Unable to find Prince Andrei over the course of the evening that she had talked to Hyacinth, and then the following day, Flora resigned herself to forgetting about that jerk for the time being. It was easy to pretend that everything was fine, but being in the palace of the Usoros, she could never forget. Every waking moment was a vicious reminder that she had been shipped off like rice to feed the beasts on this side of the border. Not everything in Flora's life was terrible, but it was often difficult for her to find the positives. She had obviously been using the phoenix as a means to throw herself into something where she could focus on anything but herself.
The nightmares had only got worse as Flora ignored the prince's absence. They hadn't stopped since the first night she had arrived, but had warped into something that caused her to keep the lights on in her bedroom. A few times even, Flora had snuck Amelia into her room because she was just too petrified in this empty palace. It didn't help that anyone could come through those flimsy doors, with little chance for Flora to escape if need be. She felt pigeon-holed into her chambers at times. During the day, she had taken to checking around corners and in shadows for any kind of threat.
Now that the prince was gone, she weirdly felt even more exposed. The more she knew about the royal family, the more afraid she became. Flora had heard the rumors about Leostans, and those thoughts crossed her mind quite often. Now, Flora knew what their abilities were, but fire magic was so diverse. Depending on how deep the royals' energy wells went, they could be next to unstoppable. Flora couldn't defend herself from a mere guard, let alone a skilled magic user.
Despite her desire to hide from anyone even resembling an Usoro or a Leostan guard, Flora continued figuring out how to navigate around the palace. She would wake up, perform her basic routine with the phoenix, and then explore till she needed to be back to check on her bird. There may never be a time when Flora could make her way around the palace one hundred percent, but she would be damned if she didn't at least try. To know one's enemy is the greatest weapon, Flora had read in a book once.
About four days after Prince Andrei had left, Flora was wondering about the castle like usual after tending to the bird. She was whipping around halls, seeking a way to the outside where she could feel the openness. For once, Flora wanted to take a LONG walk away from the palace. Who knew, maybe she would even just walk straight out of the palace gates. Now that was wishful thinking, but Flora liked to indulge herself every now and then.
As Flora rounded yet another corner, she heard excited chatter coming from two male voices. Stopping before the source of the sound could see her, she pressed herself against the cold stone wall. Flora wasn't in the mood to have any run-ins with the Leostan guard. A particularly vile nightmare had her weary of any human interaction that she herself didn't instigate. Besides, the two men might change the course of their conversation if they discovered someone listening in.
"Who do you think is going to win?" the deeper voice asked his partner.
"His highness the crown prince of course!" the other guard scoffed. "You vould be stupid to think any other way!" What was the crown prince doing? A game of some sorts maybe?
"You may think that now, but his highness Prince Osip has not always been one to loose."
"From vhat I've heard," the higher pitched man taunted, "the last time his highness Prince Osip won a duel vas YEARS ago." Wait, Flora thought to herself, why would the two princes be fighting? Was there a problem, or maybe it was just for sport?
"His highness Prince Osip has more tricks up his sleeve then you think."
"Ha, I doubt it. There is a reason his highness Prince Alexei is the crown prince. No vone in Leosta stands a chance." There was a pause before he added, "except his majesty of course." Again, Flora was confused. Wasn't Prince Alexei the crown prince because he was the first born? Leosta had some strange customs that Flora still didn't understand.
"Even so, it vould have been nice to see his highness Prince Andrei participate in a duel." The two men shared another chuckle together. "Beatings can be even more entertaining." A hearty laugh escaped from the other man in response, causing Flora to cringe. For some reason, she was feeling defensive of the arrogant prince. Why would these guards even think that talking in such a manner about a prince was anywhere near appropriate? "Vell anyway, it has been so long since a duel has happened, so it is something to look forward to."
"Do you vant to head out then?"
Before the other man could answer, Flora popped out from where she was standing. "I would like you to show me where this duel is happening." The two mens' faces fell as they realized that someone had been able to hear them. Flora quite enjoyed the thoughts clearly running through their heads: how much did she hear? All of it, Flora judged with a wide smile. Seeing the guards squirm helped Flora's fears melt a tad. Sometimes, men were just weak.
"Uh," the deep-voiced man stammered, "vhat do you mean?"
Flora's smile turned from bright to sickly sweet. "You know what I mean. The duel, it's happening today." One of them nodded back at her. "Good, take me there with you."
The higher voiced man took over for his comrade, "yes my lady." He did a small bow before leading them out towards a training ground, presumably on the East side of the palace. It took a moment to get there, but once they had arrived, the guards cautiously separated from Flora. Good.
A crowd of men was gathered around a dirt pitch where Prince Osip and Prince Alexei were facing each other, silently staring. Prince Alexei had his ever confident grin upon his face, while Prince Osip's face was still as stone, like usual. The men cheered on their respective favorites, most rooting for the crown prince. A few men exchanged coins between hands hidden between their backs. Apparently betting on the princes' fight was entertaining for them, but they didn't want to get caught.
"Are you ready little brother?" Prince Alexei cooed at Prince Osip, a self-assured tone about him.
"Of course," Prince Osip replied dryly.
"Alright," Prince Alexei taunted, "just know I won't go easy on you." The prince shifted his feet into a wide stance, holding his right hand about shoulder height. His arm was bent as if he were holding up a sword, but he was empty handed.
Prince Osip assumed a similar stance, pulling out what looked like a thick sword hilt with no blade. "I would expect nothing less." His eyes, as tired as they looked, were razor focused on his brother. The two princes held each others gaze for a moment, Prince Alexei's smile fading into a look of serious concentration.
Before Flora had the chance to blink, the pitch lit up like an explosion of flame. Unable to stop herself, Flora jumped back with a gasp. The two brothers were not just going to spar, but duke it out in a battle of magic. Flora looked around as the men watching shouted their approval. Wasn't this a little dangerous for two royals to participate in a magical duel? Could this turn into a death match?
Scooting in between two tall guards, Flora caught a better glimpse of the ring. Prince Alexei stood in the same stance as before, but this time, he held in his hand a blade made entirely of bright blue flame. The sword itself was like a moving creature, wrapping itself around his hand and out into the air. Prince Osip, in a similar fashion, had a blade made of flame protruding out of the hilt he held. His fire was a duller orange, and was not as voracious as Prince Alexei's. Prince Osip's magic seemed much more controlled and precise than his brother's.
"Ready? Fight!"
The two princes sprung forward, their blades clashing with a bright spark. Faster than Flora's eyes could handle, the two of them threw blow after blow, each blocking the other's attack. Each time their magic connected, an unnatural sound rang around the air. It was like a thousand hornets stinging at once mixed with a clap of thunder. The brothers separated from each other, circling the edges of the fighting pitch. Each was breathing deeply, but they didn't look tired by any means.
"When is his highness going to get serious?" a spectator wondered aloud. Flora moved around more men so she could get an even clearer view of the match. She was able to position herself directly in the middle of the princes.
"Are you ready brother?" Prince Alexei called out.
"Always!" Prince Osip growled charging back again at Prince Alexei. He swung his blade, aiming right at his brother's exposed torso. Right before it could hit his stomach, the crown prince tilted his blade ever so slightly with little effort, blocking the hit. Prince Osip scowled as he slashed back towards Prince Alexei's non dominant shoulder. His brother sneered as he dodged the blow, Prince Osips blade searing the ground. The area in the dirt where the blade should have made an indent was only burned, as if the sword was made of a liquid that moved around solids on the prince's command.
Pushing forward, Prince Alexei went on the offensive. He kicked out his foot to trip his brother, but Prince Osip countered too quickly for it to work. Prince Osip took the fail as an opportunity to slice his blade through the air and at Prince Alexei's foot. In response, the crown prince jumped backward, his balance momentarily lost. Prince Osip again took the opportunity of his brother's stumble to swing his blade towards Prince Alexei's head. In an flash, Prince Alexei brought his sword up, barely able to block the strike. If the crown prince had been a split second slower, his younger brother would have wiped his head clean off.
Prince Alexei kicked at his brother, shoving him backward to the other side of the ring. This duel had turned from a sportsman's bout into a vicious battle. Flora glanced back at Prince Alexei who was catching his breath. She expected to see him startled or even frazzled, but where a look of concern on his face should have been, held a diabolical smile. At that point, Flora could tell that he was enjoying every minute of this duel.
Taking the moment of stillness in, Prince Osip charged forward at his brother with a cruel swipe at his chest. This time, Prince Alexei didn't have the time to block, and his brothers blade landed on his body. Flora gasped as she beheld what she thought would be a grievous wound. Why had the guards before been so sure Prince Alexei would win?
Another instant went by, but Prince Alexei did not collapse. His depraved expression was still firmly set on his face. Flora flicked her eyes down to werr Prince Osip's blade was set on his brother's ribs. Was he holding it there waiting for the crown prince to admit defeat? No, upon Prince Alexei's ribs, was a glowing patch of blue light, growing bigger in size with each passing moment. What Flora then realized as shining blue flame flickered around the burning orange of Prince Osip's sword. Soon, the entire edge of the weapon connected to the crown prince was encased in the shimmering flame. Like wildfire, the flame then tore down the blade towards Prince Osip.
The men surrounding the pitch roared in approval as Prince Osip flew backwards away from his brother, the blue flame now retracting. "Get 'im your highness!" one person yelled. "Show him whose boss!" another screamed. The area was filled with similar shouts and quips as Prince Alexei slowly stalked towards Prince Osip. Prince Osip raised his sword high, the glow now brightening to a radiant orange. He was preparing to go on the defensive. The tide of the fight was now completely changed from what it was a minute ago.
Without any warning, a flood of bright blue fire shot out towards Prince Osip. He held his blade firmly in front of him to counter, his own orange fire spreading out as a shield to protect him. As Prince Alexei's magic hit his brother's defense, it flowed over the orange fire, engulfing Prince Osip in a sphere of burning flame. A thin layer of Prince Osip's magic still stood between him and the crown prince's mass of power. Prince Alexei reached out a hand, willing his fire to compress, his brother struggling with the sheer force of it.
Flora couldn't even blink as she watched Prince Osip resisting against his opponent. It looked as if the prince might die at his own brother's hands. Prince Osip crouched, forcing himself to send out another spurt of magic in an attempt to through off Prince Alexei, but that surge of power was nothing compared to the enormous energy coming from the crown prince. Something changed in Prince Osip's eyes and he dropped his hilt, quickly raising his hands. "Yield!"
One second their was intense, unwavering light exuding from where Prince Osip was, the next second it was gone, as if it never happened. The only sign that any flame magic had been used was the intense heat that still lingered in the air. Prince Alexei smirked at his brother hovered over the ground. "Wasn't that fun dear brother?" He looked like he had only gone on a light jog rather than entertaining a death match.
Glowering at his brother, Prince Osip rubbed at his burnt palms. "You didn't need to burn me."
"Ah, but where is the fun in that?" Prince Alexei sauntered over to one of the nearby guards, taking his coat. "Take it as a token of my love for you to remember." As he left, his eyes connected with Flora's, earning her a mischievous grin from the prince. The crown prince seemed pleased that she was there to witness his display of power, almost like he wanted to show her what would happen if she got out of line.
Quickly turning away, Flora sped through the courtyard and back into the palace. She had to force herself not to run back as she rushed back to her rooms. Her mind was swimming with thoughts and fear as she recounted the duel. Shit. Shit. SHIT. What the hell was that? They could have killed each other, and to them it was no more than a game. If that was the two oldest Usoro princes in a casual match, what could the rest of them do? Each of them must be nothing short of a killing machine. Shit, what did Flora get herself into?