I stood up like a statue right there staring at Torren. I was so scared. I didn't know Torren was right in that room and I wanted to try to escape again. I didn't know what to even respond, I stood looking at him apologetically and fearfully.
''You thought you could escape from your darling husband my lady'' he smirks. I didn't know what scared me more, is it Torrens gaze or is it him addressing me as my lady, I stood there while my heart pounded so fast without an interval.
''Well Diana, I like daring women, I love my ladies tough and daring, and I enjoy challenging situations like this'' Torren came close to me and put his palm on my cheek. ''Don't be scared wife, you only just earned yourself an opportunity to prove how worthy of being by my side you are'' He said staring at me right into the eye. That was when I noticed how enchanting his eyes were. His gaze was dangerous but somewhere I thought I saw affection, care, and concern.
''Just prepare yourself, at dawn tomorrow you'll be fighting one of the strongest knights of Darca, you won't want to lose I'm sure'' he heads to the door then stops ''Kahlan your maid will provide whatever you need for practice, just give her a word'' with that he walked out.
A few moments later, my maid walked in not even looking hurt that I almost got her in trouble. ''My lady how may I be of assistance to you or your fight'' she asked.
''I see Lord Torren already informed you'' I held her hands ''Kahlan, tell me the truth, is this how the other brides died as well?'' I looked into her eyes to find the truth.
''No my lady, none of those brides were ever in a tournament'' she replied with sincerity.
''So why me, why do I have to do this?'' I asked, I was really worried and scared.
''My Lady only two of them ever witnessed the festival of blood and they both died the next dawn, maybe it could lead you to the answers you seek'' she responded.
''Why didn't others witness it? they all died on their honeymoon night?'' I asked further to get clarification.
''My lady, Lord Torren married his 28 wives within 5 years. He has never taken a bride but when he first did, we thought it'll be forever but then she died, he took a second and the same thing happened, the same story goes on for the rest of the wives.'' She held my hands and looked into my eyes then said ''My lady, I think your story might be different, none of his wives ever tried to escape, they always thought of the repercussions it will only bring but you dared him. My lady if you'll let me, I will practice with you, I have wielded a sword before and I have seen nights of Darca fight, I can help you''
I didn't know what to say. I need to practice, for three years I have not wielded a sword. I forgot what it felt like even touching one. I had no choice but to take Kahlan's offer.
In a few moments, Kahlan came into my room with two swords and we headed out for practice in the battleground.
''Do everything you can to take me down, Diana''
Hold on, did Kahlan just address me by my name? Not that it matters but I never thought that day would come.
We took our positions and started to fight. Kahlan was good with the sword. She fought like she was really at war. I kept losing my sword to the ground.
''With this, you'll be defeated just a few moments into the tournament my lady'' Kahlan said when my sword fell off for the fourth time.
''I'm sorry, I have just not practiced for years now'' I swallowed.
'' that's not an excuse my lady, you need to practice if you must win. You can't lose this fight. Lord Torren doesn't care if you have ever wielded a sword or not, just win that's the only thing he cares about'' with that she taught me how to hold my sword firmly to contain the weight of the sword.
We practiced till it was dusk. I only won once out of the six rounds we practice and it wasn't even on the sixth round.
''That's enough practice, my lady. You will need energy for tomorrow so please you have to rest. I will prepare your bathing water'' with that said, she took the swords and headed into the palace while I followed her.
I couldn't sleep that night. I kept thinking of my tournament tomorrow. What will happen if I lose. Will I end up like the other men who fought during the festival of blood? No way. I was terrified.
At dawn the next day, people started to gather at the battleground to watch the fight. As Kahlan dressed me up I stared out through my window. People were excited to watch me fight with one of the strongest knights of Darca. They were eager to find out how I will be able to win or what will happen if I lost.
''We're done Lady Diana'' Kahlan said after she had helped me wear my gauntlet. ''Don't lose my lady, best of lucks''.
I stared at her with hurt on my face. Kahlan cared about me but I almost got her killed. A drop of tear rolled down my eyes as I hugged her. ''I promise to make you proud'' I didn't know why it was Kahlan I had to make proud. Maybe it is what I must do since she has been concerned and even practiced with me.
As we got to the battlefield Kahlan handed over my sword to me ''remember never to strike too early, I believe in your skills Lady Diana'' she turned around and went to take a position where she could see everything.
I walked into the battlefield with my sword, Kahlan's words gave me some courage. My opponent was standing right there. He was quite huge and looked so strong.
Lord Torren walked in and took his seat. They sit next to his which I presumed will have been my seat was empty. After everybody took their seat, Lord Torren arose ''Lady Diana, you will fight sir Leone in the honor of the crown,...to the death'
What? I didn't realize it was a fight to the death. I got scared even more but I had no choice. We took our positions in the center of the arena and drums began to pound.
''For the love of Darca,'' sir Leone shouted raising his sword to the sky.
''For my honor'' I said looking serious without a trace of fear on my face. Lord Torren smiles from his seat.
Sir Leone and I began to circle each other before he charged at me with his sword poised toward me ''grrrr''
I was lucky enough to dodge in time. He came back again but I stupidly tried to block with my gauntlet but then got knocked down but I got up almost immediately. He charged towards me again but then I blocked with my sword and from that moment our swords started clanking.
We fought for so long taking turns in attacking. sir Leone was more of an attacker while I was more of a defender.
Finally, Leone managed to knock my sword off my hands and equally knocked me to the ground, I could feel Kahlan's urge to step in and help me but she wouldn't dare.
Leone pulling me down now lunged towards me with his sword aimed at my neck, I could feel death echoing my name but then he suddenly lost his balance and fell as his sword fell far away from him, the crowd booed. I looked at Lord Torren and saw a satisfactory look in his gaze so I pulled up my sword, quickly rose suddenly full of strength, matched sir Leone in a way that he couldn't easily get up and I pointed my sword right to his chest ''I will let you live, your skills will be quite useful to Darca'' I put my sword away and moved towards lord Torren who smiled at me before rising.
He asked me to step towards him which I did until we had no barrier between us.
''Great people of Darca, today, I present to you your queen and warrior, Queen Diana of Darca'' Torren said holding up my left hand with his right hand. People began to cheer and clap ''all hail the queen'' Kahlan was so happy she clapped so hard that her palms could hurt.
''To Darca'' I shouted out and my subjects shouted after me. Sir Leone stood by the side feeling so ashamed and defeated.
I looked into the faces of my people cheering, I was so excited to see my subjects proud of their queen.