Five Kingdoms

Chapter 10

It is four in the morning, my wounds are dressed, and I am currently on a run. I knew I wouldn't sleep tonight, and when I tried, my mind betrayed me, replying my sister's death over and over. The only thing I could think of doing to pass the time was going for a run, so here I am outside the Yarrow palace doing laps. Unfortunately, my dress from earlier is still drenched, and I forgot to get the clothes from my original room, so I have no choice but to sport my chainmail skirt, which adds unnecessary weight. Eventually, I stop and practice sword stances and swings. My body feels like it's falling apart, but I push through. One part of my brain is screaming for sleep while the other begs to avoid it at all costs.

"You know, for someone so grumpy all the time, I would think sleep is important to you."

I turn around, sword still in my hands, and see Ivory walking over to me

"Relax, it's just me."

"You've known me one day, what makes you think I'm grumpy all the time?" I ask

"Just a feeling."

"Coming from the girl who stabbed me even once our fight was over."

"Yes, yes, I know. I was wrong to do so and stuff."

"And stuff?"

"You're alive and all, so I don't think it's really that big of a deal."

"Sure enough."

She is silent for a moment but speaks again "In all seriousness, I suppose I am sorry."
"It's ok if you're not, I understand. It helps me focus anyway."

"What does?"

"The cuts, wounds in general."

"Why's that?"

"Something about the pain brings me back into the moment instead of wandering through my mind."

"Well then, your welcome."

"What are you doing awake?" I ask, stabbing my sword into the ground, ignoring how bad that is for the blade, It's technically Ryder's sword anyway.

"Cara came to my room crying about her test earlier; I guess it shook her up a bit. She felt bad for bothering me and told me she went to your room, but Ryder answered the door."

"Oh."

"Oh? That's how you want to explain him in your room."

"No, no, it's not like that, we switched rooms."

"Good, I hear he has a girl back home."

"Who?His mother?" I immediately put my hand to my mouth, shocked at my words, "That was uncalled for, forgive me."

Ivory doesn't seem to mind as she laughs, "Didn't I say you are grumpy?"

"I guess you have a point."

"Come on, you should go inside and rest."

"I could say the same to you."

"I'm going inside too, don't worry. Also, we have to be in the board room by 7 in case you were wondering." She pauses, "Can you do me a favor?"

I look at her, confused as to what she could need from me.

"I'm afraid that whichever King or Queen chooses Cara only wants to manipulate and rule through her. If you believe any of the kingdoms to have bad intentions, protect her."

My heart sinks as I have had the same thoughts, the same fears. Cara grew up in a different environment than us, and it shows.

I nod, agreeing. She looks around and heads back to the palace not saying anything more than she already has.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun starts to peak into the halls as I knock on Ryder's new door.

He starts talking through the door, "Look, I already told you...."

The door opens as he looks at me, clearly not expecting me to be on the one on the other side.

"Already told me what?" I ask jokingly, looking at his wild, dark hair that's been ruffled.

"Sorry, I thought it was your mom." He says as he leans on the doorframe.

"Tell me you're joking."

"She came looking for you last night. Twice, I might add. She came to my room excepting to see you, but when she didn't find you here, I told her I didn't know where you were"

"And why would you do that?" I ask as he crosses his arms

"She seemed pissed."

"....ok...?"

"You could just say thank you, darling."

"Let me think about that. Hmm, nope, I'm good."

His eyebrows raise with what looks like sass.

"Don't look at me like that, who's to say I didn't want to see her?"

I cross my arms similarly to him

"Fine, next time, I'll send her over." He pauses and watches my fingers tap my arm, "Let me guess," He pauses again, scanning my body, "You need your clothes."

"Maybe I just enjoy your company." Sarcasm coats my words.

"Don't flatter me, Sweets."

He turns into the room and returns shortly, holding out clothing. I take them and start to turn away when Ryder speaks, "Best of luck."

I open my door but turn back towards him as he runs his hands through his hair, "Goodbye, Winstone." I close my door barely hearing him whisper, "Goodbye."

I change into the clothes given to me, a long-sleeved black dress with silver metals laced into the material. Unfortunately, I have nowhere to hide my daggers, but it seems Ryder thought about that and left me a black belt. I attach both daggers and a sword to it and leave my hair down as I hear a knock at my door. I go to open it seeing Vance on the other side.

"Look before you say anything, I'm sorry. It may or may not have been uncalled for to say the things I did."

"It was but continue."

"Well, look, you didn't respond well either, I mean you socked me in the eye." Vance points at the dark bruise forming

"She has her reasons, Vance, and if you are about to tell her to apologize, you may not make it to the board room at all." I peer down the hall and see Ivory leaning against a wall.

"I can handle this Ivory." I say turning back to Vance, "What's your point?"

"Promise not to punch me again, and I promise not to insult you."

"I don't have a problem with insults; I have a problem with people who think they're the only one who's right and people who grab me against my will."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not sure you are but seeing as we will have to work together in the future, I'll let it go but if you ever cross me that way again, I can't promise to be as forgiving."

"Deal."

"We should probably make our way over." Ivory insists

I take a deep breath, knowing she's right. This is my chance, my chance to leave home and escape. I can only hope I did enough, that I proved myself worthy to rule. As we walk to the boardroom, I start picturing what life would be like in a new Kingdom, is the weather different, how the people live, is the royal pressure better or worse? Then again, I have to be careful not to get my hopes up because I may not be offered anything. The doors to the boardroom open, and all six of us walk in, half excited, half neutral. Here goes nothing.