I awoke the next morning to another visitor to Aqua Si.
He was a strong boy around my age, Saxum by the look of him. His caramel-colored skin seemed bronze in the sunlight, and to be honest he looked scared.
“M-may I take refuge in the palace of Aqua Si, Your Majesty?” he asked, bowing low.
I was flattered by the bow, considering it wasn’t as mocking as Ignacio’s and Aella didn’t even bow at all.
But I didn’t mind Aella. She and I seemed to share the same hatred towards Ignacio, who still was climbing around the palace, always trying to sneak up on me.
“Of course,” I answered, giving the same warm smile I had given to Aella, “Of course, you are welcome, what’s the matter?”
He scratched the back of his neck for a second, not looking at me. Then he said, “I uh…ran away.”
I nodded, welcoming him into the palace. I didn’t know why all of a sudden these two kids my age needed refuge in Aqua Si, but I was glad to help.
Maybe they were in the same situation I and Ignacio were in.
That afternoon, we were all invited to the throne room to speak to my father. He said he had an idea that could help our cause.
As long as it kept me away from Ignacio, I was all in.
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It didn’t.
As I walked into the throne room, I looked over at where Ignacio was standing. He was leaning against the far wall, standing in the shadows. The glint of a coin told me he was playing with a coin.
Most likely stolen.
Aella, the Ventus girl who came to Aqua Si yesterday, was standing a little ways away from my father’s throne, her arms crossed once again, expression stern.
The Saxum boy who came here today, Jian, was also there, looking timid and scared.
I walked up to the center of the room, facing my father on his throne. A throne that will be mine someday. I put my fist to the open palm of my left hand and bowed to my father.
“Father, what is it you want from us?” I asked, standing up once again.
My father looked at me, his expression regal and serious. “It appears,” he explained, “That you four will go to the other tribes and convince them to join our cause.”
I looked up at him, realizing that it meant I had to go with Ignacio.
“Wait,” I say, looking around the room, “You mean I have to go with him?” I point to Ignacio, “He can’t even go 5 minutes without stealing something, let alone starting a fight!”
My father knit his eyebrows together, giving me the look. “Chantara, we’ve talked about this. You four have been chosen for something, so I need you to gather the other tribes and prepare them to fight the Tenebris tribe.
Remember, you also let this Ignis duel you when you could’ve easily walked away. This is my punishment for you disobeying my orders, and fighting in our city.”
Although he didn’t raise his voice, I could still tell he was disappointed with me, and he had to still be calm and controlled as the emperor.
I sighed a little, but put my fist into the open palm of my left hand again as I bowed. “Of course, my Emperor.”
As I turned to go my father stopped me. “Do not fear, my daughter, you will not be alone. I will send the royal guard with you.”
I turned to face him, bowing again, “Thank you, Father.”
He nodded his head, indicating the meeting was finished. I turned to walk away again, looking at my new “friends”.
“Come on, you three,” I say to them, and we walk out of the throne room together.
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As I mounted my horse, I looked over at the others. The royal guard was assembling, ready to join me and my companions on our journey.
“I am happy to serve you, my lady,” says the leader of the royal guard, a man named Caspian Bolivard. He bows to me, holding his spear at his side.
“Thank you, Captain Bolivard,” I nod my head in turn, then check my supplies. The guard will carry all our food, but I chose to carry some of the supplies myself.
I have two quivers of arrows, along with my longbow, although I don’t know if I’ll use them much. I have my katana strapped to my side, a weapon I favor very much.
I also have a small number of rations, potions, and healing herbs, a small dagger, a history book about the other tribes so I can learn their customs and languages, and a small token from Akua. She gave it to me for luck, and something to remember her by.
Akua wasn’t allowed on this journey. I made sure she’d stay here. In case things turn ugly, I want her as far from me as possible. I don’t want her to be in danger because of me. Especially since at the end of this, we’ll be closer to the Tenebris tribe than I’ve ever been before.
It was already risky enough going to that Animālis village. I didn’t need anyone else to be taking those risks.
I looked down at the small token, a carved pearl with the face of a clam. I smiled a little, feeling the lump form in the back of my throat. I would miss Akua, a dear friend of mine for many years.
Before she was assigned as my servant, we were childhood friends. I remembered running throughout the castle garden with her as a child, as we laughed and shouted in joy.
Before my mother died, everything was perfect. My father was happy, and it was just Akua and me against the world. I had promised her as a child that I would make her father’s debt pay off, so she wouldn’t have to be a servant. But Akua insisted it would be her honor to serve me.
Now I am coming of age to prepare myself to rule, and all I wish for is to be a child again.
I looked up from the token, seeing my father speaking with Ignacio.
“I…I’m not sure about this. Why should I risk my life for a cause I’m not even sure about?” Ignacio looked unsure, almost scared even. But my father put a hand on his shoulder.
“Son,” he said, “I know you may not be sure about this now, but you’ll see what our cause is for in time.”
“But what’s in it for me?” Ignacio asked. “What do I get if I help you?”
My father sighed, frustrated that Ignacio couldn’t see his point. “We’ll pay you ⥉50,000 once the mission is complete.”
“Now that’s a deal,” Ignacio smiled, his eyes alight with glee. I shook my head, sighing. Of course, Ignacio found a way to get a profit out of this.
Aella walked up to my father next, her face neutral and showing no emotion. “Could I ask a favor of you, Emperor?”
“Of course,” my father answered, nodding.
“Could you check Mixta Civistas? There’s a shack at the border of the city, one that belongs to a Ventus family. I just need to know…I need-I need to know if the family that lives there is alright,” Although she tried to hide it, I could see her bite the inside of her lip, the tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.
“Of course, child,” my father said, and Aella quickly bowed, before going over to her designated horse. I wanted to talk to her, but she seemed to be not in the mood.
Jian at first looked like he didn’t want to talk to my father, but then he turned to him and said, “I don’t have a home anymore. When this is over, can I have a home here?”
My father looked surprised at first by the question, then said, “Of course. We’d welcome you here anytime, son.”
Then Jian did something unexpected. He hugged my father tight, who stiffened at first, his arms up in surprise. But then his face softened and he awkwardly pats Jian’s back.
I turned away, glaring at the ground. I can’t remember the last time my father hugged me. And now he just hugs this stranger without question?
“What’s wrong, princess?” Ignacio asked with a smile.
I glared at him, and his face changed as he saw my despair.
“Oh,” I heard him say, and then he turned away from me.
“Chantara,” I heard my father’s voice say, and when I looked he was standing below me, patting my horse.
“If you’re here to lecture me, Father, I don’t want to hear it.”
My father’s face fell for a second, and then he said earnestly, “Just…be careful. I know it was my decision to send you on this journey, but I want you to be safe. You’re my only daughter, Chantara, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
I couldn’t bear to look at him, and I regret it to this day. My father loves me and I love him, but we’ve always been distant. And seeing him hug Jian brought on a wave of jealousy I didn’t think I was capable of.
“Chantara, please.” I heard him say, his hand touching my boot in a gesture of love. But I couldn’t look at him.
“I’ll…I’ll be careful,” I promised, my eyes closed.
“Thank you, Chantara,” my father said, and then he walked away, and the last I saw of him was his hands clasped behind his back, walking towards the palace. He was humming a tune, the slight limp carrying him down the marble path to the garden.
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