The Four Swords

Chapter 14: Decision

Cali took the practice sword from my hand and left for the practice field. It was only moments before the sounds of metal to wood filled the barn. I don't think my father's practice dummy would survive the morning.

Alina straightened her shoulders. With her head held high, she left me alone with my thoughts. What had I just done? I sat on the floor and pulled my knees to my chest. I wanted to be as small as I felt.

This was not fair. I was training to be our clan's Swordsman after my uncle who would be one after my father. The law clearly stated that a Swordsman could not become King. It would throw off the balance of power between the clans and disrupt our method of government. I had just agreed to give up on a future that I had been training for.

The clarity I had just moments before on why marriage was a good idea fled from me. The way Alina looked at me when the subject of our marriage was broached had been far from affectionate. Would this ruin our friendship? The thought pained me. Cali was upset for us too. Was she worried she would have to pick sides? That thought pushed the dagger further into my heart and pained me much deeper. Could I lose them both?

I let the stillness of the stable sweep over me. Maybe that would calm me? Acorn, my beloved horse, stirred. She shifted her weight back and forth and looked at me. Generally when I visited her in the stables, I brought treats. Sadly, this was not a usual visit.

I rose. I closed the distance between us. She leaned out and nuzzled me. At least someone could stand my presence. I stroked her neck. Perhaps this was all some very twisted dream.

"I love my friends. I need to protect the kingdom," I confessed to Acorn. I almost hoped for a response, but my four legged friend had none to give. " That is a good reason to do something, right?"

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Acorn's soft brown eyes just blinked back. I was protecting her too. I could keep her friendship, even if I ruined all others, at least I would have someone to talk to.

If I was trading in my future and my friendships for a crown, what kind of ruler would I be? I know Alina would really be running the country, but would I be of any use? Why was I doing this?

I was doing this to hopefully protect my country from a threat. I blanched. If I was willing to marry Alina for the safety of her family, I should probably not leave her outside alone with only Cali's practice sword as protection.

I grabbed a sharpened sword from the wall hanging by the door and joined Alina at the railing of the practice field. We stood there with an uneasy calmness between us. Cali had thoroughly damaged her wooden opponent but was not letting up in the swiftness of her blows or the frequency.

I mustered up my courage, clearing my throat. "Are you sure you are okay with this?"

Alina's let out a breathy listless laugh. "I'm still trying to figure that out."

"I know the feeling." My tone was flat. We were the only people who knew just how this all felt.

Cali let out a slight war cry with one particularly forceful swing. I hope that did not wake my neighbors. They dealt with enough of my training noises.

"You are very blessed to have a friend as fierce as Cali on your side. Imagine if someone was actually physically attacking you instead of just making you marry." A picture of Cali in combat against an unsuspecting assailant forced a chuckle from my throat. That villain would never survive.

"It's not for me that she fights." Alina said then winced as another loud thud of a hit reached our ears. Did the sound or Alina's statement make her shudder?

"What do you mean?" Cali was closer to Alina than I was. Surely this display was out of loyalty to our Princess and not me. I think Alina was mistaken.

"I mean that Cali and I have discussed at length about me having to marry out of duty. She agreed to be my maid of honor no matter what. My mother and father got married for love, but that is rare." Alina spoke slowly, holding back some emotion. Alina's wisdom surpassed her years. "I think Cali is angry about you getting sucked into a political marriage."

Something about Alina's tone made me feel she was keeping something from me, but I did not dwell on it long. A surge of emotion stirred in my chest. I never knew Cali's loyalties to me ran so deep. Her raven hair caught the sun and I smiled. This decision did not make me lose all my friends.

The weight of everything that happened this morning hit me. We both needed time to think. We watched Cali with a calmness between us. My father and John soon appeared in fresh clothes.

"Has a decision been reached?" My father spoke the words gently and with a hint of compassion that seemed to punch my gut all over again. I wonder if these knots will happen every time someone asks about this marriage.

"One has." I managed. Surprisingly my tone sounded self- assured.

"Are you two to wed?" Father's eyes were soft and understanding. His expression only slightly soured as he saw splinters fly from the practice field. Cali had a particularly good hit.

Uncle John, however, had his lips pressed into a thin line. He was concerned about me.

I looked at Alina, checking to make sure her mind had not changed. Her expression softened as she looked at me. Her eyes continued past me and locked with my father's. Her lips parted but quickly closed. Instead, she simply nodded.

Uncle John let out a breath and looked defeated. I guess he was not looking forward to finding my replacement. My father smiled sincerely. "I wish you both every happiness. Let's go tell the king."