The Moorian's Princess

Bear Tamer

After some talking, and a threat to be carried over Cal's shoulder through the Castle, Aila conceded to return with him willingly.

Her staff at her side and her quiver on her back Aila walked alongside the Morn. The silence was nice.

But it only lasted a moment.

"Where did ye learn te fight like that, lass?" Cal asked.

Aila restrained a roll of her eyes. "Me Da dinae want me te fight. Said it was unladylike. So I tricked and blackmailed until someone taught me, I had many teachers. Me favorite was the Solarian woman that came, she taught me how te use me size and lightness te my advantage. She made me fast, silent, and graceful as the deer."

"Solarian eh?"

Aila nodded. "Aye, they teach their women to fight. And the women fight well too. There is a whole guard of just women who they send as assassins and spies. Their queen trains them."

"Those monsters have a queen?" Cal asked.

It was widely known that solarians were born with a beast inside them to battle for all of their days, but the eastern lands knew nothing more than that, and their use of magic.

Aila scoffed. "These solarians are not the ones we remember. They have learned to accept their beasts and made peace with them, use them even. And yes they do have a queen. Queen Bella Cantante, the Angel."

This was news to Callahan of Morn. "Your teacher must've lied to Ye. There are no Angels."

Aila scowled. "I happen te know when someone is lyin' to me, Master Callahan. And this woman was not. She was her daughter."

Callahan balked, "Ye were taught to fight by the Solarian Princess?"

Aila nodded.

"Why did Ye want te learn from her? They have magic! Only thieves and liars and people with no honor use magic."

Aila's green eyed glare pierced Cal. "Be careful not te judge what you cannae understand, Master Callahan."

Cal scowled. "Keep call in' me that, lass, and I'll have te give ye a reason te call me Master."

Aila smirked. "Mistress Luk calls ye that."

"And she better be the on'y one. The woman was me nanny. Can't get 'er te stop, she's practically me Ma."

Before Aila could ask another question a horn sounded in the distance, they had come in sight of the castle.

Aila held her head high and marched down to the gate, Cal chuckling softly the whole way.

When they reached the castle gate they heard a collective screeching and a horrid wailing.

Aila's hand tightened on her staff but Callahan just laughed. "I see ye've met me niece an' nephew."

"Yer what?" The gates opened and three small figures came barreling out and charged Aila.

A wide grin spread on her face and Aila brandished her staff.

Artair, Artis and Bryson all skidded to a halt and landed in a pile of hooves and legs. Bryson was bare chested and the twins were sporting soft leather vests tied by buttons.

"Hello, kiddies." Aila said.

"Is it true that ye took down thirty men?" Artair asked, his brown eyes big.

Aila laughed. "Nay, it wasnae more'n twenty."

"All at the same time?" Artis gasped.

Aila chuckled and crouched to bring herself to the young girl's level. "Listen, lass. A man may be able te take on twenty others, but only a great man can. Now a great wuman be clever enough te wear out the enemy and pick 'em off one by one."