Dark Snow White (Grimmoire Series)

Part I

Nothing of particular note ever happened in RedCrest since the Serpentine War - nothing until today.

Morning dew covered the castle grass. Ray yawned as he leaned against the castle wall. His first shift as morning guard was off to a very tiring start. Being on night shift for the past six months was torture, so he was glad to finally be rotated onto the day shift, but his body clock hadn't adjusted yet. He wondered how the new night shift guards would fare, then remembered they'd probably be too busy playing cards to feel tired.

Ray caught himself nodding off. The gentle breeze winding through the forest had an almost hypnotic effect on him. Only a few more blinks away from a complete out-cold, open-mouthed, drool slumber. Fighting to stay upright, when suddenly something caught Ray's eye, deep within the forest. Movement.

That woke him up. It was definitely not the wind. Possibly an animal, maybe a person? His grip tightened around the handle of his sword. His eyes narrowed as he tried to see through the forest.

As the figure weaved in and out of the dappled light of the trees, Ray could not make out what was headed his way. Ray unsheathed his sword. A majestic white steed, that much was for sure. The rider had long, dark, flowing hair. A woman? Yes, wearing a long white dress. As the figure moved closer to the castle, he could see she was covered in what looked like blood and filth. There was something bouncing around her shoulder. An arrow? Yes, an arrow buried deep in her shoulder.

Almost at the castle gates, the horse slowed to a stop. Ray kept his sword out. "M'lady, what is your business here?" The Rider dismounted the horse, her walk was staggered. "M'lady, are you alright?" The rider's knees buckled and she fainted.

Ray called out to the castle, "RAISE THE MAIN GATE."

* * *

The castle's infirmary was quite modest. Three beds, cupboards filled with various ointments and bandages. The Rider lay on the operating table, arrow still lodged in her shoulder. In the hall outside, many servants had gathered to see what the hubbub was all about. Inside the room, the gruff and grey-haired Queen's surgeon, Talbot and his mousey nurse, began preparing the workspace to tend the patient.

Prince Floran in his royal garb, anxiously ran his fingers through his dashing brown hair as he paced back and forth next to the Rider. Floran stopped pacing to take a closer look at the woman. It was hard to tell what she looked like from all the blood and dirt, but one thing was for sure, her lips were red as rubies and her skin was as white as snow.

"She's so beautiful. Like a Princess." Floran gently brushed some of her blood stained hair from her face, "I don't understand the world sometimes. Who would shoot someone so beautiful?" Talbot, busy sharpening his instruments, responded from across the room, "That's a question you may ask her when she wakes up." Floran spun around at once, facing the surgeon, "So she'll be alright?" Talbot laughed to himself, "I've removed a weapon from many a body during my time in the war. The shoulder, while fiddly, is not life threatening."

The quiet chatter of the servants in the hall was suddenly replaced with the unmistakeable sound of kneeling and many voices, one after another saying "Your Highness." A moment later, Queen Eleanor entered the infirmary. Her fair skin stood in stark contrast to her brown hair, which was piled high on her angular face like a wispy dessert. Her hazel eyes matched her son's. "So this is our mystery girl?" Eleanor inspected the girl from toe to head and stopped on her face, analysing it ever so closely. "Fix her up so we can send her on her way, Talbot," instructed the Queen. Talbot nodded.

"Mother, no!" exclaimed Floran, somewhat frantic. "Oh really now, Floran. Do you want to keep her? Please tell me you haven't fallen in love with the poor girl already," sighed Eleanor. "Mother," continued Floran dramatically, "she's beautiful, like a princess." "There are beautiful commoners, Floran and there are plenty of ugly princesses," warned Eleanor. "Trust me. Besides, she could be anyone."