The Time of the Hidden

The Princess

"Flynn... Flynn." I opened my eyes to find Theo was shaking me awake. "Hey, for someone so worried about trouble last night, you sure slept like a log." Last night... something happened last night, but what? Sitting up, I raked through my brain. Something... something... something... Nothing came up no matter how much I chanted for it in my head.

"Flynn," Skyler's voice pulled me out of thought, "You okay? You look troubled."

"I'm fine," I gave her a fake smile, then stood up and stretched. "I'm just ready to get back on the road again."

That morning, nothing seemed wrong, nothing about me felt off, everything felt normal, but I knew it wasn't. I don't know what happened last night, but I knew I wanted nothing more than to get out of this house.

Finally, our time for departure came, but before we left, Korren gave us the weapons he showed us last night. Each one had an attachment to hold each weapon. Theo had a belt that held the coiled up rod, while Skyler had something strapped to her back which held her weapon by the handle. I, on the other hand, had both; a belt to sheath the two main knives at my hips, and something on my back to sheath the other four. Rolling my shoulders, I tested their mobility, but the straps were comfortable, and not restricting. I was tempted to refuse the knives when Korren handed them to me, but my curiosity beat my caution, as it so often did. As I was examining one of the hilts at my side, I felt a small tingle at my temple. I stepped back as Korren was with drawing his hand from me.

"What did you do?" My hand went to my temple, felling a small circle fitted there.

"Relax, it's just part of the weapon. I assume you want to be able to control those blades on your back?"

I turned my eyes away, and rested my hands on the hilts at my sides. It felt good to be armed again.

"Good luck on your mission with the princess, I hope you succeed."

Theo gave a nod, "And thank you for the hospitality you've shown us, it was appreciated."

Korren nodded in return, and I began tapping my foot impatiently by the door. My tapping was ceased for a moment when Rae appeared behind Korren. As Skyler and Theo walked out the door, she gave me a soft wave, and I waved back. Then I walked away into the harsh sun of the white city.

***

"Alexainya!" I could hear Meredith calling my name.

"I'm in here!"

Meredith's head appeared in the door way, wide silver eyes softened as they saw me. "Finally, I found you." Breathing a sigh, Meredith stepped into the room. She had a white and gray dress on, with her lavender hair falling into shoulder length curls.

I found myself examining a strand of my own maroon hair. Sometimes I wished I had curls like Meredith, but my hair was straight as a board, and even when I did curl it, they never last long. This is strange considering the fact that Mother has a head full of natural ringlets.

The lady in waiting walked into the room lecturing me with a soft yet stern voice. "You know the queen doesn't like you wandering around alone."

"It's not like I've left the palace or anything, I'm not going to get lost." I turned away from her pulling open the door to a cooling storage, then walked into the brisk air.

"You getting lost isn't what she's worried about." Meredith followed behind me without any noise in her step. With her light feet, petite figure, and soft voice, the girl often reminded me of a mouse.

I understood what she was hinting at. "What? You think it's likely someone could get to me without a single guard spotting and stopping them in this soldier infested palace?"