Wrote the next chapter! I really like this one because it shows alot of Ardara's personality which is strong and filled with fire.
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The Fiery Princess
Chapter 11: The Fire re-lighted
     King Soren was waiting at his castle in Slodinina. Ever since his plot concerning Ardara had failed he had been planning another way to take Celestia. He had heard that since the disappearance of his daughter King Adrian had fallen in health so all Soren had to do was wait until he died. It would then be very easy to take the kingdom of Celestia away from the reign of a young child. But Soren was restless. He wanted Celestia as soon as possible. To distract his mind he arranged a Grand Tournament to be held. Knights would gather and compete and Soren would get beautiful girls from around the country to be given as prizes to the winning knights. Soren rubbed his hands together in gleeful anticipation. It would be an excuse to have a great feast which was something he loved and perhaps finally get his son Matthias interested in war. Soren was pleased.
     Ardara had given up struggling even though every nerve in the body was screaming to be let free. Ardara found out through the conversation of the soldiers that some sort of Tournament was going to be held and that she and the other girls in the cart were to be prizes for the winning knights. Ardara was disgusted that she was supposed to just let herself be handed over as a piece of property. In an attempt to escape she started talking to the other girls in the cart saying
"Lets go! We've got to get out of here!"
"Why should be go?" one girl said
"Yes why should we?" another said
"Because unless we leave we're going to be given as prizes to knights who win at the upcoming tournament. It's totally barbaric." Ardara replied hotly annoyed by the frivilous girls
"Oooooo real knights!" One girl said
"I bet they'll dress us up real nicely" another said
"I can hardly wait!" yet another said. With a groan Ardara gave up trying to reason with the witless girls. She figured she'd rather save her sanity then try to escape with those girls.
     After hours the wagon came in sight of a huge city with Ardara recognized to be Slodinia. Ardara paniced. She knew that the moment Soren or Matthias saw her, her whole disguise would be blown. She would be recognized and made to marry Matthias. But there was nothing she could do now as the the wagon was rolling through the streets of Slodinia. The wagon stopped infront of what Ardara assumed to be the palace. The soldiers pointed the girls toward a door and Ardara made to follow them. She hadn't gone two steps when the soldier who had taken her from Lehana in the first place grabbed her saying
"You're not over there. You're going to King Soren. He is interested in you" Ardara tried to struggle but the soldiers grip was too strong. Feeling helpless Ardara was led through the castle and into the throne room. King Soren was there and as Ardara was brought before him Ardara kept her head down hoping with every fiber of her body that Soren wouldn't recognize her.
"Well, well, well" Soren said
"This is the girl I've heard struggled with my soldiers. Quite interesting. Most girls would have been glad to have gone." Still keeping her head down Ardara replied with a sudden fire
"Then, my lord they should be the ones to go not me" Soren chuckled and said
"You've got some spirit there girl. Come why do you keep your head down? Lift it up so I can see it" Reluctantly Ardara lifted her head up. The moment Soren saw her face shocked registered on his face.
"How....what......what are you doing here?! Where have you been?!" he said stunned
"I've been hiding in a small town for three years" Ardara replied defiantly
"Oh yes, and there wasn't any kidnapping. I staged it all myself." she added knowing that that would make Soren angry. She was right. Anger appeared on Soren's face but then it disappeared replaced by one of smugness.
"Well princess Ardara" he said
"I have something special planned for you"
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