Disclaimer: I own nothing of the 10th kingdom. I only a few characters and that's all.

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Snow White's Forest

A man, a chain mail top rested comfortably on his chest, squatted close to the ground. A slash went from the tip of his right temple to below his mouth, and over his right eye when his eyelid was closed for permanent reasons. A grim frown decorated his face as he took in the sights before him. A corpse of a wolf lay under a tree. By the blood on the bark and blood under the wolf, it didn't take a genius to figure that a force impact killed the wolf. A bloodied dagger and arrow lay several feet away. A battle had taken place, no doubt. By the soft imprints on the ground there were three...no, four people here not including wolf. There were no signs of bodies but three of them escaped and the last one was finished, a spot of blood where the body was. The body in question was missing and nowhere near the forest.

"Sir? Have you found anything yet?"

Captain Duncan Forrest, Second-In-Command of the Knights of White, stood up from the ground. He turns to face a lonely scout, unable to remember his name.

"Nothing besides what you see here, solider. Around sixty meters to the west is an abandon gypsy caravan. There was evidence of a horse, being confirmed as nowhere in site. It seems those gypsies do not follow the Degree, mostly by the of evidence of pickled human limbs. They have been there for several days, probably looking for something to sell, and nothing in names of produce. There were two poles with burnt ropes around them. As of last night, there was four people. Two gypsies, one man, and maybe a young woman or small child.” he said in a smooth voice

"What makes you think it was a woman?” the scout asked

Duncan walked forward, around the station of the scene, the scout following him like a homeless pup.

"By the foot prints into the ground and..."he let out a cough to clear his throat. ,"A discarded piece of woman's lingerie, though it is in a strange shape and fabric that was used."

"And of the wolf?"

"It was trained and tamed. It was killed by a great force.” he replied, nodding his head to his soldiers as they waited for instructions. Most of them were playing cards, no doubt gambling, or sharpening their blades.

There were about twenty or so men in one area, most of them were just plain foot soldiers and never enter a battle or done much things, expect try to keep someone from stealing an apple. More then half of them were inexperience but made up for it for their strength and determination. In all of the Nine Kingdoms, King Wendell's military wasn't as fierce as the Troll Kingdom's army but their numbers were large.

Captain Forrest held a bloodied dagger in his hand. The blood was dry around the edges but still fresh, by a few hours. On the hilt of the dagger was a small emblem in the middle. The emblem was a ruby red apple with seven golden circles circling the small fruit with a small dagger going down the middle. The only people allowed that type of emblem on their clothing were the soldiers who were currently out in the forest, their patches on their weapons and cloaks. The crest was also used by King Wendell, to sign important documents for his kingdom. It was hard to get the emblem without a special permission, preventing from other kingdoms to take hold of it and use it for evil. It is said that only men that was raised in the Fourth Kingdom and believed it in, could wear it proudly. It was obviously an enchantment that could tell from natives and residents. Captain Forrest was deep in thought before the voice of the scout broke through his thoughts.

"What about the discarded weapons? Especially the bloodied knife. It's one of ours, isn't it?” the scout asked

There came a sudden and deadly silence over the area. It seemed that even the birds had stop chirping as they sat on the surrounding branches. Every eye turn to Duncan, as he stood silent as well. He placed his hands behind his back, closed in a tight with each other at the wrist. He turn and face his men, standing straight. His green eyes were solemn and sharp as ever.

"Men, as you know that one of fellow solider, Connor Demitri was set beyond the mirror in order to deliver something of great importance to a trustworthy person. There was suppose to be a guard at the entrance of that mirror portal but I believe he left his post for a bribe from an unknown person. He was given a 24 house time limit before the portal closed. No doubt he return, bringing along a few extra people. We don't know the number yet, but it was more then one person. The small clearing where the portal was had a several number of foot steps around. There was a small spillage of blood found but nothing has confirmed who's blood that was. The gypsy camp was empty, leaving only an evidence of a fire pit, a few metal cages, their caravan, and their weapons. Here is where this scene ends. As you can tell, a small but lethal battle took place. No doubt two gypsy men against Connor and one other. We know that Demitri as present because of the dagger that has our seal on the hilt. We don't know what happen but on fell, presumed dead though no body has been found, one ran east and the last two chased after this person.” Captain Forrest finished

"And what shall we do now, Captain?” one asked

"We are to spilt up in two groups. One goes with me to head east and the other shall search the surrounding area for any more signs of the gypsies." he ordered

He looked over at every solider he had. He picked eight soldiers, most of them were newly train cadets. It would do them some good for a little mission with their commander. Now, he had had to choice the last man to accompany him. Duncan's eyes did a double take when he notice someone leaning against a tree. He was the only one who didn't slack off like the rest.

"Ravenmoore," he called to the lad, “Your coming with us.” he said

The young man, or Ravenmoore as he was called, had to be in his early twenties or so. His black hair was as dark as the feathers on a crow's back, as his eyes were the same color of the ocean before a powerful storm raged on. He wore all the require uniform for the military, when not in battle, minus the cloak. Black leather pants, grey under shirt, with a small chain mail over it. Yet, against the others, he held an air of confidence, which sometimes turn to stubbornness.

Once Ravenmoore was at his side, Captain Forrest turn to the rest. "All of you are you search about one mile around this perimeter. We will meet back here at sunset. Now move out!” he yelled before the other team raced and disappeared into the woods. Captain Forrest's team set sail, so to speak.

--

Snow White Forest-5:45 PM

They had circle the area at least once. The faint foot prints they followed were either too dense to find or some animal covered them up. Most of the men were tired, hungry, and angry for following useless tracks. The sun was close to disappear beyond the horizon, meaning their time was short. Captain Forrest kept going, having much more stamina then most of them men here. He set a goal, to find what happen to one of his men, and was trying to complete it before the night's sky fell on them.

They stopped at a cross road, one going left and one going right with a patch of woods in between. The right road consisted of a long road that went between the trees. That path lead to a village a few miles down. They would look for any signs of those travelers, sending word to the men stationed there to keep their look out for any suspicious behavior. The other road lead to a side of a mountain, with less trees and shrubbery, and what Duncan could tell, a impact against the side of the giant rock result in an outline of a cave.

Searching the cave seem more logical. More people prefer to hid in dark and damp thigns like them, he didn't really know why but people were people. Ordering his men to follow him, and promise this was their last stop for today, that fuel their spirits enough to tread on. Their efforts proved fruitful, as the indicator of footsteps appear more clearer as each step they took. No one spoke a word, unlike earlier where many of the men mumbled and complain, and eagerly waited for their captain’s orders.

They near the entrance of the cave. The stalagmites and stalactites sprouting on the opening looked like teeth as the entrance looked like a endless mouth belong to a huge monster. With the simulates of an angry beast's mouth made several shivers go down their spines as they all thought the cave would swallow them whole if one should go. Captain Forrest hardly spoke a word as he stared blankly at the cave. This was their only lead and if this was an dead end, their whole mission would be for nothing.

"I will go, captain," a voice spoke, breaking everyone's thoughts.

Everyone turn their eyes towards the dark haired man, named Ravenmoore. His comrades looked shocked and a bit relived. Captain Forrest beamed at Ravenmoore, patting him on the back. He thanked him for taking the risk and duty off some of the soldiers. Ravenmoore squared his shoulders and swiftly strolled to the entrance of the cave. Pocketing his sword on his belt's casting, he took one step forward and moved his feet forward and began to slid down the stony slope. As he went down, he heard his comrades making jokes of taking his stuff if he didn't come back.

Gracefully landing on the floor of the cave, Ravenmoore briefly looked around the spooky cave. He heard the faint sound of bats much further down in the cave. The sun from above proved little help, as it only casted sunlight against the ramp. Without a further ado, he began to walk blindly into the darken cave. There were no dry and bleached bones around the surrounding area, so he presume no vicious beast had taken resident inside. There was a very faint sound of water trickling, he had to strain his ears to hear it. No doubt this cave was near Snow White Falls. This would make a perfect hide a way if Ravenmoore wanted to hide, which he doubt he would do in the first place. He grimaced when his nose picked up the smell of bat droppings. Taking no more then ten steps, Ravenmoore's foot caught something, and like a dried off leaf on a branch in the middle of fall, he too fell to the ground with a 'oomph!’

Despite the lack of light, Ravenmoore could see the faint moment of something moving. It seemed where he had fallen; the cause was alive and was getting up. A sudden noise caught his ears that made him stumble away. Getting back on his feet, the black haired solider took action and drew his sword. He pointed the tip towards where the movement came. He heard an intake of breath as the figure stared down the edge of the blade. With his free hand, he reached behind him withdrew small stick with yellow covering the top. This was a handy device what most people call Fire-Wood. Swiping his thumb across the paper, a strong flame blew up from where his thumb used to be. Once he had a strong light, the black hair solider raised it high, the light that was casted on his blade and making it shine. Just less then two feet in front of him was the least likely thing he would except in a cave. A woman.

A woman no older then him, probably younger, sitting on the cold hard ground of the cave. Her honey brown hair was loose and wild and had bits of torn of leaves, sticks, and a few specks of dirt tangled up. Her brown eyes were filled with shock, worry, and red around the edges. Down her light rosy cheeks was evidence of dried up tears. Across her neck as a faint cut, already in the healing process. She looked like she went to Hell and back. Ravenmoore's blue eyes traveled down her frame, in case she was a victim of an attack, but his eyes stopped dead at her left breast. It was more of what was over her chest what shocked him. Around her neck, held the clasp to a black cloak. Above the left breast was the crest of the Fourth Kingdom army!

Outraged, Ravenmoore dropped his weapon the torch grabbed the woman by the scruff of her collar. The sword went down like a clank and torch rolled off a few inches away, but still casting light on the two. The woman struggle to get loose, but Ravenmoore was much stronger and bigger then she was. He tilted her head back so her eyes looked into his. Her hands crawled at his, trying to pry him off of her.

"Let go of me!” she cried in outraged

"Not until I get my answers, woman. Where did you get your cloak?” he demanded of her

"I will when you let go of me, you beast!” she yelled, pulling back on of his index fingers.

Ravenmoore glared, he was not a man who fell for tricks, “How about you tell me now nice and easy or I will force it out of you.” he hissed

The woman stopped her struggling, fear clearly written across her face. With a meek voice, she replied. "A friend gave it to me."

There was no way, in their right mind, would a solider give up his arms that represent his beloved country. And this woman didn't seem the type to seduce a man to give up his arms unless...she had forcibly taken it away from him. That would explain why this strange girl was hiding herself in this dank and dark cave. No innocent person would hide.

"Who? What solider gave you his cloak?” he asked, a tad softer but not at all gentle.

The woman swallowed, pain and sadness now done her face. Her eyes lowered and replied in a meek voice, “Connor. Connor Demitri gave me his cloak."

Ravenmoore almost let his grip drop once he heard her words, but as soon as it came, it disappeared and bringing server anger with it. He moved his hands from her cloak, dropping her back on the ground, and gripped her shoulders tightly. Once again, the auburn haired girl struggle and winced at the pain of him digging his fingers in her shoulders. At the moment, Ravenmoore wanted to shake the girl, letting his emotions and personal agenda take over him. Releasing one hand, he reached behind him and took a handle of a dagger from his belt. He dangerously let the tip of the blade dangle near her pale throat. Just one swipe and the girl would be down on the ground bleeding from the neck.

But as soon as he was about to put his plan in motion, a voice from above called out to him. "Ravenmoore? You still down there? Found anything yet?" The voice of his captain stopped his hand from moving towards its target.

The woman stopped her struggling and a thought passed through her mind. This was a distraction she could use! With her only means of a weapon, she lifted her leg and swung it hard towards its target. Ravenmoore scream when a sharp and severe pain went straight to his lower region. She had kneed his groin! Out of shock, his hands drop and let them cradle his wound.

The woman jumped back from him, finally away from her attacker. Turning, she ran towards the opening of the cave, her only means of escape. She climbed the rocky slope, crawling on her hands and knees. Her breathing coming into pants as she struggled up. Finally back into the open air, the girl stood back on her shaky legs. She didn't bother to look on the surprise faces of the solders. With fear and hope following through her veins, she kicked up her legs again and began to run.

No sooner then the girl came out, the dishevel figure of Ravenmoore crawled out of the cave. He stumbled to regain his footing, still feeling the aftershock of kick. No men bother to help him up, for fear for his anger that radiated off of him. The only true brave man in the bunch went forward and asked the question everyone was wondering.

"By Lord Time, Ravenmoore, what the hell happen to you?" Captain Forrest demand, “And who was that girl?"

Ravenmoore huffed and puffed, much like the wolf in their history books, “I believe that girl is guilty of murdering one of our own. Connor Demitri. And you all let her get away.” he snapped

Murmurs and whispers began to fill the forest. Many wonder how one little girl could get away from the dark solider? Others talked on why someone would kill Connor. But most wanted to seek revenge on the girl. For someone to kill one their own, it was under the penalty of death. With one hand gesture, Forrest silenced all words from the area. With his stern eyes, he turns back to one his top man.

"What makes you so sure this girl killed Connor?” he asked

Ravenmoore finally regain his breath, “She wore his cloak. I believe she was speaking the truth of him giving it to her; she wouldn't have to hide in the cave. Plus, there is no sign of Connor. I don't know why her reasons but this is our only lead to our search, sir.” he said. It was the truth after all. With this one girl, they could find out what happen.

Forrest nodded and turn towards his men. "Alright, I want all you to gather the remaining troops and search for this girl. I want no harm to come to her. If I find out that one single hair on her head is hurt, you will be securely punished for it. Accused or not, this girl has to believe we mean no harm. I still want her capture and brought back to the horses as quick and possible. Is that understood?” he asked, not excepting any reply.

"Alright! Move out!"

--

Fiona ran through the woods, almost the third time into the past 24 hours. All she had to rely on to keep her going was a bust of adrenaline and fear for her life. She knew she slept for more then several hours, seeing it was almost sunset now. Her stomach was growling in protest with no food for nearly a day, it almost sounded like a beast. She was struggling keep going in such a fast past, if she fell or stumble she would probably loose her life.

Whoever that man was, back in the cave, was angry and was ready to kill her. It was something about Connor's cloak that upset him so. Just whispering his name made the man eye’s go wide with rage. Was he a friend of Connor? Or an enemy of the red head? Fiona didn't know what made her stop, but she did stop in the midst of her panic running. She felt something icy drop into her stomach as memories of the night before caught up to her. Connor risked his life, no doubt dead now, for her to just get away from those gypsies. Right now, Fiona would take her chances with them then that man. She wouldn't be killed instantly by the gypsies but it was better then being killed in cold blood.

She began to run again, not wanting to be caught by the man. She had no idea where she was running to or from where but at least it was away from him. Connor’s old cloak followed up like a pair of black wings, getting caught in the air. She wished for all her might that someone would rescue her and get Andy and go home and pretend this was all a nightmare.

Andy…God, he was alone now and with that mad man called Doyle. What was her father going to think and do when he heard Fiona couldn’t prevent his kidnapping? She wanted to leave this awuful place but she needed to get Andy first.

A figure sat up on a thick branch of a tree, watching the girl run with all her might. He grinned and jumped to another branch, ahead of her. He jumped down timely as Fiona ran towards him. She let out a scream and had to stop before she ran into the figure.

Her breath caught her throat as she stood staring at the tall gypsy from last night. He had a look of hunger in his eyes, like she was a piece of meat. He had his short blade drawn, held to his side. He grinned wickedly at her, stepping towards the frozen with fear Fiona.

She took it all back! She would prefer the guy in the cave then the gypsy.

Dion grinned at her fear, “You know, I thought I would never find you again, my pretty,” he said, stepping towards her, she backed away unconsciously. She stopped when she had her back to a tree. She felt a sense of déjà vu and doubt this situation would turn out like it did with Doyle. The gypsy faced her and stroke her cheek like a lover but he held no warmth for her. “Your little friend, the freak, gave us quite a scare. He was a terrific fighter, I would give him credit, but he fell in the end. He was just a pathetic White dog. He was stupid for not running.”

“No…”she said in a broken voice, “No, you’re wrong. Connor was brave enough to sacrifice his life for me!”

The gypsy chuckled, “Brave and stupid, my little dove. That is the requirements to join the Fourth Kingdom’s army. Soldiers who are so much like their beloved ruler.” He inched closer to Fiona, pressing her against the tree. Her fear ran ten times as fast as she felt something press against her leg. “Now I will have a little fun with you, think it as payment for making me run after, before I turn you and sell you to a goblin.”

Fiona’s face wash away all the blood and stood with a chalk white face. “No…please…don’t…”she begged, “No!”

A screamed disturbed the air around them.

But it wasn’t Fiona who screamed. Dion let out a quieter scream as he clutch at right arm. A dagger was plunged into it, blood spilling out quickly. He cursed and looked for the source who threw the dagger.

Ravenmoore lowered his arm; his eyes were cold and murderous. He reached into his belt and pulled out his sword, borrowed from a solider. He stepped forward, wanting to finish this mission. Dion quickly reacted and grabbed Fiona with his other arm and pulled her to his chest, both facing Ravenmoore. The gypsy raised his blade and placed it at Fiona’s throat.

“Stop! Take another step forward and she dies!” he warned.

Ravenmoore continue walking. Dion looked surprised at first but pressed the blade into Fiona’s throat.

“I said stop!”

Ravenmoore finally stopped, and replied, “Brave and stupid, eh?” he repeated Dion’s word, “We of King Wendell White’s army are brave. But stupid has gone too far, gypsy.” He hissed, “Unhand the girl so I can take her into custody. I have no qualm with you…unless you get into my way.”

Fiona screamed when the blade went deeper this time. Dion harden his grip on her, “Hell no! You know what I went through to get her back?! Her pathetic friend killed my pet.”

The soldier’s darken resolve dissolved with shock before recovering, this time stronger. Without another word, he used his left hand and grabbed another dagger. He flicked it and watched as it landed in the same arm that held Fiona.

Dion’s grip loosen, letting Fiona a chance to escape. She ducked down and ran towards another tree and hid behind it, watching the two. “You bastard! I’m gonna kill you!” he screeched, pulling the daggers from his arms.

He rushed forward, using the same blade he used on Fiona to Ravenmoore. He screamed as he ran, his blade read to strike. Ravenmoore looked calm and collected. Only when the gypsy was nearer, he took a step aside, Dion ran through him. While the gypsy was stunned, the solider raised an elbow and slammed it into the back of the gypsy.

Fiona watched from the sidelines as Ravenmoore dodge when attack from Dion. Even though he tried to kill her, Fiona silently cheered for Ravenmoore. He didn’t break a sweat unlike the gypsy. Dion stopped tried to regain his breath. “Ready to give up?” asked a bored Ravenmoore.

He glared up at him and raised his blade again, not wanting to back down now. He raised his blade up and looked about to strike. Ravenmoore was ready to used his blade to block it. But as his attention was on the rising blade, he failed to see the movement of feet. He grunted and fell backward as Dion kneed his gut sharply.

Ravenmoore rolled over in pain and shock and Fiona gasped. Dion looked insanely satisfied and stood over the solider. He raised his blade again, ready to finish off this solider boy. “Night night White’s dog.”

Fiona didn’t know what over came her but she had to stop the gypsy from killing the other man. She rushed forward and shouldered Dion and fell down with him. His blade dropped dangerously close to Ravenmoore’s head.

The two wrestle on the ground, Fiona trying her best to kick, scratch, and punch her way out of Dion’s grip. He finally gain the advantage and hovered her as she laid on her back. He was angry for not getting to kill the solider boy. Even though the girl was good merchandise, she needed to be get rid of to prevent further complications.

He growl and swung and punched Fiona right in the side of her head. She had stars blind her vision, as her swung violently from the blasting of the punch. She was disoriented, unable to fight anymore. Dion pulled out another dagger from his pocket and swung it up, getting ready to get rid of her for good.

Fiona heard a scream above her and felt a body dropped over her. It was kicked away and she felt like she could breath again. She was pulled up and back on solid ground. She shook her head, clearing her vision. She gasped as she looked down to see Dion writhing in the ground, clutching at the stump that use to be his right arm.

Fiona felt gagging at the sight of blood. She turned her head away, into the chest of whoever was keeping her up. Ravenmoore was the one who was keeping her from falling down. He looked down at the top of her head; she looked like a child in need of comfort. He glanced back at the gypsy.

He began to think. Why made this woman in his arm to run and risk her life to save his? He was about to kill her in the cave, then why did she push the gypsy away? That didn’t make sense.

He was pulled from his thoughts as he heard several pounding fight come his way. He looked up to see his comrades and his leader pulling up with the lead running towards him. Captain Forrest stopped and looked stunned at the wounded gypsy, then to the bloodied blade in Ravenmoore’s hand. Then he finally looked at the girl, the same girl who exited the cave and who they were tracking down, in Ravenmoore’s arm.

“What happened here, Ravenmoore?” he demanded

Fiona snapped out of it and looked up to see herself in Ravenmoore’s arms. She didn’t think when she buried her head into a chest, wanting to look away from the blood shed. She stepped back and almost fell backwards when she stumbled over a rock.

Ravenmoore quickly reacted and grabbed Fiona’s upper arm before she could get away. He looked back at his commander. “When I was chasing the,” he almost said murderer before Forrest sent him a knowing glare, “suspect, I came across a gypsy with the suspect, ready to have his way with her. I fought him and I was force to cut off his arm when he attacked the suspect.”

Forrest frown, looking over the situation again, “And of the suspect? Has she said anything about Conner?” he asked. Ravenmoore shook his head, “No, sir.”

He sighed and walked to Ravenmoore and Fiona. He looked back at his men, “Restrain the gypsy and put a seal over his wound, but don’t heal it. I don’t want the wagon stained,” he ordered. The men nodded and grabbed Dion and restrain by tying his only arm to his side. Two men grabbed him and walked away with him. Forrest turn back and looked at Fiona with eyes that a father would have. “I’m so sorry you had to see that blood shed, young lady. I must ask you this, did you kill Connor Demitri?” he asked calmly.

She shook her head, “No. He saved me, and sacrificed his life for my own.” She answered sadly.

Forrest looked into Fiona’s brown eyes for a moment or two. She looked to be telling the truth. The sadness was defiantly real, the slow building tears only backed up the sad demeanor she carried. But she couldn’t be let go just yet. She was a pretty little thing but there were regulations to uphold and maintain. He couldn’t let her go jut because she looked innocent.

“I’m sorry miss but I’m afraid that we have to bring you to the castle for questioning. I promise it won’t be bad and if you are proven innocent, you can go back home. Alright?” he said and smiled when Fiona nodded.

His smile fade and look back at Ravenmoore. He looked proud and a little ashamed that his solider didn’t seem to treat this girl with the same respect he did. Ravenmoore was taught to help women and children and give them respect. “Ravenmoore, escort her to the wagon. Away from the gypsy.” He ordered before walking away.

Ravenmoore was left alone with Fiona. He pulled out pieces of rope and mad her turn around. He wrapped her wrist, tightening it enough for her yelp in pain. Fiona glared back at him but he smirk and finished the rope. He pulled her harshly by the arm, making her stumble.

Fiona Lewis walked beside Ravenmoore, almost in a death march. Where she was going, it was farther then home and Andy.

--

Author’s Note: Big apologizes for not updating in….almost a year?! Holy crap! Really, really sorry you guys! With school and big projects and the lack of muse, I keep forgetting. bows Please forgive me and keep on reading.