A Harsh Goodbye

"I'm sorry I didn't ask for you to speak. " Prince Dominick frowned, his eyes darken slightly, despite the softness that rested there as he turned away from Iyana. "I ordered you both to follow me, and I do expect that.

Do what I say, princess. I don't want to have to use force with you here. Your father is awaiting our coming. However his actions right now will decide both of your fate." Then he put his sword back into it's sheath at his side.

Taking a few steps forward, he glanced at the queen than back at Iyana. "Come with me, princess." He asked again, this time his voice lost it's stern edge.

Reluctantly, Iyana rose to her feet. Her gaze glued to the floor below her feet. Her mind whirling with questions that didn't seem to be an answer too. Everything felt so wrong and upside down. As tears threatened to fall, she made an effort to keep them from falling. Her efforts quickly breaking apart, as a tear rolled down her left cheek

Why was he doing this? Where is the fix-me up Dominick, who smiled at me with such...gentleness?

A sob broke through her lips. Out of nervousness, she brought her hands together, running the back of her left hand with her right. After a second longer, she took a small step. Her gaze dropped to the floor again.

"Princess, come," Dominick's voice stung to her ears like acid eating through wood.

Is this the end of everything I've ever knew? My mother? My father?...Is this it?

One glance at her distressed mother, she felt her heart sink lower inside her chest.

"Princess?" Dominick called again.

Who am I to act like a fearful girl in front of an enemy? Iyana, this isn't you and you know it! Her subconscious snapped loudly inside her head.

Snap out of this! Snap out of this now! Wiping her eyes clear of lingering tears, she brings her head up. Her eyes meeting Dominick, boldly and filled with determination and rage. "I'm coming. Lead the way. But remember, if you lay one hand on either one of my parents- you and whoever else will fall at my hands and my hands along."

Have she forgotten the fact that I'm in control here? Better not make that statement out loud. Back homes sounds so good right now. With the princess final agreement to cooperate, Prince Dominick and his men led the two women over to the throne room.

Along the way, signs of battle could clearly be seen. In the courtyard, a few men were laying on the ground in dead in pools of blood. In the corridor, in which they walked, several cases and plants were knocked over and dirt was splattered over the walls. The smokey smell of ammunition power filled the air. The thing was that the whole royal grounds seemed quiet. No fighting noise could be heard. No sword clashing against one another. Nothing.

Having never seen the ugly side after an battle, Princess Iyana was buffed by the sheer sight before her eyes. The lifeless corpses brought sickness to her stomach, and the sight of blood made her light headed. Nevertheless, she avoided a faint spell by averted her eyes. She followed quietly, head hung.

It wasn't long before the group reached the entry to the royal throne room. Dominick smiled and turned to face the Queen and Princess. "Looks like your king has done what was asked of him. Your army of men has stopped. Good, now we can negotiate. " Dominick than turned around and pushed open the doors to proceed inside.

Once inside, the king was sitting on his throne. The nobles who graced his presence usually were huddled to the right in fear of having their heads cut off by the enemy guards standing around them. The king royal army, twenty men unarmed, were standing to the left of the room, also guarded. Dominick was sure the other soldiers were outside somewhere being guarded. These men he assumed were the best of the twenty. So my men do remember my style of conquer.

The king stood at the sight of his wife and daughter. Dominick did not stop the queen, who had taken her daughter hand, from running to her husband side. "As promised, I brought your family to you for calling off your men. Very good." Dominick approached the throne, stopping at the bottom. The king hugged his wife and daughter before turning to address the man whom had the cards now. "What are you going to do now?" The king asked, anger showing in his eyes.

Dominick stared into the king's eyes for a few minutes. "What I want is revenge for making me, Prince of Luna Crescent, your slave! You had no right-" He paused to reconsider his words. "What I want is your surrendering to me. I want your kingdom to become providers for mine. You will work for your freedom by producing ammunition for the Luna Crescent Kingdom. To ensure you do as I ask, I will be taking your twenty best solders and leave twenty of mine to monitor this kingdom. "

Dominick turned to look at the soldiers. "Also I will be taking your princess as my captor." He looked back at the royal family. "She will ensure you wouldn't bomb my kingdom later. Living with you have taught me that she is your only heir to the throne so you shouldn't do anything as long as I have her." Dominick smiled. Then he motioned for one of his men to come forward.

Casper approached and turned to Dominick. "My Prince," He placed his right fist over his heart in the proper greeting before speaking to the prince. "We have everything in order to make the return trip back." As he stated this, the twenty men were led out of the room. "Your parents, the honorable King and Queen of Luna Crescent, await our arrival. A celebration feast has been planned as well. We can depart at your will." Dominick smiled a genuine smile.

Iyana watched in silent as she studies this new side of Dominick.

"Also, Sire, we didn't kill many of his men because he did call them off when you asked him too."

"You may be able to take possession of my men and my kingdom, but you will not take my daughter nor would you use her against me! Do you understand me?" The King half yelled.

Dominick turned his attention back to the enraged king. "Threatening me, Sir, is not in your best interest. If you resist more, I shall take your queen instead, and give her to my dungeon." Prince Dominick retorted back. He shifted his gaze to Iyana. "Besides I want payback on Princess Iyana." Amused now, he grinned. "I'll give her a real lesson in treating the help badly." Dominick saw the anger rose to the princess's eyes. "Don't worry. I won't kill her unless you break one of our agreements."

"No." The king started only to be interrupted by Prince Dominick.

"Have you forgotten that you were the one who enslaved me!" His voice now tight with rage. "You took me, and for five years I was your slave. How do you think that makes me feel? You will obey me if you want to live. Do you understand?" Dominick glared. "Get the Princess and saddle her on one of the horses. We depart in ten minutes. I'm eager to return home," Dominick ordered Casper.

Casper nodded and motioned for the other to begin preparing for departure. Dominic watched two of the guards approached the princess before turning around toward the exit.

She took a few steps back in disbelief. Two guard slowly approach her. So the polite, charming Dominick...was all just an act. I understand how servitude wouldn't be fun... but I thought I at least made it bearable for him...

Burning rage engulfed her smooth features, as she watched Dominick turned his back to her. Ducking the guards outstretched arms, she moved back a few steps. "I'll cooperate and go with you without a struggle, if you let me say a final goodbye to my family." She attempted to bargain.

The guard on her right was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, but that won't be happening today, ma'am."

"Wha--what are you saying?" She cried out, her voice raising, while she searched for some way out. With one last desperate plan, she lured toward her father. Her attempt foiled by the left guard, whom caught her.

"LET GO OF ME!" She screamed.

"No..." The queen whispered, running towards Iyana. The king caught his wife in a bear hug, stopping her from going to Iyana. "No, you mustn't."

"Iyana...I love you..." He said softly, tears welling in his eyes.

"NOOO!" Iyana screamed at the top of her lungs, trying with all of her might to escape their grasps. "I LOVE YOU!!" She screamed, tears falling harder. She felt extremely dizzy and the last thing she saw was her mother collapsing to the ground in sadness before the world faded into black.

Dominick did not turn back as he listened to the princess protests. Once outside, he waited for one of the his guards to bring him a horse. As he waited, he notices that one of his men brought out the unconscious princess. So the stress was too much for her. He watched her being loaded onto a horse. As he did, he gazed over his shoulder back at the castle. The very place that had been his home for the last five years. Would he really miss this place, he pondered.

An approaching solider with anl horse brought the prince from his troublesome thoughts. Taking the reins, he pulled himself up onto the horse. Home is just a two days journey away. They would travel the whole day today, and then rest at night for a few hours before traveling again the next day to reach the Luna Crescent Kingdom. Once the preparations were in order, the Luna Crescent's Army were ready to depart. Dominick was in the lead, but his right hand man, Casper was beside him to aid the Prince if he needed help with directions.