Trial Two: Kingdom of Terryland

The Kingdom of Terryland was the second of eight kingdoms left to go. Lynn was told by her father that he worried the most for her in this kingdom.

She understood why now that she was standing before her opponent who wore only a chest armor.

He was as big as her father and looked to be as strong. Even those who are watching from their seats surrounding the stadium looked to be the same.

'What do they eat for them to be so large and hardy?' Lynn wondered as she prepared herself, holding her sword in hand.

"The rules are simple," the king of this kingdom announced, "the first to kneel loses."

The crowd cheered and clapped, but all Lynn felt was a sense of dread falling over her. She blinked over to her prince to see his furrowed brows and his eyes speaking to her.

Shaking her head and looking back at the man before her, she fought against the dread she felt. She had made her uncle kneed down before and he was just as strong as her father.

Tightening her hold on the hilt, she let out a breath and nodded to the king.

The hefty man did the same.

"Let the battle commence!" the king cheered and sat down by his queen and children.

Lynn waited for the first attack as they walked in circles. The man did not make the first move and Lynn felt her lips smile. Guess it's up to her then.

Rushing forward and holding her sword at her right side, she swung upwards in a diagonal position. The man blocked and Lynn could feel her hold loses slightly.

'Strong like father,' she told herself and jumped back.

The hefty man followed and began his attacks. Lynn avoided as much as she could, but some hits landed on her left bicep and her right helmet. Even her blocks would only push her back and she knew that she would end up losing her balance.

She sidestepped another attack, but she couldn't for the next one. Barely blocking it, she felt the man push harder against her. Her knees would not hold for long.

"Child," the man said as he held her in the position with his strength, "this fight is pointless."

"To you it is," she gritted out as sweat beaded on her hairline, "for you are fighting for nothing."

The man narrowed his eyes and pulled back only to push harder. Lynn stumbled back and barely caught herself when he attacked again.

His swings were strong. His aim was more accurate. He seemed determined to fight her now.

'Then I will not hold back either,' she narrowed her eyes as she rushed forward.

[["They are strong Lynn," her father stated swinging his sword at her.

"Use whatever means necessary to win," her father continued as she sidestepped and dodged his attacks.

"What do you mean by that, father?" she questioned swinging her sword at him to have it easily blocked.

"Your strength is your speed against those in Terryland. They are strong and loyal, but are easily roused," her father continued to explain.]]

Jumping back, Lynn started to recognize the swings were slowing slightly and the sweat beading across the man's forehead. Seeing the chance and taking it, Lynn sheathed her sword and ran forward.

The man's eyes narrowed at her.

He swung his sword again and it connected with her armor. She could feel her armor chipped, as she continued to move forward, sliding against the sharp blade.

Quickly grabbing the sheath of her sword, she threw it up as hard as she could. The hilt of the sword banged underneath the covered chin and she rushed to bang against the lower stomach with the bottom of the sheath.

Grunting, the man pulled his sword back with his left hand and use his right to grab her by the throat.

"You do not know what loyalty means," she gritted out and felt her body get thrown.

Landing on her side, she rolled to a stand and saw the man ran toward her. Gripping the sheath that is currently housing her sword, she ran forward and saw what she was waiting for.

The man lifted his sword above his head with both hands. Slamming it down hard, Lynn ran to the left and reached up to hold onto his left shoulder. She swung herself around behind the man and slammed her foot against the already bent left knee.

The man fell forward but held himself up with a hand. However, Lynn swiftly slammed the sheath hard against the other knee.

The man let out a howl and leaned back grabbing his sword to swing a large swipe to his left. Lynn watched him stand up and stepped toward her, but fell down onto his right knee as it buckled.

The crowd was the quietest at this moment.

The sound of clapping resonating in the clearing and Lynn looked over at the noise to see Prince Garret standing as he clapped. She couldn't help but breathed out a smile as she started to hear other claps joined in.

Lynn glanced at her opponent and helped him up.

"I truly did not mean those words, warrior," Lynn said over the sound of claps, "you are loyal in every way a warrior should."

"And yet you say those words," the man frowned leaning against her.

"There was no other way I could win," she shrugged against him as she tried to hold the heavy man steady.

"To rile me up?" the man quirked a brow blinking at her.

"To distract you enough," she offered a smile as the knights and healers entered the area.

"Well played, child," the man nodded at her as the knights held him up, "you truly are your father's daughter."

"You know my father?" she questioned watching him be carried off.

"Of course," he glanced over his shoulder at her, "ask him to tell you the story of Big Kay."

'Big Kay?' she tilted her head wondering if it was ever mentioned to her before.

Unsure, she walked out of the pit and waited outside of the stadium for the royals to exit. The Kingdom of Terryland was beautiful. There were so many tall green trees and open spaces.

'A place to be free,' her mind supplied and she felt her lips curled up, 'maybe that is why they are so hefty.'

She could hear voices exiting and she stood straighter as she waited.

"I don't understand why you were clapping Prince Garret," the voice of the only princess in this kingdom sighed.

"It was a wonderous battle, do you not agree?" he questioned.

Lynn watched her prince exit with the princess's arms wrapped around his right.

'It can't be help,' she told herself as her heart clenched a bit.

"Ah! My knight!" he heard Garret called out and rushed over to her, dragging the princess along.

"My prince, Princess Annabel," Lynn bowed at the waist.

"That was a battle," Garret grinned before his lips held a frown, "were you wounded? Do you need a healer?"

"She is standing right here, Prince Garret, she seems quite alright," Princess Annabel waved off.

"I was not speaking to you," Lynn heard Garret said in a tone that caused both the princess and herself to stare at him wide eyed.

"I, I apologize," the princess untangled her arms from his and took a step back.

"I am not wounded deeply," Lynn spoke up to have Garret looking at her, "sore and bruises, mainly."

"I am glad," Garret breathed out a sigh and Lynn wanted to touch his face, to smooth away his worries.

"Oh, I thought my daughter was showing Prince Garret the land?" the princess's father spoke up.

"There is no need," Garret spoke up smiling, "another time perhaps? We should be heading to the next kingdom."

"We have time, my son," the king spoke up.

"I would prefer a full day visit instead of a short amount of time to enjoy the full beauty of your land," Garret said showing his smile.

Lynn turned away before they could see the laughter in her eyes. Prince Garret, ever the princeling.

"Said so beautifully," the queen of this kingdom smiled.

"Son," his father started, but was interrupted.

"Let us go to the carriage, my knight," he smiled over at her and walked quickly away. Lynn bowed to the royals and followed.

"My prince," Lynn spoke up once she caught up, "may I ask a question?"

"Certainly, Sir Lynn, always," he waved at the villagers as they passed.

"Why do you wish to leave this kingdom so quickly?" she questioned following as they neared the carriage.

"Do you not know my knight?" Garret turned to her and the corner of his lips softened, "I cannot wait to return to my love."

She felt her cheeks flushed and thanked her armor for blocking it.

"I am sure she will be waiting, my prince," she said as villagers bowed as they passed.

"I do not wish for her to wait anymore," Garret said quietly, "for we have waited long enough, wouldn't you say?"

"But wait you both must do," she said in the same tone, "the trials must be commenced."

Garret didn't say anything for a moment as they looked at one another. The sound of footsteps neared to see the royals and the knights near them. Her prince turned to her and let out a gentle laugh.

"Until she is ready then," he said and opened the flaps.

"Yes," she nodded and offered a smile in which he returned before entering the carriage.

Lynn bowed as the royals entered the carriage and went to her horse. Once they were out of the kingdom of Terryland and on the path to another kingdom, Lynn felt an emotion stir in the pit of her stomach and latched itself to her heart.

What was this feeling? Regret? Guilt perhaps? No, she had felt those feelings before. What was this then?

She reached up to touch the gem to feel it warmer than usual.

"Why?" She whispered to herself biting her bottom lip as she looked at the carriage before her.

Why?