Heaven Skies
Legacy Name: Heaven Skies

NAME: Skie (Sky)
GENDER: Female AGE: 17
DESCRIPTION: Rebellious and Imaginative. She lives in the royal city of Tribar; she is secretly training to become a master swordsman with a man she met in the forest. She is also the crowned princess, her mother deceased, and her father gravely ill. However, she wants nothing to do with her royal heritage. Not much is known about the man with whom she trains, only that he is around her age, slightly older though, and that she calls him Row, which is short for Sparrow (his favorite type of bird).


I can hear my heart beating loudly as I run through the quiet, winding streets of my home city, my feet hitting the ground loudly. The cool winter air feels wonderful on my face as I pick up my pace. I am not running from anyone in particular. I'm actually trying to sneak out before the morning crowd fills the streets and the markets open, making traveling to the city gates near impossible. I sigh in relief as I make it through the open gates before the morning rush; nodding my head to the stationed guards as I pass.

They're used to my antics by now. I've made the same trip for a few years now. At first they laughed as I passed, wondering why I was in such a hurry. Now they just smile knowingly. I make a tight left as I exit the gates and circle around the outer wall of the city. My hand lightly slides along the stone wall, following the invisible path that it has taken everyday now for the past three years. After a few minutes of following the outer wall that protects my home city, I push away and make my way down a small hill to the river that surrounds the city.

There's rumors around the city that a swamp monster lives in the murky parts of the river, but again, they're just rumors. I can't help but chuckle to myself as I think about the absurd things of which the people think. Once at the river's edge, I uncover my small boat that I made from scraps of wood. It's sturdy enough to carry me and my belongings to the other side of the wide river. I would swim, seeing as I'm a strong swimmer, but the water comes straight down from the twin mountains that always cast their shadows over the city. It's definitely no fun swimming in the icy waters; plus my belongings that I carry everywhere with me would get soaked. Thus the reason I put together my makeshift boat.

The trip across the river is a short one, and always uneventful. Once on the other side though, I quickly scan the river bank, making sure that I wasn't followed. I could get into so much trouble if someone found out that I, a girl (and the crowned princess), was venturing into the "forbidden forest" as so many call it. Why it's called that I could never guess; it's not like it's an eerie forest either. There are quite a few bright meadows with chirping birds and the whole lot. There is nothing scary about it, but lucky for me, it's secluded and quite.

I quickly hide my boat again and begin my trek to one of my favorite spots in the forest. I almost know the way by heart, so it doesn't take me long to reach my destination. I immediately set my bag down and draw my most prized possession from its worn-out sheath: a beautifully crafted long sword, its hilt set with the most beautiful emeralds. The sword was given to me as gift; crafted by my deceased uncle. I now raised it over my head, admiring how the light from the morning sun bounced off it. It was in perfect condition, I made sure to clean and inspect it everyday. I should probably say he. Yep, my sword is definitely a guy. Of course I haven't officially thought of a regal name for him yet, as I am still learning how to wield him properly first.

Suddenly, my mind snapped back to reality as I heard the loud crack of a twig being stepped on. I quickly turned around, pointing my sword in the direction of the noise. I was holding my breath; from the forest came no more sounds as I waited for what seemed like an eternity. Just as I was about to let my arm drop, a dark shadow rushed toward me. Instinctively I stepped to the side, swinging my sword toward the shadow as it passed by. The sound of metal hitting metal filled the clearing as the shadow turned and parried my blow. Jumping back, I felt my back hit the trunk of a large tree. Terror instantly spread throughout my body as I realized I was trapped between the tree and my attacker. I looked at the shadow, realizing that it was a person wearing a dark cloak complete with a hood to mask their face. My arm ached from the figure's earlier parry, and I came to the conclusion that it was a male; a strong and experienced male. All of those thoughts raced through my mind in a matter of milliseconds. The man raised his curved sword, lunging for me. I ducked to the right; just in time too, for I heard, rather than saw, the sword whir by my ear and hit the tree that had been at my back an instant earlier. Whipping my own sword around, I slashed at my attacker. To my surprise he grabbed it with his gloved hand, preventing my attack. By the time I had yanked it out from his grasp, he had freed his own sword from the trunk. He immediately lunged for me, swinging his sword over his head, and straight towards mine. I was too slow to block as his sword stopped just in time right in front of my face.

Chuckling, he shook his head, letting his hood fall and lowering the sharp blade. My eyes widened, but my lips couldn't help but curl into a small smile.
"How did I do Row?" I asked breathlessly.
"Not too bad, 'sidering you were obviously distracted in the beginning. Your reaction time's too slow still." He smiled back. I returned my sword to its sheath. A comfortable silence filled the meadow as we both sat down on the mossy ground.
"My father will die soon." I said suddenly while looking at the ground, breaking the peace.
Row smiled sadly, and I could feel his gaze on me, "I guess you'll 'ave to return ta being a proper princess then. Just promise you won't forget 'bout me." A wave of despair suddenly washed over me. How could I live without Row? He was the only person who understood me, the only person who truly cared about me. He was the only person who liked me for me, and not just because I was some stupid princess.
"No." I said suddenly, turning to face him completely. "I will not go back there. I will not spend the rest of my life living a lie." Row's face turned doubtful for a second before it was replaced with his characteristic toothy grin. He jumped up suddenly, pulling me up with him.
He then executed his best bow, well at least he tried, before finally saying, "Well then princess, let's see how well a sparrow can teach a land bred hawk ta fly."

A few months later...

Closing my eyes, I tried to control my breathing. Being on the run is much harder than I originally thought. It's not the running part that's hard though, it's the hiding part. It seems like the advisers back in my old home are currently turning over every town they can find in order to find me. Of course everything is harder without Row to guide me, seeing as we had to split up back at the last town in order to escape capture. I'm currently hiding in a foul smelling barn. The palace soldiers have already searched in here, so I should be safe for now.
SHING
Instinct takes over as I draw my sword, raising it to block an attack from behind. I turn to see a soldier backing up just a few feet away from me, his sword raised across his body in a defensive position. It's either fight or be captured. I can't give up on Row though; he always comes to save me. Tightening my grip on my sword, I lunge forward, deftly attacking the soldier. He is surprised by my quick reflexes and let's out a yelp as he clumsily blocks my attack. I flick my wrist and knock his sword from his hands. The poor soldier must be new because he just stands there dumbly. Taking advantage of this, I ram into him, knocking him to the dirty ground. As I sheath my sword, I hear shouting coming from outside. The others must have heard the commotion.
I take a quick look around, looking for anything that could help me get away. I suddenly gasp as my eyes settle on a hooded figure leaning against a support pillar.
"Row!" I shout. No need to be quiet now, seeing as I can hear the soldiers surrounding the barn.
"Hey there," he begins nonchalantly, "what brings ya 'ere?" I rush up to him and hug him tightly, burying my face into his tunic.
"I missed you so much." I whisper.
He pats my shoulder and smiles, saying "Come on, we need ta get going. We can chat all we want later" he says. He grips my hand and leads me through the barn. That's when I see our method of escape: a beautiful black stallion (like some cliche love story). Row lightly jumps on its back and helps me up. "Ya better hold on!" he yells, grinning widely. He digs his heels into the horse's sides and we lurch forward. The horse gallops through the barn and heads toward the giant doors. The soldiers have already gathered and are blocking our escape. Row just laughs as he signals the horse to jump. We soar right over the soldiers' ducking heads and gallop down to the southern road that leads to the main town gates. As soon as we're out of the town, Row guides to horse to a hunting trail in the surrounding forest and slows us down to a trot.
"Well that sure was easy!" he says, laughing and breaking the silence of the forest.
"You almost got us killed...again!" comes my fast reply. I cannot help but smile though. I'm not mad at him, and I never will be. Whatever comes our way, I know Row will always be there to keep me safe.