Ophelia felt the light wind go through her hair, and breathed in the sweet smell of pine from the trees around her. She loved coming to the very edge of the large forest, dreaming of one day leaving her small community that felt more like a prison then a home. Her father the leader of the village, had ignored her since her mother died when she was a young child. When they did see each other, they constantly butted heads
so, he rarely visited her unless he wanted something. Which is why she came to the one place she knew she could sit and think sorting through her jumbled up thoughts. Her father wanted her to marry the son of the suchi tribe. So that when he stepped down as tribe leader her husband-to-be could take over. She was brought out of her thoughts by a stick breaking in the trees her hand instinctively went for her knife, since the age of ten with no sons to take his place her father had taken it upon himself to have one of his best knights teach her how to defend herself against enemies. It was easy for her she was able to take down even the vest nights by the time she was 12 years trying to become the son her father had always wanted. Another rustle in the trees brings here attention back to reality.
"Who's there?!" She shout as she quickly brought out her knife.
Before
she could step toward the forest a voice said "We are un-armed put down
the knife before you get hurt sweetheart."
She was appalled that someone thought she might hurt herself by simply
holding the knife. She made no move to put away the only protection
she had
"State your business!" She called "We do not take kindly to
strangers around here."
Her father might of sent for them he had been
trying to find a husband for her that met his standards
"Unless my
father sent for you I suggest you leave." She said with a scowl she
truly hoped her father had not sent for them.
"Who is your father?" The
voice called back. Should she tell him? What could it hurt? Right?
"He
is the leader of the moon tribe I am his daughter." I finally answered
"We have come as guests at your father's request." The hope that I
had, that they were not invited here by my father quickly dashed away.
The dark figure finally stepped out of the trees he was hiding in he was the most handsome man I had ever seen
tall and lean with short blonde hair and beautiful green eyes.
He held
out his large hand "My name is Dominick and yours is?"
I put my much
smaller hand in his saying "My name is Ophelia."
My father stepped
out of the dark forrest before we could converse further.
"Dominick!" He said grinning while going to shake the man's hand.
I had never seen my father give anyone a smile.
"I see you have met my daughter." He
said sending me a look that clearly said
"behave."
Before
turning away again and addressing Dominick "Where is your father?!"
The man Dominick patted my father on the back starting pushing her father toward where she presumed Dominick's father was. "I will show you, I am sure he will be
happy to see an old friend."
With that they were off Ophelia followed curious to know why exactly they were here. They walked for what
seemed like hours until they came to a small clearing filled with tents.
Men were bustling about carting wood and other supplies to large
wagons.
"He's in that tent over there." Dominick said stopping to point to the large tent across the green field.