Elements

Chapter Two/ Shade

When I caught up to her we started talking.

We talked until we got to the armory. Then, Captain Ryland approached us and bowed. One dramatic bow. We looked at each other and snickered. "You don't have to bow to us. We're not royalty. If we were it would be different."

"Well, the prince told us to bow to you so we are doing what the prince said." He told us, softly. I had never seen him before so he seemed so gentle to people. But if he is the captain of the guard than he must be fierce. I sighed. "Enough talking. Where's our armor?"

He looked at me with interest. "Follow me."

We followed him. We were amazed at how big the armory was. It had to be ten times the size of our house in the human realm.

When we got to the armor section, he went to get the armor they made for us.

He came back a couple minutes later and told us to try them on. We left and went to our separate rooms. When we walked out in our armor, we ran into Mom.

She shrieked. "What are you wearing?"

I laughed. "Armor, Mom. You know what that is, right?"

"I can't allow you to wear that. You could get hurt." She said, shaking her head at the floor. "Take it off. Now."

"Mom," Ash chose her words carefully, "You know we need armor to fight. We are the only ones that can protect this realm from disaster. You can't protect us anymore. We aren't little girls."

Mom sniffled and Ash and I shared a glance. She was about to break down again.

"I know. I just wish you two were still my little girls. Please tell me you understand that."

Ash and I answered together. "We understand."

I took over. "Mom, maybe you need a rest. It would be nice. Ash could let you use her room. It has a walk-in closet."

Mom's eyes lit up. "Really? Maybe I could use a rest."

"I take you to the room real quick. Okay?" Ash took Mom's hand and walked with her to the room. I watched as Ash described to Mom what was in the closet.

Once they went in the door, I made my way back to the armory.

Ryland met me at the entrance. He asked me if I would like to test the armor.

"Yeah." I answered, feeling anxious.

We walked in silence to the training room. As we walked, Ryland and I snuck glances at each other. When we saw the other looking, we would blush, fervently.