Lyla took a sword in hand and Lilly picked up a bow and arrow. The sword was a little heavier than Lyla was used to, but she was confident that she could handle herself.
William explained how everything worked. In the training arena, they had to start from the bottom and work their way to the top. The only way to do this was to enroll in the games and win. There were three different areas. One for sword fighting, one for bow and arrow, and one for knife throwing. Bow and arrow and knife training were all based on how well the shooter or thrower could hit the target. There were three levels that they had to pass. Easy, intermediate, and advanced. Different obstacles were placed in the game to make it even more difficult. Sword fighting was a bit different.
The sword-fighting games consisted of a one on one fight. There were no rules and no safety precautions. The higher the rank the more skills one had, making it harder to take down their opponent.
“Does anyone ever get severely hurt sword fighting?” Lilly asked.
“Sometimes,” said William. “Although, no one has ever been killed.”
“That gives us more of a challenge,” said Lyla.
Lyla was very excited. She was a perfect shot with knives and a bow and arrow. She was also very good with a sword, so she didn’t think it would be difficult to surpass certain people. The only problem was the only person she ever trained with was Lilly, and back in the forest Giselle had managed to deflect her knife without any hesitation. Maybe this wouldn’t be as easy as she thought.
William, Lyla, and Lilly walked through the crowd of people. As they walked, someone had come too close to Lilly and hit her shoulder as he walked by.
“Watch it,” Lilly shouted, looking back at the man that had just run into her. He looked back smirking at her and continued walking. “How rude! Who is that guy?” she asked turning her attention to William.”
“That would be Charles,” said William. “He’s a good kid.”
“Yeah, he seems like a real winner,” said Lilly as she rubbed her shoulder. It was her first encounbter with him and she already hated him.
They found Giselle training with her bow and arrow. Lilly thought she would take it easy for the day and start with a bow and arrow as well. She stayed behind with Giselle as William and Lyla went over to the sword-fighting area. A sword fight was in progress as they approached and everyone was gathered around them in a circle. William and Lyla managed to push their way to the front.
Two male swordsmen were in a battle. Swords clashed together as they moved swiftly, avoiding the blow of the other. Lyla thought they were both beginners. They were both good, but they had some flaws in their forms and stances.
Lyla spotted Thomas across the circle carefully watching the two fighters. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Then she noticed the blonde-haired girl standing next to him. It was the same girl that had been with him the day before in the courtyard. She was almost as tall as he was, and wore a light pink shirt with khaki shorts.
Lyla felt jealous as the girl leaned in toward him and whispered something in his ear. His expression had not changed; he was still focused on the fight. One of the fighters had his sword pointed at the other boy’s chest. A large horn had sounded indicating that the game was over.
Lyla looked at Thomas again who was staring at her this time. She quickly looked away and turned her attention to William.
“Where do I sign up?” she asked.
He walked her over to the wall where there was a chalkboard full of names and numbers. William told her what it all meant. The name was who was fighting and the number was there to indicate when it would take place. The next fighter in line in the beginner’s category was Tyler Dellford. The number two was beside his name which showed that his game would begin in two minutes. Lyla signed her name next to his.
“Are you sure you want your first fight to be against a boy?” William asked hesitantly.
“What’s the difference?” she asked.
“Boys tend to be more brutal, especially when there are no rules.”
“That only means I can fight back even harder with no penalty,” she said and smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I’m very well trained.”
By this time, Thomas had come up behind William, asking how the visit to Arthur’s went. William began to explain, but then Lyla’s name was called followed by her opponents.
“Let the games begin,” she said.
Thomas grabbed her shoulder as she started to walk into the circle. “You’re going against Tyler for your first fight?” he asked. Lyla sensed a small amount of concern in his voice.
“Yes, why does it matter?”
“I’ve known Tyler for a very long time. He doesn’t play fair and he will do anything to win.”
“Well, there are no rules, so of course he won’t play fair. Let’s just hope I can outsmart him.” She turned away and walked into the circle.
“She’s a hard-headed woman,” Thomas said to William.
“Just like her mother.”
Lyla faced her opponent in the center of the circle with her sword in hand. She could hear whispers all around her. The words twin and new girl were being spoken amongst them. Most people had not met her yet and they probably hadn’t expected her to start in the games a day after she arrived. She cleared the voices from the crowd out of her head and focused on her upcoming battle.
Tyler stood in front of her. He was much taller and bigger than she was and she felt like an ant standing next to him, though she was unintimidated and remained confident in her skill level. What she was unaware of was why he was fighting in a beginner’s battle. Surely, he wasn’t a beginner. Maybe he liked to pick on people less experienced than him? Would they even allow that? If that was the issue, he would be sorry he ever messed with her after this.
He sneered as she stepped in front of him.
“This will end badly for you, little girl,” he said.
“Little girl? I wouldn’t underestimate me if I were you. I might send you crying home to your mommy.” People in the crowd began to snicker, but Lyla remained firm and steady.
His expression turned into a frown and he charged toward Lyla. He swung his sword at her left side and she blocked it. She turned full circle, pushing off his sword, and swung her sword down at his head in retaliation. He blocked it and moved quickly, aiming for her stomach, but she moved to the side, avoiding his blow. Minutes passed and they were still fighting just as hard as they were when they began. Everyone was staring, whispering to each other, debating who would walk away as the winner.
Surprisingly enough, she didn’t feel tired. She had her doubts, but maybe the crystal really worked and was filling her with energy throughout the fight.
Tyler was getting angry that he could not beat such a small girl. At the opportune moment, he grabbed her left hand, avoiding the sword in her right, and twisted her arm behind her back, spinning around with it. She stood unable to move and he cut her arm with his sword. She gave out a low scream clenching her teeth together trying not to reveal her pain as blood trickled down her arm.
“How does that feel? Not very good I bet,” he whispered in her ear from behind in a sinister voice.
She saw Thomas looking at her, standing motionless in the crowd. She would not let Tyler defeat her. She blocked out the pain just long enough to swing her right elbow around, digging into his rib cage. He released her as he let out a loud groan. Before he could regain his composure, she placed the tip of her sword under his chin. He felt it press against his throat and dropped his sword in surrender. The horn went off. She had won the game.
“Who is the little girl now?” she said as she walked away.
She started to grin as she approached William. He smiled back as he congratulated her, and he wrapped her arm up where it had been cut. Thomas was standing beside William.
“You worried me for a minute there,” Thomas said with a smile creeping up in the corner of his mouth. “You did well for your first fight. Keep it up.”
“I’m tougher than I look.”
His deep blue eyes stared into hers and it was as if the world had begun to move in slow motion, but she wasn’t sure what to think. Was he worried that she would get hurt because he liked her or because she was William’s daughter and he owed him everything? She wished she knew, but for now she would sit back and see how things played out.
She snapped back into reality when the blonde-haired girl came up beside Thomas.
“Thomas, are you ready to go over to join the bow-and-arrow games? I’m tired of watching sword fights.” She turned to look at Lyla and William.
“Hello, Mr. Langston, and who is this?” she gestured toward Lyla.
“This is Lyla, my daughter. She just arrived yesterday.”
“Nice to meet you, Layla. I’m Morgan Feeble.”
“It’s Lyla, actually,” Lyla said almost unkindly.
“Whatever,” she said, completely oblivious of Lyla’s tone. “Come, Thomas.”
Morgan pulled Thomas away as he looked back at Lyla. When he disappeared into the crowd, Lyla turned to William.
“Who does that snotty brat think she is?”
“She is the daughter of Monroe Feeble, head councilman of Armoria. He owns a lot of the estate around here. They believe they are an upper-class sort. We do not allow that here because we are all equal. No one is viewed better than the rest, which is why most people despise them. However, I am trying to get everyone to agree on one leader of Armoria. One that is selfless and trustworthy and only wants the best for Armoria. I don’t believe someone like Monroe will be appointed to this position, but it is all a work in progress.”
“That would be great!” she said, smiling. She had not been in Armoria long, but having a leader like William suggested was a good idea. They needed to have someone to run things and be a leader, not to concern themselves with the status of their position above all else.
Lyla and William made their way over to the bow-and-arrow training games to find Giselle and Lilly. Giselle was in the training area making her way around various obstacles. She was a very good shot, which was no surprise to Lyla. Lilly noticed them and waved for them to join her. She asked how Lyla’s fight had gone, and was surprised about her minor injury, but not about the outcome of the fight.
Lilly had not gone through the course yet. There was a long list of names. She suggested that Lyla pick up a bow and they could go through the course at the same time and show everyone how it was really done. Lyla turned to William to make sure the rules would allow it. He couldn’t think of any reason not too, so Lyla grabbed a bow out of the weapons room and stood by her sister.
In the meantime, Lyla had explained her run in with Morgan and how she despised her already. Lilly agreed that she sounded like the type of person that was hard to get along with.
Lyla spotted Thomas in the crowd with Morgan. He was watching the games and not paying attention to her at all, which made Lyla laugh to herself. Giselle had joined Lyla and Lilly by this time, and they would be up next.
When their names were called, they stood next to each other and looked down the long range that they would be going through. All they had to do was run to the other end, shooting various targets, while avoiding the swinging obstacles that could get in their way.
As soon as the horn went off, they started into a full sprint. Lyla went to the left and Lilly went to the right. They stayed at the same pace so they wouldn’t get ahead of each other. The first target came in the middle. Lilly shot first, a perfect bullseye, followed by Lyla, who shot in the exact same spot, splitting Lilly’s arrow. Lilly ducked beneath an ax that was swinging on her side of the course and shot at an upcoming cutout of a Demorite. It was a perfect shot between the eyes. Lyla came up to a cutout of a Demorite that was standing behind a girl, holding a knife to her throat. Without hesitation, she shot him in the head as well.
By the end of the course they had not missed a single target and everyone was amazed how they stayed together and worked as a team. To Lilly and Lyla, it was nothing because they had done this their entire lives. Everyone rushed toward them and asked them various questions of how they could do something like that. To them it was amazing.
Lyla got a glimpse at Thomas who was smiling at her. Morgan noticed him smiling at Lyla and her face went beat red. Lyla broke eye contact before she found out what would happen next and her gaze landed on Charles.
Lyla noticed that Charles was staring at Lilly and she seemed to be completely oblivious. Either that or she was ignoring him. Lyla thought this was probably the most likely explanation. Lilly wasn’t stupid––she would notice if a boy were staring at her. For so many years, Lilly had told Lyla how ignorant it was to fantasize about meeting a boy and falling in love. She had always said that a boy could cause weakness, and any enemy would surely use that weakness against them. Maybe she was right, but Lyla thought it was worth the risk.
“I think Charles likes you,” Lyla said to Lilly in a whisper.
“Yes, I noticed him drooling all over himself,” she replied. She didn’t mean that literally, only figuratively. William started to laugh and Lyla rolled her eyes.
“He’s cute and you didn’t even give him a passing glance or return his smile. Maybe you should ask him out.”
“Absolutely not,” she replied. “All those times I told you it was pointless to fall in love, I meant it. I don’t need him and he seems like a real jerk anyway if you hadn’t noticed from before. You might like Thomas, but I’m not interested in romance, so don’t get the wrong idea.”
William was surprised at what he’d just heard.
“Wait, you like Thomas?” he asked Lyla. She immediately blushed and started to panic. Lilly looked shocked. She didn’t mean to tell Lyla’s secret. Especially, to their father of all people.
“You can’t tell him. If he finds out I will die of embarrassment.” She was pleading to him, and he just started laughing. Lyla was instantly frustrated. She didn’t think there was anything to laugh about.
“Don’t worry, darling. Your secret is safe with me.”
“You mean, you don’t mind?” Lyla asked. She was relieved that he wasn’t going to lecture her. “I know you practically raised him and all, so I don’t want you to feel weird about it. Not that I would care if you gave me permission anyway,” she teased.
“Of course I don’t mind!” he said. “I realize the both of you are old enough to make your own decisions. Including finding someone to spend the rest of your lives with if you choose to do so.” He looked at Lilly when he said that, then back at Lyla. “I think Thomas is a fine young man and will make you very happy if that is what you want, but it has to be what he wants as well.”
Lyla looked down at the floor and thought to herself. She could see him in her mind with his beautiful eyes and handsome smile. What if her interest in him never amounted to anything because he never felt the same way for her? She would be heartbroken for the rest of her life. She realized it was such a foolish thought. She was falling head over heels for someone she barely knew. Such thoughts were bad news.
When the crowd cleared, William suggested they go home. Lyla was surprised that it was already dinner time. They had been there for hours, but it did not feel like it at all.
Lyla had washed up and changed clothes. Her hair was already drying into waves as she headed downstairs. Lilly had already found her way to the kitchen, but neither Giselle or Thomas were anywhere to be seen. By the time dinner was ready, Giselle had come downstairs, but Thomas was still absent.
William had made supper that was delicious. Lyla was surprised at how good of a cook he was. During their meal, William played a vinyl on his record player that he had stashed away in his office. It was the musical works of Elvis Presley.
Lyla and Lilly loved Elvis Presley. Their grandparents had played it for them when they were younger. It was one of the few artists their mother had in her vinyl collection. William reminisced on how he used to play the record and dan
ce around the living room with their mother. It was a beautiful thought that they would keep in their memories forever.
Lyla excused herself from the table early, saying how tired she was, but the truth was that she was upset about Thomas’s absence. Maybe he went to stay with Morgan for the night. She went to her room and tried not to think about him, but it was almost impossible. She wanted to get some rest and they had no plans for the next day, so maybe she would be able to sleep a few extra hours.
Tomorrow is another day.
Chapter 9
Lyla stands in the nursery as she always has. She hears the shouts and her mother rushing into the bedroom. She expects her mother to talk to her, but it is, again, as if she is a ghost. Her mother does not look at her or acknowledge her in any way.
She places her baby girls under the crib and walks over to the door. The Demorite pushes his sword into her and she falls to the floor. Lyla does not understand. Was it really an evil source that was talking to her before, and had the potion pushed it out? She really hopes it was her mother, but maybe it wasn’t.
He stands for a moment and looks around. He doesn’t seem to see her this time either. He slowly walks over to the crib and notices it is empty. He does not know where the girls are. He starts to walk out of the room when one of the girls wakes up and starts crying, followed by screams of the other.
He turns and walks back over to the crib and looks underneath. He pulls them both out so they’re lying on the floor crying. He raises a knife and is about to kill them both. Lyla tries to move and scream or do anything to stop him, but it is as it was before. She cannot move or do anything. She isn’t there.
Suddenly, an elderly couple come barging into the room. They see what has happened. The elderly man throws a device on the floor that opens into a bright light. The Demorite flinches back in pain and smashes through the window to escape.
Aftermath_The Armorian Chronicles Page 8
