Below the Peak (Sola)

by Juliet Lili

  “Nara Thani, daughter of Jae Thani the royal advisor and brother to King Lorenz Thani” She recited confidently while holding the soldier’s eyes with her own keen brown eyes. That should be proof enough and remove any doubts.

  After a long moment of looking at her, he stepped back and said. “Open the gate.” The other two guards pushed the wide gate. A hollowness dipped her stomach, and a tightness wrapped in her chest as she passed through and entered the second wall.

  So, this is how it feels when you lie. Nara frowned, feeling a discomfort and decided she did not like. Setting her eyes forward, she rode past the ordinary houses, old and new taverns, vibrant market and streets filled with all kinds of people from old men and women to young children playing around. The air was marked with all kind of sounds too, sellers pitching their goods, people talking in high and low-pitched voices, laughter, and clanging sound from smiths’ shops and chirping of birds. The atmosphere quite different from within the King’s Wall.

  Nara dismounted when she reached the third wall. She pulled Lucky to a nearby tree and tied the rope loosely around it, leaving Lucky under the shed. “Stay here yeah” she patted Lucky once. She looked around to see if anyone was watching her and sneaked in the military base. Soldiers wearing different uniforms of their ranks and divisions moved about while others rested on benches and took rest. Nara stood under a giant oak tree on the outskirts of the arena that she hid herself the first time that she sneaked in with Otto. It wasn’t the best spot to hide, but no one seemed to be bothered by her, some looked at her for a curious second and then focused on other things. Two men clothed in belted long tunics that reached the knees paired with leather trousers and boots stood not very far from the hiding spot and caught her attention when they faced each other. Her heart pumped and blood boiled in excitement to what was about to happen. The blonde man with a goatee attacked first with a swift kick. The other dark-haired man blocked with the side of his arm and threw a quick fist back. Mesmerised eyes watched the two spur, noting their fluid movements. Each person attacked with purpose, none relenting. Their attacks increased in speed and strength with each minute that passed. Active chests rose and down heavily as sweat poured down their faces. Nara watched with excitement and apprehension. She couldn’t pick a winner if she had to since both fought fiercely although the one with the goatee seemed to be more skilled than the other man. Nara held her breath when the other blonde drew out his sword that was sheathed on his hip and moved quickly toward his opponent.

  “Who are you and what are you doing here?” a loud voice questioned. Nara’s shoulders jerked as she turned abruptly, shock palpable on her features. Nara stood rigid. Brown eyes rose slowly, noting the broad and vigorous form fitted in dark blue uniform until they reached the face of the man. Nara was met with a stern young-looking face with harsh sea blue eyes. She averted her eyes to his forehead close to the edge of his hairline.

  “I am sorry… I shouldn’t be here” Nara stammered.

  “No, you shouldn’t” the man affirmed. “Civilians are not allowed here. So, what are you doing here?”

  His cold eyes assessed and measured her from head to toe, causing unnerving sensation to roll through her.

  “Don’t stare, it's rude” Nara blurted. The man resettled his gaze on her round pale face once satisfied with his inspection of her.

  “And it’s rude not to answer and not look at the person talking to you” he countered.

  Nara’s answer was silence.

  He moved a step closer to her, his voice laced with sarcastic humour. “Are you going to stand there until you become one with the tree or speak up?”

  Caught and with no alternative, Nara breathed to subdue the fear inside and said. “I just wanted to watch them train. I don’t mean to cause any trouble. I’ll just leave” She closed and open her fist repeatedly and took a step back, wanting to quickly bolt.

  He looked at her curiously and spoke. “If you enjoy watching people fight why don’t you become a soldier?”

  What?

  Her mind went momentarily blank. Nara blinked a couple of times to gather her wits.

  How could he suggest such a thing? She looked at him. “I have never thought of it.” her head shook slightly as the idea started to take hold, rousing something deep within her.

  “I am too young, and besides I’m a girl. How possibly could I fight” Nara added. That was lame. She had read of women who were remarkable warriors and heard there were a few who were soldiers, although she hadn’t seen one yet. He looked her over slowly, his eyes searching as she tried not to fidget.

  “You don’t look too young and being a girl is just horseshit excuse,” he said. Such a crass mouth, she thought. Looking at him, he didn’t look much older than her, probably four or five years older.

  The conversation was giving her crazy ideas and hope that might be futile in her world. Girls of her status didn’t become warriors, they served another purpose for the kingdom. To be married to other aristocratic men over treaties and agreements.

  “I have to go” was the reply she could come up with. Nara turned quickly before he could stop her or tempt her mind with more outrageous ideas.

  ****

  “Hello there” her stepmother greeted, emerging from the living room. Nara halted on the second stair. Ugh! There went her plan of getting to her room unnoticed. She turned around and greeted the woman standing not far away from the stairs. “Hello, mother.”

  “Otto informed me, you took Lucky for a ride today. How was it?” Kami asked.

  ‘Otto and his big mouth’, Nara grumbled then replied. “Yes, I did, and it was all right.”

  Her mother smiled, “and how were you were lessons?”

  “They teased me again” the flat words wiped the warm smile into a pressed mouth.

  “This has to stop.” Her mother stated, anger simmering in her eyes. “I’m going to speak to your father. We’ll find a teacher to come here and teach you.”

  Nara didn’t want her father to see her weak or stubborn. “No, but father said I should try…I’ll try-” she began to protest as her skin flushed with shame of being weak but Kami interrupted. “I don’t care what your father said,” she said furiously, voice rising then paused. Nara bit down on her lip.

  “No, you don’t need to try anymore. You have done enough.” Kami said in a lower voice, but still looking no less angry. Nara lowered her eyes when she saw the sadness in her mother’s eyes.

  “You have to know my heart breaks for you,” Kami said quietly, “I don’t like seeing you sad and suffering for the things you shouldn’t just because some children inherited poor manners from their parents.”

  “I know,” Nara said in the same quiet voice.

  “Your father will understand. He loves you” her mother added. Nara just nodded in a non-responsive way.

  Her agreement seemed to ease the anger of her mother, the tension in her shoulders eased, and Kami reassured her step-daughter all will be okay with a warm grin. “Go ahead. I just had the maids prepare you a hot bath before you walked in.”

  “Thank you,” Nara said and took the flights of stairs to her room.

  ****

  Nara was playing with a small knife she had taken a few days ago from the weaponry storage room of her father, twisting like she had seen the two soldiers do once she had bathed and changed into a clean dress when she heard quick little stomps down the hall just outside her room. Nara bent and hid the knife under the bed just before the door to her room slammed open. Ingrid barged in, looking out of breath from running.

  “Mother said to tell you to come down and eat,” Breathless, Ingrid squeaked.

  “Okay. Let me finish braiding my hair” Nara said as her hands worked on her head. Ingrid walked toward her. “Do mine too, please” she stood in front her, eyes watching her hands the entire time.

  “Turn around,” Nara told the little girl once she was done with her hair. She took the hairbrush and brushed her sister’s puffy ri
nglets of golden brown hair.

  “Would you like a ponytail?” she asked. Ingrid nodded in a way only an enthusiastic five-year-old would. “Alright. A ponytail is then” she said, tying most her hair that didn’t escape from the band then braiding it. When she was done, Ingrid looked in the mirror then turned to her with a beaming toothless smile. Nara smiled. “Let us go now. We don’t want to keep mama waiting.” Ingrid shook her head in agreement. They walked together to the dining room and found their parents waiting. Nara took a seat beside her mother and avoided looking at her father who sat at the other end of the table. The maid served them food and left when dismissed by Kami. A heavy silence filled the room as they ate except for the occasional clanging of silverware.

  “This is an excellent way to end a day, eating with my ladies” her father spoke, sounding content. Her mother smiled at her husband. Her father glanced at Ingrid. “How was your day my little bunny?”

  Ingrid giggled. “It was great. Melissa played dolls with me today.”

  “Ahhh, I bet you were happy, weren’t you?” he asked with an arch of his brows. “Yes, I was. I want to play with Melissa tomorrow too. Can I daddy?” Ingrid asked. Jae looked at her cute face, her brown eyes melting him into a puddle. He grinned and said instead. “What does your mother think of that?”

  “Mama can I please?” Ingrid asked. Nara watched quietly while her sister charmed their parents. Whenever she wanted something, she resorted to calling them mama and daddy and acting all cute. Nara was different from her. She had never acted like that. She couldn’t. The thought of trying made Nara cringe with a weird feeling. She was the type who asked once, and if refused she didn’t beg. She wouldn’t know how and where to start.

  “If Melissa’s mother is alright with it, yes you may play with her tomorrow” her mother gave in. “Yay! Thank you” Ingrid clapped then continued eating.

  “What about you Nara, how was your day?” he asked two minutes later, eyes on her.

  “Umm… it was normal” Nara replied, glancing at him nervously. Her stomach knotted. Jae regarded his oldest daughter, feeling betrayed and guilty at the same time. Guilty for pushing her too hard and that she didn’t tell him what was going on. He saw the tension on her shoulders, fear in her eyes that he would be disappointed in her. His late wife must be rolling in her grave for his ignorance and neglect of their daughter. Guilt encompassed him. He had been too occupied with courts work and trying to make her daughter someone that she is not, not knowing she was hurting badly in the wolves’ den. If the children she studied with were anything like their cunning parents he met with regularly in court, he could only imagine how much she suffered at their hands. Her daughter was different unlike her step-sister who was bubbly and a social butterfly. He shouldn’t have forced her.

  Jae felt shame that his wife told him this, for he had promised his late wife when she had been taking her last breath that he would watch and care for their daughter and he failed. He looked at her apologetically.

  “I’ll find a teacher to come here and give you lessons,” he said, he hoped she saw it was a way of him being sorry. Her eyes widened like she hadn’t heard him correctly. The disbelief on her face was a knife to his hurt and evidence of his poor relationship with his daughter. Determination swelled in his chest. He was going to mend his relationship with her and be a better father.

  Nara put the spoon down, licked her lips and said quietly, “Thank you father,” as relief flooded her body. A small smile that he almost missed had spread on her lips before she ate another spoonful of beans. The guilt tightening in Jae’s chest loosen just a bit. His wife smiled at him and mouthed ‘I love you’, and he smiled all teeth and all in return.

  Chapter Three

  Murisa,

  Vessener

  Trainee Assembly.

  At seventeen years

  Nara

  Despite being early spring, the sun shrouded by grey clouds, sweat trickled on her temples. Nara clenched her fists on her side as the pounding in her ears swallowed a girl’s squeaky voice. She felt insane, was she mad to volunteer to join the army? Knots formed in her stomach.

  “He is intimidating the children” a soft voice commented. It belonged to the female soldier not standing that far from her.

  “It is what feeds his cruel soul” a man replied. The smile in his voice sent a sliver of fear through her.

  Nara began to have second doubts. Clearly, this was a mistake. What was she thinking? She asked herself, the swirling sensation in her stomach growing. She could walk away, she had nothing to lose if she did. No, people will stare. The thought of drawing attention to herself had her feet digging into the ground, her mind refusing to welcome any form of attention to herself. It made its high opinion known by sending sweaty goosebumps over her skin. Not today Nara!

  “Why are you here?” the ironclad voice cut through the air she was breathing. A figured shadow had hovered beside her before black boots stepped in front of her. Nara swallowed and looked up slowly over the tall and strong man dressed in the standard dark blue military uniform, with an addition of a small silver wolf pin on his jacket. She tilted her head and met familiar blue eyes. Nara froze, while her heart began a new fervent race. She wondered if he still remembered her. Unlikely, they had not spoken since that day he’d caught watching those two men train. Nara never told him her name, yet she came to know him from hearing all the praise in town and from comrades in the military base that she had made a habit of sneaking in religiously the last four years.

  Nara stood still at attention, clenched fist on her sides as his hard eyes took in her neatly plaited dark hair, pale freckled face and pristine new black overall training uniform she wore like every other fresh face in the arena who were trembling in their boots as they stood in a similar stance. Captain Barra clasped his hands behind his back, his lips thinned and looked at her.

  “Did you not hear me?” he demanded. Nara remembered from that one encounter that he was a bit serious, but she wondered if the change of rank indeed turned him cold or he’d always been like this. He was now the captain of the Elite, a leader of a team made of exceptional assassins and spies from the whole army of Murisa.

  It took Nara a long second to find her voice and even then, she stuttered. “I-I don’t know.” She winced when the words left her mouth. Should she say it was his suggestions that brought her here?

  His thick brows pulled slightly together against his cold expression, his eyes speaking he isn’t one that tolerates bullshit.

  “I wanted to join, Captain...Sir” Nara stammered again. Ground swallow me whole. The captain’s jaw clenched in irritation, his voice turning harder, “Who do you serve soldier?”

  Nara bit her bottom lip, refraining herself from sputtering again. She was embarrassed already as it was. Her stomach knotted tight with a feeling this was a tricky question. She thought hard and careful before opening her mouth. “I serve the people.”

  “You do not serve the king?”, The silence that accompanied the death sentence question was deafening. The eyes of the other two Elite soldiers and eyes of every other recruit settled on her, thick with curiosity. A shiver skittered down her spine.

  “I serve the needs of the people of this kingdom, and among them is the leader who leads the people to prosperity” Nara replied calmly with confidence she had no clue where it came from while keeping her back straight.

  The Captain’s jaw twitched but said nothing in return other than the burning gaze in his eyes before he stalked to the wooden platform and faced all of them. The additional height only added to the powerful aura of his as he spoke again loud and clear. “Now is the only time you can freely walk away. Some of you would die and get injured because of recklessness and weak conditions of your bodies. No one will save you, you are soldiers who serve.” He paused, letting the unveiled words sink in the young faces staring at him in both fear and awe.

  Nara’s face whitened as if a bucket of ice cold water had been poured on her.


  Clearly, this was a mistake Nara slowly dragged one foot in front, ready to run but her knees trembled. She sensed the fear of others, so palpable against the chilly weather. She heard the subtle shuffling of feet, moving weight from one foot to the other but one had yet to walk away from the formation. The desperation to run was high but she wouldn’t, not if it would make her a spectacle. Oh, this...Nara clenched her fists hard, short nails digging into both palms until she felt pain. This irrationality was crippling, and it was another reason she was here in the first place, to overcome this anxiety keeping her in a suffocating and overwhelming, lonely bubble. She snapped out of her thoughts and stared at the captain who let his hands that were folded behind his back fall to his sides. He lifted one fist to his chest, and everyone including herself followed his example and proclaimed aloud with him in a clear voice that claimed the morning.

  I pledge to the men, women, and children of Murisa

  To the peace and prosperity that threads our hearts together

  No beast, creature or man shall conquer us

  I lay my body and pour my blood for you!

  ******

  It was the first day of training, and all the recruits were gathered in the open field anxiously waiting for the first command. Bara stood in front of them, hands on his hips. His small smirk was the only warning they got of how hard he was going to be on them from that day forward.

  “I want you to run around this wall until I say stop,” he said casually as if it was the easiest thing to do. The military wall surrounded the whole city. It stretched broad and long in miles.

  Everyone looked in disbelief, thinking the same what she was thinking. They wouldn’t make it without collapsing. Nara’s eyes followed him as he got on his horse and turned to them with a scowl. “What are you waiting for?”

  Nara had never seriously run in her life, chasing her little sister didn’t count. The fact that he would be watching them from the top of his horse terrified her. She stood anxious and afraid there like so many others, feet unwilling to move. One thin, tall boy who seemed confident enough broke out from the line and started out. Another boy followed him, and soon enough the rest began to jog. Not wanting to be the last one, she began to run too.