The Four Swords

Chapter 12: Restless

I sighed heavily. There were exactly 36 knots in the wood that made up the cross beam of my bedroom ceiling. I would not sleep tonight. I longed for a day of training for the first time in my life. I had already opened and discarded several of my usual books only for my mind to be consumed with the events of the evening. I needed an escape from my thoughts.

I did not have the heart to tell Alina what I saw and that her worst fears were most likely going to come true. I did not even have the heart to seek her out after my dismissal, afraid my expression would betray me further. I sat awake all night thinking over what everything meant this evening.

The images the gnomes flashed before us ran through my head. Alina, bright and happy, with fireworks in the distance had already been seen in my eyes twice. The other two images were more unsettling. The next image flashed in my mind with the raven headed woman. Something about her seemed familiar. At the same time, I know I have never seen her before in my life. Would this mean war for the kingdom? What part would I play if it did?

I thought back through the invitation back into the royal wing of the palace. My stomach turned a little. It was such an honor. Yet now it seemed like a curse.

I also thought about dancing with my friends. Alina had danced with me to save my own pride. I suppose I danced with Cali to save hers. My heart could be felt in my throat and my hands began to sweat. The house was quiet as the grave and not wanting to stir anyone, I made my way down to our practice field. I craved something mindless. Maybe that was the key to me being a better fighter; stop thinking and do.

Yesterday left me feeling helpless. Alina needed more support than I could give her. Her face looking up at the fireworks was the exact image the gnomes showed me earlier. Do prophecies generally come personalized?

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The sun peeked barely over the city walls. I moved on from the house, through the stables and to our small practice field that was adjacent to the stalls. Could I really use a weapon against someone outside a sparring match? Did I have what it took to be a warrior? How could something so inconsequential in the vastness of the world make such an impact?

We were very fortunate to have the space, as few inside the city walls had such a luxury. I grabbed a training sword. Dulled at the blade, I could not do too much damage to myself.

I swung the sword left, right then left again. Mindlessly trying to forget. How long had I been at this? I had never looked to physical exertion to numb my mind, preferring some piece of fiction, history or book of science to anything involving sweat. In working my muscles, I found a freedom the library had not afforded me. Maybe I could make my father proud.

"Breathe" I heard him remind me in the recesses of my mind. My lungs burned, but filled without any other complaint. Swing left, block right. Block left, swing right.

"Do you always practice by yourself?" The words broke my thoughts. I looked up to see Cali and Alina at the edge of the field with Cali in a wide grin. She was a swordswoman and back in her breeches. She looked more like herself. Gorgeous and fierce.

"Not always. I was not expecting guests so early." I smiled weakly and yawned uncontrollably. "Could we all not sleep?" I only then noticed Alina's face tinged a shade paler than normal and her eyes were a little swollen.

"Not a wink." Alina admitted.

"I can imagine. How am I so honored as to a visit from both of you lovely ladies?" I had hoped to keep things light.

"I just needed to get away for a little while. Cali suggested we visit you. I can not recall the last time we came to your home." Alina admitted

"You are always welcome." Smiling, I passed the sword from hand to hand, debating whether or not to put it away.

"Please do not let our intrusion stop you. I ..." Alina paused, trying to gently find the right words. "I hope to learn something about self-defense." Sheepishly, her cheeks reddened, embarrassed by her lack of knowledge on a topic.

"I am not sure how much you will learn from my drills, but I am happy to show you." It was the least I could do. I started to practice sparing with an invisible partner. It was fairly graceful for me. Which meant it was still choppy and disjointed. My movements were predictable as I restarted drill after drill. It was soothing for my soul, that mindless movement I craved. It, however, was not the best training a Princess could get in self-defense.

After about half hour of having an audience watch my swordplay, I heard footfalls coming toward the field. My father and uncle were still dressed in their finery from the night before. I had not thought much about it but it would make sense that the Swordsman had plenty to talk about after what we had seen the night before. I met them both at the edge of the field.

"Good morning." I started before being met with two sets of tired eyes.

"Good morning. Your Highness. Lady Calista. Would you all care to see the horses this morning?" My father queried.

My jaw dropped in bewilderment. What a strange request. Alina, too, looked taken aback.

Cali was the perceptive one as she threw on a smile. "What a lovely idea. I'm sure Lord Jacob's stables provide for a quiet place to think." Cali elongated the word quiet and it hit me that my father might have something he needed to say more privately.