A Different Kind of Alice

Day 1 part 2

"Time to go," I say. "Kalian will be waiting."

Blue Eyes' gaze sharpens at the name. Golden Eyes' eyes narrow slightly. Green Eyes cocks his head. Violet Eyes remains placid. Silver Eyes frowns.

I pay no mind, heading towards the doors.

They follow behind me. I walk down the halls to the back of the home, appreciating my sunroom as always as I walk through it. I magick open the back door and keep walking, shutting it when they've passed through it.

I seal the house shut and keep going.

Ten minutes later I enter the clearing that we use for our training grounds when we fight hand-to-hand.

Mayla is there for once. Usually it's just me and her men. Occasionally she shows up.

My men slightly relax at the sight of her I notice.

Now that I think about, they wouldn't understand why I'm being trained by two males, even if those males are married to their Laten already.

I will have to tread carefully or they'll know more than I'm willing to share yet.

Honestly, I'm still shocked that I felt that it was a good idea to bind them to me at all - any of them. It's possibly very dangerous for me and potentially for them if the wrong people finally find me while they're with me.

I nod to Mayla. She returns the gesture, having picked up on my customs as much as I've picked up on hers.

Kalian stands ready to fight. Sundar is no where to be found for the moment, though that could change at any moment. They're prone to surprise attacks so that I can get used to watching my surroundings using my magic so I'm not caught off guard.

Mayla looks at my men. "I have no right to put rules upon you, but your Laten has willingly put herself to me to be trained to fight. Do not harm my men or get in their way while they help her train or I will deal with you as an enemy."

I feel Violet Eyes look to me. The others stand with their heads slightly bowed, not saying a word. I should have expected this. I know these rules of conduct, but I obviously didn't think everything through.

I narrow my eyes.

"Careful, Laten Mayla," I say, challenging her for the first time in our history.

Her eyes very slightly widen, but other than that she makes no outward motion that she's surprised.

Kalian goes stock still.

I don't look away from her, continuing.

"I know what I chose when I accepted their offers and what they chose when they accepted my offering in return. They are mine to protect as surely as your sitars are yours to protect. You will deal with me, not them. I know what you have done for me, but do not forget yourself simply for where I am from or from your sense of duty to me or those who gave me to you to help. You of all people know my strength. Don't test it by forgetting I am my own."

Mayla doesn't speak at first.

When she does, my men tense at her words. "They are not yours yet, my dear heart. Do not give them more than they have given. They would not fight for you yet. Do not fight for them."

"They do not offer me their swords, Laten. I offered mine."

"You offered your wealth until you have chosen."

"You do not decide that for me. I am not you. They offered their lives into my hands. You may not see it that way, but I do. I will not forget the honor of that for the whims of your world.