Chapter 6

Lycargos and his companion left the tavern as I entered and I felt myself calm down. As I was about to take a seat I started searching for my small bag of coins. I couldn't find it. Then I remembered that I had given it to Masiol. I rushed outside the tavern to get it back because I knew that Masiol would probably take ages to choose a gift for Nayella.

As I stepped out on the road I saw Lycargos and his friend getting on their horses. Then my eyes went down on the emblem on the horse's caparison. It had a sky blue background and 21 white swords in a circle. It was the banner of Astmath. Him having that on his horse and his strong built and sword made it obvious that he was a high ranking noble. I despised Astmath from my very core. To me their nobles were nothing but opportunistic barbarians residing in a winter wasteland in the mountains who killed so many Nydalidian soldiers. I never blamed the Astmathian common folk but I hated their nobles for attempting to conquer parts of Nydalidia and constantly provoking us. The attraction I had towards him a minute ago evaporated into thin air. How could I be so immature? They headed north and I started crossing the road when I felt like someone was following me. I turned around and looked at the corner of the tavern where I suspected someone to show up.

When they did not I started walking towards that direction. The tavern was surrounded by the trees of the forest and I started walking in the forest. I could see the tavern was close by and I decided I wouldn't venture too deep into the forest. I started searching in case someone had followed us from the castle. I suspected it could be father's spy. If so, we were as good as dead. That's when I heard Masiol calling my name and saw him jogging towards me from the tavern.

"What are you doing here? I asked you to specifically stay in the tavern."

I explained everything about how I thought someone might be following us and we decided that it was time we headed back. We starting riding back to Erarenia. He showed me a pretty exotic ring that he got for Nayella. It had a gold ring with a turquoise stone of an odd but beautiful shape in the middle.

We came back and fortunately nobody suspected a thing. So I headed back to my room and decided to dress up for the feast. The feast for others was a political affair where most of the court drama was at its peak but for me it meant food. Sure I was a princess but I was also a girl. And a girl has needs. Needless to say I mingled with Masiol, Evanthia ,Shayla, Mounara and some of Evanthia's ladies in waiting. I turned around to see Vass approaching us.

"Shayla, could I talk to you?"

I knew where this was going and I was already prepared. I had told Shayla that a time would come where he would approach you directly and unabashedly in front of others. She was supposed to play along and if things seemed to get too steamy she was to hold her cards. This was necessary as this would be the one 'conquest' he did not achieve and hence always keep him on his toes. I gestured Shayla to go and she was as red as a tomato.

"I know that look Verina. What are you up to now?" Aunt Val startled me. When did she join us?

I shook my head

"I don't know what you're talking about Aunt Val". She eyed me suspiciously but I ignored it. The feast continued and Vass was missing for the entire event. So was Shayla. I tried to ignore it but the fact that I placed my faith on someone as naive as her made me anxious.

I returned that night and was too tired to look for either of them and so I slept. The next morning I went to the combat grounds. It might be a holiday for rest of the kingdom but I had to train as usual. So did Vass and the others. As I practiced sword fighting with Masiol in the ring I saw Vass come in the grounds.

There was grin on his face. A wide one. He jogged towards the ring when he saw me. I called for a break and went out of the ring.

"Someone looks pretty hap-". Before I could finish the sentence he wrapped me in a hug." Thank you. For helping me with Shayla." He ended the weird hug and stepped back to say "she just makes me so happy and a better person. I promise. From now on I will never get drunk and I shall take up all my responsibilities. I just want to be the best for her."

"Wait. Did you two-?" He shook his head and I was somehow relieved. "She doesn't want to dishonor her family name. And I understand that. And I'll do everything to keep her happy." I was happy to see him happy but some part of me knew this was never going to happen.

I don't know why but I felt pangs of guilt. Yes I was being a horrible person playing with their hearts like that but this was the only way that I could think of. We continued with our practices and Vass was showing great skills. Everyone was surprised, especially Errago.

Carrissi came and informed us that the king had summoned us for the arrival of the prince of Glikaraach. So I went back to my room, got changed and headed to the courtroom. Vass and Evanthia were already there and so were the nobles. The Glikaraachi procession was colourful with the black and green of their banner. Finally came the crown prince Achlain. He was in his thirties and had a wife and two sons. Father welcomed them and Declared a feast in their honour.

The feast began and everyone started talking and laughing. I went to Evanthia who looked concerned.

"What happened? What's the matter?" I asked

"I can't find Yohal. Will you help me look for him?"

"No thanks. I'm good. I'm heading to my room. My head hurts."

With that I turned to see Shayla and Vass laugh about something that Vass said. Oh kill me already! I went to excuse myself from our guests and the king. That's when I saw father's eyes fixated on Vass and Shayla too. I went up to them and courteously excused myself from the event. I went to my room, laid down on my bed and fell deep asleep.

A loud bang on the door woke me up and I opened the door to find a weeping Evanthia.

"What happened Ev? Are you ok?"

"No . You were right Rina. He....he..." she started stuttering as she wept. I rushed to get her water. She drank and I held her in a tight hug.

"It's ok Ev. It's ok. I'm right here. Tell me everything. Don't worry. I'm here."

"I caught him red handed. He was kissing Nayella in his room. And not on the lips. She had his arms around him -" My jaw dropped to the floor.

"They did what?" I was yelling at this point.

"Carrissi, Shayla, Mounara. Come here ,now!" I stood up and draped a coat on myself . The three ladies came in and I instructed them to look after Ev as I headed out even after her protests.

"No. This ends today!" Later on in life I was going to regret this decision. I should have never gone out that day. I should have stayed. For if I would have, then probably the story would have been different for Evanthia.

I stepped out of my chambers and I could literally feel the heat in my body. This was anger. Pure Rage! I could see nothing but red. Nobody gets to hurt her. I started looking for him all over the place. I finally found him with my father and Lord Glissen discussing something. I admit I lost control then. I approached him with quick steps and by the time he noticed or registered what was happening I had already punched his face. It hurt my knuckles but I didn't care. Father stopped me and Lord Glissen looked after his son. I was still fighting to get a chance for another punch.

"Verina. Stop. Please. " Fathers words were like a flash of cold water on my face. I stopped struggling.

"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Father asked furiously.

"I will. In your study. Right now and just me."

"Very well then"

We went to his study and I told him everything that happened. How the Glissens were trying to crawl their way into royalty. We both understood court politics and this was nothing new. But nobody could get to hurt our family and live to tell the tale.

"As your king I am disappointed in your behavior but as a father I say well done. I probably should have lost my hold on you so that you could have the other punch." This amused both of us.

"You know I'll have to punish you right? I'm the king and I can't help it because you punched the son of a high ranking noble. So, no lectures or combat training for a week Verina."

"I understand". I did honestly. Infact I expected worse.

"What about Evanthia? How do we help her?" asked father.

"Leave it to me I'll talk to her."

I went to her room where her guards said she hadn't returned and when I went to my room to check up on her she had already left. Carrissi said that she said something about Angrillia and left. I knew where she was. She had headed out for a horse ride. She loved riding horses. And then it hit me. Masiol!

I rushed to his quarters immediately. I had almost forgotten that the woman Yohal was with was Nayella. As I approached his room I gently knocked but he did not respond. So I entered and found him lying on his bed all curled up. I went and sat beside him.

"Hey. I heard about Nayel-"

"Shh. Don't say her name. Don't say anything. Just sit here for a few minutes please. Will you?"

"Ofcourse. Anything." I saw a tear roll down his face and on his pillow. I felt like someone punched my gut. I loved both of them and to see them hurt made me want to kill Yohal and Nayella. I stroked strands of his hair and he slowly fell asleep. I left his room and walked out in the garden. I had had enough. So I went to my room and changed into my combat clothes , went to the stables, took a horse and headed out. Alone. For the first time. To the one place that helped me relax.

I entered the bazaar and went straight to the tavern. It was almost the end of noon. The sun was almost about to set. Therefore the number of people in the tavern started to grow. I went and sat in a corner seat with a drink and looked around. The same guy, Lycargus was sitting in the middle of the tavern with large group of friends. Almost 8 men shouting and laughing like hooligans. All of them seemed to be rich. I was already angry at the events of the day. I did not need this. I tried ignoring their loud voices but couldn't.

That is when the drums started beating outside. This meant only one thing. It was the drums that signaled the start of the illegal underground combats. Lycargos and his friends started to leave in order to join the combat. They thought they were better than these people and could easily win. And so, I started thinking, I was already angry. What better way to use my temper? I could go for the combat. I could also kick some noble Astmathian asses. Maybe that would make me feel better.

Without any further delay I went out. The announcer started announcing the new match for Aligoren and I recognised he was one of the noble Astmathians. So when the announcer asked someone from the audience to challenge him I raised my hand and yelled

"I will."