Tale of the Princess

VI

From her vantage point, Alza looked fractured and broken.

Arawn Adair's attacks had clearly left them devastated, and the misery they'd gone through shone on their faces. As Shyra walked through the streets with the competitors, her heart went out to the Alzans who were pushing their misery aside and welcoming her with warm smiles.

As they neared the Arena, the stone structure soon rose from the horizon, taking everyone's breath away. The competitors paused for a kshana and gaped at the stadium built for them.

It was a huge circular stadium with tall walls that reached to embrace the sky. It ran through the area grassed especially for the Games, and capered towards the top, leaving a bare ceiling for light to pour in. Even from this distance, Shyra could sense and hear people swarming around the Arena and settling in for the performance. Their enthusiasm caused a slight lump in her throat, and she swallowed it with some difficulty.

The competitors were led to the main entrance of the Arena and the crowd parted for them as they marched into the rounded stone, solemnity writ on their faces. A huge stone tunnel was built right after the gates, and they could hear hushed murmurings as they passed through the tunnel.

Oh my gosh, this is happening. Oh my gosh, this is really happening, she told herself breathily as they emerged from the tunnel and spread out into the Arena.

After the stark darkness of the tunnel, the Arena's bright sunlight momentarily startled Shyra and she put her hand over her eyes to block excess light. When her vision cleared, she could see that the vast Arena had been filled out with eager spectators who began muttering eagerly and pointing at the competitors.

The ground they were standing in was carpeted with green grass that softened the hard ground and created a beautiful rippling effect in the breeze. There were many separated sections around them, some filled with sand, some with water, some metalled and fenced, and others stocked with special weapons.

One side of the Arena was raised slightly above the others and caught her attention immediately. Without a doubt, she could make out that this was where the Royal family was sitting and watching the Games. There were Emperor Soren and Empress Inara occupied huge thrones at the top of the stands and watched the participants. Besides them was a smaller throne occupied by an attractive young man, possibly in his twenties.

Shyra blinked. Attractive young man? Where did that adjective come from?

It was true, nevertheless. The guy had wavy black hair that rested in curls on his head. His captivating dark eyes scanned the Arena with an incredibly bored look, with his sculpted chin resting on slender fingers. This young man was clearly Prince Mahi, son of the Emperor and Empress, heir to the throne of Alza.

He was dressed like a prince too, with rich robes and a silken cloak that hung from his slight shoulders. A belt with a golden clasp adorned his waist and boots shone on his feet as he tapped them impatiently on the ground.

Flustered by the degree of attention she was paying to him, Shyra was about to look away when he suddenly turned in her direction and caught her eye. Startled, she took a step back at the sudden eye contact.

Prince Mahi seemed astonished to see her too. He lifted his head from his hand and widened his eyes at first. To her surprise, he then seemed to brighten up just at the sight of her; flashing a smile that caused his cheeks to crease with dimples. Shyra tried not to notice how his delicate nose crinkled as he smiled.

He looked around him for a kshana, as if it make sure that nobody was watching them, then raised his hand and waved at her tentatively. He didn't seem discouraged when she didn't respond, and folded his hand and stuck his thumb out instead, wishing her luck.

Overwhelmed by an emotion she couldn't identify, she turned around immediately and pointedly looked away from him. Her cheeks burned and she rapidly clenched and unclenched her hands to distract herself.

What in the worlds is happening to me? What in the worlds just happened?

Once she'd composed herself, she risked a glance at him again, and to her deep embarrassment, she saw that his attention was still on her.

He was openly laughing in endearment now, shaking his head in that affectionate way people did when she did something cute.

Shyra was positive her face was completely red now, and she spun away from him to stare at the other participants warming up for the events.

Argh! I forgot to do my warm-up exercises! she muttered to herself. That's it. I'm not going to pay attention to him anymore. Yeah, that's right. I'll just avoid looking at him throughout the Games.

To help her concentrate, she thought of all the people who had trained her for this, all the people she'd come here for, all the troubles her Ziya had gone through. These thoughts grounded her and calmed her down, and her cheeks stopped burning. She resolved to remain in this state until the Games were up.