Chapter Two: Mariana

Mariana held her head high as she was led into town by the group of boys, even as they drew onlookers. She was not going to go willingly once they got to the jail though, if the heavens couldn’t afford to pay for people like her to eat then why should stealing not be allowed? It was a good question for her to dwell on as time passed but she would have to do it later, they were at the jail now.

The boys dragged her up the jail steps and inside where she tumbled forward, to stand in front of the jailer and the lead boy’s father.

The man looked at her then said “You are charged with vandalism and for theft, therefore you will spend a night in jail then be put to use in the town.” He turned around and stalked behind the desk. “Put her in a cell.”

That was when all the devils let loose.

Mariana leapt over the desk and started scratching at the man behind it with everything inside of her. She bit his hands as they tried to grab her then she spun around and started an attack on the vendor man.

“AHHHHH STOP HER!” he screamed and in the confusion most of the boys ran out of the room and into the safety of the crowded streets.

“COWARDS!” screamed the vendor’s son, “GET YOUR LAZY BUTTS BACK HERE AND HELP MY FATHER AND ME, YOU FOOLS!”

“NOPE WE DIDN’T SIGN UP FOR A FIGHT!” Came the reply from the crowd and Mariana could hear large bunches of people muttering as they were shoved aside in the hurry for the boys to get away.

“Your father doesn’t need help,” Mariana said cooly from behind him, “you do.” She bolted at him as he screamed, but at the last second she dogged around him and made for the door that led out onto the street.

It was the third mistake of her day. Upon hearing all the commotion from the town, the castle had sent four guards to figure out the problem and deal with it, and as it happened they had seen her run out of the jail and turned towards her.

“Not again.” Mariana muttered under her breath, and she swirled around to dash down a small alley between two buildings. Being captured once was enough for one day.

Two of the men behind her yelled then swung off their horses and gave chase while one went to round her off. The last slipped off his horse and went inside the jail itself to talk to the frightened men. Mariana had to smile, the jailer was most likely going to be stripped of his job for not being able to handle a wild forest girl who is half starved to death and could use a good whipping.

She had a headstart and the men behind her were clearly not ranked well in the royal guard and appeared to be unfit. She smiled, then pressed herself against the wall, in the shadows, and waited for them to run past. After they were safely ahead she turned back around and jogged back towards town where she could disappear amongst the crowds.

“Thought you could outsmart us ehh, girle?” came from in front of her calmly.

Mariana focused her gaze on the entrance to the street and there stood the guard that went into the jail. To make up for her blindness she said a few choice words.

“You took a dive into trouble girl, I’m not sure how long before you see the light of day again so enjoy it now.” He strolled forward and grabbed her arm roughly, “to the palace with you.”

Mariana put up a struggle, wiggling and kicking but he held on tight, this one was definitely more fit then the fools who had chased her. He led her to his horse and lifted her up and on, then he tied her hands to the saddle pommel then climbed on himself. The guard gave the young stallion a firm kick, “Giddy up boy,” and sent them towards the palace.

Mariana was in an even worse position than when she had been in the jail. In the jail there had only been a single law keeper with no weapon to defend himself from an unruly criminal ,or in her case a troublesome girl, and some untrained boys and a father. Here she was sitting on a moving animal with her hands tied and now there were four fully trained guards all with weapons surrounding her. One was even sitting behind her with complete control of the horse they were both riding. Her luck was out and the castle drawbridge was under them, she had no idea how fast they had been traveling. The guard had been right; she wasn’t going to see light for much longer.

In the courtyard very few people looked up to see what the commotion was unlike the village where they were clearly used to it. Onvia was a well off kingdom but they had plenty of trouble makers and the guard was always bringing in more of them.

The guard who was sitting behind her swung off of the horse and untied Mariana’s hands before lifting her off the horse as well. Then he gave the reins to a stable boy and took her arm again, leading her towards the open door that led into the ground floor of the main turret.

The ground floor was dark but it wasn’t quite as dark as the lower floors would be. Mariana shuddered the lower floor and was not where she wanted to be. She pushed her weight into her feet and would not move.

The guard grumbled something about stubborn females then he bent down and pushed on the back of her legs, causing her to fall into his arms.

Mariana glared at him but he didn’t notice over his continued complaint as he stood up. Then he walked forward carrying her down a set of stairs into the dark.

…

The guard dropped Mariana into a cell then left, still grumbling about his “broken back”. This left her alone to admire the dankness of the small box.

There was a stone bed against one wall with a straw filled pillow, a chain laid on the ground below it.

She shivered at the thought of being changed to the wall and turned her head away to see what else there was around her.

There was a small stool in the middle of the cell with a half melted candle sitting on it. Other than that there was nothing in the cell. Looking out the door though she could see into the other few cells. Only one was occupied and it held a well dressed and handsome looking teenage boy.

He was staring at her with curiosity and interest but he clearly only saw someone who looked like a slave.

So what if he only saw a slave. She was more and wouldn’t let whoever he was get her down.

Mariana stuck her tongue out at him then sat down heavily on the bed. She risked looking up and saw he was smiling. She averted her gaze towards the stairs as she heard heavy footsteps jogging down it.

Two guards came into view, these two looked much healthier and fit then the ones that had dragged her here. They stopped at the boy’s cell and unlocked it, then they stood to the side looking like bodyguards.

The boy stood up and walked out of his cell calmly then in a few strides was standing next to Mariana’s cell. “You shouldn’t stick your tongue out at a prince.” He smiled then waved the guards over. “Take this scum to my horrid brother for her trial.” He turned and stalked up the stairs leaving Mariana gaping at the spot he had been standing just a moment ago.