I Followed

I Trained

~~Rythian’s POV~~

“I really have to go. Training won’t wait. But she’s beautiful, I promise.” I smile.

“Thanks for seeing me. No one in the castle sees a lot of you now, with all your training and stuff. But we all care about you. Remember that.” Rata hugs me, and I walk out of her room.

I enter the familiar yard which I’ve trained in every day this week. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be fighting Sjin, doing it for my Kingdom. For my family. For Zoey, for Anna, for Rata, for Tara. For my girls. I need to do this, I need to stay alive. They’ll be heartbroken if I lose, if I die. Revising every night, remember old tricks and spells to win fights. I’ve hardly slept. I need to sleep tonight, get a healthy amount to fight. I need to get fitter, stronger. I need to disarm Sjin, I need to win this duel. I need to train. I need to do this.

“Rythian?” Zoey calls from behind me. I automatically stop my training. I am not accidently killing anyone else, especially not Zoey.

“Yes, Zoey?” I turn to face her, sheathing my katar.

“Would you like a drink?” She asks feebly.

“No, thank you. I need to train.” I reply firmly.

“Take a break, please.” She looks at me, hopefully.

“I can’t, I need to train. The duel is tomorrow, Zoey. I’m sorry, but this is for you. This is for everyone; this is for the whole Kingdom.” I explain.

“Okay. I understand. I’ll hang out with Tara, okay?” She turns. “Oh, and Rythian?” Zoey stops. She doesn’t turn to face me, she stays facing the doors.

“Yes, Zoey?” I repeat.

“I love you.” She says, and continues walking indoors.

“I know. I love you too.” I get my katar back out, and continue beating the dummies scattered around the yard.

~~Zoey’s POV~~

“I know. I love you too.” He says, and he turns to train again. I want to spend time with him, he could die tomorrow. No, Zoey, don’t act like that. He’s a hero, he’s going to win. The good guy always wins, right? Right.

“Are you okay, Madame? You seem… Sad.” Jac, the babysitter asks. Her full name is Jacqueline, but everyone calls her Jac, it fits.

“It’s Rythian. He’s so,” I sigh, “He’s so disconnected. He’s always training, always revising, always making new weapons.”

“I understand. Would you like some time alone?” She offers, pointing to the door.

“No, please stay. I like friends, I like being around others. Rata or Tara might be coming in soon.” I explain. Just on cue, Tara walks in.

“Did someone call… SuperTara?” She asks dramatically. I burst out laughing, and so does Jac. Tara can’t hold in, and collapses into giggles. We all laugh uncontrollably for five minutes, when Rythian storms in. I stop laughing, realising that it isn’t that funny.

“I need to go. I have some books I haven’t read yet. Excuse me.” Rythian walks behind the red couch, stressed and tired. When he walks out, I look at Tara and Jac worriedly.

“You see? He’s so out of it! He’s in another world, a world of training where love doesn’t exist. I feel like I’m losing him.” I explain, deflated.

“He’s training for you.” Tara says. “He won’t lose, and you don’t want him to, do you? I don’t want to sound mean, but deal with it. Because the more he trains, the better the chance he has to win that duel.”