"My lady wait don't walk so fast " The maid Hannah who was about the same age with Sabrina yelled out running and panting to meet up with her

　　Sabrina's laughter rang like music in the busy market place as she walked around

　　When Hannah finally caught up to her she said

　　"You know its always difficult for me to come out from the palace,so I want to spend a lot of time out here before my brother's men finds me" Sabrina said and dragged a protesting Hannah along with her

　　They got to a jewelry shop and stopped there, Sabrina was busy selecting jewelries while Hannah was looking out worriedly,if they didn't get back before the queen noticed that the princess was missing, they would be problem but Sabrina would never listen

　　"Look Hannah! These bangles are so pretty don't you think so?" Sabrina said clapping her hands excitedly

　　"Yes they are princess" Hannah gushed out

　　"Take it, its yours now" Sabrina said handing it to a shocked Hannah

　　"No princess I can't take that, the other day you gave me some clothes and yesterday a necklace and now...... I'm just your maid , I don't deserve...."

　　Sabrina cuts her off with a pointed look

　　"Nonsense Hannah, how many times have I told you that you are my friend ?its hurts me when you lower yourself like that" Sabrina said with a scowl

　　Hannah let out a sigh shaking her head

　　" that's the truth princess , I'm just a maid but you treat me like a sister, I even wear your clothes, I will never be able to repay your kindness through out my life" Hannah said blinking back tears

　　"Look don't you dare cry ! or I'll join you then you won't be able to stop me now take this bangle, I already have so much" Sabrina said

　　"And not another word " she added when Hannah wanted to protest

　　"Where's the seller?" She asked looking around, she didn't look for long as an aged woman came over along with her was a little girl who looked no more than five

　　"How much is it?" She asked the woman with a smile as she collected her purse from Hannah

　　"Its just for two gold coins miss "the old woman replied

　　Hannah let out a gasp

　　"That expensive! Prin......."

　　She stops when Sabrina gave her a look and she realized that she'd almost exposed her lady's identity

　　Sabrina turned back to the woman and produced seven gold coin and handed it to her

　　"Here you go granny, you can keep the rest , use it to buy something nice for your granddaughter"

　　The woman had a look of disbelief on her wrinkled face, Hannah wasn't surprised, that was what her lady always did anytime she came out to shop , she always gave arms to anyone she thought was in need of it

　　The old woman thanked the young miss with tears in her eyes

　　No one knew she was the princess Sabrina the last daughter of the former king Henry Williams because she was disguised as a servant

　　Her father had died from an illness some years ago leaving the throne to Arthur who was his first son

　　********

　　They got back and thankfully no one knew she was missing

　　"Thank Goodness no one knew you were not in the palace princess, or we would have been scolded " Hannah said as she helped Sabrina to put back on her clothes

　　"Mother dotes on me so much so I don't think she would have punished me, she still calls me her baby"Sabrina replied smugly

　　"You would not have looked so smug if Elaine had found out right?"Hannah asked

　　Elaine was Sabrina's sister- in- law and the present queen, but she didn't like Sabrina that much, she was always jealous and angry at the way everyone likes princess Sabrina both within and outside the palace

　　"But she didn't find out did she? Anyway leave that I want to go and see mother"

　　******

　　Sabrina entered her mothers beautiful chambers to see her looking so tense

　　"Mother mother" she called running to her

　　"What's wrong mother? Why is your eyes red like you've been crying?" She asked worriedly as she rocked her mothers shoulders

　　"Its bad! The situation is very bad my dear" her mother cried

　　Now Sabrina was getting more tensed , her mother never cried what could be the problem

　　"Mother please don't cry, you are making me scared , tell me what happened please" she begged

　　"Its your brother! He's not listening to me, He joined forces with the Normans to declare war on Hasgald" her mother said breaking down

　　Shock held Sabrina still

　　What was Arthur thinking?

　　Had he gone insane?

　　Hasgald was a big and powerful kingdom, even if the Normans joined them, it was still bad

　　"That can't be possible mother, why should we start a war when everything is peaceful now?" She asked shaking her head in disbelief

　　"I think that your brother got deceived by some ministers , I..."

　　She patted her mother comfortingly

　　"Don't cry mother I'll go speak to him now okay?"

　　*******

　　Sabrina was walking very fast alongside with Hannah, she wanted to speak to her brother immediately before it was too late

　　"Princess don't be so upset, it will turn out fine" Hannah said seeing how worried Sabrina looked

　　"I hope so Hann....." She suddenly bumped into someone as she turned, it was Elsa, Elaine's younger sister who was the same time the daughter of the prime minister causing the necklace she was looking at to fall to the ground

　　"I'm sorry Elsa,but I'm in a hurry I'll see you later" Sabrina apologize hurriedly as she walked past

　　She didn't see the gaze Elsa gave her

　　"You think just because you are the princess you can act anyhow with me? One day I'll make you pay!" She thought angrily

　　She always hated why everyone always praise Sabrina to be so beautiful and kind, that's why Sabrina is so proud she thought

　　*******

　　"Brother Arthur, I think this is a mistake, don't you think its unwise to start a war? Think of all those poor people who will suffer from it" Sabrina tried again but it seemed that her brothers mind was set

　　She let out a sigh

　　"Brother I just......"

　　"That's enough Sabrina, as a woman what do you know about wars, this cooperation with the Normans is the best opportunity for us to defeat the Hasgald's , don't you think I'm doing this for the benefit of our people? We can get more lands and other resources which is to our benefit" He asked pointedly

　　Sabrina knew then that there was no reasoning with him

　　Why was he only thinking about the benefits,why was he not thinking about the hunger and blood shed that would follow?

　　And God forbid that they lose what would become of their fate

　　She felt herself shiver, she knew that the aftermath of war was never good ,

　　they'd be taken as slaves , some would be raped and their land would be pillaged

　　Oh god!

　　Tomorrow she'd try speaking to him again and hopefully she'd succeed

　　A few days later Sabrina disguised as a common girl strolled the lively streets along with Hannah, she had snuck out again

　　She walked around cheerfully, her brother had promised to think about it

　　"Look Hannah , those dresses are so beautiful!" She exclaimed

　　"But you have your personal tailor that......."

　　Hanna didn't finish as the sound of horses whining and people screaming echoed everywhere

　　Sabrina looked around the sudden chaos, wasn't it just calm a moment ago? They they saw them

　　Troops and troops of soldiers

　　They were Hasgald's!

　　They were attacking the village

　　People where screaming and running about as houses were set ablaze

　　"Come my lady! Let's go its dangerous!" She heard Hannah yelled but it felt all surreal to her

　　Then the killings started

　　Hannah dragged her firmly by the hand,

　　"Let's go now !"

　　They both ran into the forest ahead of them, they ran deeper and deeper into the woods when Sabrina suddenly stopped

　　"No! I have to go back,my mother! I can't leave her" she said wiping tears

　　"No its too dangerous now princess,she will be okay, you have to save your self first" Hannah said worriedly

　　"No ! No ! You don't understand,I need to see her, I need her to be safe !" She cried out

　　What if her mother was dea....?

　　No!

　　It can't be

　　She turned to Hannah, she clapsed Hannah's hand tightly

　　"You can wait here Hannah, I'll be right back, I can't just leave my family alone not knowing what state they are in"

　　Sabrina said in determination and Hannah knew that there was no stopping her so she decided to go along with her, she would try what she can to protect her

　　**********

　　They ran back to the palace through a secret passage,how could this happen?

　　The sight before her tore at her heart

　　They was blood and dead bodies everywhere just lying around outside the palace, the only sound heard was the clanging of swords and screams of pain

　　She mistakenly stepped on a dead body and let out a half scream which soon changed to a full blown sobbing

　　She looked around to see the Hasgald soldiers battling furiously with those of their kingdom's , it didn't look that they had a chance.

　　Her gaze suddenly caught on to someone

　　He stood tall above others, the way his muscles rippled as he wielded his sword scared the hell out of her

　　He looked so valiant , his eyes blank

　　His sword dripped with blood as was his body

　　But the blood on his body didn't seem to be his

　　She gulped down and shouldered when his shouldering look focused her, she couldn't look away

　　She felt dread and fear sipped cold into her bones

　　She looked away from his molten gaze when Hannah pulled her away