I could feel the ground beneath my hooves and the panic screams of others. I ran into the darkness of the forest. Beside me was a red roan mare. As I looked at her eyes I could see the flames from the forest that was burning. I heard the panicked voice from a beautiful dun stallion. “Stay in front of me, and don’t stop moving.”

“Keep running dear!”  The mare cried, fear striking into her heart. She ran beside me, staying close to me as the stallion lingered in the back pushing us on.

Suddenly a black stallion shot from the bushes lunging towards the dun stallion.

The mare yelled out for him.

The black stallion nocked the dun to the ground letting out a high pitch nicker as he did. They tasseled on the ground letting out loud screams.

“Run!” the dun yelled.

The red roan hesitated wanting to help but he cried out again telling her to run. The mare pushed me forward telling me to do the same. I could feel my heart racing as I ran faster and faster. I looked behind me to see if she was still following, but she was gone. Despite wanting to turn back and search for her I only could run forward as her voice kept playing in my head saying run, Run, RUN….

“Wake up Quiver, wake up!”

My eyes fluttered open to find my best friend Timothy prancing like a dumb stuck pony all around me.

“Come on Quiver get up. They will be here soon!”

“Who?”

“Poseidon and his son Gustine. I know Esperanza wants you to be there to greet them when they arrive.”

“OH NO!” I said rolling my eyes as I swiftly stood up. “Please, not Gustine! I could care less about him.”

Timothy laughed. “You know he has a thing for you Quiver. Besides, he is the prince of Raisodor. It might be a good idea if you gave him some attention.”

“Gustine is nothing more than a spoiled and selfish brat. I want nothing to do with him.”

“Well he may be that. But at least he’s rich!”

“Timothy! There are more important things in this life than gold.”

As I glare at timothy I see a figure coming up from behind him.

“Oh no its Esperanza……! I was never here, you never saw me, ok!” I say in a hushed ton and try to rush away in the other direction.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“AWAY FROM HERE!”

I quickly run into the thicket of the forest to hide from Esperanza. I knew that if I was found, she would indeed have me go to meet Gustine. I watched from a far as Esperanza approached Timothy.

“Tim. Have you seen Quiver?”

“Uuuuhhhh…. She’s in the meeaadd…..” Timothy swallowed his words as Esperanza interrupted him.

“I’ve already checked the meadow.”

I watched as he tensed up “I umm haven’t seen her!”

“Hmm, she’s always with you though.” Esperanza went silent as she ponder her thoughts.

“Uuuh maybe she hiding from the resent gue…” I quickly kick a pebble at him and it nails him in the head. “OWE!” he turns his head towards me and I give him a death glare.

Esperanza gives Timothy a strange look then looks in my direction. I quickly duck down before she sees me. “Is everything ok?”

Timothy turns his gaze back to Esperanza. “WHAT? Oh yes everything’s fine. I just thought I saw a butterfly.”

Esperanza tilts her head confused. “…Well… if you see her, will you tell her I’m looking for her?”

“Of course.”

She turns and heads back in the direction she came.

As I watch Esperanza disappears I eventually leave the bushes and yell at Timothy. “You are a terrible liar.”

Timothy trembles! “Don’t every make me do that again. You know I freak out under pressure.”

I tease him and say “oh look a butterfly!”

“He gently bumps me. “Shut up!”

I laughed at him.

“So what are you going to do now?” He asked.

“Avoid Gustine as much as possible!”

“You won’t be able to avoid him forever..!”

Why do I get the feeling he is right!

I quickly spat back. “Watch me!”

He sighs and shakes his head. “So just where do you plan to hide from this terrible Gustine?”

I stop and think to myself before responding. “I haven’t quite figured that out yet!”

“Esperanza knows you to well, she will most likely know where to look for you!”

“Then I just have to think not like me and go somewhere she would not be expecting.”

Timothy made a sly remark. “That would only be one place; and that’s the place Esperanza would like you to be at.”

I slugged while making a disgusted look. Ugh… He’s right!

I turned my head towards him still frowning squinting my eyes at him. He quickly turns his head slightly and gives me a confused/frightened look, like he’s trying to figure out my face.

He laughs at my face and tries to imitate it.

We both burst out laughing.

“Your such a dork.” I say as I try to catch my breath from laughing.

He gave a quick smile that was semi dorky. “Only when I’m around you.”

“I start laughing again. “No, NO. THAT IS NOT TRUE! You are always a dork there Timmy. Just more so when you’re with me.”

He gave another dorky grin this time doing it on purpose and showing as much teeth as he could.

“Point proven!” I say giggling. But Timothy is silent and his eyes only grow wide in amazement. I pause and look at him muddled.

“WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?” I turn around to see what he’s staring at, and find an army of war horses approaching the kingdom. One Stallion catches my eye. He’s slightly taller than the rest and his black/burgundy coat lusters in the sun. I notice a thin white blaze that runs down his face. I recognized the stallion as Avius. Every now and then Avius would stop by our small kingdom to help Esperanza. As a kid I remember him being like an uncle to me and Timothy when we were young, but I never cared for him much. He always seemed to prideful and busy to really pay attention to us foals; and now he is leading a bunch of young stallions and forming  an army against what everyone seems to call the Dark Knight.

Timothy studies my gaze and catches were I’m looking. “Avius!” Timothy yells out with excitement and starts to run to him.

I Roll my eyes and follow. Timothy has always thought of Avius as a hero.

A little livid I spat out with anger. “Why is he here. All he is doing is causing problems. The kingdoms are already falling apart. The last thing we need is a war.”

Timothy stops dead in his tracks and lets out a gasp as he gradually turns to look at me. He stares at me with his mouth open before saying. “Did you really just say that?”

I look at him annoyed.

“Quiver, the Kingdoms fell apart because no one would take a stand against the Dark Knight.” He barks back. “Ever sense the Great kingdom Tesromania fell into the hands of The Dark Knight, the kingdoms have been in jeopardy. The Dark Knight has taken control of practically everything. Avius is finally taking a stand in fighting back. He has tried to team up with the other four Kingdoms to try and take a stand against the Dark Knight. Some have offered to help, while others have refused; afraid that the Dark Knight will harm their kingdom.

“Who’s the Dark Knight? I mean I know who he is, but doesn’t he have a name” I ask.

“No one really knows who he is. Only a few who were there the day Tesromania was attacked and escaped with their lives know his name, but they never use it.”

Tesromiana..? I thought to myself. There was something about it that sounded familiar.

Timothy continued on.  “But some say that they have seen him. His coat a dark gray like mist and he’s as swift as the wind. I’ve even heard that he can appear into the dark of night and attack… Then leave without a trace.”

“Sounds like a ghost.” I say looking at him as if he’s crazy.

“I suppose you could say that. But I promise you he’s real.”

“Sure he is!” I say shaking my head while rolling my eyes…

“TIMOTHY!”

I jump, startled by the sudden outburst made by Avius.

“Avius!” Yells timothy with excitement as he runs up to greet him.

Avius then turns to look at me and quickly ask with a firm voice. “Where is Esperanza? I must speak with her immediately.”

“Nice to see you too.” I mumble under my breath. “Probably back at the castle where she always is. I’m sure you could find her; it isn’t like you haven’t been here before.”

Avius’s dark eyes glare at me, but before he can say anything Timothy cuts him off. “I’ll take you to her Avius.”

Before following Timothy back to the castle he turns to his troop and says “Set up camp here while I speak with the Queen. I’ll be back later.” And without another word he turns and follows Timothy off the field.

As I enter the great hall of the castle I find Avius, Poseidon, and Esperanza gathered together Quarreling. Gustine looks as bored as ever but stands aloofly. Timothy stand by him looking annoyed as well, but as soon as he sees me his face lightens and he trots over to me.

“What’s going on?” I ask Timothy.

“Avuis is discussing how the kingdom livecern/katerince lavinta won’t send supplies to our troops to help. So there’s kind of in dilemma. Also Gustine….”

“Quiver!” shouts Gustine from the other side of the room. He swiftly but gracefully walks towards me and Timothy. “I was wondering when you were going to show.  He pushes Timothy out of the way and stand close to me leaning a little bit of his weight on me.

Timothy snorts and Gustine quickly gives a foul look to Timothy.

“What’s the matter Timothy, are you catching a cold?” Gustine ask.

“No….”

“If so, you should probably keep your distance. Wouldn’t want to give the future king of raisodor sick, do we?”

Annoyed, timothy groans. He mumbles under his breath as he walks away. I watched him and wanted to follow, but was kept there due to Gustine who was blocking my way.

“Excuse me Gustine, but I’d like to get in on what the adults are discussing.” I pushed him gently out of my way and headed over to Esperanza. I hadn’t really been interested in their discussion, I just wanted to get away from Gustine. Didn’t work, because like a little confused puppy, he followed me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him as best I could. I got closer to Esperanza she turns to me and whispers.

“There you are, I’ve been looking all over for you. Where were you?”

“Quick think of an excuse!” I said to myself.

“I was out in the apple orchard.”

“I thought I checked there…”

“Well you know me, I never stay in one place for too long.”

She glared at me raising an eyebrow.  “So I see. Poseidon wants to speak with us about an important matter.”

 I sighed… “Great!”

Esperanza turns to Avuis, “how long will you be staying?”

“Until dawn.”

“Good, I would like to discuss something with you later tonight. I will have one of my servants prepare a room for you.”

“Thank you my Lady, but I would much prefer it if I stayed with my troops.”

“Of course. I will have one of my servants call for you latter this evening.”

Avuis bows and turns to leave the room.

“Now Poseidon, what was it that you wanted to talk about?” asked Esperanza turning to face Poseidon.

Poseidon smiles then turns to look at me. “Is this Quiver?”  He asked looking to Esperanza.

 Gustine stands next to me and gives a crooked smile while looking at me. “Sure is!”

Poseidon looks at Gustine then me and smiles. I give a sly smile a little annoyed and inch closer to Esperanza.

“Looks like my boy has grown quit found of your Quiver.”

Esperanza smiles.

 “Esperanza, Quiver… The real reason why Gustine and I came to see you was because Gustine would like to take Quiver’s hoof in marriage.

My eyes grow in shock and I quickly look to Esperanza.

“We are greatly honored…”

“YOU CAN’T… Esperanza Please…”

“QUIVER!” Esperanza shouts out.

Gustine groans and turns to me with a frown. “I thought you would be pleased to marry me.”

I dismiss him and turn to Poseidon who has an irritated scowl on his face.

“I am honored that you would even consider me to marry someone such as your son, but I’m not ready for marriage and I am no match for Gustine. I’m not even a real princess, surely he could find some one more suitable….”

“That’s enough Quiver…” Esperanza shouts. “I apologize. If you could give us some time to think it over and for me to talk with Quiver.”  Esperanza studies Poseidon face and waits for him to respond he scowls but slowly nods his head. Esperanza quickly pulls me aside and pushes me into another room and closes the doors behind us. She then glares at me and shouts out. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Irritated I look at her pleading “YOU CANT EXPECT ME TO GO THROUGH WITH THIS!”

“As princes of Liverance it is your duty…”

“BUT that’s just it…” I cry.  “IM NOT A PRINCESS”

“QUIVER! You are my child just as much as Timothy.”

But Timothy is yours by blood, you just found me in the woods and took me in.

Esperanza looks at me in concern “But I still love you just the same!”

I give a small smile before responding. “I know that Esperanza…” I hug her softly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I am not of royal blood. I’m no Princess. The kingdom will one day be Timothy’s not mine.”

Even if you are not born of royal blood you were brought into it, and are still apart of this family. The people expect to see things from you. Everyone sees you as a princess here.”

“THAT’S NOT FAIR!” I shouted out.  I didn’t ask to be princess,

“Neither did Timothy.” Esperanza replied. “You were both brought into the throne. You may not have been born into it, but I have raised you ever sense you were a foal. The kingdom looks at you as a princess; and you have been here longer then Timothy.

“But the kingdom is Timothy’s not mine.”

“And the kingdom Timothy will have.”

I look at Esperanza in confusion? “But if I marry Gustine won’t he become king?

“Of Raisodor yes, but not Liverance! Marring him will only create an alliance between the two kingdoms and you would become Queen of Raisodor.”

“An Alliance? But I thought the two kingdom where already in an alliance.”

“No! Yes me and Poseidon are friends and have been for a while but there is no true alliance between the two kingdoms. So much has been going on with the war and everything and Poseidon is smart enough to not create war between the kingdom’s.”

“I understand, But this is my life. You can not expect me to make this choice.”

“Quiver! We Don’t have time for this! Refusing such and offer could cause a  RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO KINGDOMS! Is that something you want?

I drop my head. “I understand. But Gustine?”

“I know he is full of himself, but he will provide and be a good husband and father to your children.”

“CHILDREN?” I shout. “I’d have to bare his children. I can’t imagine myself doing anything with that stallion. Let alone bare his children.” “Do you understand what you are asking of me… I’d rather saw my leg off then to even kiss him!”

“Now Quiver!” she says scowling. “He is not that bad.” Gustine is a very fine stallion. I know this is never an easy task. I remember being upset to when I was to wed Cali.”

“But you and Cali loved each other.” I said in confusion

“Not at first.” She responded. “I didn’t even know him, I was sent away from my home as a gift to Cali’s kingdom. I was to wed to the prince or else war and devastation would be announced against my kingdom. I was very young but I understood my duty to my people, I knew I had to protect them. I knew my place; it is time for you to know yours”

I drop my head in silence.

“Now we are going to go back in there and you are going to except his offer. Understand?”

I nod my head. She smiles and head back to the door. I follow her in silence.