"Nala wait" I turned to find Ayaan jugging to catch up to me, so I slowed my pace.
"Why do you walk so fast?" She says, finally catching up red and breathless
"its not my fault you have short legs; you should train harder and smarter to make up for your disadvantage"
"Meh meh meh meh meh meh, you should meh meh". Making a face, she continued, thats what you sound like
After catching her breath, I followed pace with her, and we continued our walk quietly. Its sunny today, which is rare at this time of year. Still, I cant complain. Picking a leaf off a branch, I played with it and examined my hand, my skin was as dark as coal, and my eyes and hair were even darker. She looked pleased, which isnt unusual because shes always smiling, optimistic and never finds fault in anyone, even when they make fun of her for having white skin, white hair and violet eyes that never stay still. Nonetheless, there is something mischievous of
"Why are you so happy?"
"I heard something while I was swimming"
I stopped walking "is that why you asked to meet? You always hear something."
Slowing down, she had a slight frown "its different. Its about her."
"Ive told you to stop all this gossip, or youll get in trouble."
"mhmm," she hummed as we continued walking
"nala" Ayaan called stopping
"whats wrong?" I stopped under a branch to shield myself from the sun
"Im worried about Ife. After what happened, she hasnt been herself" she looked sad. Shes the youngest in our group and the kindest, most selfless person I know.
"Look, you cant expect her to be her normal self after what happened. So we need to give her time to accept things and move on." shifting my weight on my leg, I continued , "moreover Im more worried about Ada, but I know things will go back to normal soon."
Humming, she mumbled a silent I hope so, and we continued.
An outsider would find nothing special about our spot but unique to us because that is where we first met. It is just a big old oak tree with scars that tells stories of many fights and training. It has enough leaves and branches for us to climb and sit on without getting wet or too hot. We arrived at the tree, and she was sitting under it with her legs stressed out. Her black veil covered her face, and she danced gracefully in the wind.
"What took you so long?" she said without moving or raising her veil do you know how Ive been here?
Ayaan sat beside her, playing with the Ifes knife. It was a gift from her father after she won her first tournament a while back
"Im sorry, my mother had a visitor," I sat opposite them , and that visitor came with her son.
"Are they still insisting?" Ayaan asked, putting her hands behind her and leaning on them.
"yes, and it doesnt seem like I have a choice."
Ife sat up giggling, "Good luck. I hope you enjoy your marital bliss and have many children. I shall not be marrying or having children."
It was my turn to laugh "have you forgotten youre the princess and will be the next queen? Its your most solemn duty to produce an heir. "
"Pfft! Spare me the talk. Im tired of having it with my parents, and I will not change my mind."
"Will the both of you stop this bickering? I have something important to say" Ayaan started sitting up right now.
Ife raised her veil over her head and dragged her hands across her face "is that why you brought me here? To tell me something you heard."
"its about her" she kept her eyes focused on Ife, trying to gauge whether to continue. However, she didnt move, she stayed still, and when I looked at her, I could only see guilt and regret in her eyes. She no longer laughed or was carefree. We all changed that day, but she blamed herself.
"What did you hear?"
Ayaan looked around to make sure no one was in earshot. I doubt anyone would be anywhere near because this is a fairly open space at the kingdoms edge.
"I heard that there have been traders buying and kidnapping people."
Ife shrugged her shoulder "so? Its a bad situation, but how does that affect us?"
"one of the ships belongs to him, and hes been bragging about a new girl that matches her description."
Ife looked in my direction "what do you think, Nala? With your mothers position, she hears everything" my mother is the kingdoms head of security, so I hear everything
"I have heard about all the missing people, but I havent heard about him and certainly not about anyone matching her description."
"mmhmm", she said, nodding her head slowly, then she jumped and clapped her hands. "its settled then. Well go after them."
"What?! Are you insane?" im furious she would even bring this up, especially Ife what happened
"what if its a trap? What if what happened the last time happens again" honestly, this girl is mental; there is no way she is seriously thinking about this "Ayaan, say something"
She was the last to stand "what do you want me to say. I dont think we should go, but there might be a chance. "
"yes, but there is also a chance its a trap."
Ife put her veil over her face, shielding her eyes and face from the world. "im going alone, so you don't need to worry."
Ayaan looked bewildered. "Youre not going alone. We will go together."
"Good!" Ife exclaimed, patting the dust from her wrapper and keeping her knife in place "no one says anything to Ada until I ring it up."
Looking between Ayaan and me and finally settling on me, "and thats a direct order" she never gave us orders
We simultaneously bowed our heads, yes, your highness, and with that, we walked back to the palace