by Jacob White
“I know how it must torture you, but please stop wasting time on that foul man. He still deserved worse than what you gave him. Also, teaching aside… I am so sorry for what I had done to you and your trust for me.”
“You don’t need to…”
“Yes! I do, please.” I sat down in front of her waiting for her to continue.
“I'm not looking for pity. I just want you to know where I was coming from. When you found me, I was already in my eleventh year. I had been training with magic since I was four and had become quite adept in that short time. My fate was chosen as soon as I was born. I was to replace my father as head mage. I knew that I would have done everything I could to impress him. Then one day he walked into my room and told me of the stones. He asked me to befriend you to get close. We watched you for months, thinking of the best approach to make this happen. I saw how you were kind and different than any expectation I had had. The day you found me in that alley, I had run away from my father. I felt I had failed him in befriending you... also… it hurt me when I thought about lying to such a kind person. Then you stopped in the alley looking at me with those kind eyes, offering me to work and a place stay with you.” A single tear fell from her eye.
“Anna.”
“It's okay. I need to say this. So, I accepted. It would appease my father's wish, and I could be closer to you. My Papa was not happy at first. He knew what I would have to do eventually to stay near you. He had only meant for us to become friends. To be honest, I was prepared to sell my body, I told myself it had to be this way for the stone. It wasn’t the exact reason, however… I wanted to stay near you, I never had friends or siblings. You were so important to me.” Her chest rose from amount of air she took in. “Then my coming of age came, when we failed at hiding it was only a matter of time until I became a woman. You made a deal for me, and that’s when I knew that I loved you. I had always planned to tell you, but it just got harder and harder. I became so afraid of you hating me. I had to leave after you got the stone. I couldn’t lie to you any longer. It didn’t matter in the end considering you still found out, still hated me, but it didn’t matter to me. I already promised myself to help you and do what I can even if I had to look at you from a distance. Then you told the council you needed me, and I almost died hearing those words. Because, Weaver, like it or not, I need you, too.”
“I'm still not sure what to say. Are you still able to become a head?”
“No. The day I returned, I told him I no longer had the same desire I once did, and I wouldn’t take the position.”
“I'm sorry for making you give that up. My only intention that day was to help myself. Reduce the amount of work I had to do.” We both smiled again.
“You need to forgive her. I can see inside her heart, Weaver. She means it when she told you she would do anything for you.” Gibi said.
“It just hurts knowing she lied… after everything. However, you know I have already forgiven her.” I told the fragment.
“It’s still important for her to hear.”
“There's one more question I have for you… This entire time you never told me you were older than me. I'm not sure I can forgive that.” I added.
We both laughed again. Then to reassure her I said, “Also… Anna, I have forgiven you, I just needed time to process everything.”
“Weaver, could you stand up and close your eyes for me?” Slowly I stood, afraid she might hit me with magic. I heard her footsteps come close to me and out of nowhere her lips were on mine. This was no sibling love kiss, but a kiss deep with passion. As soon as it had come, it was gone, and she was walking out.
“I know I've lost you, but I just wanted to know, if even once.”
“Wait! When you say you love me…?” She turned
“Since the day you made a deal for me. Do not worry, I wouldn’t ever come between you and Les. I know you are happy.” Then she was gone.
How did this happen? I have always seen her as a sibling? Should I tell Les? My head felt it was about to explode. Why did she do this now of all times? I couldn’t even do one drill. How the hell can she expect me to try now? Thoughts were racing around through my head as I headed back to my room, and immediately went to the bath. I heated the water so hot it began to steam the room and couldn’t escape since I'd closed the door. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t get what she said to me out of my head. Then the worst possible moment happened: the door opened, and Les walked in.
“You didn’t invite me for a mid-day bath? I should feel offended.” She started to slip off her clothes, but I told her to stop. “Why would I do that?”
“Please, I need to say something.” She stood there with the top of her dress loose. “Les, I love you, but during training today something happened.”
“Okay…”
“I thought finally that Anna and I were able to put aside what had happened. At the end of the conversation, she kissed me. Briefly. She told me she loved me, and always had.” Her voice was different now.
“Of course, she does… you have known each other forever. Every sibling loves the other in most cases.”
“Les… not that type of love.” Then there was silence.
“Look at me, Weaver.” But I didn’t, I continued to stare into nothing. “Look at me!” she yelled. “Do you love her?”
“I do, but not in the way that she wants. I think. All I do know is I love you. You who I want to marry and have a family with.” She began to cry silently looking away. I couldn’t help but think as I knew I had just lied to Les. I had loved her, but it was so sudden, one minute she was like a sister, then the next a person I could be with.
“I'm scared you won't have me because I cannot do what you will ask of me. I cannot cut her out of my life, Les. I'm sorry.” She continued looking away and then suddenly she started to undress. She stepped into the pool and stood in front of me.
“Weaver, you foolish man. I love you, and I would never ask that of you. I know how close you are, but once again if you will have me, I will stay, if not, it will crush me, but I will go.”
“Les, you foolish woman. I will always have you, now until my last breath.” She grabbed my face and kissed me softly.
“I love you. Don’t forget that.”
“The same goes for you.” I'm not sure how long we held each other in the pool, but by the time we got out my skin had shriveled, and my head was clearer. I wanted nothing more than to put this behind me. I can figure out the rest later as it comes, considering the daunting moment had come.
I stood in front of the ugliest coat and pants I had ever seen. I was even tempted to go in my leathers or nothing at all.
“Oh, Weaver, now I feel terrible about this.” She continued smiling as she saw my blank stare towards the evening's attire.
“It's fine, I'll be sure to plan my revenge accordingly.” Then I began the process of wearing the coat and pants that would forever give me the name ‘The Rose’ or ‘Evenings Flower’. I even laughed to myself as I continued to think up ridiculous names. I would never admit this to Les, but after looking into the mirror, it fit nicely. Well, as best it could considering I was made of no muscle, just average height, and not to forget the embroidery. I shrugged and walked into Les’s room, and she took my breath away. She had decided to match my black with her own. Her low-cut line showed off the perfect amount of cleavage, with a small sapphire necklace I once bought her.
“Les, you… look incredible.” I walked over and kissed her shoulder as she looked in the mirror.
“I thought it only fair to match my handsome. Not to mention you don’t look too bad yourself, minus the floral of course.” She turned, and gave me a big smile, and then kissed me one more time as we left our rooms.
Walking into the royal wing to the Kings dining hall was beyond embarrassment. It seemed every guard we passed had a confused look or a face trying to hold in a laugh. One guard even dropped a spear he was holding he was so surprised
“I changed my mind
. I hate you so much more now.”
“I doubt that will last after we get back, and make sure I say sorry as many ways possible.” If my face hadn’t been red then, it sure as hell was now considering a guard overheard what Les had said. We continued to walk with her arm in mine and stopped at the entry way to the dining hall.
“I think we are early. What should we do?” Les asked.
“I believe that your lovely date for the evening should go on inside as we talk for a bit out here.” The voice came from Aden as he popped his head around the near corner opposite of the way we came. Not able to argue with a Prince, she gave a deep bow and excused herself. Not before the Prince caught her hand, kissing it as she stood. “My dear, you are the painting of perfection tonight.”
“See, dear? This is how you compliment a person.” She said without even looking at me. It caused me to huff at her. She continued in, and the prince led me to another room where the King also sat.
“My king.” I bowed, and he waved me off.
“My dear boy, come in, come in. I'm glad you were early; you can now enjoy our pre-dinner family ritual.” He put a thin pipe in his mouth and puffed out a thick cloud of smoke.
“It smells wonderful, my king. I thank you for allowing—”
“Weaver. Please, just this once call me Bryson.”
“Of course. Now, Bryson, are you going to be selfish, or share with a man of inferior stature?” The king laughed long and hard before a coughing fit took over.
“I like you. You’re, a lot sharper than you seem. Here, take a seat next to Aden. I do have one thing to ask. Whose head needs to roll for that thing you are wearing?” I sat, and Aden handed me a pipe of my own through his loud laughter. I wasn’t too sure how he knew about my flashy attire, but he always seemed to know.
“Well, Bryson, my darling Les decided it would be a funny act to leave me only this to wear to tonight's dinner. As usual, she was right in the humor, but I just wish it wasn’t at my expense.” The king laughed and complimented Les for having a good spirit.
“Weaver, how are you enjoying your stay?” Aden asked.
“It has been a journey; the castle paintings are beyond beautiful. I am afraid of what I might discover next. I might not want to leave.” I gave Aden a wink.
“I would not blame you at all,” Aden said.
“Have you started to train with the guard yet?” The king had said after another long puff.
“As a matter of fact, after the week’s end, I shall be training with Dirk.” Aden laughed.
“Be careful with that one. He likes to go where he shouldn’t.” The king said with a hard glare.
“Of course, I am still grateful for his help of course.” We continued to banter. Until the topic of the rebellion came along.
“They were claiming not enough livestock is being left behind after the representatives came to collect. I tried to bargain with them. At one point I even felt for them and lowered the tax again. Now these raids and deaths happen. Maybe we should just lay siege to the entire mountain. As the main suppliers of livestock, it has always been this way.” I didn’t seem to understand considering they mentioned how they have reduced the requests of various animals twice already. I had a suspicion that there was another person who had alternative motives at heart. After an hour or so we stood up, straightened ourselves and headed to the dining hall.
Much to my surprise, I heard laughter behind the doors. Even the King and Prince seemed put off by the noise. Stalling no further, the king pushed open the doors, and I waited for the king and Aden to enter first. As soon as I walked in the laughter came out roaring again. As I saw Les, Queen Iris, and Princess Laila.
“Oh, great Gibi,” said the queen “You were serious about his attire.” She could not hold back her smile as she continued to laugh.
“My queen, it is humbling that I am able to lighten the mood.” Then I bowed graciously and sat across from Les, next to the princess. The king was at the head of the table, along with the Queen to his right and Aden on his left. There were two major items that I noticed. One, I thought the table would be bigger and two, Princess Laila was the most beautiful looking woman I have ever seen. She had brown locks that curled on the ends just past her shoulders. On that hair, she wore a small silver band just below her hairline. A soft face that was tanned as if she lived outside. Her body was well proportioned from what I could tell from her low cut, the tight-fitting dress of pure white. I know I didn’t grow up with the most amazing looking people, but this woman who was before me radiated light and goodness. I stopped staring as soon as I saw her smiling back at me.
“It is nice to finally meet you, Weaver. I'm sorry I could not introduce myself earlier. I was at the countryside residence grooming my horses. One had just had its baby mares and I wanted to be there to see.” Her voice came out like honey.
“Think nothing of it, Princess. I have been quite busy myself. To be honest, I don't know anything about horses, nor have I ever ridden one. Is it something that is easy to learn?”
“Shouldn’t have encouraged her.” Aden whispered. But I could listen to Laila’s voice the entire time I was here and never tire of it. Aden had been right though, she went on much longer than I thought about riding horses. Her question was the only thing that regained my focus to my surroundings. Apparently, our food had come. I took a sip of the sweet wine.
“If you would like, Weaver, I could teach you to ride during your stay.” I looked to the king.
“There's no finer rider in this land. You would be a fool to say no.” Bryson encouraging me.
“Then I humbly accept your offer.”
“She also has my blessing of hope, Weaver. You can feel it yes? The feeling of serenity?” Gibi said.
“I do, Do I have the same power as that?”
“You do, it is why I pointed it out to you. You should spend time with her to feel out the magic, and to learn to use it.” Gibi was silent after that, but I didn’t care, there was such peace here.
The dinner was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, there were even jokes at the end asking me to find another dress coat that could win a war on its own. Not missing a chance for a comedic entrance, I promised I wouldn’t stop until It could be found. Les and I then saw ourselves back to our rooms. Once inside Les broke character of acting proper.
“Blah blah blah, come ride a horse with me…”
“Huh?”
“The princess you couldn’t stop staring at. You hardly even spoke to me.”
“Les, I'm sorry, that was not my intention, you must know that.”
“I'm just tired from your news earlier and the dinner is all. I'm sorry.”
“You have no need to apologize. The princess and I will be quite happy together if you decide to leave.” That wasn’t the right thing to say as a shoe flew towards my head.
“Really, Weaver?” Then another shoe. “You make me so mad sometimes, with that bonehead of yours. I could kick you right in the balls.”
“Les, calm down, I'm sorry, it was a horrible joke.”
“No shit. Don’t touch me.” As I went slowly to her. “Don’t…” but I managed to wrap my arms around her as she looked away. “My darling, you know it's only you I have eyes for.”
“And…”
“And no one could ever break the spell you have over me. This I promise you.” She smiled and gave me a small kiss on my cheek. I put a frown on as if I was a child who had a toy taken away. She smiled then kissed me again and again until I couldn’t hold in my laughter.
“Where is this apology you had for me?” I asked remembering her words from before.
“Well, I'm not so sure now considering you have two other women after you.”
“The princess was just polite, and as far as Anna is concerned, she knows where I stand when it comes to her and I.” At least I thought she did, I didn’t even tell her that it couldn’t happen, and even now I didn’t know. These female creatures were going to be the death of m
e.
“Well, I suppose I will have to apologize, but it's tempting not to, considering how amazing that suit is.” I laughed and walked over to my dressing hall. Thank the creators, my other clothes had been delivered. Best of all there was no floral pattern on any of them. I now had to find another outfit for the next dinner in a week, but that could wait. Just as I had traded my meal clothing for more comfortable sleeping ones. Gibi nearly ripped my head open.
“Run, go now! To the princess. I will explain on the way!” I ignored Les’s questions screaming at me as I ran out into the hall dressed only with my linen pants on.
“A presence is here that I have not felt for some time, it is my brother Liam. He is in angry. I can feel it. He means to kill.”
I ran even faster, hearing heeding the warning in my head. I just prayed I wasn’t too late.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A Princess's Mind
“Left. Go left.” The sounds of banging now more apparent, it was Aden calling his sister from the door.
“Call upon your wind I will direct it.”
Nervous, I did as he asked. I felt it in my hands but more control than I have ever felt before. My senses became enhanced as I felt the magic all around me.
“Aden move!” I screamed, and he did with a look of worry. By now there were even guards feet stomping nearby due to all the noise. “Whoosh” was my decided word to focus the magic even further. I tucked away a thought in my head that I should also work on my vocabulary. I didn’t want to end up in a fight, screaming “Piglet, Chirp chirp, or Bubbles rise.” The door blasted open but stayed on its hinges this time. There was a robed man in the room with the princess. I recognized this man. It was the man from that night at the Yezmon. His hand was flat against her forehead. The Princess laid motionless on the floor still in her evening attire. He was ignoring us as he continued to focus on her.
“Weaver, I am sorry for this, but you must grab her hand. I'm not sure what either of us will see, and you might have to face my brother to cast him out. We might not live through this.”
