The Lost One Ch. 01-02

"What magic is this?" thought Pristine.

Suddenly, she heard someone knock on the door. It was Kyra.

"Pristine? Are you dressed?" she asked.

"Yes, I am. You may come in."

Kyra entered and gasped.

"Whoa! You look like royalty."

Kyra was wearing a scarlet gown with magenta trimmings.

Pristine blushed at her comment and said bashfully, "Thanks. I guess it'll do."

That's when they heard the dinner bell.

"Dinner's ready! Let's go!" Kyra said.

But as she turned around and started to run, she tripped over her gown. Pristine rushed to her side and helped her up. She couldn't help it, but she giggled.

"Are you all right?"

"Never better."

"Let me get my slippers on and we can head down there."

When they both made it down to the grand hall, they stopped, and gasped at the sight of the large tables. The king, his court, and Ophealia were already there. Soon King Charles noticed them and waved for them to come on over.

"Ah, our guests have arrived. Please come and sit over here and sit with me!" he requested.

As soon as the two came up, they noticed a man sitting next to the king.

"Ladies, I would like for you to meet Sir Reginald of Cranston. He is one of my finest knights. He will be your protector on your journey. Sir Reginald, this is Pristine and Kyra." introduced the king.

The man was thirty-seven years old. He had a noble brow with black hair and deep blue eyes. His mustache curled at the tips and he wore shiny armor. When the king introduced him, he stood up and bowed. Both Pristine and Kyra became amazed on how tall he was. He must had been at least six feet and five inches. Despite their shock, Pristine and Kyra still managed to curtsey.

"It would be an honor to help you on your quest." the knight said finally before sitting down.

"Please sit down." requested the king.

As the girls sat down, Kyra asked, "Your majesty, I was wondering how you knew what size clothes I wore."

"Funny you should ask that Kyra. Just as soon as you two left, Drackor appeared and asked if he could do something to your rooms. I said if he could do it before you two got there, he could. He suddenly vanished and returned a few moments later, thanked me, and then left. So Drackor must have given you both clothes for you to wear."

While Kyra, King Charles, and Sir Reginald talked, Pristine looked at Ophealia, who was looking depressed.

Finally, Pristine got the urge to ask, "Are you all right, your highness?"

Ophealia looked at her and said, "No. It's so unfair. Just because I'm a princess doesn't mean I can't join you on your quest."

By looking into her eyes, Pristine could tell that Ophealia really wanted to go.

"Don't worry. I'm sure things will work out." Pristine said with a grin.

Ophealia looked up and returned her grin.

Soon the food was brought out. Pristine and Kyra had never seen so much food in their lives. Some of the food they never even heard of. After they ate, the king called for some entertainment. A jester came out and told them of the legend of the last unicorn.

"Legend has it," the jester began, "That you need the Crystal of Life in order to find the lost unicorn. In order to find the crystal, you have to find three stones: water, fire, and wood. These stones are found in places of the old world before the Evil One took over. After all three stones are collected, you must place them in the Temple of Corlana. Only then will the Crystal of Life will appear. The crystal will lead you to the unicorn. That's what has been told."

After a few more songs, everyone went up to their rooms. While Pristine and Kyra went up to their quarters, they talked about the legend.

"I suppose that in order to find the unicorn we need to find those three stones first." guessed Pristine.

"Yeah, but how do we find them?"

"Well, the jester said that they are found in places of the old world. There are three of them, so it has to be three places that stayed the same after the Invasion. Wait a minute. Didn't Drackor place seals on three places before the Evil One could get to them? I bet it's those places. If the Evil One can't breach those places then those stones are probably in those places."

"That does make since, now the question is where are these places?"

"I don't know. But let's worry about that in the morning. Good night, Kyra." said Pristine as they reached their rooms.

"Sleep tight, Pristine." waved Kyra before going into her room.

That night, Pristine received a vision. She was walking in a misty realm when she saw a figure.

"Pristine . . ." it called out.

"Drackor? Is that you?"

"Yes, Pristine." nodded Drackor as he stepped forward.

"Drackor, I know Kyra and I must find the three stones, but where can we find them?"

"That's why I am here. I am going to give you one of four signs that will help you on your quest. You are to go to the underwater kingdom of Oceanica."

"Oceanica? I've heard of that place. That's where they say sea people live. They say that they look like humans and fish. How do I get there?"

"There are some mountains due west of here. There's a river nearby. You find the river by following a trail. Once you find the river, you will follow it downstream until you reach the ocean. Someone will help you get to Oceanica." instructed Drackor before vanishing.

Pristine felt herself fainting as the vision ended.

Pristine opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the sun peaking through the curtains. She quickly got up and saw some new clothes on the dresser. It was a pair of trousers, a jerkin, vest, and undergarments. There was a pair of boots next to the dresser. She dressed then brushed her long hair out. As she finished up, she heard Kyra knocking on the door.

"Good morning, Pristine. Ready for breakfast?" she asked after opening the door.

She was wearing new garments too.

"Oh yes."

The two friends head downstairs and were soon greeted by Sir Reginald and King Charles.

"Good morning, ladies. Sit down please." insisted the king as they led them to the table.

"I'm starved!" commented Kyra.

"Don't worry Miss Kyra. Breakfast will come out soon." assured Sir Reginald.

Soon their breakfast arrived. After they ate, they got ready to leave. King Charles had them meet out behind the castle where their mounts were. They were supplied with food, accessories, and other things. Pristine was given a light sword for her to use and a dagger. Kyra was also given a dagger. Sir Reginald offered to train them as they went. After they were ready, Pristine told Sir Reginald of her dream.

"Sir Reginald, I received a vision last night from Drackor. He said we need to head west to go to the Kingdom of Oceanica." Pristine said as she got onto her horse.

"That means we have to go over the Radan Mountains. We better be careful." said Sir Reginald before getting on his horse.

"Why?" asked Kyra after getting on her horse.

"Because there are outlaws there."

"Then we will be careful. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get going!" yelled Kyra.

In her excitement, she accidentally kicked her horse and it suddenly galloped off!

"Kyra!" yelled Pristine before taking off.

"Wish us luck, your majesty." said Sir Reginald before going after the two girls, leading the pack horse that was attached to his.

"Farewell!" waved the king.

During this time, Pristine caught up with Kyra, who was trying in vain to get her horse under control.

"Kyra! Pull up your reins!" Pristine ordered.

"Okay!"

She did with all her might and her horse finally stopped. Soon Sir Reginald caught up.

He gasped and asked, "Are you all right, child?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"You should be more careful."

"I shall."

"Um, guys, west is that way." Pristine pointed in the opposite direction.

"Oh! Quite right!" agreed Sir Reginald.

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They made their way toward Radan Mountains. While traveling, Kyra did most of the talking, and every now and then Sir Reginald commented on something. Pristine was silent through the entire way there. She was deep in thought about the trip there. She knew that something big was going to happen. She just did not know when. It took them a day to make it there. It was just before lunch time when they made it.

"Now what do we do? We can't leave the horses behind." Kyra said.

"There's a path over there." Pristine pointed.

"All right! Now we're getting somewhere."

"Shh! We should be quieter here." warned Sir Reginald.

"All right."

They followed the path until they reached a nearby creek.

"Oh, I'm tired. Can we stop and rest, please?" asked Kyra.

"Very well, but we cannot rest for too long." answered Sir Reginald.

They dismounted.

Wanting to be alone Pristine told them, "I'm going to freshen up a bit."

"Be careful lass. This is not the time to be wandering off." Sir Reginald warned her.

"Don't worry. I won't be gone long." Pristine answered before going off.

Pristine walked and soon made it to the creek. She knelt down and looked around. There was some vegetation here, but mostly dirt and rock. It was like nature was trying to live here, but just couldn't quite make it. Pristine splashed some water on her face. When she looked at her reflection, she saw that angelic figure again. She rubbed her eyes and looked again, this time it was her reflection.

"This is strange." she thought.

All of the sudden, she got the impression that the others were in trouble. She stood up and ran.

During this time, Sir Reginald and Kyra rested.

"How old are you Kyra?" Sir Reginald asked.

"Eight. Why do you ask?"

"I just don't understand why a wizard would send a child on a dangerous mission."

"Neither do I, but I am glad though. I don't think Pristine was too crazy about the idea though."

"Why?"

"Because she is terribly shy and is not the adventurous type."

"So I've noticed."

That very second, a bunch of men jumped out. Sir Reginald and Kyra backed up as the men surrounded them.

"Careful, Kyra. They are outlaws." whispered Sir Reginald as he guarded Kyra.

Indeed they were. One of them stepped forward. The twenty year-old man was muscular with golden blonde hair and blue gray eyes. He was tall at six feet. His name was Lance and he was the leader of the group.

"Well, well, what have we here? Trespassers?" he replied with a sly grin.

Sir Reginald frowned at him before saying, "We certainly are not! We're just passing through."

"Oh really? Well then you'll have to pay a toll."

"Why?"

"Because this is our land, and if anyone wishes to cross it, then they're going to have to pay a toll. Now, if you don't mind, how about sharing some of that food there?" asked Lance as he and his man started to close in.

"Leave my friends alone!" someone shouted.

The outlaws backed off and everyone turned to see Pristine. Pristine was pretty angry. Normally she was very calm, but whenever someone was threaten, her temper would rise like wild fire. Lance was the first person to spot her. When he saw her, he barely managed to hide his reaction for it was instant. It was like a boulder hit him on the head. The woman before him looked like an angel.

He finally composed himself and asked, "And who might you be?"

"Someone you don't want to get mad." Pristine warned.

She had her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to pull it out if she needed to.

"I mean it! Leave my friends alone or I'll . . ." Pristine began to say when Lance interrupted her.

"Okay! Okay! Sorry lady. We were just hungry." Lance interrupted as he held his hands up.

Pristine's hand left the hilt of her sword, and her entire demeanor changed and lightened.

Her eyes soften and she replied kindly, "Oh? Well, why didn't you say so in the first place? If you would have asked nicely, instead of ambushing my friends, you might have received some food."

Lance looked up at her at that. That never occurred to him. He was an outlaw after all, and outlaws took first and asked later.

"Hey Lance!" called out someone.

Everyone turned to see a young man dragged an animal toward Lance. He was Lance's seventeen year-old brother Grayson. His wild hair was brown with blonde highlights. And his eyes were blue-gray just like his brother's. He was a little shorter than Lance too at five feet and nine inches. He pulled a buck by the antlers right up to Lance before letting it go. He took a deep breath before looking at Lance and the others. The others could tell he was out of breath.

"See Lance! I told you I could get us something to eat. Who are these people?" Grayson asked, referring to Pristine, Kyra, and Sir Reginald.

Lance sighed. His brother was always curious.

"This is my younger brother Grayson." Lance introduced.

He began wondering why he was being so polite for he always intended to take stuff than leave. It must had been the lady for he had this intense need to get to know her. His men looked just as perplexed as well for they never saw Lance act this way towards strangers.

"And you must be Lance." Pristine guessed.

Usually she was shy, but for some reason, she felt more at ease and opened toward this man.

"Yes ma'am. And may I ask for your name?" asks Lance after he bowed.

He might be an outlaw, but he was a gentleman.

"My name is Pristine."

During this time Kyra and Sir Reginald kept looking at Lance with suspicion. Lance grinned and walked up to Pristine before taking her hand.

"It's a pleasure." he said before kissing her hand gently.

Pristine blushed from head to toe. The feel of his lips sent a tingly feeling throughout her body. Several of the other outlaws giggled a bit. Kyra wasn't too happy. She started go over when Lance let go of Pristine's hand and stepped back. He saw the girl coming toward them out of the corner of his eye. He liked Pristine's reaction. The lady was as red as an apple. Pristine soon recovered.

"Uh, this is my friend Kyra and Sir Reginald of Cranston." she answered.

Kyra kept her hand to herself when she was introduced. Despite the stern look on Sir Reginald's face, he bowed. That very minute, they heard a yell.

"Hey boss! Look what I found!" shouted an outlaw as he came into view.

He dragged someone by its arm toward them.

"You let me go this instant!" the person screamed.

It was Princess Ophealia! She kept on trying to pull free of the outlaw's grasp. He let go, causing her to fall down on her rear.

"You'll be sorry for that!" she threatened, her eyes afire.

"Princess Ophealia! What are you doing here?" asked Sir Reginald as he went over to her to help her up.

But Ophealia just flapped her hand in front of him.

"I can get up myself." Ophealia assured as she got up, though not gracefully.

"You shouldn't be here! What will your father say?" Sir Reginald asked.

"Hey! I said that I wanted to come, and there's nothing you can do about it!"

Pristine could tell that Ophealia was going to blow unless someone did something, so she intervened.

"She's right, Sir Reginald. No one can order her what to do, except her father."

That calmed Ophealia, but Sir Reginald frowned at Pristine.

"Thank-you Pristine." Ophealia replied with a sigh of relief, but Sir Reginald still looked worried.

"Don't worry Sir Reginald, no harm will come to her." assured Pristine.

"How do you know?" asked Sir Reginald, unconvinced.

"Because I just know. It's a feeling I got."

"Believe her Sir Reginald. She's always right about these things." Kyra said, adding support.

"Oh, very well." Sir Reginald said, finally giving in.

Ophealia smiled before hugging Sir Reginald, than Pristine and Kyra.

"Thank-you Sir Reginald. I assure you, I am no damsel-in-distress."

During this time Grayson was staring at Ophealia, almost rudely for he never saw anyone so exotic and glamorous. Lance stole a glance at his brother, and shoved him a bit, knocking him out of his reverie. Lance grinned at Grayson, and Grayson just frowned at him.

Finally, Lance came forward and asked, "Umm, I don't mean to interrupt, but do all of you want to join us for lunch? We have this buck here Grayson caught. It's the least we can do."

Pristine smiled and replied, "We love to," before the others could deny.

Kyra, Sir Reginald, and Ophealia looked at her like she was crazy. Kyra thought that Pristine was too trusting sometimes. Sir Reginald thought that Pristine's innocence could lead her into danger. Ophealia was just mad at the thought of dining with untrusting, thieving outlaws. Lance saw the three's reaction, and really could not blame them. He was thankful that he has a better chance to get to know Pristine though, although he did not know why.

Smiling, Lance said, "Great!"

A few hours later, the meal was ready.

After they ate, Lance asked them, "So why are you here?"

Kyra forgot her wariness toward the outlaw, and answered eagerly, "We're on our way to Oceanica!"

Sir Reginald and Ophealia looked at her with surprise. They never expected that Kyra would say something about the mission.

"Oceanica? Why would you want to go there?" asked Lance.

"We need the stone of water from there." answered Pristine.

Ophealia and Sir Reginald frowned at her and were about to comment when Grayson suddenly replied in excitement, "Oh! I know what you are doing! You're looking for the lost unicorn, aren't you?"

Kyra, Ophealia, and Sir Reginald looked at him in surprise. They never knew that outlaws or any common folk known about the way to find the lost unicorn. Because only legends like that were found in books. Pristine and Kyra were exceptions because they were fortunate enough to learn from a merchant.

"How'd you know that?" asked Kyra.

"Grayson has always had a keen interest in legends." answered Lance.

He got serious and commented, "Another thing, this is a very dangerous mission. It seems to me that you might need more protection. No offense Sir Reginald, I am sure you are a very brave and great fighter, but I don't think you can defend three young women."

These words caused both Kyra and Ophealia to speak up.

"Hey! I may be young, but I can take care of myself." protested Kyra.

"I agree. I may be a princess, but I know how to defend myself." Ophealia agreed.

"I am sure both of you can, but do you know what you're up against? Plus, the Evil One might discover what you are doing, and go after you." Lance replied.

This caught the others' attention. The Evil One was the source of the evil that entered Serenai and nearly destroyed everything. No one who seen this being had lived to tell the tale.

"So what do you suggest?" asked Pristine.

"Well, why don't my gang and I join all of you on your quest?"

True, he did want to protect Pristine, but he also just wanted to be closer to her too.

Suddenly, Ophealia asked, "How do we know we can trust you?"

"Your highness, my brother may be an outlaw, but he is an honorable one. That includes the rest of us," began Grayson.

"Besides, I couldn't let a pretty thing like you get hurt." he finished with a grin.

Ophealia just sighed.

"Well, Miss Pristine, the choice is yours." said Sir Reginald.

Ophealia and Kyra nodded in agreement.

"Lance? Are you telling the truth?" Pristine asked.

"Yes, my lady." Lance replied honestly.

Pristine looked straight into his eyes and saw that he was sincere. Lance thought she looked into his soul with those eyes that were as blue as the sky.

"All right then. You may join us."

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A/N: Most of these chapters are long ones so prepare yourself for long reads. I still hope you enjoy the story though and please R & R (read and review), I do appreciate the feedback.