Crown of Blood

Chapter 2

Honestly the whole break-up thing was starting to take a toll on me. Maybe Hanzo was right and I'm just being a pushover. Is it really out of my control or am I just looking for excuses. Maybe I never loved him to begin with. Maybe I'm just overthinking this; I should go find a distraction. There should be something fun to do outside of the palace. It's just that I usually go with Hanzo... I could take one of my parents but they are usually busy at this time. Agni doesn't like leaving the palace... I don't want to go by myself. Not after the display at the banquet.

But I can't shake the feeling that I'm forgetting someone... I guess I do have a friend. But I doubt he'd want to join me to go out on the town. He's usually too caught up in working. Unless I use his job as an excuse to make him come with me. That way we can hang out while he's working.

I found Sir Nitin talking with his fellow knights and his attention quickly switched to me.

"Your highness?" He asked,

"I have a favor to ask of you, if you're willing," I offer, hoping he'll take the bait.

"Of course, what do you need?"

I knew Nitin couldn't resist helping me, "Would yu join me for a walk around the kingdom?"

Nitin's eyes widened in disbelief. The other knights exchanged glances.

"Well? Will you?" I ask.

Nitin nods reluctantly, "Lovely! We shall be off then," I grab his hand and pull him along as we exit the palace.

Sir Nitin was quite as usual but I was determined to get him to open up a bit. We visited several places but Nitin mostly kept his guard up.

"Stop being so tense! Look, we can go anywhere you want, on me, okay?"

Nitin declines so I decide to treat him to have some strawberry arnaud. This isn't me flexing my wealth on him. The knights are actually paid very well so I have no doubt that Sir Nitin is very well off. But theres just something satisfying about buying an expensive dessert for another.

"This is too much. I'm just here to keep you company," Nitin denies my gift.

"We can share it if you want. Just accept it, we are friends after all."

Nitin looked like he wanted to deny it but just nodded instead. I couldn't help but smile. We shared our dessert making subtle small talk. Once we finished we went on a walk. We passed someone who caught my eye.

They had an odd aura about them... Like they recently practiced something that was forbidden 4 years ago. I didn't think anyone would dar to do such a thing. They caught me staring then rushed off. I was going to tell Nitin but figured I shouldn't worry him.

Instead I just asked quietly so no one overheard, "Do you think people still practice it?"

Nitin looked a little surprised and then replied, "Of course," with a low voice, "Banning it just gave those who use it an upper hand. Some like the danger it poses. Especially with the fear it brings."

I never thought about it like that. We thought banning it would protect people from the harm it could bring but in reality it just gave more power to it.

"Are you saying someone can use it to attack the kingdom? If that happened, how would we defend?"

Nitin smirked, "Simple. We use magic as well."

My heart jumped at the word, "I suppose I can't disagree but still, is fighting fire with fire really the answer in that situation.?"

"If someone attacks you with fists then you use a sword. The blade gives you an advantage. But with magic there's nothing more powerful besides magic itself. You can't put out a magic fire with water. But you can dispel it with magic."

Nitin spoke with such surety that I couldn't help but believe him.

"I believe you but still... is it worth the risk?" I ask.

Nitin looks at me with an indifferent grin, "I'm sure we'll find out."

After that rather unnerving conversation we continued on our walk. We visited a fountain where we both made a wish. My wish was for the drama with magic and Hanzo to be forgotten. Nitin probably wished for something noble like defending the kingdom. Knights tend to hold onto their responsibilities.

"Can I guess your wish?" I ask.

"You can try but I doubt you'll be able to," Nitin said proudly.

Challenge accepted.

"Protection?" Nope. "Safety?" Nope. "Strength?" Nope.

Okay, maybe I misjudged him, "Can I have a hint?"

Nitin thought for a moment, "It's a selfish wish."

I couldn't help but laugh. Only a knight who stands for honor would call their wish selfish. It's your wish who cares.

"Did you wish for money or a material possession?"

"No, but I do respect your stubbornness."

"Oh! Did you wish to be closer to someone?"

He didn't respond. I thought his silence was confirmation but then I looked at him. He was staring off in the distance.

"What's wrong?" I looked where he was looking. Smoke.

My heart raced. It was in the direction of the castle.

"Agni!" I called as I ran towards the castle Nitin on my heels.

My chest burned but I had to make it. We passed several people whispering about the palace and Agni. I couldn't focus on that right now. My family- my brother is in danger. I was angry at my legs for not taking me there faster. Angry at myself for not taking Agni with me. I got too comfortable hanging out with Nitin. We probably would have spotted the signs before it was too late. We have no idea how long the fire has been burning nor what could've caused it. As far as I know it was a kitchen fire and Agni is safe.

Who am I kidding? It has to be man made.

We have way too many staff to not realize that there was a fire burning in the palace. But it just doesn't make sense. Why have an episode now? He was completely fine earlier.

We approached the gate of the palace. The smoke was coming from the window of the throne room. I could see the light of the fire. My heart sank. The energy from the fire isn't natural. Its definitely caused by my mom or Agni.

Nitin put a hand on my shoulder,

"I'm going in. You should stay here."

"Like hell I am!"

I shook off his hand and rushed inside he followed behind with his bow at the ready. Nitin also possessed magic. From what I've seen he infuses his arrows with magic so that when he shoots them they spread ice to whatever he hits. That's how he put out the fire from four years ago.

We reached the hall that leads to the dining room and I stopped in my tracks. There was an anguished cry that made my gut whirl. It was Agni's. Nitin walked calmly to the entrance and slowly peeked open the door. His face immediately overcome with horror.
"Is he okay?" I whispered.

No response. He just shakily raised his bow and released an arrow. I heard a angry grunt signaling he reached his target. The doors swung open and I fell to my knees.

Agni was crying and screaming. Hanzo stood in front of the door with a sickening smile. A guy next to him bleeding and grabbing his torso where the arrow hit. And my parents... lay besides Agni.

"I was wondering where you two went," Hanzo's words were laced with malice and blood lust.

Nitin must have sensed his blood lust as well. He shot an arrow at Hanzo's feet and without waiting to see if he hit, he grabbed my arm and ran.

"Nitin! We have to go back for Agni!"

No response.

"Nitin!"