Young Wolf

I watched as my fiance, Stewcan, duel in the center of the training field. "Of course he was practicing instead of paying attention to me" I thought to myself. I looked around the training field at the large open space where dozens of men trained and large, imposing knights watched giving advice to scrawny recruits. Behind them I could see a couple of knights training which was far more interesting than watching Stewcan fight. For starters they practiced in full armor with real swords, some of which were enchanted.

I felt myself start to slouch before I forced myself to straighten up as I stifled a sigh. I knew that snitch Bregan was watching. He was the knight my father assigned to protect me. Though I am pretty sure he was only there to tell my father when I didn't act with the utmost dignity and class. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck with extra lessons with Lady Dorchanty. She would make me sit with perfect posture, while balancing a bucket of water on my head for a week, if I was caught slouching in front of my fiance. I don't know how I was supposed to look classy while sitting on a sandstone slab in a sand dune surrounded by sweaty men, most of whom were shirtless. This was the least classy place I could imagine, yet I was still expected to look clean and perfect.

I looked off towards the city of Akom-shi which translates to gold city. One look and it was clear why, the polished sandstone walls shined bright in the light of the last sun. The greater and lesser suns had already set leaving only the third sun with a dim red glow. Akom-shi was beautiful with many large buildings and streets full of vendors who sold all kinds of items. From pottery to spices to silver jewelry from the Totamen Empire. Only the Akatarians were crazy enough to run across the Un-sera desert. If the heat didn't get you the quake-snakes would, now I had never seen one but I thought the name was funny. By trading goods across the desert the Akatar people became the wealthiest in Carastelen, which is why of course my father wanted to marry me off to Stewcan the prince of Akatar.

I looked back to the right where there were more sandstone slabs for tired soldiers, or other onlookers of which there were only two. The snitch Bregan, and Arina my lady-in-waiting/best friend/only friend. She was 23 years old and had long, shining black hair, and the light, tan skin of the Fairian people. She had a short little nose with thin cheeks, a round chin, and kind, light blue eyes. She sat completely slouched, chin in hands, elbows on knees, and I couldn't help but envy her. She didn't need to always need to be worried about the way she sat, walked, ate, or even spoke. But, I loved her all the same because she never reported my misconduct to my father, and had talked Bregan out of being the snitch he was several times. I think he has a crush on her which was understandable because Arina was the best, and would even put up with me when I needed to vent about my life. She listened to me complain about Lady Dorchanty's stupid etiquette classes, Stewcan ignoring me, my brother being rude, and my father making impossible demands.

 Arina turned, and caught my stare giving me a kind smile. I started to smile back when I noticed Bregan was looking at me too, and I turned back to watch Stewcan fight. Of course he was losing, the soldier continued to push him off balance, and score hits. Stewcan probably only spared when I was around so he could ignore me, or impress me. I didn't care one way or another, it was annoying. I wanted so badly to hit him like the soldier was for ignoring me for the third day in a row, and I was only here for three days. Every visit was the same from when our fathers had announced the engagement two years ago, but the wedding was to wait until I was 14 which was only a couple months away now. I had to visit him twice a year and I was always the one to go to him, and everytime he barely spoke to me. 

I started to get angry. The months of travel and time spent just watching him shop, write, or spare had built up an anger inside me so strong it hurt. But, I couldn't lash out, not with Bregan here, but I wanted to make my feelings clear. 

An idea struck me as I stewed in my anger. I gathered all my anger into a look that I had seen so many times from Lady Dorchanty, my mother, and all the other ladies of high society. It was a look of disappointment, disgust, anger, and just a hint of malice. I started to stare at him hard. I stared as hard as I could. So hard that my eyes hurt. Many people saw my look, the soldiers, the knights, Bregan, Arina, heck even his opponent noticed, but of course Stewcan didn't. Upon seeing me with my glare that could set ice ablaze, the soldier Stewcan was fighting paused for a moment. Suddenly, there was a loud CRACK, as Stewcan hit the soldier in the head with all his might, and I let my face settle back into its usual neutral demeanor. 

"Halt!" Cried Sir Balnore, one of the knights watching the sparring, as he ran over to check on the soldier now cradling his head on the floor. Sir Balnore looked over the soldier for a second before helping him off the ground and sending him over to a bench where a churchman waited with bandages and water.

"Di oo ee tat!" Stewcan said as he approached me. He spoke to me so infrequently that I had forgotten that he could barely speak Fairian. He had the red skin of the Akatar people with sweat drenched, brow length black hair. His face looked like it had been poorly chiseled out of stone, so rigid it could be mistaken for a gargoyle. His nose was short and sharp, and his chin made a perfect V. His neck was so short and skinny I could probably just fit both hands around it, which I thought about doing often. His small neck connected to a small torso and smaller arms. His wiry frame definitely didn't suggest he practiced with a sword very much. He was only slightly taller than I was, an impressive feat considering I was only 5'0" and 13 years old while he was 22 years old. 

As much as I wanted to yell at him I chose to remain calm as I responded in perfect Akatary "An interesting match dear." Saying that made me want to vomit, and him smelling like a horse that had been in the sun too long didn't help. Still I maintained my perfect demeanor as I looked up at him from my sandstone slab, which after sitting on it for close to three hours without moving was starting to get unbearable. 

"I think I'll retire to my chambers for the night." Stewcan said, switching back to Akatary.

"Of course," I said as respectfully as I could, glad I could get off this sandstone slab. "I hope you will come to see me off in the morning." I didn't actually care that he came, but it was polite to remind him.

"Oh you are leaving tomorrow, I have to work on my kingdom's finances"

"Oh it's fine, I know how hard you work." I didn't believe that, but it was better if he thought I did.

"I will see you upon your next visit then"

"You mean at the wedding"

Stewcan looked a little shocked before composing himself. 

"Ah, yes… the wedding" He stammered before walking towards the palace, leaving me in the training field.

Of course he had forgotten about the wedding, but at least I now had time to look around the city before the third sun fully set. First I had to ditch the snitch because I didn't think I could handle maintaining all this class for a second longer.

I got up from my slab, and tried my best to stretch without seeming unladylike. I turned to Bregan and Arina and said in my most rigid and classy voice "I will head to the market before heading to my chambers"

"Of course my lady" Arina said with a well practiced tone.

"Are you sure that's the best idea," Bregan started "The third sun is setting and the Prince is already returning to his chambers, so…"

"Oh why not let her explore the market, there is still enough light." Arina interjected "Besides you're a knight you can handle any thugs can't you." 

"Of course I can, but…" Bregan began.

"Then we should have nothing to worry about." Arina interrupted again, "Come on my lady, we should move quickly if we want to get there before the third sun sets."

"Fine, but we will return to the palace before it gets dark." Bregan huffed, looking quite annoyed.

I gave Arina a thankful look as we started towards the city. The walk back was just as painful as it was to the training field. A half-hour long walk through sand dunes and scorching winds. While it was cooler now I was incredibly sore from my three hour sit on that sandstone slab. Every step hurt, and it didn't help that I was stuck in five layers of clothes and enough makeup to make a pig pretty. My beautiful emerald green dress kept brushing up sand to the point the bottom looked yellow, and we would have to stop every ten minutes so I could empty my shoes. I was thankful I wasn't in heels for once.

Arina didn't have that problem. She got to dress like the local girls, white and brown silks that hung loosely around the body, but clasped to the wrist and feet. As well as, big clothy boots that rose too high for sand to get in them. I wish I could dress like that, but I had to wear a dress because if I didn't, Bregan would tell my father and who knows what punishment I would get for that.

After walking for what seemed like an eternity we finally reached the streets of Akom-shi, and as much as I would love to see all the stalls my legs felt about ready to break. I decided to look for a tea house, someplace where they would have big comfy chairs, warm food, and a nice cup of tea.

It was hard to pass all the stalls with all their trinkets, and oddities. Being the continent's biggest trade hub there were so many unique items and people. I saw a girl selling potatoes next to a seven foot tall gray orc selling farming tools. There was a three foot tall Gnome with a pointy green hat selling enchanted jewelry next to an elf reciting poetry. There was even a Brokthorian, who must have come from across the seas, selling the furs of huge creatures that I couldn't name. I don't even know who would be buying furs in a desert.

Doing my best not to get distracted, I scoured around until I found a place called Moni Butinka. I knew Moni was a type of tea plant, but I had no idea what a Butinka was. I made a mental note to find out. The outside was a gorgeous sandstone building with nice sloping wooden roofs, and colorful banners that swayed gently in the cool wind. There was an upstairs balcony area that was alive with people, laughter, and music. The best part was that the windows had shutters, so Bregan could wait outside and I could finally slouch. 

Me and Arina walked into the tea shop and as soon as the door closed behind us, I relaxed my poster. The tea shop was even more beautiful on the inside. There were silver and gold tiles that made intricate flowerlike patterns on the floor. There were no tables, instead there were booths tucked into little alcoves along the wall that had different colored curtains that could be drawn if you wanted some privacy. It was lit by hanging crystal that appeared to have a magelight in them that made the room twinkle and sparkle. The walls were painted black, but they seemed to twinkle as if there were stars in the night sky. I was so enthralled by the beauty that it took me a moment to realize that there was no one in here. I took a closer look at the surroundings, and saw at the opposite right end of the room there was a staircase that probably headed up to the balcony area we had seen outside. To the left of the staircase there was a door, and further left in the corner the floor rose off the ground a bit. It looked like a little stage where a band might play, but it was empty. I could hear the music from upstairs, however it was faint. It was a little unsettling to be standing in this big empty room with only Arina. I could have sworn this was a tea shop. It felt like I wandered somewhere I shouldn't be, and any minute now a guard would show up. If I got caught trespassing Bregan would have a field day explaining it in detail to my father.

I could feel the heat rush to my ears as my face went cold. Just when I was about to leave, a short but large woman bursted out from behind the door carrying a large saucer with a pitcher, and cups of tea balanced on one hand, and a saucer with plates of food in the other. She wore a green and gold dress, the first dress I'd seen in Akom-Shi that wasn't mine, and her boots looked similar to the ones Arina had on. Her face was pudgy and round with long locks of golden, curly hair draping down. She was so large she took up the entire doorway. Most surprising thought, her skin was a light tan. She was Fairian.

"Oh, well hi there," she said in Akatary in an overly cheerful tone in an accent that was definitely Fairian. "If you want to follow me I think we have an open table upstairs."

Relieved that this was in fact a tea shop I quickly asked "Oh um, could we have one of these booths instead?" I didn't want Began to be able to see me from below. 

"Oh sure," She said, still overly enthusiastic. "Trying to get ahead of the cold, I don't blame you. I'll be around shortly to get your order."

With that she disappeared up the steps leaving me and Arina alone. I went to the alcove nearest to the stairs, and Arina followed. I let out the biggest sigh as I sat down in the back of the booth with my legs up on the opposite seat.

"Tough day?" Arina said sarcastically in Fairian, as she sat on the other side of the booth.

"No, I love sitting in sweltering heat on a stone slab for three hours"

"I'm surprised Bregan isn't making a fuss about your appearance, I guess he doesn't like to heat either"

"What's wrong with my appearance?"

Arina chuckled and pulled out a small, silver pocket mirror. I could see what Arina meant, my normally long, straight, shining golden hair was now a dull yellow, and stuck out in odd places. My makeup had long since been ruined, and long streaks of sweat and dirt ran across my face. I looked into my own gray eyes for a while. I didn't care about my appearance, but I was surprised Bregan didn't either. I ran my hand over dirt on my thin cheek. The blush had completely faded, replaced with a thin veil of dirt. My hand continued down my thin, round chin, and back up the other side. I was normally very pretty, but right now I looked like I had been training on those dunes.

"If my father hears that I looked like this in front of my Fiance there will be no end to Lady Dorchanty's lessons"

"I'll make sure Bregan keeps his mouth shut"

"Thanks Arina," I said with a smile.

Right then I heard the woman coming down the stairs, and watched as she came into view.

"Alright," She said, still in Akatary, fumbling a notepad out of her cleavage, a generous amount of which was exposed. "You can call me Poshtar. Have you decided what you want" At first I was distracted by her name because Poshtar was the name of an Akatary dessert, when I realized I hadn't looked at the menu yet, and Ariana couldn't read Akatary. They were still sitting in a holder in the middle of the table.

"What do you recommend?" I asked feeling slightly embarrassed

"Well, our speciality is Moni Teas, hence the name."

"What is a Butinka anyway?" I blurted remembering my curiosity.

"From what I'm told it's a rare type of poisonous root that when mixed with Moni forces people to relax." 

Some relaxing would be nice I thought. "Could I get that?"

"Oh no, Buticha was outlawed two years ago because people kept messing up the correct mixture of Moni to Buticha and poisoning themselves." Poshtar said as if it was a funny joke. I looked over at Arina whose face was a mix of disturbed and shocked. She could barely speak Akatary but understood it perfectly.

"That's tragic." Arina muttered in Fairian looking down.

Poshtar, realizing the awkwardness let out a nervous chuckle and in Fairian said "Ya a little." Then quickly tried to change the subject. "And I uh also recommend the Poshtar. The um dessert, not me." The line sounded like it was supposed to be funny but after the last comment it only made things more awkward. 

"Sure," I said, also desperate to change the subject. "We'll take two plain Moni Teas and two Poshtars"

"Alright" Poshtar said while running back into the kitchen.

I closed my eyes, sighed, and sunk deeper into the cushions. I felt so nice to not have to worry about keeping up appearances that not even a tragic story could weigh down my soul.

"It's nice to see you so carefree." Arina said with a caring look. "It seems that it happens less and less."

"With the wedding right around the corner my father has been getting stricter." I complained "If it wasn't for his sudden illness I'm sure he would have tagged along on this trip to make sure I was at my best himself."

"It's sad I won't get to see you after the wedding. I hope your new lady-in-waiting is as awesome as me" She said with a bright smile.

"Ya" I responded meekly as it felt like my soul had just been hit by a ton of bricks. She was right, after the wedding I would move to Akom-Shi and Arina would stay in Fairenhold. Suddenly my relaxed position didn't seem so comfortable. Arina must have realized what she had said because she didn't speak anymore, and I stared at my feet until I heard Poshtar burst out from behind the door.

She only had one giant saucer this time with two cups of tea, and two plates of what looked like a sweet cream with chocolate on top and an assortment of fruit throughout. Catching my demeanor she said in a low voice looking embarrassed "Sorry for my little story back there I wasn't thinking…" 

"It's alright," I said, not wanting to explain the actual reason for my demeanor.

"If I could ask, what are a couple Fairian doing all the way up here?" She asked, starting to go back to her cheerful voice.

"We're just on a vacation" I lied.

"A vacation!" She replied with a laugh, at full cheerfulness "Why would you come to the dessert for a vacation?" 

"We came for all the shopping"

Poshtar let out a full laugh "Ya that's why most people come here. Well enjoy your Tea." and with that she headed back upstairs.

"What was so funny," Arina asked

"I have no idea," I responded, taking a sip of my tea.