Undecim

My stomach growls so loudly. I take a quick peek at Yoda to see if she heard it but b-nothing

My butt is so sore from sitting on Melrue's saddle for so long. As we move past yet another town, I feel I can't take it anymore. "Can we at least get some food before we continue?" I blurted out to no one in particular. Yohan quickens up to my side. He takes one look at me and then rides past me to Mateo. What is with this guy?

"There's a tavern right up around that curve, we will stop there and grab something before your blasts our eardrums" Yoda says with a hint of humor

So she did hear that! I blush in embarrassment.

The tavern comes into view and I breathe a sigh of relief. I don't think I can remain seated on the hard saddle for another minute longer.

When we reach the entrance, Yohan and Mateo swing off their horses with such grace that I wonder if I can do the same. One look at the ground and I know I can't. I clumsily descend off Melrue's back. I pet him one last time and kiss him before heading inside.

The place is warm from the dimly lit fireplace. There is a beautiful woman on the stage belting out such soothing notes. She is draped in a beautiful burgundy dress and a bold red lip.

We step further in and take our seats at a table far in the corner.

A middle aged woman walks up to us to take our order and I can't help but notice how large her hands are. And her feet too. She looked like a giant. Stanking about 7 feet tall. A sharp contrast to the tiny tavern we were in. "What can I get ya!" she asks in a surprisingly jolly tone

"We'll have some bread with Chocolate tea." Yoda responds

"Is that right for all of ya?" she confirms and the others nod

"What about you young lady?" she asks me

"U-um can i have coffee instead?" 

"Coming right up" she adds before stomping her way to the counter.

My eyes dart around the place as I take it all in until they finally land on him.

"Do you know anything about combat?" he asks

"N-no" i answer

He hits his fist on the table, making me jump

"She'll learn, thats why shes joining the academy" Yoda says to Yohan

"How will she control the power of the Frinx if she can't even hold a sword right?"

"We will learn" Mateo repeats

"Can't believe the future of our kingdom is in the hands of some weak pampered princess" he spits

Did he just call me weak?

"Yohan!" Yoda scolds

He really didn't like me. What did I ever do to him?

"I didn't ask for any of this" i say

"And neither did we" he shoots back at me

I feel a power buzz from my core all the way through my body then out of me.

The table that we sat at had been blasted to pieces and I looked around to see Yoda, Mateo and Yohan lying on the ground.

Oh no, what did I just do? Mateo is the first to get back up on his feet.

"Definitely isn't weak for sure" he mutters, brushing off the debris off him.

The music stops and the gorgeous woman in red struts towards us like a raging bull. "We do not tolerate violence in this place" he says with a thick accent. His face morphs into a sneer as she points at the door.

"Get out of my tavern" she says with her eyes on me

"We were just on our way out" Yohan says, i saw him up on his feet straightening his shirt.

"We're sorry" I muttered to the lady before heading out of the tavern. Yoda and the others follow suit. As we mount our horses, the giant waiter steps out with our order

"I packed you food for ya. Eat up before it gets cold." She hands me a bag with our food and heads back inside. So kind of her. We didn't even pay a dime.

This time Yohan takes the lead. Leaving us in awkward silence.

My stomach growls again and Mateo bursts out laughing.

I see Yoda hold in a laugh too and I try hard to remain unbothered although my furious blush gave me away.

"Didn't think you had it in you Princess" he says

"I didn't either" i respond

"You need to learn to control it" Yoda chips in

"How?" i ask

"The academy will teach you." she answers

I reach for a piece of bread from the bag and bite into it.

"Want some?" I gesture to the two and pass the bag to them.

"What's his problem anyway?" i ask with my mouth full

"Yohan's just an egoistic jerk" Mateo answers

"Hey!" Yoda yells

"I agree" I chip in, peeking at Yoda.

Mateo burst into laughter again

"We're not far from our destination. Speed up to close the distance" Yoda says before galloping off to meet Yohan

"They lost their parents when Anorems invaded our lands." Mateo explains

My heart softened for them. I guess it would be hard to accept that the one who can save you was the very one who hurt you.

"He's not that bad" he adds

"Maybe" I responded quietly before chugging down some hot chocolate from the bottle.