The Dream Walker

Chapter 9: Swords and Secrets

My breathing left in ragged bursts. My arms felt as though they were each weighed down by an anchor. Despite the sweat trickling down my face, Miri shouted, "Again!"

As slowly as she swung, I still couldn't block the flat of her sword from hitting my side. Surely a horrid purple welt would be there tomorrow. I stumbled into the layers of dirt and dust coating the sparring yard floor. Several stone sheds formed an aisle of the yard, while ivy climbed the tall walls behind them. In the light of the setting sun, it didn't feel like the strict grounds of a palace, but rather a cozy village, far richer than Misery but far poorer than the capitol.

Miri sighed. I prepared myself for a reprimanding on how pathetic my displays were, and even readied my defenses. However, she said, "You've already improved. When Heid came to me today, I was hesitant. There is hope for you, though."

Her face never moved, her lips barely twitching when she released her words, and yet I felt warmth. "Thank you, General."

She nodded. Speaking of Heid, he emerged from the nearest staff door to the palace. "Miri!" Her stoicism never left. "Thank you for helping our little Nadayah. She's a joy isn't she?"

"She's fine."

Heid's eyes widened. "My, my, the ultimate compliment!" Miri could no longer contain the smile sneaking to the surface. It was small, no teeth, but it was undoubtedly a smile caused by the one, the only, Heid Ithemba. "Well, Miri, you are needed in the dining chambers, his majesty is preparing for dinner."

She bowed. "Of course." She left without another word and Heid watched her go.

"Is it time for me to go yet, then?" I asked. My first day was already more eventful than a year in Misery. I met Emm, Heid met Dailon, and I trained with Miri. Between the aching consuming my body and the plethora of thoughts jumbled in my mind, my bed beckoned me, like a sweet song that could lull me to sleep.

Unfortunately, Heid broke such fantasies with a new command. "The Boar King has asked for a private meeting with you."

Heid kept speaking but his words faded to distant echoes. Alone with the king himself? What could I possibly do for him? What will he ask? What if I have no suitable answers? I cut off Heid's rambling. "I can't do that. Why? Why does he want to see me?"

His nonchalant shrug set my teeth to grinding. "I couldn't say. All he requested was that Ms. Sonskyn be waiting in his parlor when he has finished with dinner."

Parlor? Weren't those the rooms just before the bedchambers? What if he tried to hurt me? To assault me? Josa has told many stories of people in power positions abusing their roles to do terrible things, especially to girls.

My panic must have been seeping through. Heid took my shoulder in his big hand. "Nadayah, calm yourself. The Boar King will do nothing to you. He simply said he has his first commands."

Commands. My heart slowed. That's what I am here for, is it not? To obey the king. Perhaps I jumped to the most severe hypotheticals a little too soon. I nodded. "Will you escort me?"

"I'll do more than that, child, I'll be waiting with the guards just beyond the doors. When you've finished your business, I'll see you safely home."

I sighed. Alright. "Lead the way, then."

The halls were narrower the further we went in the palace. Darker, as well. It was almost as if to accommodate for fewer people. Such a thought reminded me I wasn't meant to be there. One final hall had busts displayed between flowers in vases protruding from the wall. The carpet crunched ever so slightly under my new shoes. Finally, Heid forced open the great white doors, nodding to the guards as he entered.