.

“
I agree,” she said through clenched teeth.

Merrick smiled.
“Very well.” He produced a length of rope that had been secured to his belt. “Please hold out your wrists. I have to bind them, but let me know if it is too tight. As I said, I have no wish to harm you.” Yet from looking into Merrick’s eyes, Ariyona knew he was not a man to trifle with.

Ariyona held out her wrists and Merrick quickly wound the rope around them.
As he did the other three men sheathed their swords, but Ariyona did not doubt that any transgression on her part would have them out in an instant. The rope was very tight around her wrists, but Ariyona’s pride would not allow her to speak again to Merrick to ask him to loosen her binding. Merrick tied the other end of the rope to his belt and they set off deeper into the woods, away from the castle. One of Merrick’s men led the way with Merrick second. Naturally, Ariyona was next in line, as she was tied to Merrick, and the other two soldiers took up the rear.

As they walked, Merrick explained to Ariyona how she had made their task easier.
They had been watching the castle from the woods for several days and had noticed that she fled the castle alone at least once a day. As soon as they were assured that she remained alone, and sometimes stayed in the woods for hours, all they had to do was pick a day and wait. Ariyona walked right into their hands. Merrick and his men laughed at this while Ariyona silently cursed herself for her foolishness. Her father had been right all along and she did have need of a guard. Now she knew for a fact she was wrong to disobey her father on this matter. Why did she not listen?

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