Whither and Decay

Chapter four: Arden

Trigger warning! Please advise that there is sexual harassment and violence mentioned in this Chapter so please if you get triggered by these things I advise you not to read this chapter. Thank you.

That boy is so clueless. I was taught by the General of the Royal Guard. I was taught to protect myself, even if my father didn't want to teach me, I've watched him train his men in our field. I also sneak off to an old building, in the building a bunch of women, young, old, all kinds of women. They teach you all the stuff men don't want you to know. When I pinned princey I learned that there.

    I try to make my way around the castle. It's confusing. I pass the same pillar three times. I'm too lost to go back to the library and find Callen to help me. "Hey there you are."    

    I spin around to see the prince. "Princey. What are you doing here?"

"Princey? It's Callen. I forgot you have that nickname for him already." Callen says rubbing the base of his neck. Their voices are different too. Princey has a lower harsher tone and Callen has a softer kinder tone.

    "Oh sorry. You guys are just so similar."

    "No worries. Are you uh- lost?"

    "Yep. I can't find the way out. I've passed that pillar three times already."

    "Sure let's get you out of here."

    With Callen around it's so much easier to get out of here. I was slowly suffocating in that hallway. "Callen. Do you know where my father might be? He's here everyday, do you know a place where he goes often?"

"Yes actually, he's normally at the training stables. I'll take you there."

He leads me through the dining room, the lounge room, the billiards room, and then we finally push open the door to find an even bigger garden. Ugh. It's like a maze.

"How do you remember where to go? I'm so confused."

"Well, you do have to know I've lived here for 18 years."

I laugh "You're right."

He takes me around the right side of the garden. There is a path, bricks and stone with rose bushes surrounding it.

"I have to ask. How is it being a prince? Do you have a lot of authority being a prince?"

"It's fine. Not as glorious as people make it. I can have authority, but I don't know how to project that authority. I'm not strong, I'm not tough."

"You know. If you asked, my father could train you. Or you can observe. That's what I do. Sometimes my father takes the guards in training to our estate so the more advanced soldiers can train without faulty newbies."

"Thanks. Your father should be in there." Callen points to a rusty barn. "If he's not there just come back up this way and I'll be in the dining hall."

"Thanks Callen." The barn wasn't as I expected training stables to look like. It was old, smelt like dried blood, and had all kinds of weapons lying around. There were old muskets, ancient looking swords, daggers of all sizes.

It smelt awful, but definitely a place I would like to spend my free hours. I loved daggers, swords, muskets. Anything that involved me getting my hands dirty. I've heard of stories where legendary women from years ago would fight in huge battles, be guards, carry around firearms. They were amazing. The stories stopped. The women became more and more submissive over the years, to where now women are only considered men's pets.

The more I look at the swords and daggers, I realize these swords were designed for women. The swords had small hilts. A man's hands wouldn't be able to grip the swords for very long. I pick up a sword from the ground. The sword has a black steel blade. The hilt of the sword has a gryphon head. Gryphons are protective, they will go above and beyond for the people they love. They are noble creatures, fearsome creatures. I hold the hilt in my hand. It's a perfect fit.

Every sword has a name. The person who wields the sword has their name engraved on the blade. Dried blood is covering the words. I can't make out the name. I hear footsteps approaching the barn. I cover the sword with a plain tapestry.

    Merrick, one of my fathers trainees, comes through the door. I try not to meet his gaze as he walks in. "Hello Arden. How are you?"

    "Oh hey Merrick. I'm fine." I'd much rather talk to a mouse than with him. When we met at the front of the palace he gave an unsettling feeling.

    He inches closer to me. His face nearly touching mine. I put my hands on his chest pushing him away. "Hey. You are way too close to me. Can you please back up?"

    "I'd rather not darling. You know you'd look delightful without those clothes on." He puts his hands on my sleeves pulling them down slowly.

    "Stop. Don't do that." He pulls his face closer to mine. I dig my fingers into his neck.

    "Darling. Don't do that. I'm simply admiring you." His fingers inch closer to my face.

    "How'd you know I'd be in here?" I turn my face to the side.

    "Cause I followed you darling. That prince would not leave you alone." Merrick puts his hands on my skirt lifting it up.

    "I said stop!" I can't reach the gryphon sword. So I reach back to find the hilt of any sword. I tightly grab it. When I have a good hold. I plunged the sword straight through his stomach. His eyes go dark and lifeless. His arms drop to his sides. My skirt falls back into place.

I use my foot to kick his body off the sword. I had no idea the sword would still be sharp. If I had moved the blade in an upward motion it would've cut him straight in half. The metal clangs against the floor as I drop it. I'm going to be sick.

Don't throw up here. Don't throw up here. I can't breathe. I walk towards the back side of the palace where Callen took me, but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I crouch over the side of a bush and vomit. The smell of the barn, the gross man, and the thought of him touching me finally exited my body.