Chapter 8: How Much Training Does a Girl Need

I can't remember exactly what happened last night. After Raina left to find Roman, I laid in bed for hours, at least until dinner time.

There almost everyone in the castle was in the dining room, a large room with tables and chairs laid out, with servants scattered about, serving food to the people in the hall.

But at the very end was a large table up on a platform, a few stone steps leading up there, around the table laid many chairs, of a different variety, one bright and cool to the touch, while another was dark and scalding hot. at the head were three chairs, two of which sat my mother and King Alador. The third was smaller but still beautiful, made of white gold, with white cushions embroidered with opals.

Soon, dinner arrived, serving everything from lamb meat to what they call Evening Flower of Tellarun. With several drinks from water to tea to mead. Either way, I certainly had a pleasurable meal.

Afterward, I went back up to my room, to find a majority of my old clothes in the wardrobe as well as some new ones, looking down at the note, it reads:

Dawn,

I decided to take it upon myself and bring back some of your clothes and get you some new clothes for training. I spoke with Roman and General Soliaccus, and you shall be starting training tomorrow. Rest well, and be prepared.

Your Mother,

Queen Kirana.

My eyes start to droop, as I fold the letter and grab some pajamas and slip into bed. Anxious for tomorrow, and praying that I don't mess up and get myself hurt. That's when the fun part starts:

I open my eyes to find myself in the middle of a red room, the floor and walls all red, but also all stone. I look around to find someone standing in the middle of the room, or more accurately laying curled up, face down as if waiting for a tornado to pass. I try to ask him something, but nothing comes out. I try to walk towards him, but I can't move. However, he must have sensed that someone was there, so he turns to look at me, orange eyes with slitted pupils. I hear him growl before he stands before me, fire growing from his hand, extending up to his arms and encasing his body, as I get thrown back by the force of it, closing my eyes as I manage to hear one thing. "I won't give it,".

I jolt out of bed, looking around the room that I was given. It was just a dream, but why did it feel so real. I shake my head as I turn to go to my closet.

Choosing a flowing green shirt, though plated with a bronze type metal, along with black pants and black knee-high boots, tying my hair back into a braid, and choosing gold eyeshadow and light pink lipstick. I look in the mirror, hoping my outfit is satisfactory when Raina knocks on the door, as I permit her to enter.

"Are you ready for training?" Raina asks, wearing a green shirt as well, with a leather chest plate, dirt brown pants, and dark brown ankle boots. I look down at my shaking hands, images from the dream still flashing before me.

"I'm more nervous than anything, what if I screw up? What if I'm not what you guys want me to be?" I start to shake even more at the thought of me badly bruised or bloodied to a pulp after today.

"You do not need to worry, we won't throw you into the deep end for the next two weeks, it'll just be me, Roman, and my father," she places a hand on my shoulder as my breathing starts to level out. I stand as we both head out towards the dining hall for breakfast.

The hall was less packed than the night before, Raina explained that it wasn't like fast food where you had to get it at a certain time, and some of the people who live here have the food delivered to their room.

Either way, the room was set up like a buffet, with different breakfast meat, and pastries laid out, from bacon and eggs to scones and eclairs, as well as some more bizarre foods, that surprisingly, were almost gone.

"That is part of the local cuisine, named Dawn of Suglacia, almost like a mix between a breakfast burrito and, oh what is it called... Turkish Delights right!" Raina explains as we gather breakfast foods.

"So, it's very sugary, with multiple ingredients?" I ask as she grabs one for herself.

"Correct, it's also very cold, given that it's from Ursuniae, the land of snow," she replies as I start to pass by the topic of conversation.

"It's best if you take one, it will give you strength and energy today," I nod and set the burrito on my plate before walking over to the main table with Mother and Alador.

It felt weird, like that first day of school when I fought Liam. Everyone was stealing glances at me and Raina as we reach the main table, Roman and Loren following soon after.

"After you're finished Dawn, we'll head down to one of the smaller practice rooms to start training," Loren told me as I start to eat some of my food, finishing some scones and deciding to take a bite of the Dawn of Suglacia, and it was tremendous.

It starts cold but warms up the longer it's in your mouth, spreading waves of both ice-cold shivers and waves of warmth through my body. As Raina said, it's sugary but it blends well with other more savory ingredients.

We continue eating as others in the castle from servants to warriors to other kids like me start to file in and out, the table quiet as we were focusing on our meals or other matters. And I certainly have one to think about.

Yes, I still can't stop thinking about that dream, it felt so bizarre, standing in a room made entirely of red stone, with only one man inside. Dark skin, black hair with mahogany tips, wearing either black or dark red clothing, most noticeable however went to his eyes, bright orange, pupils slit, almost reptilian. Who gets encased in fire ten seconds after meeting him. And what he said... what was he not wanting to give? A personal item? Or a talisman? Or something more dangerous?

My thoughts get interrupted as my plate finds itself empty and picked up by a young servant around my age. As we all stand and General Loren leads his two children and me out of the hall and into a separate hallway.

Compared to everywhere else I have been in the castle, which in of itself is still relatively small. This hall truly impressed me, the actual hallway is similar to most others in the castle, but all the different doors are what intrigue me. Each carved with a different symbol, two swords clashing, a shield, a flowing cape, some stars, and two potions pouring into a heart. Behind the doors held different sounds, one with grunts and the clashing of metal, another with pops and fizzles, and one with complete and total silence.

But, the one Loren lead us to was tucked away into the corner. But that doesn't mean the room was small. the room was about the size of an average classroom, but with things like straw dummies with stick swords on poles set off to the side. Among other things. We find our way to the center as Loren turns to face us, or more accurately me.

"So, to start simple Dawn, we'll start with hand to hand combat," he says as Roman and Raina stand off to the side.

"Let's see what you know, how about you try and attack me, and we'll see if you survive," he takes a fighting stance as I try to mimic it. I've seen enough action movies and shows, but good lord I suck @ss.

I try circling him, but I notice that he has his eyes on me, so he could easily block my attack, running head-on is a definite no go, I can't sneak around, and he far outmatches me in strength and experience. So I try circling again, but he takes it further and charges at me. In a split second, I was on the floor, being pinned by Loren until he stands up and helps me up.

"I will say she's trying to be more tactful than most others," Raina comments as they walk towards us.

"True, but it felt like she was hesitating to make a move," Roman replies before turning to me.

"It great that you know some things and are trying to think your attacks through, but sometimes you don't have minutes to make a move like when you're playing a game of chess, sometimes you have to have a faster reaction time," I nod, a tint rising in my cheeks as Loren suggests we go again, but learn more fighting tactics.

"First, I want to know what was going on inside your head while you were standing there," Loren suggests, as we take up fighting stances again.

"Alright, for starters, I have seen enough things to know that facing your opponent head-on isn't always the best choice, especially when you are unevenly matched, whether it's size, strength, speed, or anything else," I start, as I start to get looks from both Raina and Roman, both in shock, but I could see the smallest smirk on Raina's face.

"Second, when I tried to circle you, noting that you had your eyes on me the whole time, so it would be difficult for me to do a surprise attack," at that point, even Loren stops as I continue to explain myself, Raina's smile growing even more.

"I will say that you do know some things, but most of what you talked about were mainly stealth tactics, for now, let focus on hand combat," Roman exclaims as Raina comes up to my side as Loren is replaced by Roman.

"First, let's start with a simple attack, punching is pretty simple enough, but it can be effective if you know where to place it," he continues and starts to move to take his shirt off.

"Is this necessary?" Raina asks Roman finishes undressing as he looks up towards the roof. Following his gaze, I could see a few other soldiers up there watching the festivities. Roman smirks and turns to us.

"Of course it is, how's else am I gonna teach her?" he asks, winking at me and waving to the soldier up above.

"By not putting on a show for others? That helps," Raina replies, as Roman turns to me.

"So, unless you have enough power, you won't be able to gain the upper hand if you attack with your fist, by punching my chest or arms, you can stun someone if you attack the stomach, make them fall over by hitting anywhere below the knees," Roman states, pointing out different parts, to the admiration of those watching.

"Might as well start fighting," Roman lit up until Raina speaks up again.

"But I might as well do it, so Dawn is somewhat evenly matched," she glances and winks at me as we approach the center of the room.

"And Roman, put your shirt on, no need to entertain a crowd that shouldn't be here," she yells up to the roof as those up there quickly disperse as Roman sighs dramatically.

"You never let me have any fun," Roman pulls his shirt back on, and readjust the armor he's wearing.

Soon Raina and I start to get into a fighting stance, with both Raina and Roman critique-helping to correct my starting stance. Soon, General Loren standing by the side of the room blows a new whistle that he has, and Raina leaps at me.

In a split second, I dash off to the side before she springs up again and comes at me. For this, I manage to duck as she passes over me, both of us standing up as she comes at me again.

But I hear something in the back of my mind saying something, wait, and use her moves to your advantage. I listen to the voice and duck again as she leaps over me, then grabs her by the legs and dangle her over my shoulders. Acting like a cat, she starts to scratch at my legs to make me let up. But instead, I turn her over and pin her to the ground.

"Pretty good," she smirks as heat rises in my cheeks, but my knees hold down her legs as she tries to get me with one last blow.

"Looks like someone knows all my tricks," her smirk widens as I blush more furiously. She finally yields as I let up, she smooths out her attire as I do the same. I turn to see Roman smirking at me and Raina.

"What are you looking at?" I ask him as Raina starts to talk to her father.

"Oh, just the innocence of a sweet romance," he replies smirking, heat rises in my cheeks again, as I look at Raina. Damn it, why is she so pretty?

"Please, what do you know?" I ask him, he laughs but I could see sadness swimming in his eyes as he looks at me.

"Oh my dear, I have broken many hearts, and many more to come, So I know when people are head-over-heels about someone," he smiles as I look at Raina starts to turn towards me. Did I just see her through rose-colored glasses before?

"And it's pretty obvious if you don't know how to hide it," Raina and her father come over as he finishes, leaving me a blushing mess.

"We might as well end the lesson today, I think all of you have had enough fun for today," Loren smirks making all of us blush, I could have sworn I'd explode if this continues.

But it doesn't as we walk through the doors and out into the courtyard, a calm atmosphere with the fresh breeze cooling my face as the people of Viritore go about their day. I walk with Roman as he talks with some of his friends and I jump into the conversation a few times, but for the most part, I just watch the townsfolk chat, shop, and walk through the courtyard, and most definitely not a certain warrior friend of mine.

But soon the sun begins to set as we head in for dinner. Thoughts circling in my head about everything that has started today, training in combat, the weird dreams, my growing relationship with my friends and family, especially with my relationship with Raina. But everything was fine until I went to bed, that's when things start to change.

________________________________________________________________________________

A/N:

Hello again, yes I'm still doing the LGBT relationship thing, if you think it's bad, then tell me. But if you're just homophobic, then you are free to scream at the brick wall between us. Anyway, what do you guys think so far, is it good? Is it meh? Or is it a flaming piece of hell that never should have been unearthed? Please tell me! *mutters* geez now I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. Nonetheless, I hope yous liketh this chapter. Vote, comment about your opinion of the book, and any problems you think need correcting. I am always open to feedback. And of course follow if you haven't, and I will see you next week.

Your Obedient Writer,

Alex.