Blood Inked

Chapter 10.. Beware of Foes

To be called a marked one is a blessing as it is a curse...

You are revered and loved, cursed and hated. Death seeks you, and if you are not strong enough, you fell to the grave swiftly. All marked ones are born on the same day all over the nation. They were then brought forward to the court for protection and recognition. It is heard of that some families never presented theirs in fear, and some lost their children within days of their birth. It is usual for the children to be born from the houses of Valngasia, and when the time is right, they will fight for the crown, with their house offering their strength and support...

From the Records of the Chief Liberian of Valngasia.

Princess Frieda Von Malnhin. Daughter of fire, from the embers of Zor. Heir to the house of Wnu, and prodigy warrior. She sat watching students of the academy displaying their fire grace, hoping to impress and receive a comment of praise from her.

Leeches.

They hated her with a passion, but admired and feared her greatly because of the power she possessed.

As one bearing the embers of Zor within her, she understood their dilemma. The fire grace is very consuming. It is a very wild and demanding element. You either mastered it, or it mastered you. The urge to burn everything in your path was a constant desire, and the search for more power and dominance was something that will never be tamed.

But she loved her grace very much.

Not only had she been born with the mark of Eloah, she carried the embers of Zor, the flames of Eloah, within her.

The fire that could burn and destroy anything. There were no limits to its ability. The only thing that deterred her, was that it was not attainable, yet. Although the power burnt within her and sought an outlet through her, it was locked.

She had consulted with many physicians, but none had been able to unlock it. It drove her almost to madness.

Frieda knew she was the most powerful fire graced warrior in all of Valngasia, and perhaps the world, but she knew she could be much more.

She could be a great legend.

Many called her a child of darkness, but she didn't care, she had a goal and a purpose and she intended to achieve it.

She was the daughter of Fire, she would definitely get what she wanted. Although her passion and desire had alienated her from those she loved, it mattered not, because they had been traitors after all.

She would rather have one that was loyal, than a thousand traitors.

A missive had come the day before from her most loyal servant. The last remedy to her situation was inking.

Inking was frowned upon by the Priests of Eloah, it was also considered a forbidden act by some members of the court. As much as she didn't care what anyone thought of her, it is a very difficult decision to make.

The inking could work, or it could not work. It could also cost her life or her sanity, there were several risks that came with inking, especially if it was done by a traitor.

She sighed as she realized that the instructor that had been sitting next to her had been speaking to her for a while.

"...they are doing so well today, very impressive." the instructor said.

Frieda turned to the female instructor and smiled a little. "Do you think so?" she said, "I think they look like clowns. It seems like they get worse each time I come by."