Revolution

Chapter 3: Blue and Brown

"Quickly, papa, I want to finish so I can read!" Althea exclaimed, urging him to pick up his sword and duel with her. Thick beads of sweat coated her forehead and all the air was squeezed out of her lungs, but all she could think about was finishing the story she had started. She was itching to get a taste for more. The chief stood up from his seating position, used a towel to mop up the sweat from brown hair and reached for his own weapon. It still surprised him how daring she was, even though he was easily more than twice her size.

"Our session is over when the sun is halfway across the sky, time won't speed up no matter how much you nag me." But all the same, he raised his sword and prepared his battle stance.

"What about if I beat you? Will you let me go then?"

The chief was caught off guard, it was only a week ago that she had complained about the weight of her sword, now she wanted to challenge him? He almost thought she was joking, but the determined glint in her eyes told him otherwise.

"Deal."

Althea's eyes lit up and her heart pounded steadily against her chest, the adrenaline was kicking in and she could feel her senses on high alert. She observed the man in front of her. Sure, papa was strong, but all that muscle also made him slow. He had also told her about the bruise on the edge of his right shoulder, maybe she could use that to her advantage. Althea smiled as she thought through her list of possible tactics. Once she felt satisfied, she gave him a nod, bounced on the balls of her feet and prepared to make a move.

"Ready? G-"

He wasn't able to finish, Althea had already pounced towards him, with the ferocity of a tiger. Unfortunately for her, Chief had been duelling all his life and deflected her attack with ease.

"You little weasel," he laughed, "caught me off guard."

But she wasn't done yet, she charged at him, her lungs squeezing tightly with anticipation. Just a little bit closer... just a little bit more...

Deflected.

In a blind of an eye, she lay curled up on the floor, panting and clutching her chest. Chief had barely broken a sweat, while she was barely able to keep her sword up. He slowly moved his weapon down and left it hanging by his side.

"You're not ready for this," he said, turning his back to her, "you've left yourself open to many times and gave too many opportunities for your attacker to hit you. Charging like that also took a toll on your-"

Before he could finish, Althea had gotten up and jabbed his right shoulder with the hilt of her sword, sending waves of pain throughout his arm. Chief crumpled to the ground and took in a sharp breath.

Looks like his bruise was worse than I thought. Althea winced, she didn't think it would have been that bad.

"Sorry papa! Are you okay?" She crouched down next to him and wrapped his head in her arms. "I'm sorry, I didn't think it would hurt so much!" She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and felt her eyes tearing up from the guilt.

"This time," he laughed dryly, "you've won this time. Next time we have to do it fairly."

"Does that mean..." She asked cautiously, not wanting to push her luck.

"Yes, we'll cancel the session short, but I expect you to be back before sun down for more training." Althea could barely believe her ears, her eyes lit up like fireworks in response to his words.

"Thank you, papa!" She tackled him in a hug with so much intensity that it left them both laying on the ground. "Thank you thank you thank you!" Althea peppered his cheeks with kisses before she stood up, brushed the dirt off her clothes and ran back towards the house. "I'll see you before sundown!"

Chief nodded and watched her disappear as she ran down the hill. He was so amused he almost forgot to tend to the blood dripping down his right arm.

***

"Who are you and what are you doing in my spot?" Althea asked, folding her arms across her book and glaring angrily at the intruder. Call her rude and snobby, but she was never good at making friends. Even at school, she refused to play with the other kids. But that was okay, because it seemed that the other kids didn't like her much either. Especially the girls, it was a habit for them to laugh at the scars on her arms and the blisters on her hands.

It wasn't that Althea didn't enjoy school, because she did. She loved learning. It was just that school only occurred once every fortnight and the only things they taught were basic maths, farming and how to write your name. Never anything challenging. Papa had told her it was because the Royals feared that people might know too many things and begin to think. Once someone had told her that the Royals only called the four provinces 'villages' to belittle them. They didn't seem like very nice people.

Sort of like the boy who was now occupying her 'secret place'.

He must have been around her age, his eyes were the colour of the sky and his hair was curly and the colour of the soil on earth below. He had the most carefree look painted across his features, which was accentuated by two dimples on either cheek.

"I don't see your name on it." He replied, still staring out into the river.

"Yes, but I always come here."

"Sorry, sweetie. This spot's mine."

Althea's cheeks were heated now, her ears burned as she stalked up to him, slamming her feet against the ground.

"At least look at me when you speak!"

He gave her a lazy glance before meeting her eyes and immediately bolting upright, hitting his head against the tree in the process.

"You're Thea! The chosen one!" He exclaimed, rubbing his head and standing up to meet her eyes. "Damn, you're something."

"That's Althea to you." She huffed.

But it was like he hadn't even heard her. He took a step towards her and stared into her eyes, she had no choice but to return his gaze. They're so blue, she thought, like the ocean. He gave her a strange lopsided grin that made her heart thump and continued to edge closer to her. And despite herself, she let him. Before she knew it, he had backed her up against the trunk, with both hands on either sides of her shoulders. They were so close she could practically count the freckles on his nose and see the detail in his pupils.

Now her ears were red for an entirely different reason.

"I've been looking for you." He whispered as his warm breath brushed across her face. "I've missed you."

Her heart was so loud she was afraid it might jump out of her throat. Maybe she was sick. Or maybe...

Her heart practically stopped when he reached his hand up to caress her hair and her eyes fluttered closed in response to his touch.

"I got you!"

Her eyes shot open with disbelief, the boy who she was nose to nose with a second ago, was now running around with a small squirrel in his hand. Althea squeezed her book tightly against her chest and let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She had never felt so disappointed and relieved at the same time.

"What was that?" She demanded after she had regained her breath, she had tried to sound stern and maybe even cruel, but her voice betrayed her and instead her words sounded crestfallen and hurt.

"What was what? Oh, and thanks for helping me find my squirrel! I really owe you one." He ran up to her with his pet tucked into his shirt pocket. His grin wider than ever.

"What was that? Just moments before!" Althea exclaimed impatiently, her heart leaping. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

He pondered this for a second before leaning forward and meeting her gaze once again. his eyes were soft and gentle.

"Yeah," he smiled, "you need a shower."