Prince of Time

Chapter Seven - The Threat of a War

Eliseo folded his arms. “When I said I hoped to see you again, I didn’t require you to return for punishment.”

Maple looked down. “I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

“But not for the fight?” Eliseo looked amused. “I’m not disappointed. Exasperated, perhaps, but not disappointed. I hear you fought well. I hear you won.”

Maple grinned. “Yes. I won.”

Eliseo nodded. “Good girl. So did I, when I fought there.”

She laughed. “You were chosen?”

“Yes. I destroyed the dragon rider. The fight was a long way from even.”

Maple bit her lip. “He was good. For a moment, he had me worried.”

“Good fighters exist,” Eliseo reminded her. “Dangerous opponents are out there. You will never be the best.”

Maple sighed and nodded.

“After my duel, I was beaten senseless,” he continued, “for my misdemeanours. I spent the next few days serving hard labour.”

Maple winced. “I am prepared to accept my punishment.”

Her heart was in her boots. She had hoped for a better start as a warrior.

“I won’t beat you senseless,” Eliseo promised, “because even I hold old-fashioned concepts about cruelty to girls. But it will hurt you. And you will spend the next few days confined to work.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t.”

It was hours later. Maple bent over her work, cleaning weapons in the armoury. Her back stung from the whip but he had been gentle with her. It would heal within days.

 The monotony of the work was familiar and Maple let herself drift with it. Despite it all, she felt pleased with herself. The fight had done something for her. It was her first real victory, after all, for she rarely won her training bouts.

“Maple?”

She looked up and saw Pepper standing in the doorway, wincing. Her forehead was lined with worry.

“What are you doing here?” Maple demanded.

“I’m to clean weapons,” Pepper sat down sulkily. “Don’t bother to say thank you.”

“What have you done?” Maple nearly laughed.

“I said you should have a fair trial,” Pepper grinned. “They didn’t take kindly to that one.”

Maple shook her head. “You’ll get yourself hurt one day.”

“But for today, we can clean swords in a dark little armoury whilst everybody else goes to see their old families.”

Maple gasped. “I forgot! My parents!”

“They can wait another few days,” Pepper shrugged. “They’ve waited five years.”

“I’m their youngest child,” Maple mused. “And their only daughter. They must be wondering where I am.”

Nostalgia threatened to overtake her. She bit her lip, feeling misty-eyed and sorrowful.

“I was the eldest child,” Pepper sighed. “Two little brothers and a sister. Only one of them will still be at home. I wonder where they ended up.”

“What were they like?”

“Painful,” Pepper admitted. “The girl was a little duchess. I don’t think she cared about anything as much as her hair. The older boy was alright, I guess. The younger one was just a kid. I scarcely knew him.”