I woke up to being rocked. Fear soared through me as I grabbed my blade from my boot and held it to the throat of a golden eyed man. He stared unflinchingly at me as I stared up at him in shock. I slowly pulled my blade from his throat and sighed.
"You have been sleeping for two days. Get up." He demanded. I shot him a dirty look when his back was turned towards me. Damn Jameson, why the hell didn't you wake me up?
"Where are the others?" I asked stretching. My body was stiff from sleeping for so long. I watch him lean against the wall, watching.
"With Dallas." Was all he said. I nodded as I sheathed my blade in my back holster and dawned my bow around my shoulders. He gave a small smile.
"Why are you putting on your equipment?" I stared confused. Was I not suppose to?
"Habit." I said as I laced my boots up.
"You don't talk much." He pondered as I walked towards the door.
"You are a stranger to me." I don't talk to strangers. The door closed behind us as we left the room. I gestured for him to lead the way.
"You must be hungry. I'll show you the kitchen. Its past breakfast so you can grab what ever is left over." He mentioned over his shoulder as we walked down the hallway.
This place is a maze! I was already lost as we turned down many corridors. I fiddled with my dagger absently as I pondered how big the castle really was.
A hand was placed on mine, stilling my movements. I jumped in alarm. Drake raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Aren't we jumpy." He said with a small smile. I glared at him before shoving my blade in its holster. Of course I was. I just spent six months fighting for my life. Wouldn't you? I Ignored him the rest of the walk to the kitchen.
He stopped and gestured me to enter an open archway. Chattering could be heard inside. Jameson, Celeste, Sebastion, Terra, and Dallas all sat at the table talking. Dallas was in the middle of animating a story, talking with his hands, when he stopped and looked up.
"Aria! You aren't dead!" He exaggerated as I sat down next to him. I sighed and smiled.
"Sorry. All the sleepless nights caught up to me. I was pretty out of it the other day. I apologize for any concern I gave you." Dallas ruffled my hair and I smacked his hand.
"Hey after you eat I can give you a tour of the town. Familiarize yourself." Dallas offered with a smile.
"She probably still has a marble loose." Sebastion muttered under his breath. I expertly kicked him under the table and he jumped, spilling his food on his shirt.
"Oh my, they have a mind of their own." I said with a coy smile. Sebastion glared at me as a plate of food was set before me. Scrambled eggs, toast, sausage links, and a fluffy pancake. My mouth watered as I inhaled the delicious food.
"Stop now. You guys have been at this for a week. Stop acting like children." Jameson growled.
"You should hear half the things he says." I replied. I stuffed my face full of eggs, I inwardly moaned. Finally, something other then deer.
"Pea brain." Sebastion muttered. I ignored him as I continued stuffing my face. Finallyvit occured to me that Malfathicus's army was not here.
"Where is Malfathicus's men?" I asked as I swallowed the last on my plate.
"We found a few stragglers as we did our perimeter check. Unfortunately they escaped before we could grab them. I can only assume they have changed plans because they are camped on the hill a good few miles from here." I jumped, not realizing he had sat next to me. He stifled a smile as he ate his food.
"That no longer gives us the advantage then." I gripped the fork in my hand. Screaming and hollering sounded in my ears as I closed my eyes, trying to drone them out. Dallas poked me and my eyes opened. I had bent the fork in my hand. Carefully I placed the fork down and stood.
"Aria, are you alright?" Dallas asked grabbing my arm. I gave him a grim smile as I pulled away from him.
"Eventually." I patted his shoulder reassuringly. "How about that tour? This place really is big." Dallas's face lit up.
"Unfortunately it will have to wait. His highness wants to do an assessment with you." Drake folded his hands together as he addressed me. I suppose it was to be expected.
"Very well. When you are ready." I watched Drake rise. He stood at least a foot taller than me. I would find him intimidating if I wasn't already accustomed to solider life.
"Be easy on them Ar!" Celeste called out as Drake lead me out of the room. I chuckled softly. The it fell silent as I walked behind him.
I Was nervous about this assessment. Don't get me wrong I have faith that I know what I am doing, but I had no idea there standards. They are going off completely by word of a friend. Dallas had a specialty of over exaggerating things. What tests would they conduct? What skills? Would I surpass there expectations? Did I really want to?
Considering this isn't the first lost battle I had been apart of, I'm starting to think I am a stroke of bad luck. I don't really want to lose anyone else either.
"Something on your mind?" Drake asked. I stared into his back, not really wanting to talk. But as always he expected an answer so I gave the lather.
"The assessment. What will it consist of?" He was silent for a moment.
"That's for the King to say. But if you are anything like we have heard, you should be fine." Again, trusting in what someone else says. They must respect Dallas a lot. Drake led me back to the double bronze doors, and just like yesterday announced his arrival. Drake knelt before Atticus, and I did the same. My nerves where on end.
"I hope you rested well Aria." Amusement evident in his voice. I casually blushed, embaressed of my over sleeping incident.
"I do apologize your Majesty. It's been awhile since I had slept in an actual bex. I'm still recovering from recent injuries as well so sleep over took me." Atticus raised an eyebrow.
"Injuries?" He quieried. Pressing me for more information.
"Yes, a few wounds that haven' t healed right since the fall of my Kingdom." I offered hoping it was enough.
"Elaborate." I inwardly sighed. I gritted my teeth, trying not to offend his highness.
"I fail to see what this has to do with my skills your highness." He chuckled to himself and rose to his feet. I watched him walk over to me, not looking away once. He placed a finger under my chin. It took everything in me not to bite his finger.
"Because you intrigue me." He dropped my chin. He started to walk a circle around me, hands clasped behind his back.
"It's unusual in our Kingdom to have female warriors. So I want to know everything about you." He sat down on his throne, hands clasped together.
"Huntress," I corrected before standing. "And last time I knew we all bleed the same. My past doesn't matter. But what I can do for you does." I clenched my fists, my heart pounding in my chest. where was this courage coming from. I hand pushed me roughly to the ground and back on to my knees. I stifled a groan.
"Ahh, so she has fire. I like you Aria, but don't push it. I'm still a King. As for you, Marcus. That is twice this week you have acted without being told. I'll deal with you later." I shot a dirty look over my shoulder at the plantnum blonde haired man. That's the guy that lunged at Jameson. He glared down at me, unmoving. Drake gave him a light shove towards the door. What was his deal. I watched as Drake escorted him out of the throne room.
"As per your request, I suppose we should ask relevant questions." He smirked. I gave him a nod, waiting.
"We don't have any huntresses in the Kingdom. So what are you capable of." He placed fist against his face, any humor was washed away.
"I am a scout, assassin, I can use a bow, and swords in a fight. I'm also trained in the arts if survival." I listed off my capabilities and he sat unmoved. I heard the door shut and foot steps approach from behind.
"Is it true that you have superb hearing?" Damn it Dallas. You talk to much. I sighed and nodded.
"In a matter of speaking yes. I have hearing better than most." The king smiled.
"So you let my men catch you?" He asked. I flinched and then grimaced.
"No your highness, I was unfortunately not well." He smiled amused. He motioned for me to stand.
"I want to test your blade in a practice battle. Drake, please spar with our companion." I took in a deep breath, before I could let it out, I heard a whistle cut through the air. I stepped back as Drakes blade missed my face. Annoyed I pulled out mine and twirled it in my hand. He was going to have to be faster than that if he wanted to hit me.
I matched his steps as he started to circle. He was calm and composed, his face giving off nothing. I bounced my blade off his with a quick flick of my wrist and spun, landing on my knee as I brought my blade towards his torso. Surprised, he backed up. I launched another series of attacks, each one bouncing off his blade. When I couldn't land a blow I backed off, reevaluating my strategy.
The annoying part about this, I couldn't find an opening. I flicked my sword around, bouncing it off his blade again. I watched as he backed up, throwing his hands up to miss my blade. finally. I kicked hia legs out from underneath him. He landed on his back with a thud. My blade pointed at his heart. I breathed heavy as stood over him. Atticus clapped slowly in response.
"Well done! I'm rather impressed. No one can best Drake." He laughed as I offered my hand to Drake. Smiling he took it and I helped him up. My side screamed from the pressure. Subconsciously I held my hand to it, waiting for the throbbing to stop. One of the deepest wounds that refused to heal.
"Are you alright?" Drake asked. I gave him a curt nod and stood before the King once more.
"I've seen enough for now. Take the rest of the day with your friends." I bowed and excused myself out the door. I casually leaned against the wall, holding my side as the throbbing continued. Celeste was going to be furious.