Sharp Flowers

Part 4

I gasp for air, my chest burning with each breath. My teeth ache from clenching my jaw. I grab my chest, feeling my heart pounding hard. My hands, trembling, flush pink, and sweaty. Holding my sword, my nails dig into the hilt. I drop it on the cart, letting it rattle off to the side while I catch my breath. Overhead, the sky grumbles softly. Looks like we'll have rain on our travels. Maybe it will wash away this grief?

"Morning," my brother greets me, walking alongside the cart with Henry.

"Morning," I mumble, still groggy from sleeping. Goodness, my muscles are all stiff. Everyone is up walking, eyes watching the woods ahead and beside us. "Does the King not care to keep watch with us?" I wonder.

"Kisomen watches over us during the knight," Peter explains.

"All by himself?" I ask, baffled, "Does he think he's enough alone to protect us? What if we were ambushed?" I scoff.

"He is," Peter states, and I just stare at him in complete belief, challenging his delusion that a single man could be that powerful. This man has everyone believing that he's some great warrior. I demand a demonstration or to challenge this man by myself! He might have them all fooled, but I'm not buying what he's selling. Fight me.

"If you say so," I murmur with a shrug.

"We should be there by nightfall," Peter promises me. By night, then I might get a chance to see the King then. I wonder then, could he be handsome or ugly? Maybe he's hideous. That might explain why he only comes out a night. Yes, this explains it perfectly. There's no flaw in my logic. And what of this castle? I've never been to the city. My face warms.

"And the city?" I wonder.

"Is beautiful. It's busy and lively. I think you'll like the city," Peter assures me, "Alright, I'm off to scout ahead," he declares and runs off ahead before I have a chance to say anything else. Henry hops into the cart on the other end, looking over maps and books. At first glance, he doesn't look like much of a fighter. Henry seems more... well, like this, someone that sits at a desk and plans. But he must be critical to the King if he left the castle to come all this way with him out here.

"There's much to plan," I start, unsure really how to talk to him. He seems distant, determined, and focused.

"There is," Henry murmurs, "I'm going to come up with a plan that'll overcome our enemy. Keep our death toll low," he boasts, "I'm certain I can come up with something," he adds.

"Have you experienced war before?" I wonder. He shakes his head.

"I've seen petty battles between villages," Henry answers, "I haven't seen battles like Sebastian. It's because of his experience in warfare that he's so protective of us," he adds.

"Then why didn't he go to war sooner?" I protest. If the coward had declared war sooner, if he'd done something, then maybe my family wouldn't have had to suffer.

"To protect the people," Henry explains, "If Sebastian had declared war, all warrior families would have been called to war. Including the Wrenwood's," he goes on, "Many young people would have been drafted to. He was hoping to avoid it."

"Seems like it was unavoidable," I point out. Crossing my arms, I avert my eyes. Peter sighs, I feel him shaking his head at my discontent. I am rightful to be mistrusting. It is wise to be wary of those that hide from daylight. The truth exists under the sun, after all.

"A war with Sebastian is like a war in purgatory," Henry chuckles, "If you had the option of keeping your mouth shut or declaring war with a demon straight out of the pit from hell, which one would you chose?" he asks, making Peter flinch. I glare at him with wide eyes.