Skai Prisa - English version

Chapter 5

It has been a few weeks since the coronation. I haven't really noticed the passage of time. Not that it's important, there are more pressing things I need to focus on. Like my princess training. My training with bitter witch continues. Since the prank she is more bitter than before. Although maybe that's because Roan and I still play a few on her from time to time. Well, maybe quite often.

She insists that I'm the guilty one since they started when I arrived, no one played them before me. Cowards, I'm the only one who dared to do it. Ai nomon always defends me saying that I am a princess and that I would never do that, although we both know it's not true. In fact, she has given me some ideas. But she always insists that it be in private and we never humiliate her in public like at the coronation. I accept the terms, since she doesn't reprimand me after all.

And here we are in another physical training from hell with the bitter witch. I have improved rapidly, but not enough in her eyes. As I said, a bitter witch in all her glory. Roan and I fight with wooden sticks replacing spears. I've used some real weapons, though to avoid getting hurt we prefer to use the sticks. However, if you get hit with one you'll get a good bruise, so I'd better dodge it.

Roan blocks my attack, swinging the stick and sending mine flying, again. He places his stick in my chest, in what would be a mortal wound.

"Well done, prince. Dead again, Skai Prisa." She sneers at me. Ughhh, how I despise her. The hatred is mutual. She knows that I'm the one playing tricks on her, and I don't try to deny it. However, I don't admit it either, and she doesn't have the evidence to tell on me.- "Nodotaim." (Again)- Now that I have become quite fluent in trig, she insists on speaking in this tongue.

I raise my weapon and get into position. I'm tired and completely sweaty, but I'm not complaining. That would only lead to a bitter witch's punishment and I should keep training anyway. My words would be useless, just a waste of saliva. We move in a circle, analyzing each other. Roan will always be a better warrior than me, of that I have no doubt. Although in strategy I have proven to be the best. Nomon has taken us to his war councils and I have been fascinated by this part of politics. Who knew I was so good at it. The jokes on bitter witch are a case in point.

Roan decides to attack first, and he has more patience than I do. Anyway, I block his blow with ease and attack his exposed area. He sees it coming and blocks me, then hits my shoulder. I feel the blow, but I try not to show my pain. I won't look weak in front of bitter witch. Not that I consider showing my pain and emotions a weakness, but never to the bitter witch. Never, my pride will not allow it.

I continue to launch attacks and he blocks them. He's trying to tire me out. Good strategy, bigabro, but that's not going to happen. He may be stronger, but I'm faster and more agile. I stop attacking and go on the defensive. He starts hitting me with his stick and I try to dodge and block as much as I can. I remember what the bitter witch told us, never back up, move sideways, but never backwards. As much as I hate her, she's been at this longer than I have.

The fight goes on longer than expected and out of the corner of my eye I see that a circle of spectators has formed. Great, now my pride of not failing in front of people is also going to pressure me. His attacks begin to decrease in quantity and strength, he is getting tired. He seems to notice that I am using his own strategy against him and moves away. We move in a circle analyzing each other again, seeing which is the best way to defeat the other. I look at my stick that simulates a spear. Roan's strength and my weakness. I hate spears, he has the advantage as it is his strength. If we used shorter sticks as swords we would be evenly matched, but the bitter witch insisted on this, just to make me look bad I'm sure.

I sigh, I'm at a disadvantage, I know. I don't have my best weapon, Roan beats me by several years of training and has more strength. But a warrior doesn't give up, I must find a way to win this fight. Even if he has won more times I want a victory. I will not give up so easily. I scan the crowd at the same time as my brother. A bow! There, at the edge of the circle formed. If only I had one. His arrows are blunt anyway, it's a training bow.