A Ward's Tale

Chapter 14

"How will we know we are going the right way? That this is not a trap?" Reynold questions out loud for the hundredth time. Peter rides ahead of him and groans at his persistent questioning. He strokes the horse's mane to calm himself. What does Clarissa see in this man? How could such a strong woman deal with him for the rest of her life? Especially with her magic and his distrust of magic.

"Please explain why he had to join us?" Peter groans to Prince Arthur who rides beside him. "He has done nothing but whine and complain this whole time. What help will he be?"

"Well he is Clarissa's betrothed, first off. Secondly, he is an excellent swordsman. He is a man I trust."

Peter rolls his eyes but the prince doesn't see. "But what about your knights? Why couldn't you have brought one, or even two or three of them? I don't see how he is better." He jabs a thumb towards Reynold.

"Do I hear of jealousy?" Arthur questions tilting his head.

"Jealousy of what? I have magic and freedom to travel, he is restricted to court and has no magic. There is nothing to be jealous of, he annoys me with all his whining." Peter says defensively. He sits straighter in his saddle avoiding the prince's look. There is nothing going on romantically between him and Clarissa. There can't be. He is just her teacher. He is supposed to keep her safe as she learns and grows in her powers.

Peter looks down at the hair pin and something tugs at his heart. A feeling he will not let blossom.

Prince Arthur narrows his eyes. Clarissa had been sneaking out of the castle to meet this man for private lessons. How close had they gotten? Reynold had allowed it but how much did he know of what was happening those nights?

Prince Arthur watches Peter as he looks down at the hair pin in his palm. It has a slight glow from the magic. But it wasn't the magic that worried Prince Arthur, it was the look on Peter's face. A look of loss that was as deep as the ocean on the East. Was this because of Clarissa or something from his past? They really don't know much about this man. Maybe he should have brought some knights.

They ride in silence until dusk. Arthur stops them to rest and set up a quick camp. The shadows dance around fire as the men sit in silence. It's not long before Reynold is asleep leaving Arthur and Peter alone.

"Peter," Prince Arthur says watching the man carefully.

Peter looks up from watching the fire. "Yes, Prince Arthur."

Arthur is sitting cross legged, drawing circles in the dirt with a stick. His hair is shaggy and dirty from riding all day and there is a weight to his shoulders that Peter did not see before. "Why did you come looking for Clarissa? What is it that you want from her?"

"As I started explaining back in Gayle's house, Clarissa has a very powerful magic inside her that is only growing stronger, especially now that she knows about it. My Uncle is a seer and has seen two paths for Clarissa. The first one is where she doesn't know about the magic and it builds up inside her until it finds a crack and breaks through causing mass destruction. The other vision shows her learning about her magic and training to control it but it comes to a point where she has to choose a side and the vision ends."

"It just ends?" Arthur questions. He stops drawing circles.

"Yes, because she had not come in contact with the two sides to choose between yet. My Uncle is a great seer but the future is never completely clear and can change easily." There is a far off look in Peter's eyes that makes Arthur wonder about how it would be like to live with someone who could see the future. How it would be to be the person seeing the future. Would you be able to see your own? Arthur isn't sure he would want to know that.

"Well then we need to prevent her meeting both sides." Arthur states matter of factly.

Peter sighs and leans back on his hands. "That is easier said than done, also impossible now because she has already met who I believe are the two sides. Her life before and the world of magic." Peter explains.

"So her choice is between non-magical and magical people?" Arthur questions. If Clarissa really does have these powers then how will she choose against them. It's not as if they can just be blown out like the flame of a candle.

Peter shakes his head. "It's not only nomags, but magical beings who do not side with the Seekers, like me and my village. She now has to make a choice in the future about which side she'll choose. Her choice will decide the future for all people."

"Why does her choice matter so much? I understand you say she is powerful and I can see that but I don't understand how one person's choice can decide the future for everyone. Also, I have no doubts she will not choose those Seekers. They kidnapped her for one, and two they are evil. I cannot see my sister choosing evil."

Peter's head tilts at the word. "Sister, hmmm. Clarissa said the princesses were her sisters too even though they are not blood related to her. I see that you all are very close and I understand now why you will do anything to get her back. But that can also cloud your judgement so be wary of how you precede." Peter says in a warning tone leaning back up. The air tenses up.

Arthur is taken back and lets anger rule his words, "How dare you say such! You do not know us! Rissa is as much of a sister as Margret and Lola! My judgement is not clouded. I've heard enough. Get some rest, I'll take the first watch."

Peter, shocked by Arthur's response, lays down obediently and rests. He did not mean to upset Prince Arthur but he has learned a lot about Clarissa's life at the castle from this conversation. She definitely wasn't just another ward or person of nobility, she was special to the King and the royal family, she was considered one of them. Before he falls asleep he cannot help but quietly laugh a little at how red faced the prince got when questioned about Clarissa being a sibling.