Chapter 5 - Fear of the unknown

Nerve wrecking tension filled the room as everyone kept their eyes on Sharaina. Each of them wondered what she could have possibly done to get the king's attention. Sharaina kept her gaze down. She couldn't muster the courage to look at any of them.

Akirexer muffled something underneath her breath that no one understood. She walked back and forth in panic. She glanced over at Sharaina, bit her finger and then pulled her hair.

Sharumez placed his comforting hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. Akirexer went to Sharaina and forced her to look into her eyes. Sharaina painfully shook her head at the tears forming in Akirexer's eyes.

"Sharaina, I need you to tell me the truth now." Akirexer placed her hand on Sharaina's cheek. "Did you do something wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with so much emotion.

"No, I didn't do anything wrong mama." Sharaina held Akirexer's hand on her cheek.

Akirexer shook her head doubtfully, "Try to remember. You spent three days and three nights away from home. Where did you go and did you do something bad there?" Akirexer's tears fell.

Sharaina's heart dropped at the sight of her mother's tears. She wiped them off her face without even thinking. When she was done, she held her mother's hand with both her hands and painfully looked into her teary eyes.

"Mama, please don't cry. Your tears hurt me deeply." Sharaina kissed Akirexer's hand.

"Sharaina, I am your mother and I will always love you no matter what you do. Please just tell me the truth." Akirexer shakily begged.

"I am telling you the truth mama, I swear. I spent the three days in Mayla's village with her and Liss. There was a wedding at Mayla's home. I returned after the wedding and went straight to Bayin's bar with Liss." Sharaina explained. She felt a little relief when her explanation calmed Akirexer down. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this but everything happens so fast when I'm dru -" Sharaina choked on the word drunk when she caught Sharumez glaring at her.

Akirexer relaxed her face and shoulders. Her eyes had a hopeful glow but still no peace. She placed her hand on her heart, and took a step closer to Sharaina. "Is that all that happened?" she asked, still doubtful. "Are you telling me everything Sharaina?" she rephrased her question in order to further emphasize her concern.

Sharaina vigorously nodded her head with a lump in her throat. "Yes, that's what happened."

Sharumez sat back down, looking sternly at Sharaina, "Your allowance is suspended for two months. Don't you ever leave home without our consent again. Do you understand?" he said.

"Yes papa," Sharaina accepted her punishment.

Naian got off his seat, "But then, why would King Raglan want to see papa because of you, Sharaina?"

"I honestly don't know." Sharaina replied as she slowly shook her head confused.

"It should be because of that kremis you took down yesterday." Sharumez voiced his suspicions and all heads turned to him.

"What other explanation can be given? Everyone was talking about it today. I'm not even the slightest bit surprised that the news has reached King Raglan. He probably wants her to enroll at the academy."

Akirexer covered her mouth and gasped, "But she isn't of age." she argued. This time, the fear in her voice was eminent.

"With what Sharaina was able to do yesterday, nothing will change King Raglan's mind." Sharumez insisted on his suspicions to Akirexer's dismay.

"No, not my child." her lips twitched, her tears started to form again.

Akirexer grew weak in her knees. Naian walked her to the nearest couch and helped her sit down. Naian proceeded to sit on the arm rest and gently held Akirexer's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.

"She is only 80-years-old. She is too young to join the army." Akirexer covered her mouth and sobbed.

Sharaina sat at her feet and held Akirexer's hands, "Mama, why are you crying again? We don't even know for sure why King Raglan wants to see papa."

"Yes mama, calm down. You know that your tears upset us." Naian added and Sharaina nodded her head in agreement.

"Why didn't the warriors come quickly and take down the kremis themselves? Now because of their incompetence, my child will have to leave home for who knows how long." Akirexer bitterly complained. There was a hint of anger in her tone of voice.

"Please don't say such things, mama. You are breaking my heart. Was I wrong to step in and fight the kremis? Tell me, what was I to do?" Sharaina sniffed at her stinging tears.

"You were not wrong, child." Sharumez voiced out. "If it wasn't for you, your mother wouldn't have been with us today.

Never should you feel bad for what you did." he gently encouraged Sharaina. Sharumez turned to Akirexer and shook his head in disapproval, "Pull yourself together, woman. We don't know what King Raglan wants and until we find out, it is best we remain calm." he sternly said to her.

Akirexer got up and wiped her tears, "You are right." she sniffed. "I'm sorry for overreacting." her shame was palpable. Without another word, she went back into the kitchen.

****

The next morning, Sharumez loaded his horse with everything he would need on his three-day trip to Cherilisia. Akirexer took care to make sure that nothing was forgotten for the journey. She was handing him a bag of food when Jenu arrived on his loaded horse.

Sharumez looked at Naian, "As you know, you are the man of the house while I'm gone. I trust that you will take care of your mother and sisters." Sharumez said and ended with a grin.

"Yes I will." Naian grinned back.

Sharumez averted his eyes to Sharaina who was yawning on the porch. "Be sure to stay out of trouble, Sharaina." he pointed at her.

With a laugh, Sharaina replied. "Would I let you down papa?"

"That's what I am afraid of." Sharumez sighed. Sharumez turned back to Akirexer. "I will write to you when I get to Mobay." he pecked her on the lips and got on his horse.

Sharumez was about to ride away when he caught sight of Alainara frowning. She held onto Akirexer's hand and kept her dull eyes on Sharumez.

"Alainara, don't be sad. I will return soon." he assured her but his words didn't lift her spirit. "What would you like for me to bring for you from the city?" he offered and Alainara's face brightened.

"I want a new doll, papa." she gladly answered with a girlish twinkle in her eyes.

"I will be sure to bring you one, my dear." Sharumez promised.

He waved goodbye to his family and rode away with Jenu. When they were out of sight, Sharaina stretched herself and went to her room. She picked up a book on her headboard and threw herself on her bed.

Sharaina only read a few pages when she heard a pebble hit her window seal. She slowly went to her window and peeped down below. She smiled at Liss and Mayla.

Liss was a silver haired warrior darkas god. Her silver hair flowed halfway through her back. It complimented her pale skin exceptionally well. Her face was lovely with soft features. The short red dress she wore exposed her special dragon mark of warriors on her leg.

Mayla, on the other hand, had short brown hair. She was thicker than Sharaina and Liss. Her caramel skin complimented brown lips. She had a gap in between her teeth that beautified her smile even more. Her dragon mark was coiled around her ankle.

Liss frantically waved her hands up and down to Sharaina as a way of telling her to open her window. Mayla on the other hand just pulled out a cigarette from her black skirt and lit it. Sharaina turned to close her bedroom door and ran back to her window.

"What are you two doing here?" Sharaina excitedly asked them.

"There's going to be a huge party in Vanimaq. Nelex and Geren said that we should go there." Liss whispered loudly.

Sharaina smiled mischievously. "Hold on, let me change." she said and closed her window.

****

Light nervously walked to Sharaina's gate. The memory of how Akirexer humiliated him and Sharaina kept flashing before his eyes. Akirexer's angry words rang in his ears but his feet kept moving.

He had spent all night debating on whether to go to Sharaina's house or not. When morning came, he mustered the courage to do so. He was smitten by Sharaina so he couldn't resist the desire to see her again.

Akirexer was hanging clothes on the wire when she saw Light anxiously standing outside the gate. She smiled warmly at Light, it puzzled him so. She gestured for him to go in, and Light slowly opened the gate.

She seems to be in a good mood. "Good morning, ma." he greeted.

"Good morning, dear. How are you doing?" Akirexer greeted him back ever so kindly that it bedazzled Light.

Is this the woman that almost killed me yesterday? This could be a trap. He feared.

Light swallowed hard. His heart raced, "Is Sharaina home?" he asked and nervously cleared his throat.

Light braced himself for another humiliating scolding from Akirexer. When he saw Akirexer put her hands on her waist, he backed away. His instincts screamed at him to run but his heart forbade him. When Akirexer's lips curled into another smile, he gaped astonished.

"Of course, she is home." Akirexer politely answered Light and he raised his eyebrows.

Akirexer looked over her shoulder to Alainara who was eating fruit on the lawn, "Go and call Sharaina. Tell her Light is here to see her."

She even remembers my name? Light was loss for words.

Alainara stood up to do what was asked of her when Sharaina walked out of the house in a knee short flared purple dress. With her brown flat boot, she kicked Alainara's ball out of her way.

Light gaped completely blindsided by her beauty. It was like he was trapped in a trance that he couldn't get out of. He watched her approach him in all her glory. Light almost swore that he saw a bright light around her with wind blowing her golden hair.

Sharaina tilted her head surprised to see him there. She mischievously grinned at him. Sharaina ran to Light and smiled at him with so much excitement. Light blushed back and dropped his gaze.

Akirexer lowered her chin surprised by Sharaina's clothes. She wondered where Sharaina planned on going so early in the morning. When the thought of her going to another drinking spree crossed her mind, Akirexer crossed her arms and suspiciously eyed Sharaina.

"Light, it is so good that you are here. I was just about to come to your house." Sharaina blurted out.

"You were?" Light asked back, perplexed.

"Remember you asked me to show you around the village today." Sharaina thumped his shoulder, chuckling. "Mama, I'll see you later." Sharaina said and pulled Light away before Akirexer could say anything. Akirexer remained with her jaw down.

Sharaina took Light three houses away from their homes. Liss and Mayla were waiting for Sharaina by their carriage. They smiled delighted that Sharaina made it. When they saw Light, they exchanged baffled looks and giggled. Liss strutted to them and asked;

"Sharaina, who is this? You didn't tell us that you have a new boyfriend." Liss waved her eyebrows up and down and Mayla laughed.

"He isn't my boyfriend. He is my new neighbor, Light." Sharaina clarified, clearly irritated by Liss's antics.

Liss drew closer to Light, and ran her finger down his chest, "So, does it mean that he is up for grabs?" Liss winked at Light. Light looked on dumbfounded.

"Stop it, Liss. Remember you already have Nelex." Sharaina remarked and Liss laughed softly.

"It's funny how I forget that when I am around handsome men." Liss blew Light a kiss and hopped into the carriage.

"Is he coming with us?" Mayla asked lazily.

Sharaina pulled Light aside. "Light, I used you to get away from my mother in one piece. We are going to a party in Vanimaq. You are welcome to come with us." she quickly explained to him.

"It will be fun!" Mayla yelled from behind.

"Well, will you come with us?" Sharaina asked Light with hopeful eyes.

Light wanted to say no so bad but the look on Sharaina's face made it impossible. "Okay, I will join you." he hesitantly accepted and Sharaina beamed with excitement.

"He is coming too." Sharaina told Mayla.

"Okay, get in you two." Liss impatiently said to Light and Sharaina. "Mayla it is your turn to lead the horses." she reminded her.

"Fine, whatever. Let's just get out of here before some nosy neighbor sees us." Mayla lazily replied.