Chapter 40: Chapter 38

”The Hecate was there through it all, the Hecate was there behind it all”

Marina

I grumbled to myself as I got to my feet while Saliel laughed like I was the most comedic thing that had happened to him in ages.

“You have to learn how to border between patience and defense else you would keep losing your footing” he said, using his fingers to push aside a strand of hair that had fallen out of the band I used to secure it behind my head.

“You keep hitting me” I whined, this was the seventh time in a row he had me on my arse this morning.

“You keep thinking I won’t and that’s the problem. I think you’ve spent too much time watching the Lightroom acts”

I had resumed my defense training since I had accepted that I would constantly be in danger till we figure out what it was the King sought.

Or till he trusted me enough to let me into the loop.

“I’ve never been to a Lightroom performance” the Lightroom was the country’s biggest performing arts center. With various acts being shown each day from drama to musicals and circus performers. One of the biggest investments the Ace and Diamond of Townsend had brought to Aspena.

“Are you kidding? Let me take you someday” adding a charming smile that would have made me swoon if I was not gasping for breath after our last spar.

“Is this your way of asking for my company Mr Saliel?”

“Could be. Is that a yes?”

“Hmm” putting a hand on my chin to take a pose like I was thinking “it depends”

“On?”

“Two things”

“Oh…” he looked interested “which are?”

“On the day”

“I’m free the day after tomorrow. You could seek permission from the King that you would want to visit the Lightroom and I’ll take you”

“Do you not think he would find that awkward?”

“Why would he? It’s not like I’m courting his mistress. You’ve hardly left this palace since you came here and it seems like you weren’t much of a social butterfly before your arrival. Something I could understand” the statement made me remember he was among those who picked me from my home. So he knew why I was unable to participate in many things “but now you’re here and with official access to the castle’s resources. I think you should garner the experience”

“Do you think he’d accept?”

“I think he would. Why wouldn’t he? Have you offended him of recent?”

“Is there a time I haven’t?”

My question caused Saliel to laugh again as he picked up his sword and flicked it lightly in my direction “well, if you have, I do not think he is offended. We had drill with him this morning, he did not sound like someone who is counting an offense”

Now was my turn to laugh.

“Okay, I guess I’ll ask him”

“You should. Plus, I think you need a friend around here. It can get lonely”

It really does.

“Noted. Now for the second thing”

“I’m listening” he took two steps back. Indicating we would be resuming our training soon.

“If I win this round”

“Let’s see how good of a teacher I am” he drew his sword and so did I.

Afterwards…

I won.

Even though it was obvious that he let me win but it still felt good to have him on the floor and at the mercy of my sword.

I lost the four rounds after that but that did not count.

There was an adrenaline thrill that followed our training but it did not dampen my smile. I enjoyed it.

I made my way to the King’s personal office and spoke to the guard at the front door “I would like to see the king”

He nudged his head towards the door and I took it as a sign to go in.

Xanthanius

When my door was opened, I was a bit surprised to see Marina walking in. I had seen her just a few minutes ago from the window training with Saliel.

Now here she was with a broad smile and a scratch on her left cheek that was bleeding slightly. I wondered if she did not feel it.

“Your highness, I would like to visit the Lightroom the day after tomorrow” and added a curtsy after her statement for formality sake.

“Another public appearance?” It seemed like she did have a death sentence.

“Yes and No. I could wear a disguise for this one. Maybe a hood to shield my identity and I could go with a guard under cover so no one would…”

“A guard like Saliel?” I interrupted. Perhaps I knew where this was coming from.

Her sentence got lost in her mouth after what I had said she probably had caught onto the fact that I knew how the request originated. Or she could feign a certain ignorance.

I guess we’d find out soon.

“Yes, a guard like Saliel or anyone else. I’ve never had the experience and I would love to”

So she chose to feign the ignorance.

“Did Saliel, by chance, offer you this proposal?” I knew he had an evening off on that very day. It was not hard to connect the dots.

When she said nothing to oppose or defend the question, I released a sigh. I did trust Saliel to know he would not play silly games under my nose anyway.

She was just getting way too fond of him in a manner that somewhat displeased me.

But I was not angered.

Although, now she was seeking a request for nothing in exchange.

“If you wish to, then yes you can go with Saliel. Do not forget your disguise and you would also go with Hilra”

Her smile faded away after my approval at the mention of Hilra “You definitely know it would be easier to get three mountain foxes to escort me than she”

I did well to stifle my laughter because I won’t be spared from Hilra’s wrath if she figured out I found such a statement amusing.

“Then take Quala with you” making it an easier challenge.

Her smile returned and I could almost see her leap for joy.

“Thank you! I would tell her immediately” but before she could leave, I called her back.

“Marina, you have a little scratch on your left cheek. Go to the clinic and have it disinfected”

“It’s probably from one of my falls, not a blade. I’m sure it’s nothing” she answered hastily. She was very much in a hurry to inform Quala.

“No. I said to the clinic. Do that first before you find Quala”

Her facial features contorted at being commanded but she listened “okay. I will”

Marina

There was a river flowing nearby as I could hear its soft waves coming from a little distance.

But I was alone today. No guide, no escort, no little girls or King Flutheria.

Just me.

“Hello?” I called out to the empty area.

Not entirely empty. It looked like we were in Aspena again today during the rainy season.

The grasses were green and tall and the trees blossomed with bright flowers and fruits that attracted many birds for nectar.

And that was it.

Was she running late?

I sat on the floor and plucked on the leaves of the plants that surrounded my feet while humming a random song my mother had taught me while we were younger. A song I hadn’t quite remembered in ages and was surprised it came to my mind at this time.

“When the pillars fall, when the curtains call,

When the sun goes down, when the trees burn down,

When the seas don’t flow, when the plants don’t grow.

The Hecate was there through it all.

When the skies turn grey, when the sinners pray,

When the birds are slain, when blood fills the plain,

When the nights are cold, when the truth unfolds.

The Hecate was there behind it all.”

My mother had a special liking for the Hecate’s wheel of Townsend. When we were younger, she always expressed how they were never understood and tagged the evil ones.

One day, she just stopped. Maybe because my father always had a debate against her opinions so she probably just thought it best to never talk about it again.

I repeated the song a few more times and began singing it out loud to pass the time.

Still no sign of my friend.

After a moment, I gave up on waiting and just laid down to feel the softness of the grass and the wind. A weird feeling of comfort filled me as I fell asleep.

Maybe it was in my head but I felt a hand on my forehead. Rubbing down on my hair and lulling me to sleep. It was a familiar sensation I couldn’t trace.

But I loved it.

So there were no coded dreams tonight? Or she would probably wake me up when she arrived?

Or maybe this was the dream and I was yet to figure out the code?

Whatever it was, the sense of peace I felt was something I had not in a long time.