The Meeting

Ariana ran as fast as she could. She believed Ether and knew that there had to be some valid reson that she had asked her to say no. Now all she could think of was stopping her father from making the rash decision.

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Silas cleared his throat. The announcement he was about to make could change the history of not just mankind, but also Ambrosia.

"Respected members of my kingdom, when I came back to life from the deep slumber that I was in, the first thing that struck my mind was that I could have died without giving this kingdom it's right successor. I plan to do that now. After a close observation of all the deeds in my absence, I am proud to announce that..."

Ariana fell into the room full of men. She hoped the decision hadn't been announced. The King was taken aback and came down from the podium. He rushed to his daughter.

"Are you okay, Ari?" He had worry lines on his face.

" Yes Father. But I want to talk to you in private. Please it's urgent." She pulled her father out.

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Amada

Ryan's words had hit Amada. Inspite of the fact that he had run away, all throughout his plight and difficult days, he had kept in his heart his memories of all the times spent with his big brother. Everytime that the going had become difficult, he had thought of ways that Ryan would have pulled him out of it and that is how he was able to ride through it. Ryan had always been an inspiration for him.

Ryan

He distinctly remembered his mother's face when she had found the painting. In stead of writing a letter, Amada had painted something wierd on the walls before leaving and Omar had said, "He is gone. He will never return."

When Ryan came to know that Amada had left home, he had expected him to return in a few hours, or a few days at the most. He waited and waited for him to return only to realise that it had been three months since they had received any word from his brother. His longing slowly turned into deep sorrow and then into hatred. He couldn't understand why Amada would abandon him and his family.

Ryan and Amada had been best friends. They had learnt everything together. They ate together and didn't sleep without each other. Ryan spent years alone and slowly shed all his emotions because he had nobody to share them with. His condition disturbed his father, who then decided that the best way to teach Ryan how to cope up with the loss was to take him on the battlefield. That is how the warrior in him was made. He detested seeing people die in front of his eyes, but slowly he turned immune to it. To any emotions.

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"Father you can't announce my name yet. I would love to be your successor but I think it's not the right time. We have too many enemies to deal with right now. Give me sometime to sort things out and I will let you know when I am ready." Ariana whispered.

"But I did ask you Daughter. And now I have made almost the entire announcement except your name. I know you're out best option Ari. You have to trust your father sometimes." He insisted. His face had a stern look.

Ariana knew that when Silas was determined, nothing would stop him. She sighed, "Father I can't do this I am sorry."

She left.

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THREE DAYS LATER

Ariana had to meet Ether. But she thought that she'd pay her a visit only after she had met the mystery man. She has asked him to meet up that day in the woods behind Ether's cottage.  It felt like the safest place to meet a traitor-cum-stranger.

She reached the place on time and there was nobody around.

Half an hour passed by and there was no sign of anybody. Ariana decided to leave. Just then she saw a horse approaching her at full speed. On it was seated, a man with a chiselled face and well built body. He stopped the horse at a safe distance from Ariana and started walking towards her.

"Oh the beautiful princess of Ambrosia. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. No wonder people talk about you all across the globe. Your beauty is unmatched."

Ariana was taken aback. It was the first time a man had complimented her directly and it felt good. She smiled and then collected herself.

"Thankyou Sir. Now if I may know your name?" she said softly.

"Only if you can match my skills at sword fighting," the man smirked.

Ariana gasped. Nobody was supposed to know that Ariana was a skilled fighter. But then again, this man knew "secrets" as he had claimed. She nodded her head.

It was more of a flirtatious sword fight than it was anything else. They came so close to each other at some points that Ariana felt almost breathless. This man was very handsome.

Even before Ariana could make any head or tale of the man and what he wanted, he went back to his horse and climbed up.

"I can hear people around Ariana. I must leave. But I promise to meet you again. You're the most terrific women I have met. Michael." He said.

As Michael rode off, Ariana stood there amazed. This was the most romantic encounter that she had ever had. This man was skilled and he was sweet-mouthed. He liked her, as far as she could gauge. She looked forward to seeing him again even though a tiny voice in her kept telling the word TRAITOR.

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As he went away in his horse, his heart skipped a beat. She looked prettier than she was earlier when they had met. He knew that the connection he'd felt earlier still existed. However, he was mad about the fact that Ariana couldn't remember him from earlier because if a stupid witch. But he'd make sure that he would get her back.