Elise charged towards her mother lifting her sword above her head which Rena blocked and pushed Elise. She stumbled almost losing her balance.
"You need to remain steady, you know how important your balance is. One wrong move and your enemy will kill you" while Elise was processing her mother's words, Rena had already disarmed her by tossing her sword out of her hand.
"Remember, breather and balance, Rena pulled back her sword and extended her left hand to Elise, she then placed her around Elise's shoulders as they walked towards the bench situated on the grounds of their private training grounds. While sitting Elise does not make any eye contact as if lost in her thoughts.
"You seem distracted today" her mother knew that she was not performing at her best.
"Guess it has just been a while since I have trained with you" her statement was a mixture of disappointment and resentment, she continued to avoid eye contact until her mother's next words surprised her.
"You are right," Elise looked at her with wide eyes, she rarely witnessed her mother apologizing and honestly never did she think she would be on the receiving end of it.
"I know your father and I haven't been around as much as you are accustomed to" she continued to look at her daughter as if she was memorizing every inch of her face. She knew that the child before her, her daughter would one day be a woman and even though she would rather shelter her from most things maybe what was to come should be an exception.
"I think you are mature and smart enough to know about what only a few know. But you have to promise me that you do not tell a single soul" Elise nodded her head rapidly. She believed that as she grew older that someday, she would be entrusted with some of Elensia's affairs.
"Some events will happen that will change the way Elensia exists you how you know it now. We have a possible solution to dealing with the events. Rena searched her daughter's face for any sign of fear that would indicate that maybe she was not ready to listen to what she had to say. But Rena did not see that, she also knew that she did not want Elise to grow up too fast and she still needed her protection. The explanation Rena provided did not include her and Elijah's demise only that the war would be between them and an unknown enemy. Thus, the real reason for the grand celebration and that her role is very important because it would help them know if the thread is near.
They made their way from the garden towards the halls. Rena allowed the silence between them, some part of her knew that it was because she told her such information that scares grown men. But there was also another part that felt like it was the option that she had to choose.
"No matter what, you must protect yourself," Elise has always looked up to her mother and her aunts, they possessed skills that made them invaluable to Elensia. The new skills that have been introduced to the nation were because of the Sirrah tribe which her mother had ruled for a few years before renouncing her title for love.
One question that Elise always sought to ask was if they ever needed Sirrah's help, would they come?
"What does father think? Does he think I'm ready?"
"Honestly, I do, he just doesn't want to admit it. Now the boys on the other hand still need some guidance and discipline" Rena had opened Elise's bedroom door and allowed her to enter first and closed it behind them.
"There is something I want you to see, it isn't finished yet," Rena led her to the balcony which overlooked the entrance to the castle grounds from a distance. They stood behind a giant post that added to the decor. Elise watched as her mother one of the bricks inward, which was located at the bottom far left. The brickwork they were facing had been opened revealing steps, Rena allowed Elise to go first. She carefully moved on each step unsure about what she was going to see, the sides of the room had candles lit. She heard the bricks moving back and turned around to see them closing in as if they had not moved in the first place.
"Bottom left for opening, top right for closing," Elise just realized that her mouth was still opened since her mother showed her the secret passageway. She quickly closed her mouth and nodded as if this was completely normal. Elise had always heard that her mother is a clever one but experiencing it firsthand was something else.
They continued to descend when the light from the candles was no longer needed because a new source of light came from elsewhere, a pond. The pond exuded a blue light that can reflect in your eyes.
"I had this made since your third birthday, no knows about this, just me, your father and the four construction workers that built this," They both stood at the edge of the pond mesmerized by its beauty.
"This leads to the waters at the docks, at certain points, the water level is low enough to catch your breath"
"Why would I need something like this?" Elise questioned with a bit of anger, her parents spoke as if things would be resolved. It should not go as far as escape plans which this was.
"This is me trusting that you know when to use this" Elise's anger quickly dissolved into acceptance that maybe she would need it and also hope that she would never have to
The Night
The pathway leading towards the entrance of the castle was lit with tall torches implanted into the ground, a royal blue carpet laid in the center. Elise watched from her balcony the carriages in the distance. Some of the guests chose to look around the grounds and take in all the lights streaming across the towers, the fountain where candles shaped like water lilies floated. While others did not waste any time entered the castle upon arrival.
Elise had never seen an event quite like this one especially at night, birthday parties were usually held during the day. She remembered for her Aunt Jessica and Uncle Jasper's wedding reception she went to bed an hour past her usual bedtime. But she wondered if she would still have to abide by that rule even though she was tasked with a very important mission.