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Chapter 7
CLANG CLANG!
The sounds of metal clashing against metal gave off a war-like feel as a skinny black haired girl attempted to slay Pelz, in a simulated fight.
"Huh" Princess Elish huffed in exhaustion but still inclined to take another chance on her father's best fighter.
SLING!
Elish had already displaced Pelz's sword and in no time, she was already stretching her sword aiming right for the hyoid bone in his neck!
"Rise" she ordered!
PLIP PLOP PLINK PLUNK!
She wasn't sure exactly what it was that had prevented her from slitting his throat. Elish hurriedly scanned her environment to see whose applause it was.
Looking around, she saw her father the King, and a few other warriors who had hidden to be spectators all the while, but she was ardently oblivious of this fact. He came even closer and swung her around his neck with pride written all over his face. She was the son he never had.
Elish was only ten years old at the time, and she had won her father's heart with her daring nature. Even though the King sought for a male heir, it seemed that the gods had sealed the womb of the Queen. Perhaps because Elish seemed capable enough to lead her people, peradventure her parents joined their ancestors.
"Mother", Elish' squealed as she flung open her mother's chambers, still holding her sword in her left hand!
She had hurriedly given a bow as she heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her mother lying in bed.
"Mother, I was this close to slaying Pelz in a simulated fight", she grinned with pride.
"Ask Father, he witnessed it all", she reported while nodding in accomplishment.
The Queen could give her only a brief pat on the back where after, she asked her maid to prepare Elish for a bath.
The Queen always feared what her daughter, Elish was becoming. She had always begged the King to not encourage her adventurous tendencies. But now that she had gotten interested in the Art of war, the Queen saw another reason to do something about it.
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Princess Eraph on the other hand was your ideal princess. She had an obsession with fashion and daily exuding the aura of her femaleness. She was also homely and one who would listen to whatever her parents told her.
"Would you like some help with kneading the dough", Eraph asked her mother's baker.
"Your majesty please do not meddle with that which is meant for commoners" Mira replied.
"Oh well, I want to help", Eraph interjected.
"Please do not implicate me your majesty", Mira calmly pleaded.
"It's only for love that I heed you", Eraph coyly indulged her.
Eraph was right handed whereas Elish was left handed. Eraph had a blonde hair and a little body flesh whilst Elish was dark haired and slim like a model. These two sisters were the best of friends but were also always at logger heads. Whenever the argument was getting too heated, Eraph would always drop it altogether even if she wasn't at fault.
****
It was a cool evening and the sun had hidden its rays in the clouds. The palace maids were cleaning and preparing the royal table for a family banquet.
Princess Elish had taken interest in that day for personal reasons. Of course she was less interested in her family's banquet.
Elish took a happy bath, made her hair into a bun and wore on it a coral burlet. She didn't ignore her silvery armlets, as she branded them on her thin arms. Finally, she wore her gouna- a fur lined gown from Byzantium, and her brown huarache sandals.
It was unlike Elish to get dressed in that way for an occasion unless sponsored by self.
"Where's Elish", the Queen inquired as she sipped on some wine in the banquet hall.
"I'll go check her chambers, your majesty" Mira replied.
Having explored the crevices of her chambers, Mira returned with words for the Queen.
"I'm afraid Elish is not in her chambers your majesty"
"Inquire of the palace guards to see if she was seen near the gates" she replied.
"Your majesty", Mira muttered with a bow as she left the Queen's presence.
****
The guards sprung into an immediate search as soon as Mira's words met them.
By this time, it had already been confirmed that Princess Elish was not in the palace or its premises. The King was more worried for he feared that a foe had taken her captive to kill or for the least- gain his attention.
****
Elish had left the palace with a basket in her hands. She had pleaded with Plez, the King's most skilled warrior who was guarding the last gate of the palace. That gate was called the Esh gate. It was the gate designed for easy escape in cases of war or a fire. Elish had assured Plez that he had nothing to worry about as she could defend herself in case of any danger.
At first, he hesitated but she cunningly reminded him of her victory in their simulated fight, and he shyly stepped aside.
Princess Elish took the basket to pretend like she was going to pick snails in the woods in preparation for tomorrow's meal. She came up with this idea because, she knew that her mother would think that Eraph was becoming a good influence on her. She'd be happiest about Elish becoming more homely.
Elish on the other hand, had gone to meet a boy in the woods. She had met this boy on her eleventh birthday.