Manipulation

The sun had not yet risen when Aria was woken up by Lylla. She had not slept well these days all thanks to Leon's makeshift bed. Opening her eyes slighly, she yawned like a cat when Lylla interjected.

"Snap out of it princess. Knights are looking for you everywhere and they are heading this way." Aria almost jumped when she heard what Lylla said. "You must leave now if you want to see the light."

"That's right Lylla. We need to move, and quickly if you want to live princess." Leon said coming out of the shadows with a worried face," they might be hear soon." Aria nodded in understanding as she knew that her life was at stake here. Never for once in her life had Aria thought that she, a princess at that, would be running for her dear life. The thought of burning the knights crossed her mind but she knew this wasn't the time nor the place. She would definitely pass out again and who knew this time she would die for good.

Leon and Aria hurried their way through the back of the house hiding among the shadows from the knights. It did not take long before one of them spotted them amidst the chaos.

"You," he said pointing at their direction," halt at once!" Leon stood there as if rooted to the spot contemplating on his next move. Aria's heart began to pound in her chest as the knight approached them. "Show your face woman, "he ordered when he was close.

Leon had come up with many ideas on how to deal with the knight but none of them seemed practical. When the knight came closer, only one option was left in his mind. He did not want the princess to see this version of him but it was the only way he could save her right now. Turning his gaze towards the knight's eyes, he manipulated him to see them as commoners. The knight approached Aria and gave her a blanket.

"Show your face woman." That was the last thing that ran through Aria's mind as she contemplated on whether to remove her hood or not. But suddenly something flickered from Leon's eyes as he muttered some words she could not decipher. And the next thing she knew, someone was handing her a blanket.

"Take this young lady. I mistook you from someone else." The knight said handing her the blanket and left. Leon held her by the hand and they disappeared in the woods.

"What exactly do to that knight back there?" Aria asked once they were at a safe distance.

"Nothing complicated. I just manipulated him to think that we are commoners."

Aria hesitated before asking, "Leon," she called out softly, "do you possess magical powers too?" Leon sat down by a tree before looking at the beams of the sun spreading on the canopy.

"When I was young, my mother used to tell me tales about how her mother used to practice magic. She was one of the best mages in the continent. But when a law was passed against magic, her descendants grew weaker as time passed. I never knew I possessed magical powers until when you struck me on the training ground."

"And how exactly did that activate your magic?" Aria asked raising a brow.

When I saw you conjure fire balls and channel them in your sword, something surged inside me and I felt the need to bow down and obey you. But when you struck me, I was not able to defend myself even though I could have dodged the attack easily. I felt like you were a master disciplining her pupil and I had to accept the punishment." Aria nodded urging him to continue.

"And when you burnt my arm, I couldn't believe when I saw it return to its original state. It was as if it never got burnt in the first place." Leon chuckled at that thought. "I feel stronger nowadays but I don't know why. I just feel, stronger."

Aria now understood why Leon had been behaving strangely recently. She also understood why he took down more than three knights single handedly. But she couldn't help but wonder the extent of his energy. But she was gad at least she had a companion in magic.

"At least I am glad I have someone to die with if I am caught."

The knights were still scarring the outskirts of the capital when Lord Blackwood arrived. The knights seemed alarmed by his presence but did not show it. He walked around and approached the captain of the regiment.

"What have you found so far?" He asked looking at the distant forest.

"Nothing has been found so far. But the knights are still looking."

"Notify me when you find something about the trace of the princess." The knight nodded before another knight called over to him.

"Over here captain. This door is closed. I think you should take a look." Lord Blackwood followed the knights to the door. The knights pushed the door open revealing a smiling Lylla,"Hello. How can I help you."

Blackwood entered the room before surveying it, "do you stay here alone?" he asked touching on the surface of the table.

"Yes," Lylla answered trying to master as much courage as she could.

"I wonder how a young lady like you lives alone in such a big house. Search the place," the knights scattered looking for any other living soul in the house. Lylla and Blackwood were left there staring at each other in eerie silence.

The knights came back and the captain reported to Blackwood immediately.Lord Blackwood turned to Lylla before saying,"since there is no one else in here,we will take our leave now,lady." The guards began exiting leaving Blackwood and Lylla behind. He took one last glance at Lylla before making for the door.