The Masked General

Uitwaaien

The storm had grown quieter. Avira sighed, she hadn't exactly accomplished much, it was the middle of the evening, and several hours were still left in the day. A knock sounded at her door, and she tightened the blankets around herself.

"Who is it?" Avira wiped her tears and sat up.

"It's me!"

"Go away Hiroshi!"

"Please--" He leaned his head against the door. He looked up as he heard steps come to the door, but it didn't open.

"You're right, I'm a coward. A good leader needs to be honest, wise, loyal, and brave. Surely, I have not been any of that. I--" Avira sat at the door.

"If you are thinking about quitting as my general, I won't let you. Truce is over then." Hiroshi crossed his arms and leaned forward.

"I'm not quitting. I want to change," She sat up and brushed her hair out of her face. Her eyes were red, and her face was blotchy. "I also need to be able to trust those around me. I'm going to trust you, Hiroshi, and I need you to tell me everything you know about what happened between Samuel and your father." She put her mask back on and opened the door.

Lightning illuminated the hallways, but only the sound of gentle rain against the windows followed.

"The thunder stopped," Avira sniffed and wiped her nose.

He handed her a handkerchief, "Here."

She used it to wipe her eyes, and she handed it back, "Thanks."

"You can keep it," He pulled his hand back.

"Oh, okay," Avira tucked it inside her pocket, and glanced up awkwardly.

"Princess, shall we take a walk?" Hiroshi raised an eyebrow, a smile crept up his lips.

"In the rain? What if the thunder comes back, it's dangerous to go out, and-" She didn't have the chance to finish. Hiroshi was already dragging her down the stairs, and outside.

She shuddered, wrapping herself tightly in her cloak.

"Darling, have you ever danced in the rain?" He smirked.

"Never." Her answer was short. She hadn't danced much at all growing up. Sure, she memorized each and every step to every waltz that existed, but unless it was a masquerade ball, her parents hadn't let her come out very often.

"Shall we?" He extended his hand, bowing slightly.

She shook her head, "We can't. Hiroshi, I haven't exactly been productive today. Practice ended early, our meeting never finished--"

He rolled his eyes, "Lighten up will you?"

She stuck out her tongue, "We are supposed to be preparing for war." She sighed, but reached out and took his hand.

He ran, guiding her to the middle of the field. Trees swayed, and rain poured, they were already soaked. Mud clung to their boots, and flung into their hair.

A giggle escaped Avira's lips as Hiroshi twirled her around. They skipped in the puddles, and Hiroshi's eyes brightened as he listened to her laugh. No her laugh didn't sound like silver bells, it certainly wasn't gentle, but he adored it. He laughed along with her. 

She leaned her head back, and rain trickled down her face. The clouds began to scatter, and a ray of sun beamed down on nearby trees. She looked at the prince. The light illuminated the specks of gold in Hiroshi's eyes, and as she looked at their intertwined hands, she blushed. 

"Avira?" Hiroshi spun her around once more. The wind blew through his hair.

"What?" Avira looked up, her eyes gentle. She didn't wait for his answer, "The last time we danced was back in Harwen. Remember that?"