The Warrior Prince

Daughter or Not? Part 12

Valeria was surprised when a group of soldiers abruptly entered the cell area and took a forceful hold on several of the women; Sage included. "Come with us," a soldier ordered. Valeria did not argue and went with the group of soldiers. While the other women struggled and fought the guards, Valeria simply walked obediently with them.

They were led through several hallways and then suddenly pushed through an iron gate. Barely inside, the door slammed behind them.

"Where are we?" Sage asked relieved to free of the guards iron grip but fully aware they were not in a desirable location.

"The Arena," Runia said knowingly.

"Arena?" Valeria asked. "Why would they bring us here?" she asked. "That makes..." Valeria fell silent as she remembered what type of people she was with and some of the stories she'd heard about warriors and what they did to their prisoners. "They mean for us to fight."

"Yes," Sage said and looked at Lothar's bride.

"This is barbaric!" Valeria declared.

"You may look like Valora but you certainly don't sound like her," Kiona commented and looked at Etana.

It was only a moment and a door opened on the other side. Light entered the holding area they were in and the tunnel that would admit them into the arena.

"Who wants to go first?"

"Pilar!" Etana said recognizing the voice. "I thought you were dead."

"No but I've got scars I assure you," Pilar replied. "What's going on? Why would they suddenly bring us here and give us an honorable way to die?"

"It's not about us. It's about Lothar's bride," Runia said. "Valora's daughter."

"I'm not this Valora woman's daughter!" Valeria declared. Frustrated with the constant references she practically shoved her way past the other women and entered the arena.

Valeria entered the arena and walked only a few feet when she stopped and looked around. There were people everywhere watching from seats above the arena floor. Nothing had happened and yet they were already beginning to chant for blood to be spilled.

"It's Valora!" someone yelled and a hush ran over the crowd.

"I'm not Valora!" Valeria screamed in frustration. "I don't know who she is or why I apparently look like her but I'm not her or her daughter!" Turning back toward the tunnel she saw the other women had emerged. "Princess Sage please tell them that..."

"I can't Valeria. You know nothing about your mother and you do not wield a sword like a Benola woman," she replied. "I did not think so before but now I don't know."

Valeria looked over at King Drem and watched as he rose to his feet. "You have said you are not Valora's daughter and I believe to your knowledge you are not. Yet women from Valora's kingdom believe that you are. If you are not the daughter of a warrior then it will be revealed now. If you are, then that too will be revealed."

"I know how to fence my father taught me," Valeria told him.

"That may be but every warrior has a specific fighting style to them. If you are not Valora's daughter than you will not fight like her but that of as Sage said a Benola woman." Drem pointed and suddenly armor was dropped over the side for the women to use. The king looked at the blonde woman. "Prove what you are and what you are not."

"I don't know how," Valeria told him with near pleading eyes. "Test me if you must but not them."

"I'd rather die here than in a cell princess," Etana said.