Chapter 3
As Ami rides on Tornado's strong back seated sideways in front of her enigmatic rescuer she feels his strong arms around her as she leans back against his chest.
"If you won't tell me your name, at least tell me where you're taking me," she says.
"I'm taking you to someplace where you'll be safe, fed, clothed, and pampered like the pretty princess you are."
Ami wonders if such a place exists.
" Not to seem ungrateful but, God why am I so attracted to you, can you be a bit more, uh specific perhaps?"
A chuckle rumbles up from his belly and spills out of his lips. You don't believe in subtlety do you, princess? Truth be told I've been attracted to you for a long time. As to being more specific I'm taking you to where every princess should be. You're going to a Royal Palace."
Amis' eyes grow wide as tea saucers; "A Royal Palace? With servants and food and lavish ɓalls and dresses and soft beds and ....oh how I've missed those things."
" Is it far? Do they know I'm coming?" Are there nobles and a king and knights and ladies in waiting and......I'm babbling aren't I?"
Another chuckle "Just a bit, Princess." " To answer that barrage of queries you just unleashed ..... yes all that and even more."
"More?" Ami can't believe what she's hearing, for six years she's dreamed of Ambrosia her home, her parents."
She leans back against his strong chest and inhales the fragrant air around them a mix of night air, fresh and clean, and leather and him, something masculine about the way his scent reaches more than her nose it touches her very soul.
Her reverie is interrupted by the sound of approaching hoof beats in the night. Four armored knights are bearing down on them fast. As they draw closer Ami recognizes the seal on their shields, and her heart leaps into her throat. "Acronian knights she whispers, the most feared and formidable in all the realms." " They're ruthless barbarians. Can we outrun them?"
"No princess he says but be not afraid they won't harm us. "
Ami says "I've heard of them they're ruthless in battle indiscriminate killers." How can you be so calm?"
" Not everything you hear is true princess yes they are formidable in battle but they are valiantly protective and loyal and they are not ruthless indiscriminate killers they're knights pure and simple. They're brave but also chivalrous to the end. Have no fear, Princess. "The four knights overtake them slowing their stallions to match Tornado's speed. They surround them one in front and back on on each side. The 5 Andalusian stallions move almost as one maintaining a perfect amount of space between them. Ami thinks these 5 have ridden together for a long time.
The knight on their left whose markings identify him as First Knight speaks first. "You're escapees from the slave brothel." he says all escapees are to be returned". Ami shrinks into her savior's presence "Please don't let them take me back." Fear in her voice, she shivers.
"You're scaring the Princess." her rescuer chides the elder knight "Stop it now!" My apologies Princess." Says the first knight "Please forgive my poor attempt at humor." Of a truth, we are all sworn to your protection."
Ami gasps "Who would pledge Acronian knight to my protection?"
An Acronian king, Princess." Says the first knight whose name is Sir James. Ami says the King of Acronia is interested in my safety and well-being?" Sir James says indeed, Princess, in fact, he's been searching for you for 6 years.
"Six years? Ami says "Why?" Then to her rescuer "Did he send you?"
"Yes Ami, he sent me. Along with these knights the best of the best."Sir James said, "How come you're late to the rendezvous point?"She couldn't run look at her ankles. I had to carry her."
Sir James looks at Ami's ankles rubbed raw by years of shackles. "Those bastards" it might interest you to know Princess that slavery has ended in Acronia tonight."
Ami says "Really?" "The other slaves are free as well?" Her eyes were shining brightly.
Yes, and they are being taken to the king's country villa to be safe until they can be reunited with their families."
"Oh thank you." She gasps as they rein in at a royal carriage flying the insignia of Acronia. Her rescuer dismounts and carries her to to carriage placing her inside. "This is your ride the rest of the way Princess." To the four knights, he says "Perhaps you'd like to introduce yourselves."
SirJames is first bowing as he says it's a pleasure to meet you Princess he lifts his visor the other three copy his lead "I'm Sir Thomas, I'm Sir Geoffrey, I'm Sir Cole."
Ami is taken aback by the fact that he is looking at four of the most handsome men she has ever seen." Are all Acronian men as attractive as you four she giggles." Sir James says "the ones that look like him" pointing at her rescuer "we make a cover-up."
Ami says " I think you're jesting, sir, James." Her smile bright as he places her in the carriage.
" Take Tornado to the stables tell the master to give him extra oats he' earned them tonight. I'll ride to the palace with the Princess. Where are the other girls?"
Sir James says "At the country villa."
"Good make sure they're fed clothed and reunited with their families as soon as possible."
Ami listens to her hooded rescuer's orders to the knights. "Sir James I want you to personally take charge of those girls' well-being. I don't care if their fathers are royal noblemen merchants farmers or shovel manure at the stables; they're some Daddy's princess and I want them treated as such understand. "
Yes, Your Ma.......er that is sir you can count on me. I always do." " Fare thee well brave knights." The four gallop off Sir Cole leading Tornsdo behind him.
Ami li leans against him in the carriage realizing there is an air of authority about him but more than that he's compassionate a warrior to be sure, but a gentle one. As the carriage rolls along she feels herself drift into darkness that is induced by exhaustion and soon is asleep her head on his shoulder while he silently chuckles at her soft snores.
