Long black hair, slanting eyes that disappeared when he smiled, and snow skin, which even the tenderest of touches could hurt. He was shorter than Arne since they were kids, but not because he was actually short; she was 1,90 m tall and everyone seemed short next to her. Also, he was not as fragile as the rumors told; he was fit and muscular, but again, Arne was bigger. Sometimes even Jatty questioned who protected who. At the end of the day, she did not need him at all, he just followed her around in case something happened and he could finally do something for her.
"Your majesty!", Jatty pushed Arne aside and a knife stabbed him right in the middle of the abdomen.
"Jatty!", she screamed.
"Just run!", he said punching the weapon holder and grabbing her wrist. "Let's just run, alright?"
He had trained for years in order to become her squire. He had fought against the most prepared soldiers, even against the head master of the Royal Army, who was the strongest person in Oltremare. However, her being Arne's mother and former Queen meant his childhood friend had had the same trainning as him, and she was just better.
The shaven-headed, black-eyed girl was determined to be a queen capable of leading her people in diplomacy and war. She wanted to prove that she was capable and strong, strong enough to protect everyone. That's why Jatty couldn't believe anyone could have beheaded her - a head as hard as hers came with a neck just as stubborn.
"Lope, I really need to leave. If Arne is out there hurt, somebody could kill her and-"
"I know, Jatty. It is your duty."
"Exactly! So I need your help so I can leave."
The girl ran her hands down her trousers, lowering her head.
"As much as the prince is an airhead, I agree that in this condution you can't help anyone."
"But-"
"If Queen Arne is out there surviving, and you found her, she will have one more problem to worry about. I heard about her. She is not weak, I am sure you know that too. Get some rest and recover, then I will be the one who opens the door when you leave."
Lope got up and left the boy lying on the bed with changed bandages. He closed his eyes, thinking she was right-he would only be a burden. It had always been like that.
"You sleeping, beauty?"
A voice came from the side of his bed. He turned around and found Caudata peeping out like a small child waiting to wake his parents.
"Do you need my services, your majesty?" Jatty asked, making no effort to hide the fact that his presence bothered him.
The prince shook his head, "Just wasted to cheack up on you."
"I am alright, your majesty. Thank you for your hospitality and kindness."
The squire's thanks seemed to cheer Caudata, who unashamedly sat down next to Jatty's legs.
"You know, I am a bit shy", he said while invading a stranger's personal space, "So when I try to put into words what sounds great in my head, it usually causes a big misunderstanding", Caudata looked to the floor. "And, when I said that you couldn't leave, I did not mean that you couldn't leave. I just wanted you to get better, but you can leave whenever you want, Lar Park."
His face flushed slightly red and he scratched the back of his neck, while with his other hand he played with a loose string on his white shirt. It was curious to see such a big lad, whose face wore a scar that travelled from his eyebrow to his chin, be a ball of nerves. "I know how devoted good squires are, Lope is like you."
"She is your squire?"
Caudata nodded, "She is so strong! I can never win her! But she always tells me that strengh is not the important thing...I just don't understand what she means, but she is so freacking cool! I can help but want to beat her, you know?"
His big, bright eyes doubled in size as he imitated Lope's movements in training. The prince's admiration for his squire was evident and, for an instant, Caudata looked like Arne when she spoke about her mother. That thirst to be the strongest seemed to be common between crown heirs. Jatty laughed. Maybe Caudata was not as much of a jerk as he remembered.
"Do your best, your majesty", he said smiling genuinely.
Caudata smiled back, "I will! Just watch me!"
"Can't wait...But, for now, I think I will leave tomorrow. Your words have cheer me up, your majesty. Thank you."
Caudata's smile disappeared. It was not his intention to cheer him up so much to the point he would leave so early!
"O-of course, you silly goose," he tried to hide the pain in his heart.
Jatty slept good that night. <>
"..."
"..."Lope looked away, embarrased and carrying two backpacks, and a sword in her belt.
"Good morning, Jatty!" Caudata said, finally saying his name right after spending the night practicing it with Lope, "Shall we get going? Let's find our queen!"
And like that, the three started their trip.
Arne was not far away, and she was being followed.