The Wonder Tales Issue #7
The Princess Archer
By Nick Davis
Smashwords Edition
Published by Alt-World at Smashwords
Copyright 2011 Nick Davis
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To remind my daughter, everyday is a new adventure waiting to happen.
*****
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away lived the Archer, who was keen-eyed as he was lightning fast with a bow. He was a brave and fearless soul, who tragically had to wear a mask to hide the horrific burns on his face from rescuing the Royal horses from a stable fire. His one loyal companion was Keshi his horse, who unknown to anyone else could talk, and this horse was as quick-witted as he was fleet of foot. Although one day the Archer would claim a kingdom of his own, this tale tells of one of his many wonderful adventures before that time.
The Archer loyally served the King, a man as selfish as he was cruel and he ruled his land with an iron fist, and was undeserving of such a loyal servant as the Archer. The King had one child, a daughter, who he wished to wed to the King of the Coastal Kingdom and arrangements were made to send his daughter the Princess Gwendolyn in procession to him.
Now the Princess Gwendolyn was the opposite of her father, and was a mirror of her poor deceased Mother’s kindness and grace. She was fair of face with emerald green eyes and mass of red curly hair on her head, normally held in place in a long braid that reached far down her back. As with all Princesses she was educated in the manner befitting her station by her Governess the dour faced Lady Agatha – a woman always dressed in black and voluminous cloaks. An education that Gwendolyn made great pains to show bored her, as she escaped many a time to join the squires on the practice fields, or was found wandering deep in the forest alone.
The day of the great procession came. The Princess was led to her Royal carriage by the King and took her seat next to the Lady Agatha. Three Royal Knights--Sir Oswald the Senior, Sir Fowler the Younger, and Sir Moore the Giant--and a troop of mounted King’s Guard were ordered to guard her. The Archer, under the orders of Sir Oswald, was also in the procession; the Archer was to ride ahead and scout for any danger.
Excited, the Archer rode Keshi to the head of the column, and was the first to leave the King’s castle, missing out on the splendor of the Princess Gwendolyn’s departure.
“Keshi, this is a great honor to be the outrider for this procession. We must do the best job that we can,” said the Archer.
“Yes Master, but I would not worry for now. I have heard rumor from the horses in our stable that the way ahead is clear of danger, and we should have no real fears until we reach the Tangled wood,” replied Keshi who was prancing for the onlookers. “Must we take that road?”
“Aye Keshi, we have no choice. The King has chosen it as the quickest route to the Coastal Kingdom and Sir Moore agrees,” said the Archer.