Chapter 2

I felt like someone was chasing me. So I ran. I ran and I ran till I was deep into the forest. I had never been to this part of Mistos before. The trees were thick and tall and the green wild grass had a sweet odor of fresh rain. I kept running till I was tired and I stopped. Panting I looked up at the sky which had thick clouds that roared with lightning. The sun probably was about to set as faint light peered through the clouds. Suddenly I heard something move behind me. I turned to find no one but the footsteps kept approaching me. So, I started running again and this time I stopped at the edge of a cliff. I was turning to look back when I slipped and started to fall.

I jolted myself upright on my bed. Nightmares. Again. The same one. I always had these nightmares where I was running away from something or someone. Always the same nightmare. I looked across the room. I had a fairly lavish room with elegant bright white walls and a massive fireplace. The windows were big which allowed ample amount of sunlight during the day. The room had an extended balcony with the view of the entire city of Erarenia.

I stepped out of my bed, draping a robe over me as I walked to the balcony to get some fresh air. I was definitely not getting sleep for the rest of the night. As I opened the doors of the balcony a flash of cold wind hit me. Even though it was summer and the days were comparatively warmer, the nights were however a bit chilly. As I looked at the city I couldn't help but notice how beautiful it looked at night. The full moon was casting a silver shade on the houses. It was beautiful, serene and quite.

I turned and moved to the warmth of the fire in my room. Staring at my bookshelves, I decided that the best way to help me sleep would be a good read. I took out a book at random and started reading. It was something about the lost kingdoms of the Sourian desert. I read for about an hour but still couldn't sleep. So I decided to head outside for a small walk.

I stepped outside and went straight to Evanthia's room. Evanthia was my sister. Although I was 3 years younger I felt like the elder sister all the time. She had changed considerably since mother died. We all did. She used to be carefree and funny when we were younger but now all she did was train to be a proper lady of the court, and she seemed flawless at it. I know why, she did it to make mother and father proud. I on the other hand struggled with that every day. I wasn't exactly the perfect lady of the court but I was trying to improve.

I was greeted by the guards at the door who told me that Evanthia was asleep and she had requested that nobody should disturb her unless it were urgent. So I walked back up the hallway again.

This time I was headed towards my brother's room. Vasilios was my twin, and we were the exact opposites of each other. We had the same dark hair, but he had light green eyes that mom had and I had my father's dark brown eyes. He was taller and more strong built than I was, but I was fast and flexible. After mom died he found comfort in the company of his friends. They were sons of nobles who lived at court and were completely spoiled rich brats. They eyed him as nothing but an opportunity, but he was too blind to see that. They always supported him to do the reckless things, and he was definitely an idiot to fall for it all the time. I knew I had to do something to get him out of their greedy clasps but I didn't know how. As I approached his quarters I found his personal guards absent and the other guards told me that he never returned at night.

With a sigh, I headed back to my room. The sun was almost going to come up anytime now, so I decided that I should get ready for the day and head to the training grounds. I put on my combat clothes and shoes and headed out. The grounds were pretty much empty except the ground keepers who had just finished cleaning. I entered the ring and as I started to stretch I heard footsteps approaching. I turned back to see Errago. Errago was our trainer and instructor. He had fought many battles and had so much experience with weapons and combat that it rivaled our own general, my uncle Vasilikios. Due to his old age he retired and started training us on father's request.

"Good morning Errago!", I said with a bright smile. Errago said nothing and pointed at the stretch benches. Errago was a great warrior, but he was also a man of few words. He seemed rude and mean to most but I honestly didn't mind. I worked better in silence anyway.

As I stretched I saw others coming in too. We were a group of 7 students. These included me, my brother his friends and Masiol. Masiol was one of my closest friends, maybe my only friend! And though Evanthia teased me about him, I could only look at him as my friend. Masiol was funny, smart and a great archer. He wasn't as well-built as my brother, but he was fast . He had blonde hair with blue eyes that the girls really loved. His father wasn't a high ranking noble, but he was hard-working. Masiol would go out in the city and tell me fascinating stories about the local myths and legends.

He waved at me and approached with possibly the greatest grin ever.

"Someone looks incredibly happy. What's the matter? What did you do?" I tried to keep a serious face but it was tough.

"Nothing really.""

I arched an eyebrow.

"Ok fine. Something did happen yesterday. You remember I told you about Nayella? The daughter of Lord Kir? We talked yesterday. She told me that she thought I was funny and I could literally feel my heart leap in my chest." he said.

"Ok, so now I know two things about her- she is the daughter of Lord Kir and that her sense of humor is dead. Or wait...did you say you loved her and she thought that was funny?".

I was kidding. I knew he was funny. Probably the funniest guy around court. He looked at me with the look that said 'not funny Ver' which made me laugh harder. He looked at me and probably noticed my puffy eyes.

"Didn't get much sleep last night, did you?" I shook my head and said" No. It was the nightmares again." He looked concerned and said "You should talk to someone you know. Someone who could understand your visions. Maybe they mean something."

"I'm saying this for the last time, I'm not going to your mystic, psychic and magical friend Syrilla. I don't believe in magic or visions or anything like that so stop trying to convince me Masi" I said firmly as I completed my stretches. That is when I saw my brother come in. He looked drunk, like really drunk. He was surrounded by his group who started asking Errago to excuse "the prince" for a day as he did not feel well.

Errago said no and that he had to learn about discipline in the hard way." Verina, Masiol and Cassnore, you are up against Vasilios. If I see any form of mercy I will not hesitate to step in and tackle him myself and the ones showing him mercy can best avoid these grounds for the next month." Errago sounded firm and kind of disappointed in Vasilios.

This felt harsh on my brother but Errago was right. He had to learn discipline. He might be a prince right now but someday he would be the king. And discipline was important for him. I entered the ring, only to see Vasilios frustrated about all of this. This was a weaponless combat which meant that it was bound to leave bruises. I signaled Masiol to go in first. I really did not want to hurt him. Masiol did so but Vasilios was strong and could fight him in normal circumstances. However, Vasilios lost and dropped on the floor. I looked at Errago, hoping he would ask us to end the combat but he only signalled us to go forward .Cassnore was as well-built as Vasilios which meant that his punches would probably hurt him more than my punches would. So I stepped in next with sigh. Hoping either Vass would give up or that Errago would ask us to stop.

"Where were you last night? You look like you just came out of a sewer of alcohol. Get yourself together. Father won't tolerate this Vass". I don't know what happened but that statement triggered him , and he lunged at me. I blocked him and countered him. The combat continued for a few more minutes till he lay on the ground unconscious. His friends stepped in and threatened Errago that the king would hear about this. Errago looked unfazed and asked them to escort Vass to his room. With that the training was over and before I knew it I was back in my room and exhausted.

Carrissi came in and said "Princess , it's time for your language and history lessons. You are being summoned by Lady Derilia in the library."

"I'll be there in a moment. I just need to tidy up". With that she left the room and I started getting ready. This was the bargain. When I was 7 I wanted to learn how to combat and train with Vasilios instead of all the lady lessons on court manners and etiquette. I wasn't allowed to, so I rebelled and did not eat for 3 days. On the third day ,when I fainted, father finally let me go for combat training on one condition- I had to do both. And that I would never give any excuses for either. I knew mother talked him into it and though I hated it, I did it anyway. I also went to discuss the state affairs with father and the nobles everyday just like Vasilios.

Evanthia however was pretty pleased with being a lady but she too had fun when we were little. All this changed when our mother died. She loved horses and would often go out on long horse rides. She said it helped her clear her mind. But all of that stopped.

I opened my door to find Evanthia walking towards me. She was a rare beauty. She had mother's light green eyes and blond hair with beautiful facial features. She looked so much like mother. She was as kind as her but not as sharp. "How long does it take for you to get ready Rina? Come on, hurry up, Lady Glissen is here, and she is looking for you."

"WHAT?"

Not again!