Moving through the city Willow thought back at all the things that had happened since she started this race against time. She bit her lip as images flashed before her eyes, scenes tinted by the red rain of blood and screams ringing in her ears. She gasped closing off her memories it was too painful she pulled herself back to the present.

She reached the palace gates her way immediately barred by immaculate soldiers she pulled her glove off revealing her signet ring. They apologised and quickly moved aside allowing her to carry on past. The palace courtyard was buzzing with activity, noble’s frivolously walking around and servants trying to go unnoticed. Soldiers passed going about their rounds and duties. Willow watched briefly amazed that things could be so normal when darkness had descended in her world.

A young groom approached to take her mount. She dismounted her hood falling, the lad gasped. He stared having never seen any women like this. He yelped as Odin bit him neighing in annoyance. Willow smiled and rubbed Odin’s neck. She turned and took the lad’s arm it was red and there where teeth marks but the skin remained unbroken. “I am glad you are not overly hurt but it’s rude to stare young one.” She whispered handing him the reins he flushed and stared at the floor she rushed toward the palace steps sparing him no more of her precious time.

Running up the stone steps her cloak billowing out behind her, she took little notice of the people she passed even though they took notice of her passing. She marched passed the soldiers stood to attention lining the wall to stop before the official’s desk; he continued to look over his paperwork as if she wasn’t there.

“Excuse me. Can you tell me where Commander Michael of the lower garrison is please?”

The official gave her a theatrical start then proceeded to look Willow over rudely causing her to bristle in anger. “How did an urchin like you get passed the soldiers at the gate?” He sneered.

“Well you see sir, I rode my horse through the gate after I showed them my family crest my name is Lady Willow Alexandra daughter of High Commander Lord Richard Alexandra.” She replied bitingly not moving to show him proof.

“If you are a lady then I am the new court jester.” He signalled the guards who moved forward to detain her.

“Don’t force me to do something rash.” She warned he took little notice but to smile as she was detained. Willow put up a fight. She sent a couple of soldiers crashing to the ground the sound of steel being drawn made her reach for her sword she swore remembering she had removed it as protocol dictated and her daggers where in her saddle bags. As the armed soldiers again closed in she grimaced thinking quick she didn’t want to hurt the soldiers but she also couldn’t afford to be detained any longer. She was grabbed from behind she struggled but movement caught her eyes stilling her counterattack, she stared into surprised brown eyes.

“Halt!” Everyone froze and turned to the speaker. Willow smiled those brown eyes belonged to the King’s head squire, Squire Rye. Squire Rye had amber coloured hair and soft features he was slightly shorter than Willow and of slender build then she was he took quick steps towards her. “Lady Willow, what is going on?” he asked appalled motioning for the soldiers to move.

“Seignior Rye, please can you get the soldiers to release me?” she struggled some more but the soldiers where not holding her so tightly now.

A wicked smile curved his lips as he pretended to consider her request. “Release her.” The soldiers released her and moved back to their post the ones’ she had sent to the floor gave her disgruntled expressions but Willow turned and glared at the official.

“Seignior Rye it would appear his majesty has a new court jester.” The official paled but Willow turned back to Rye she quickly explained and he burst out laughing but a hard glint came into his eyes as he turned away from the official something the official didn’t miss.

Rye led her away before she caused more disturbances. He paused to look over her padded under armour his eyes widened as he noted the blood stain on her left side. “What are you doing here Lady Willow and dressed like that? Wait, are you injured?” he moved to touch her but she shied away.

“It a long and sad story is my brother here Seignior?” She addressed him again using his formal title and avoiding his injury question.

“He’s in a meeting with my sire, maybe you should change and I will see if I can get you into see his majesty.”

She halted and grabbed him in panic time was slipping away. “Please Ryeonus I need to see them urgently.” She begged.

Squire Rye stared into her worried and tired eyes and sighed. “Okay but don’t use my real name you know how I hate it.”

She frowned. “It’s a nice name Rye.” She smiled and he shook his head. When she flashed him that dimpled smile he always caved into her wishes.

Steering her towards the council room he thought it was just lucky the Alexandra family where King Edwards’s most trusted and honoured family. High Lord Richard Alexandra had grown up with the King. Edwards’s respect for Richard and the fact that Richard was his senior by five years had allowed Richard to use his position sometimes shamelessly over the years but the king never had another who would do anything in his power to protect him the way that Richard had. Lord Richard had married at seventeen, there where rumours when his wife gave birth to the twins that she was pregnant before they married but no-one spoke of that openly. Richard was an honoured knight of the crown, as well as holding his ancestral barony. At thirty-eight he was still battle strong and more importantly his loyalty had never wavered and the King trusted him and those that served under him.

The soldiers guarding the council chamber moved aside for Rye he knocked on the door motioning for Willow to wait, he then opened the door. Willow entered behind him not willing to wait causing him to let out a sigh and shook his head exasperated as she stepped around him.

Willow’s eyes roamed the room until they found her brother she let out a pent of sigh of relief her shoulders sagging.

Michael jumped to his feet in surprise his chain mail rustling. “Willow, what are you doing here?” He stared at her confused.

Willow thought he was angry and took a tentative step backward walking into Rye who steadied her giving her arm a reassuring squeeze before he let her go. “Please don’t be mad at me Michael it was an emergency and I seek father.” She turned to Edward who smiled his eyes alight with mirth. “Forgive my appearance and for disturbing you sire, I would not do so unless it was of great importance.” She bent low barely hiding her low moan.

“You are forgiven Lady Willow.” He smiled his eyes gentling. The others in the room studied her with interest. Rye closed the door and took his seat but Willow still hadn’t moved. Edward sighed and studied her she looked tired and her features were pale with exhaustion.

“Your father is with my brother Prince Larimar, Duke of Amstrad, will you not sit?” He asked kindly.

“Thank you but I cannot, I must hasten to my father or die trying.” She added moving to leave.

Michael gasped. “Willow what is going on?” He was worried his sister’s sombre mood troubled him. His eyes widened in fear, “is it mother?”

Willow bit her lip her eyes glistened with tears but not one fell. “Martha has been kidnapped and castle Alexandra is still recovering from the recent attack.” Angry and stunned comments broke out from all around her.

King Edward clenched his fist in fury. “Who attacked you?” He asked through clenched teeth the room silenced.

Lady Willow inhaled wearily. “I knew not at the time my liege but Mattie…excuse me Sir Mathew, he became distressed on closer inspection of the bodies he ordered that they be burned using rowan and holly wood he was very specific.” The room became still Willow studied the men’s worried faces her eyes narrowed shrewdly but she allowed the matter to drop.

“Sir Mathew bid me to hasten to father. There where no knights or messengers to spare as many had accompanied my reluctant mother to the safety of Castle Dittmer.” Willow shook her head trying to shift the sudden ringing in her ears her words becoming slurred. “Sir Mathew gave me this message: Daedal of the wolf tribe has returned” King Edward closed his eyes as his councillors broke out into nervous conversation.

A dizzy spell over came Willow as the strain of the journey caught up with her. Michael watching her closely lunged to her side just managing to catch her before she hit the stone floor, the room stilled. Michael sunk to the ground cradling her, she was barely conscious. He looked up startled King Edward was crouched near him his eyes filled with concern but Michael turned his attention back to his sister.

“Willow when did you last sleep?” Michael asked stirring his sister awake.

Willow’s eyes flickered open, “three nights ago I had to stop on the way to get some of grannies potion, and it’s the only thing keeping me going.” Her skin paled becoming almost transparent and she closed her eyes.

“And food?” He asked tightly. Edward stared on concerned he gasped as her eyes snapped open she stared at him with eyes clouded by pain he noted her stained under armour and moved to inspect but she stirred pulling away with a grunt of pain.

“The same,” she whispered weakly she suddenly clutched at her brother’s chain mail unconcerned about the pinching to her skin it caused. “So many died I failed Michael I’m sorry I tried to keep her safe. I really…” She trailed off as she slipped into oblivion her hand falling lifelessly but the king caught it and placed it gently on her abdomen. Michael closed his eyes hugging her close.

King Edward put his hand on Michael’s shoulder making him flinch. “Take her to your father’s quarters she will need rest I will send someone to inspect her for wounds.” He pointed to the blood stains Michael nodded and lifted her into his arms. Rye rushed and opened the door he turned pleading eyes towards his liege who hiding his smile nodded and Rye followed Michael from the room.

King Edward turned to the silent room. “This troubling matter must be addressed, we will meet tomorrow hopefully by then Lady Willow will be able to tell us more.” Edward noticed the look on Duke Oliver’s face. “What is it Oliver?”

“I had heard rumours about Lady Willow but I had thought they where exaggerated.”

Edward smiled briefly distracted. “I am just as surprised but more so because of her lack of armour,” he chuckled. “It has been sometime since I have seen her out of armour and without her sword.” The men just stared at him trying to picture it.