Chapter Four

A day later, after we were settled into our new roles as The Princesses guards. We were in the village with the common folk. You could hear music and people talking all around us like we weren't there. We watched as the kids were playing near us and one of them threw the ball to me. I caught the ball and then threw it back. They smiled and then ran off playing more over by the center fountain.

We had tons of fun in the sun, but Annaya had an umbrella and this confused me. She usually loved being in the sun. Then I noticed her light skin and it was beginning to get a little red. She looked at me and I offered to sit in the shade for a bit.

We sat for a bit while everyone passed us by, I had a couple of drinks in my bag, and I handed one to Annaya. She took a sip and she enjoyed it, almost drinking it in one gulp. I laughed and poured her another glass. Her skin turned back to normal and then it hit me what she was hiding from me. I had suspicions but this confirmed it for me. Annaya was a vampire of some kind, her red skin changing back after being out of the sun made sense. This didn't change my mind about her, but she didn't need to hide it from me especially.

Later, after she rested, we went back to the castle and she went to rest more in her room. I walked around the castle halls thinking that she might be a vampire. Her eye's matched one who'd be one and the skin in sunlight also matched the symptoms. "How should I ask her, I don't want to scare her away from me." I was in deep thought when I ran into The King and I fell to the ground. "Sorry about that, sir, I was in deep thought," I said, apologizing to him as he smiled and picked me up. "You want to know what Annaya's hiding don't you?" He said to me as he sat me in a nearby chair in the hallway, then he started telling me Annaya's story.

"A long time ago when I was a young man, I found this place just like you. I left my home of the west to find my own place in this world. Actually, my home was the Western Kingdom of the Sea. I was their second oldest and first son of the Queen and King. You've met my sister Tera at the banquet those weeks ago. I worked as the Groundskeeper for my Sweet Ayanna's mother who at the time, she was the Queen of this land. I worked for them for years and I got really close to Ayanna, but her mother didn't want me to marry her because of a curse. Every member of her family was a vampire and they hid it from many people outside the Kingdom. After finding this out I almost left the Kingdom but my love for Ayanna was too great. I told her mother I wanted to marry Ayanna no matter the curse. Her mother tried to scare me away with her vampire side, but I never budged. " The king paused, then I asked a question. "What do they eat to stay healthy, don't they need blood to stay alive?"

He looked at me and smiled, "Yes, they use the blood of animals after fresh kills from the livestock. You don't need to worry about anything. Well about Annaya she's inherited her mother's side and so has Ella. Ella won't show symptoms till next year, but Annaya just entered the evolution of becoming a vampire. It's like when you go from a young man to a man for us. She will change a bit from her look and her eyes will be a key factor of change too. The sun won't kill her, but she will get hot real fast because of her pale skin. " I looked back in my head when Annaya earlier was getting too hot in the sun. Then King David started talking to me about Annaya.

"I know you've seen her more than me, just promise me you'll protect her when I'm not able to. She needs a strong person next to her to turn to in times of need. " The king said on his knees at this point begging me to stay by her side. I stood the king up and then said, "David I'll never leave you guys or her for any reason. I love you all too much, for all the kindness you've shown me how I could turn back now. " I said as he stood up and I then said not knowing Annaya was right behind me. "It's true, I do love Annaya, she's wonderful and every time I'm with her I forget I am cursed myself. I'll betray your trust as long as I live King David." I smiled and then I heard Annaya behind me as she was right behind me. She had tears in her eyes and looked angry. She yelled at us, "You guys are a bunch of horse's asses." Then she ran off heading who knows where.

I looked at King David and he looked upset, but not at me, so I ran after her and left him there. I ran through the hall not finding anyone but then I saw Ella and she smiled at me. She never smiled, especially at me. "Have you seen your sister, she overheard King David and I am talking about you guy's curse or whatever." I said, pleading with her on my knees, "I need to find her so I can…" Ella picked me up from the ground." She looked me in the eyes, "She's on the roof. " Ella said as I was going to leave from the roof. "Hold on!" Ella yelled before I left. "You care for her right like more than a friend?" She asked me as I turned then slowed myself down. "After your father mentioned I might have feelings for Annaya, I started to recognize what he meant. I love her and no curse of mine or Hers will stop me from loving her. " I said then I ran off up the stairs to the trap door to the roof. Ella stood there blushing as she said to herself. "Finally, he says it after almost four months of being here."

I climbed the ladder and up on the roof, Annaya was sitting on the edge talking to herself. So, I sat and listened to her for a while. "Why do they trick me like that, Father always tries to set me up with boys who don't understand. He's a nice guy, but I don't know if he'd be able to love a monster as a vampire can be. Wish I could just get rid of this curse, but I can't. " Annaya started to cry and I had enough so I sat down right next to her. She noticed me right away, but she didn't run from me like earlier. "Annaya I don't trick people and your father isn't trying to get me to set me up with you. He was telling me about something I had questions about, the things you were hiding from me. After I learned that you are a vampire, it did scare me for a second. That was thrown out of my head when I thought about the woman you are. I love you more than anything, no curse will change that. I too have a curse I keep people because others have treated me poorly in the past. " I started to ramble on and Annaya started to smile a little more. "Whenever I'm with you Annaya, I feel like all my problems disappear. Your smile is why I get out of bed and try to be a better person. " I said as she looked over at me when I started to tear up. "Thank you for my faults," Annaya said as she hugged me tight, we sat on the roof for some time as the sun went down. We watched it set and then I walked with her back to her room.

I then stood by her door for some time after Brad took over to watch for me. He noticed I was different in some way and he smiled at me. I left and headed to the training grounds near the garden. I stood in the middle of the field and looked up to the sky. Then I looked over at the dummies the soldiers use for practice.

I picked up a rock and then threw it at the dummy and took off its head. I started to laugh, "No matter how many times I exercise my straight it still amazes me how strong I am." Then I started training myself in the field. Practicing with my ax on maneuvers I saw with the soldiers who fought with spears. He's seen among the Royal Knights with shallow attacks and quick moves to keep up with the faster fighters. I was doing good and I was getting faster with my new moves, but not as fast as I wanted me to be. Brad was watching me and was going to come and join me to test out my new sets of moves but stopped. He watched as The Royal Guard from the other week appeared right behind me.

Her presence was dark, but not evil, like she didn't like anyone or anything. She glared, but at me, but I didn't feel she was doing it to be mean. I turned around and looked right at her, looking closer at her, and saw she wasn't a regular Elf woman. She was known as the Night Elf or her kind was known as that. She had white tattoos all along her arms and she had blood-red eyes and black skin. To normal people, they might be scared of her just by her look. I knew she was nothing to be afraid of, she took her hood off, and then she said. "Hello, I'm Zodia and I'm one of the other Royal Knights from the other week Jacob."

I smiled and greeted her with a handshake. "Yes, I saw you there in the shelter by the garden sorry if I looked so..." She stopped me degrading myself by interrupting me. "Yeah, I understood what you were doing then, and I want to help you now." She said, taking off her cloak revealing her regular light armor. "You want to help me train or something?" I asked her when she nodded her head yes.

I got into my fighting stance and then Miss Zodia came at me with all she had. I dodge fire spells and flying rocks as she puts up a dust cloud around us. Without even drawing my ax I dispersed the cloud with my sheer force by waving my hand. Then I blocked a flying kick from behind me, Zodia then in the air switched her position and kicked me with her other foot. I moved back and Brad moved closer thinking I was going to go berserk on her. To our surprise, I didn't, and I launched myself right at her with a punch.

At this point, anyone that was in or around the Castle came to watch me train with Zodia.

Annaya even came and she sat next to Brad talking about how this started. "Yeah, he was just training by himself, and that Elf showed up and started training with him. I believe she's one of the Royal Knights like us. " He said as I caught another flying kick and sent Zodia flying back to the end of the field. The thrill of the sparring was wonderful for me because I could let loose for once. Zodia got up and then she smiled while she brushed off the dirt and blood from her mouth. She then changed slightly and rushed me like a wild animal. My hunter instincts kicked in and my eyes changed purple as I caught her as she jumped and knocked her out with my free hand.

I sat on the ground next to her and then I started laughing, "Looks like I had a good workout, Brad I think I found my new training partner." I said as I saw Annaya was scowling at me from the fence. I looked over at Zodia and she was beautiful, but I saw what Annaya saw. She was blushing at me when she stood back up from being knocked out. "Wow, you are good, but I think training with other Royal Knights might help you get even stronger," Zodia said as she came up to the group, I was standing next to.

I looked at Annaya, "It was just a bit of training, I have no feelings for other women." I told Annaya, putting my hand on her cold face. Annaya blushed as everyone realized we were actually together. Brad smiled at me then he broke the awkward silence. "She's right if we train with others at her or above her level, you'll get stronger." I laughed in agreement, then Brad looked over at Zodia, "Do you think you'd be able to keep up with me?" Brad asked her as she scoffed at his request. I spoke up when she laughed at him. "He may not be as strong as me, but don't mock his fighting ability. He's been training with me since he was little." Zodia agreed to Brad's request and they had their sparring match. I sat on the fence next to Annaya. I then said, "Watch how fast he is Annaya." Brad got into a similar stance, I do but when Zodia twitched Brad disappeared from view.

Brad then appeared right behind Zodia and swung a low kick, knocking her to the ground. From where he was, all you saw was dust and dirt falling in a line right behind Zodia. I watched Brad close and he seemed to get faster as the match continued. Annaya and everyone watching could not keep an eye on him. "See I'm able to outpower anyone right? But Brad here can keep up with me for only one good reason. " I said, nodding to his incredible speed and quickness. Annaya asked me, "Is it his magic?" I laughed and then told her. "No, he doesn't use magic. He is just that fast, for training, yeah, he's strong, but he prides himself on his speed and stealth. " Annaya understood then she said making everyone realize something about us, two brothers. "You have a huge amount of strength and he has his quick and decisive attacks. Both of you make a scary team not to mention you both hid this talent of his from us all."

I smiled, "Not really, you knew we were stronger than we appeared, and he got about halfway into the castle before the guards found him our first night here." I said watching freak out for a moment till a guard confirmed it to be true. "He only let them catch him because he lost track of me once I got in here." Annaya went back to watch Brad knocking out Zodia faster than I did.

Brad was still in fight mode when he asked if I wanted to fight him. "Come on brother, let's show Annaya how strong we actually are in a real fight." Brad was hyper and raring to go at tossing dirt on my shirt. I looked over and everyone was waiting for me to move. "You mind if I…" Annaya then nodded yes, before I could finish my questions.

I jumped down from the fence and took off my shirt because it was torn a bit and now dirtier. We walked into the field a bit and then we got into our stances. Brad smiled at me then he vanished like before, I caught his kick from behind with my own foot. I then grabbed his leg and picked him up and threw him to the fence. As he reached it, he caught his footing almost landing softly on the post. Brad then launched himself off it, he picked up so much speed it was like he was flying. I stopped him dead in his tracks and threw him to the ground. Brad stood up immediately and charged at me with his dagger. I caught the blade and tap Brad on the head.

Brad stopped and he started laughing, then he fell to the ground. I sat on the ground with him and we discussed the fight up to the dagger part. Everyone who watched us go back to their posts, Annaya and Ella came with us listening to us laugh and talk about the fight. Annaya looked down at me and she smiled. "You can tell both of you are brothers by the way you guys fight. You know each other's moves before you do them."

I laughed when she said that and Zodia woke up after she heard us laughing more. She came over by us, she saw Brad and I was covered in dirt. "You should have seen these two sparrings, it was like monsters fighting," Annaya told Zodia when she stood next to her.

"I came here originally to see if they were strong like Queen Rosa told us. She said they had great strength and intelligence. She told us to respect you both, but my Night Elven blood wanted to test you. " Zodia said all the other 12 came from the woods, they had been watching us spare the whole time and we didn't notice it.

They were many and varied from a couple of different races in this country. I saw four humans like Brad and me, there were two Dwarfs, two other Elves different from Zodia. The last three were a Vampire, Were beast, and a Giant. They all stood around Brad and me, then they all smiled at us. The vampire who was a guy came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "We apologize for our disrespectful brother. Now we know Queen Rosa was right in choosing you two. " He said expecting me to flinch, he was a vampire and others, usually flinched at knowing that. He didn't hide his fangs or pale skin like Annaya would.

He looked at me and asked, "Why didn't you flinch, aren't you afraid of my kind?" I looked at Annaya, "Never, I'm not like that anymore. Good people can be of any race, the same can be said the same for Evil people. " The guy laughed, "Ah, I thought I sensed one of my kind around here. " He said looking at Annaya, I got in his way and stared him down. "Oh, I get it, she's your lover?" He asked me as Annaya started to blush. "She's special to me and that's all you need to know, sir," I said never looking away from his eyes. "Well, my name is Vlad and I'm from the western Kingdom it's a pleasure to meet you both." He said, bowing to Brad and me, I smiled and shook his hand. Then one by one each of the Twelve shook our hands.

The other two Elves were named Ro and Frey, Ro was a Fire elf from the mountains near the eastern kingdom He had red skin and bright green eyes and he carried a long sword. Frey was a Forest Elf from the kingdom of Nail and had light tan skin and blue eyes. She was the one who healed me from the poison arrow. They all like Brad and me, but we didn't know why they liked us. The next one was a Were beast-man, he was a half man half Bear. His name was Mattis and he was from Nail like Frey. He was big and scary-looking, but I smiled at him and shook his hand hard. "Maybe we can spar once in a while." The big guys smiled and agreed with my request. "Sure, anytime, just let me know when you're ready." I turned to the giant and She was as big as a full-grown pine tree. She had short red hair and wore a loincloth made from pelts from her homeland. I looked right up at her, she looked at me and she smirked. "Are you having a good look before I step on you?" I laughed, "No, no, I'm just looking at my first giant, you are really tall you know that." Annaya came up from behind me and grabbed my arm. "My name is Grenda by the way, Sir Jacob." She said now kneeling down to shake my hand, she was amazed by my strength when I shook her hand.

Then the Humans introduce themselves to Brad and me. "We are the Humans, here's Maren, Roy, and Leeann. Of the group and I'm the leader of the twelve or now the Fourteen. My name is Darius. It's a pleasure to meet you both. " I looked at each one of the humans and saw they were all from the Western Kingdom. I smiled and shook their hands with Annaya right behind me, she scowled at the Women. Brad laughed at her when she looked over at him. Then the last of the group came up to me and just said their names. The Dwarfs, "My name is Low and he's Tah we are the blacksmiths of the group." They said as they went behind the others.

Brad and I looked at each other and then we said. "We like to get to know you all on a personal level so would all come to our little cabin up the road to the back of the property?" We asked them and they all accepted our invite. Annaya whispered into my ear, "Are you sure you want to tell them your past?" She asked me and I kissed her on the forehead. "They have questions and plus I love telling stories," I said as I left her when I decided to go to the cabin. She watched us leave and I led the group to the front of the cabin. Brad had gone ahead of us when no one noticed and set up a fire pit and seats for everyone.