Prologue

Prologue

South Eastern coast of Thorae; December 19, 2020 

Hanna stood still as the prison gate opened. Tiny flakes of snow drifted from the dark clouds above. Though she wore several layers and even had her wings tucked close to her spine, she shivered. Hanna held a little white box of cardboard in her gloved hands. Once the gate was open, a guard motioned for her to follow him. The box was confiscated at the first checkpoint. Three security screens later, the guard leading her through the complex handed her off to another guard with a glare. The receiving guard tilted his head as he looked at her. 

“The warden wants to speak with you,” the guard said with boredom.

“The warden?” Hanna asked with narrow eyes. “Why? I have clearance.” 

“Didn’t say.” The guard spoke with even less enthusiasm than before. “But we can’t let you go in until you see him.”

Hanna frowned, but nodded. “Lead the way,” she said, motioning forward. The guards led her through wired gates, down barred passageways, and beyond electric doors before she was finally led into an office. The man sitting behind the desk stood up as she entered. 

“Warden…?” Hanna started, reaching out a hand to shake. 

“Payne,” the man responded, ignoring her outstretched hand, but gesturing to a chair instead.

Hanna accepted the seat. “You wanted to see me?” 

“I did. Thank you for coming.” The warden sat behind his desk and looked over an open folder in front of him. “I’ve been reviewing your file in preparation for this visit. I have a few questions I’d like to go over, if you have a moment.”

“Okay.” Hanna’s suspicion kicked in, but she nodded and waited for him to continue. 

The warden looked over his file again. “Can you state your relation to the incarcerated?” 

“Immediate family,” Hanna answered. 

“More specifically?” he questioned. 

“Other,” Hanna said. “It’s… complicated.” 

“I see.” Warden Payne nodded. “According to the logs, you visit every year.” 

“I try to, yes.” Hanna twisted the ring on her left hand. “My clearance hasn’t been revoked, has it?” she asked. 

“No,” Payne answered. “But as the new warden, I don’t take my position lightly.”

“Nor should you,” Hanna agreed. “You have a lot of responsibility to both the public and the inmates.” 

“You work with the Hero’s Guild on Earth?” he continued, looking at the documents again. 

“When they have missions in Thorae, yes,” Hanna answered. “I have a preferred fireteam I work with.” 

“And you live in La’Esk?” he asked. Hanna nodded. “That’s quite the drive,” Payne muttered before looking up at her. “December 20th. That’s what you put down on the form, right? Same as the incarcerated?” The warden flicked his wrist out and glanced at his watch. “That’s to-”

“I’m sorry, but why are you asking me all this?” Hanna interrupted, eyes narrow. “All the information is already in the file in front of you. Are you going to let me see her or not?” 

The warden took a breath and closed the folder before responding. “I wouldn’t recommend it.” 

Hanna could feel the anger rising, but bit it back and took a different approach. “Please,” she said softly. “Please let me see her. I’m the only one she can really talk to. I’m the only one who knows what she’s been through.” 

Payne stared at her. “Do you know what happened to the last warden?” he asked slowly. 

Hanna glanced away. “Yes.” 

“Then you know how much of a threat she is.” He leaned back in his chair. “You understand the risks we take and why we have to implement such rigorous safety measures.”

“I do.” Hanna paused. “But I also know why she does the things she does.”

The warden sat straight, clasping his hands together and resting them on the desk. “Knowing the motive doesn’t erase the actions or absolve their natural consequences. She has to stay isolated. I don’t have to tell you she doesn’t play well with others.” 

Hanna frowned. “Isolation will kill her.”

The warden raised an eyebrow. “Isolation is the only thing keeping her alive.”

Hanna took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She can be reasoned with. She just needs someone to talk to. Someone who understands her.” Hanna looked at the warden, eyes pleading. “Please let me see her. I’m the only one she’ll listen to. Please.” 

Warden Payne stared at Hanna with critical eyes. The clock on the wall ticked by, the only sound in the room as the warden contemplated the choices. 

“Fine,” he said, finally breaking the silence. “But you’ll be monitored at all times.” 

“I understand,” Hanna said with a nod and a smile, not hiding her relief. 

“You’ll be searched again,” he added, standing up. “Any personal effects must be surrendered, but they will be returned to you when you leave.”

“That’s okay.” Hanna also stood up. “Thank you.” She stuck her hand out, but the warden ignored it and motioned to the door. 

*****************************

An armed guard stood on either side of the prison door. Hanna heard a buzz before the door slid open. She took a deep breath then stepped into the room. The first thing she noticed was the wave of heat that hit her face as she entered. It was normal for the heat to be on during winter months, but this was excessive. Bearable, but excessive. The room was partitioned down the middle with a thick, clear, ballistic glass wall. A single, metal door with slots and a window indicated that was the only way in or out of the other side of the glass prison. Hanna always thought this cell was odd, but she reminded herself that prisons in Thorae had to account for every ability imaginable. The door behind Hanna slid shut with another buzz. She was alone. Mostly. There was no chair for her to sit on. Hanna stepped closer to the exhibit, for that’s what it felt like, looking for its occupant. The other half of the room appeared empty, aside from a bed and hygiene station, both of which were in a darkened corner. Black feathers were scattered over the ground. The light directly above the bed had gone out and no one had replaced it. Or perhaps it had been broken on purpose for a meager sense of privacy. Either way, that dark corner was where Hanna found who she was looking for. “Shard?” Hanna called, tentatively. 

The dark form on the bed rose and crept out of the shadows. A pale woman with raven hair and blood-red eyes. She came up to the glass and stood in front of Hanna. Her hair, long and uncut, draped over the sleeves of her red jumpsuit. The black band around her neck was embedded with three rows of Danu River pearls, a thorean gem known to repress elemental magic.

“Hi Shard,” Hanna said quietly. 

Shard glared back. “Hello, darling.” 

*Under Construction*

Yes, very much under construction indeed.

I've had to rearrange sections in my story.

As I'm rewriting, feel free to look over the "Characters" section.

Also, the part titled "Castle of Glass and the Unknown Soldier" is a short story about one of the side characters in Hanna's prequel. You haven't met him yet, but he's a funny guy. One of my favorite side characters.

Anyway, I'm also in the process of writing that, so be patient.

Thank ye kindly! ^_^

Part Nine

I looked over my shoulder in despairing hope that the door wasn’t really closed. It was. I turned back to the man and tried to figure out what strategy to take. Two doors on opposite ends of the arena opened. Two warriors walked out of each one of the doors and joined their companion in the center of the arena. I heaved a heavy sigh and wondered yet again how I got into this mess. Here I am in the arena with screaming people and five warriors staring me down. To top it off, I had a headache the size of Antarctica. I felt like collapsing into a feathered bed with fuzzy blankets and fluffy pillows. But alas, I couldn’t let myself get carried away with such things. There were a few weapons lying around the ground, probably left behind by some unfortunate loser of the last battle. I slowly picked up a sword and glared at the competition. Of the five, the original warrior was the largest. My situation looked pretty dim. There is no way I’m winning this. There isn’t really any way out except to fight either. I gripped the sword a little tighter and started walking toward the enemy. Any fear I had ebbed away in apathy. I already knew the outcome of this match. I stopped just a few feet from the five and stood before them. The leader looked me in the eyes and grinned.

“Afraid of death?” he asked.

I simply tilted my head with an unwavering stare and replied, “What’s the point in worrying about the inevitable?”

The man’s grin turned into a scowl. A warrior to his right dashed at me with his sword. I spun and let the sword slip harmlessly behind me. Meanwhile, I brought my sword up and swung it into the guy’s side. Hearing something behind me, I swiftly pulled my sword out and flipped it under my arm. I jabbed the sword behind me. I turned and saw that my sword was embedded in a warrior who tried to attack from behind. I yanked it out and slashed his neck. Someone came at me from the left side. I ducked and swept my sword low to the ground to get their feet. That one jumped out of the way, but something hit my right side so hard that I fell back and lost the hold I had on my sword. I pulled out two daggers with my left hand and threw them at an oncoming warrior. He dodged one by turning in time. The other dagger flew by the wayside harmlessly. This warrior came at me with an axe, probably intending to lop me in half. I rolled to the side and hopped to my feet. I winced as pain seared through my right side. The warrior pressed forward and swung his axe at me from all different angles. It took all my skill and concentration to keep dodging the fatal instrument. I dove for a stray dagger, picked it up, and dodged another axe swing. After his next swing, I jumped forward and dug the dagger into his neck before he had time to maneuver the axe for protection. As he collapsed, I took the axe and swung it at another warrior’s feet. When this one jumped over the axe, I moved toward another sword lying on the ground. Keeping the enemy at bay with the axe was hard, but I managed to make it to the sword. I picked up the sword with my free hand and attempted to wield both the axe and sword. I didn’t care if I knew what I was doing or not. As long as I’m still alive, I’m ok. I actually managed to bat this warrior’s sword away. I chucked the axe into his body and attacked the warrior coming up behind him. Our swords met in midair, but he shoved my sword back. This warrior had an open gash in his side and was bleeding profusely, but didn’t seem to be letting it bother him. Granted, he swayed a little when he stood in place. He lunged for me with his sword. With a twirl, I batted his sword away and drove my sword into his gut. I turned to face the last warrior standing. Not surprisingly, it was the same one that had faced me before. The big one.

The roar of the crowd grew louder. I hadn’t noticed how loud the crowd was while I was fighting. I could only recall a loud hum every time one of my opponents fell. I brushed away these thoughts and focused on the warrior. There was a certain kind of fire in his eyes. Under normal circumstances, I would have been too terrified to keep eye contact. But these were not normal circumstances. I was not afraid. Before, I had been fighting for survival. Now that this is that last one standing, it seemed like something so much more than that, though the element of survival was still there. I stared him down. I knew that if I looked away, if I let my guard slip in the slightest, he would jump at the opportunity and hack me down in a moment. I wasn’t about to let that happen. Apparently impatient with the delayed flow of action, he lunged at me. In an instant, I rolled out of the way. I threw a dagger at him and watched it graze his leg. He glanced down at the wound and kept his glare on me, seemingly unharmed. He picked up a fallen spear and swept it low. I hopped over the spear and reached for a dagger to embed in his neck as I did one of the other warriors. The situation became very real when I realized I was out of daggers, but it was too late. I was already too close. The enemy abruptly jabbed his elbow into my face, knocking me to the ground. Before I could react, I found the spear implanted through my shoulder armor and into the ground. I struggled to get free, thrashing my legs wildly. I saw a sword not far from me so I reached for it with all my might. I managed to pull away from the spear just as he dove at me. I grabbed the handle of the blade and thrust it forward with my eyes shut.

Part Eight

I glared at him. Expecting me? Why would he have any reason to expect me? I licked my lips while mentally reaching for some kind of smart aleck reply.
Smirking, I said, “Sorry I’m late. Next time, can you sic your puppies on someone else?”
“Is that your attempt at being funny?” Tyrone asked.
“Actually, it was my attempt at insulting.” I admitted, putting my hand to my chin thoughtfully. “Would it work if I called you a pig?”
Tyrone closed his eyes and pursed his lips for a few moments before finally saying, “Dungeon.”
The guards grabbed both of my arms and pulled backward. I squirmed and pulled, trying to get away. “Let me go, you heard of swine!”
“Tisk, tisk, listen to that bitter tongue. Certainly, you were taught better. Then again, you wouldn’t have been lurking through my castle otherwise, now would you?” Tyrone said following the guards.
“What’s the matter, prince? Too high and mighty to be seen with the common folk?” I shot back.
“Commoners I can handle,” Tyrone replied. “It’s the lowlife I detest.”
At that point, I caught a glimpse of metallic blue by Tyrone’s side. The sword! I struggled against the guards’ grip and managed to grab a dagger from behind my back. I swung my arm out and hit one of the guards. I’m not even sure where it hit. I just know that he let go and Tyrone shouted for more guards. I swung around the other guard and, whipping out another dagger with my free hand, slashed at the hands holding my arm. Once the second guard let go, I was free! I spun around and saw the glint of blue again as Tyrone reached for the sword. I dove for the sword and knocked Tyrone to the ground. I lucked out in that I grabbed the hilt before Tyrone had fully unsheathed the sword. Once my eyes locked on the blade, I couldn’t pull away. I was lost in the glassy surface. It was as if the smooth surface rippled with power. I could tell the edge was supremely sharp just by looking at it. The twin dragonheads sprouting from the hilt looked ready to come alive. Power emanated from this sword, I could feel it. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sword. Unfortunately, my lack of action resulted in someone else breaking my eye contact by putting a cloth sack over my head. The next thing I know, I’m being dragged from behind in total darkness. Of course, I’m kicking and screaming “let me go” as loudly as I can. They finally took the sack off my head and shoved me backward. I fell and the back of my head hit the cold stone floor. I rubbed my head and curled up in pain. I fought back tears of anguish as Tyrone crouched beside me. He tilted his head again and brushed aside the hair in my face.
“That could have gone a lot better, you know,” he said softly.
“I don’t care!” I said between ragged breaths, trying not to sound pitifully weak.
“A little girl like you shouldn’t be in this business. I suppose we can’t help our fate.”
“You don’t know me,” I muttered while trying not to lose my already slipping consciousness.
“You’re different,” he continued. “Some times that’s the only thing that matters.”
He stood up and walked away. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but gave in to the overwhelming darkness.

~ * ~

I woke up to the scratching sound of metal against stone. I opened my eyes to find a tray nearby. I ever so slowly sat up with pain pulsing through my head. On the tray was a bowl of water, a bowl of mush and an apple. I drank the water, but didn’t bother with the food. I looked around the small cell. It wasn’t much. Iron bars for walls, cobblestone floors, a rickety and probably termite infested wooden bench in the corner. I watched several guards come up to the cell door and unlock it. One of them opened the door and said, “Come on, lass. Tyrone wants a word with you before he sends you to your death.”
I slowly stood up and answered, “A lovely invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.”
“Too bad, you might not get another chance for pleasant conversation before your likely demise.” A voice spoke up from another side of the cell.
I looked around for Tyrone, but couldn’t find the source. In that split second, a guard had managed to get the sack over my head again and lock my wrists in place behind my back. I was unable to break free before they bound my hands. Smart move, I thought to myself, very smart. They yanked me forward. Since I couldn’t see where I was going, my hands were tied, and my headache kept me from thinking clearly anyway, I really had no choice except to follow. How in the world do I keep getting myself into these horrid situations? Really, I thought I was better than that. Did I miss the chance to have a normal, happy life somewhere? Isn’t there some turn I was supposed to take at Albuquerque or something? How do things always get so rotten for me? Ever since...
It was at that moment that the sack was yanked off and the ropes were cut off my hands. I was shoved forward and fell to my knees. Over the roar of some noise, I heard a door slam shut behind me. Blinding light kept me from focusing on where I was, but the familiar noise gave me a murky idea. My eyes adjusted to the light and I took in the scene before me. Dusty ground lay before me. The high walls on either side of me held thousands of screaming people. I was in the arena again. About ten yards away stood a tall man clad in random pieces of bloody armor.
My heart sank.

Part Seven

I yanked Nathalia to her feet and turned to the angry merchant. “Sincerest apologies, kind sir,” I said with a slight bow. “My blind cousin can be somewhat clumsy. The worst of luck and not a very bright one, either I’m afraid. She probably couldn’t tell a cow from a sow even if she could see. We’ll just be getting out of your way then.”
I shoved Nathalia away from the man and kept walking. We weren’t ten feet from him when Nathalia spoke in a somber tone.
“A cow from a sow?” I could hear the threat in her voice.
“I’ve been working on negative attention. I thought you’d be impressed,” I said with false sincerity.
“How’s your thievery?” she asked with a hint of amusement.
I produced a bag of money from my pocket and pressed the pouch into her hand.
She hummed in satisfaction. “You’re getting better, but I highly advise not making a distraction out of your distraction,” she said as she pocketed the pouch. On the way back to the inn, a group of soldiers paraded through the main street headed for the fortress. They looked worn and beaten, but marched tall and proud. Some were carrying large chests and oddly shaped bundles. A mounted officer strode by on his steed, passing directly in front of me. In his right hand, I caught sight of a sword. It was a simple glimpse, really. What caught my eye was the sword’s pale blue shimmer. I tried to get a closer look, but the man was already well on his way to the fortress when I realized what I was looking for. I stood watching the battered soldiers march in unison.
“Amusing that you would be entranced with that particular treasure.” Nathalia’s voice brought me back to reality. She was turned to the departing soldiers, but she kept her head down. “This troupe was sent out in search of lost treasures from Thorae’s rich and hidden past. It seems they took quite a beating, but they do not return empty-handed. Perhaps there is some connection in their timing...”
Her voice trailed off and before I could ask what she was talking about, she spun around and pressed forward, not saying another word.
When we reached the inn, I went to my room, washed up, and plopped onto the straw bed in exhaustion. My mind went back to the fight and my opponent. Why had the crowd been screaming for me to kill her? They were screaming for death continually. Death and mercy. How can the two ever coincide? Why were they so intent on seeing blood? I closed my eyes and heard the crowds roar again. Part of me thought it was a nightmare. The other part of me wished they never stopped. I imagined the crowd calling my name. I could feel myself drifting into the cheering.
I saw myself atop a dark horse, triumphantly entering the city walls. Crowds on either side of me chanted my name. The name of a warrior they loved, feared, and obeyed. I saw myself raising my sword in the air. A sword that shone blue, and not only shone, but glowed. Pale blue light blasted forth from the sword and covered the people. In one moment, it seemed I had silenced the world, covering it in a sheet of ice. I stared down at the silenced beings. Although I had loved the sound of continuous praise, it wasn’t enough. This silence was a cold blissful peace. A stillness that pierced body and mind, this was the sound of power and ultimate control. Amidst the people, Nathalia stood before me, unchanged and unfrozen.
“No amount of power will make you feel any less vulnerable,” she said with a smirk. He voice carried through the silence, shredding my newfound bliss. I pointed my sword at her. As I did so, a huge wall of water hit us. I jerked up in my bed, shivering and gasping for breath. My clothes and bed were soaked with cold water and Nathalia stood nearby with an empty bucket.
“Wake up, we’re going out,” she said coolly and walked out of the room.
Oh sure, as if dousing me with cold water wouldn’t wake me up. I looked at the window and realized it was already well into the night. An hour later, Nathalia and I entered a tavern adjacent to the building wall of the fortress.
“Wait out here,” Nathalia muttered before going inside. I folded my arms and leaned against the doorpost. After about ten minutes of boredom, I decided to find something better to do. I wandered around to the side of the tavern and looked for a way to get onto the roof. I climbed onto a barrel and used the added height to help pull myself onto the tavern roof without too much noise. I peered over the edge, proud of my minor achievement so far. I looked up at the night sky and took a deep breath. It was actually quite peaceful up here. I lay on my back and stared up at the starry sky. I almost fell asleep when a tiny sound alerted me that I was not alone. I briskly sat up, but there was already a cold blade pressed against my throat.
“Will you PLEASE stop doing that?!” I said with irritation. I grabbed the hand holding the dagger, yanked it away from my neck, and twisted the wrist, ducking under the blade to turn to see Nathalia smirking at me. I let go of her hand and stepped back with a frown. “How did you know I was up here?” I asked.
“It wasn’t hard,” she replied while rubbing her wrist. “You’re usually loud enough to wake the entire town.”
“I am not!” I retorted. “Just watch.” I hopped up onto the roof next to the one we were standing on without so much as a creak. I sat cross-legged and watched her ascend as well.
“You think you have nothing else to learn from me?” she asked as she sat in front of me. “Think you’re equal to me in skill then?”
“I know I am.” I spat with growing anger. “I am more than capable of handling myself with the skills you taught me.”
“Really?” she said with a smile. “Prove it.”
I raised my eyebrow questioningly and she continued. “Let’s have a test. You proved yourself in the arena, despite how much learning you still have left to do, but what about taking on the cloak of a shadow thief? Can you handle it or is that too much of a burden for you?”
“I can handle any test you give me.” I said without wavering. No going back now.
“Then here is your test,” she continued. “The sword you saw today has far greater power than you can imagine. In fact, most do not know it’s true might. Legend has it that it triples the power of its bearer. Whether that is intended for any one or someone in particular is debatable. I could tell you all kinds of tales of how it was created in moonlight and shadow in the mountains of the north, but that is irrelevant.”
“Then get to the point already,” I said, actually disappointed that she was not going to continue.
“Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is this: steal the sword.”
“What?!” I said in surprise, although I could somehow tell it was coming. I looked up the wall of the fortress. The stonework was surely just as strong now as it was when it was built. The windows were high and out of reach from below. “You’re insane,” I replied, “There can’t be a way to get in and out without being spotted, even if I knew where I was going.”
Nathalia shrugged nonchalantly. “No guts, no glory. If you’re too afraid to go, we’ll just call the whole thing off.”
“I’m not afraid!” I shot back at her.
“Then prove it. You keep telling me you no longer need my help. Let us raise the stakes, if you steal the sword for me, you are free to leave and do as you wish. If you get caught, I’ll only help you out if I think you’re worth it. Otherwise, you fall to the mercy of Tyrone.”
I glared at her. I couldn’t back down and there was no way I can let myself get caught. I had to steal the sword.
“I won’t get caught,” I said confidently as I stood up. “And when I steal that sword, I’m taking it with me.”
“Provided you can actually get to the sword in the first place,” Nathalia muttered.
“Of course I’ll get to it! I’ll steal it out from under their noses and be on the other side of Noldon before they even know it’s gone,” I replied with a smug smile.
“A bold statement for one who can’t even get out of her own imprisonment.”
Without a word, I leapt to the next rooftop, leaving Nathalia to converse with the air.
I was thinking about how I would get in when I heard voices from below. I looked over the edge of the roof and saw two guards guarding a side entrance to the fortress. I took a shingle off the roof and threw it as hard as I could into an alley nearby. One of the guards left to check out the sound. While he was gone, I silently hopped down from the roof and easily knocked the second guard unconscious. I slipped through the entrance and found a flight of stairs nearby. I made it to the top of the stairs and around a corner. Not really having any clue where I was going, I came to a door and grabbed the handle. Before I could even begin opening the door, it swung inward and caused me to stumble forward into the room. I looked up and froze. I could feel the blood draining from my face. The room was filled with guards sitting at a table eating and one guard was standing near the door, apparently the one who opened it. They all started at me in silent surprise. “Wrong room.” The moment they started moving, I grabbed the door handle and pulled the door closed as I jumped out of the room. I took off down the hall running, but I could hear the guards following behind me. I made my way up another staircase and continued down a second hall. I didn’t dare stop running. I looked back to see if the guards were still behind me when I hit something and crashed to the ground. I looked up and saw a tall man dressed in expensive looking clothes with quite a few guards behind him. I scrambled to my feet and dashed back the way I came only to find the guards who had been chasing me swiftly close the gap. I turned back to the man, who now had his head tilted with what could only be an amused smile.
“Lord Tyrone, sir!” One of the guards behind me said between huffs.
Tyrone held up a gloved hand to halt any further words. He placed his hands behind his back and leaned forward slightly when he said, “We’ve been expecting you.”

Part Six

We walked down the street away from the arena and turned down a side alley. It wasn’t nearly as busy or loud back here. We walked into a small restaurant and sat at a table in the corner. A waitress came by and Nathalia ordered some food. I wasn’t really paying attention to either one of them. I was staring out the window watching the civilians of the town. It was interesting to just sit there and try to picture what it would be like to live a simple life. A life where I didn’t have to worry about constantly training or looking for a way to get away from Nathalia would be nice. I saw a mother scolding her son for dropping whatever it was he was carrying. The poor kid started crying. Amazing how such a small instance can have such seemingly heavy bearing on their lives. What could they possibly know of hardship? Their whole lives revolve around this village and the fortress thereof. What did these people live for? My thoughts were interrupted when the waitress set a plate before me. I thanked her, but waited until her back was turned to poke at the food with my fork. It looked like an innocent serving of mashed potatoes and chicken.
“Eat up. I’m sure you’re starving,” Nathalia said before digging into her own food.
I wrinkled my nose and shoved the fork into the meat. “Not hungry.” I folded my arms and looked out the window again.
“Oh, come now, don’t be so ornery. If you’re not going to eat your food, I will, but that’s all you’ll get until dinner,” she replied between bites.
Sighing, I signaled to the waitress and ordered a cup of tea. She brought it and I dumped a bunch of sugar into it before taking a few sips. I really wasn’t that hungry, not after that fight anyway. I’m sure I’d be famished by the end of the day, but I wasn’t going to give Nathalia the satisfaction of being right if that was the case. Images of bloody bodies momentarily flashed through my mind, but I continued drinking my tea. Nathalia finished her food and mine within a fairly short amount of time. She leaned back in her chair when she was finished and we sat in silence for a few minutes.
“Hey kid,” Nathalia started, “do you ever get the feeling that maybe your life is being wasted away?”
I wanted to say, “I’m sure I wouldn’t know,” but I held my tongue and just raised an eyebrow at her.
She rocked back and forth on her chair and continued her thought. “I mean, maybe you’ve been wrong about something your whole life and you aren’t meant to be where you are now.”
“Maybe,” I muttered and took another sip of tea.
Nathalia suddenly sat up. She clasped her hands and placed them on the table. “Kid, what do you think your purpose is?”
I eyed her warily. Was this some sort of trap? With Nathalia, it was impossible to tell. Gently setting my cup on the table, I replied, “My purpose is to serve you.”
“Hmm…” Nathalia nodded, but then leaned forward and her next words came in a hushed whisper. “I’m not asking for the right answer. I’m asking you what your heart says.”
I glared at Nathalia’s blindfold, finding myself wishing she could see the hatred in my eyes. My heart... this was certainly a trap. There was no way she was trying to be sincere with a question like that. My heart? I wanted freedom more than anything in the world at this point, but I knew that she was still stronger than I. Despite being blind, she was still too powerful to take on alone. No matter what I tried, she always seemed to know what was coming before it happened. She was still expecting an answer from me though. I cleared my throat then stared down at my reflection in the tea as I answered, “I gave up making decisions based upon my heart. My duty, now and until my death, is to serve you.”
Nathalia sighed and leaned back again. “Maybe one day you will see the bigger picture of life,” she said.
There she goes with her riddles again. Why had she asked me those questions? What was she thinking?
“Feeling guilty?” I asked with a smirk.
Nathalia shook her head. “No, just old. I’ve seen things before my time. There are certain burdens far more destructive to one’s wellbeing than merely physical strain.”
Yet another riddle. Seems she couldn’t say anything without being painfully obvious or evasively cryptic about it.
“No matter, that’s enough heart to heart for one day,” she said and stood up, placing a few rupees on the table. Finishing my tea, I got up and headed toward the door with Nathalia.
We left the restaurant and walked back to the busy street. We passed by a few shops and various peddler stands. I was looking over some pitifully crafted jewelry when I felt a sharp jab to my ribs. I turned and watched Nathalia crash into a merchant.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” The man angrily cried out as he tried to pick himself off the ground. Nathalia jumped up and started vigorously brushing the man off.
“Beggin’ your pardon, sir. I’m just a poor blind woman. I didn’t mean no harm, really!” She pleaded.
Nathalia’s efforts only angered the man further. No matter how hard he tried, she wouldn’t stop.
“Get off of me!” he bellowed and inadvertently knocked her to the ground.
“Please, sir! I wasn’t meanin’ any harm! I was only tryin’ ta help!” Nathalia whimpered. She stayed on the ground, half curled with a hand in the air as a shield. I neared the confrontation and fingered a dagger hidden in my cloak. I contemplated how much easier disposing of Nathalia in this state would be. If there was ever a time to get rid of her... I shoved past the irate man and knelt beside Nathalia. She gasped when I grabbed her by the arm.

Part Five

I sighed and looked around. The crowd hadn’t settled down any, from what I could tell. I spotted a young woman standing in the center of the circle. She was holding a flail in one hand and a small shield in the other. I tilted my head back and forth, sizing her up. She looked just a tad shorter than me and had her brunette hair tied into a ponytail. She didn’t seem too harmful. The spiked ball and chain of her flail seemed small enough that the weapon didn’t look all that harmful either. I nonchalantly walked toward the girl and slowly pulled my sword out of its sheath. I stopped in front of her and rested the tip of the sword on the ground, folding both hands over the pommel.
“You don’t have to do this you know,” I said indifferently, leaning forward slightly. She simply smirked and started swinging the flail back and forth. I shrugged and gripped my sword by the handle and waited for her to make her move. She twirled and swung the ball at me from the right. I blocked the short chain with my sword, but then a swift leg sweep threw me on my back. I saw the flail flying towards my face and rolled out of the way. I jumped to my feet and narrowed my eyes at the girl. Maybe this won’t be so easy after all. I charged with my sword, but then changed directions and, instead of jabbing the girl, I slashed at her from the left. She blocked the attack with her shield and swung her flail at my head. I ducked and flung my sword at her feet. She jumped over my sword and twirled again, this time swinging her flail at me from the left. Waiting a few seconds longer than I did the first time, I stopped the chain with my sword again, letting it wrap around the blade, and twisted it downward to shove the sword into the ground as hard as I could. That managed to yank the flail from her hand entirely. Before she could make a grab for it, I kicked her. She blocked the kick with her shield, but the force knocked her back a few steps. She rushed at me and the glint of a dagger warned me of the new weapon. I brought out two daggers from my belt and turned just at the last minute so her dagger slid just past my face. I hit her dagger hand with my fist, causing her to drop the weapon. I brought my elbow up and caught her chin hard enough to knock her to the ground. She wiped some blood from the corner of her mouth with a glare. She hopped to her feet and made a dive for the flail again. I pounced on her midair and we both crashed to the ground. I put her in a chokehold, but she threw some dirt at my face, causing me to let go. She clambered away and yanked my sword out of the ground. Ok, I could handle the hidden dagger and maybe the dirt, but taking my weapon and using it against me? Now that’s just cheating. I realized I was still holding my two daggers. Deciding to throw tactic out the window, I ran at the girl. When I was close enough, I threw both daggers at her, one high and one low. One hit the ground near her feet and she dodged the second one. While she was avoiding the daggers, I tackled her. I wrenched my sword from her hand and held the blade sidelong against her throat. She glared at me and huffed with exhaustion. I carefully stood up, keeping the sword pointed at her. I wasn’t going to kill her, so I scanned the crowd, unsure of what exactly I was supposed to do now. Unfortunately, my opponent had to answer that question for me. Without me seeing her, she evaded my sword and grabbed me from behind with a chokehold. I shoved the pommel of my sword into what I assume was her stomach and spun around to deliver an uppercut to her face. She landed on her back unconscious. I sheathed my sword, stepped away from the girl, and headed toward the double doors. They opened and the cleanup crew rushed past me. I walked inside and Nathalia met me with a huge grin on her face.
“I knew you could do it,” she said cheerily.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I sarcastically replied. I really wasn’t in the mood for any more games. If she was going to risk my life like that, I’d at least like a say in the matter.
“You up for another challenge?” She actually had the nerve to ask?
“What?!” I asked in disbelief. “Of course not! I’m up for a hot meal, shower, some rest, and maybe a side of apology! That’s what I’m up for!” I nearly screamed.
Nathalia could make me mad quite a bit, but I was getting fed up with her games.
She simply smiled at me, that evil little all-knowing smirk that drove me crazy. “Be proud of yourself, you just won us 350 rupees.”
I blinked. “I did?” I couldn’t really think of anything else to say. 350 rupees weren’t exactly easy to come by. Thorae used gold and rupees alike and, while gold is of greater value, rupees were still a fairly valuable form of gain.
“You sure did, kid,” Nathalia patted me on the back. “Apparently that girl you just knocked out killed the last person she fought.”
That didn’t make me feel very comfortable. I wasn’t sure if I was more worried about being killed in my sleep for beating the snot out of that girl or about Nathalia eventually pitting me against people stronger than that. I shivered. I didn’t really want to continue fighting. It’s true, part of me found the whole experience thrilling, exciting even, but I didn’t want to have to deal with another near-death experience today.
I sighed and asked, “ Do you really want me to keep fighting?”
Nathalia seemed to ponder the question. “Generally, yes. You don’t have to fight again today, however I do expect you to fight as many battles as I tell you to. Got that?”
“Yes,” I replied with my head bowed.
“Good, now how about we get some lunch?”
Lunch? I was surprised that it wasn’t even midday yet. “Sure thing, boss.” I answered wearily. I really wanted this day to end already.