Heiress of the Sea

Chapter 12

The sun was beginning to rise over the grassy fields surrounding the palace, the sea surprisingly calm that day as Caspian and I walked the newly formed army of one hundred men into the meadow, where we would begin training.

It had been three days, and I hadn't seen Soren once. I missed him, but was also glad to not have to think about us for a little while.

In other news, my skin had finally stopped sparkling...much to my relief that morning.

"So...what are you planning on teaching today, General?" Caspian teased as we continued walking, a trail of warriors following us.

I smiled under my breath. "You'll see."

Caspian scoffed. "Is there a reason you won't tell me?"

"No," I responded.

He sighed. "Are you sure you can't just go back to the palace and leave the army-training to me? It is my job, you know."

"Why are you prejudice against me?" I asked. "I don't know who trained you in combat, but I was trained by Triton.  If you forgot, he's the God of the Sea."

He shrugged. "The overthrown God of the sea," he corrected.  "And I was trained by my father; Ares.  If you forgot, he's the God of War.  Look, Ailith...you're a breakable mortal, and, not to mention, it's pretty obvious my boss wants you. My boss being Soren."

I turned my eyes into glaring slits. "Shut up, Caspian."

He chuckled under his breath, throwing up his hands. "I'm just saying."

I took a few steps in front of him, finally reaching the edge of the field, right before it met with the sandy shore.

I called to the army to stop walking. They all were somewhat familiar looking, each with almost-noticeable gills tucked underneath their ears. I knew they were all somewhat experienced in underwater combat, as I had asked for warriors with such attributes, but none were experienced in fighting Lord Goridian. That--I knew for a fact.

Just thinking about Goridian sent a shiver down my back.

I shuddered, shaking off the nerves, and faced the army before me.

"Hey, Caspian, get over here," I called.

He sauntered over to where I was standing, in front of the army, a smirk plastered on his face. I could tell he wasn't sure what was going on, but he had pretty obvious confidence that what I had planned would miserably fail amongst these other well-built warriors.

However, as soon as he was close enough, I kicked him in the shin, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

Luckily, I knew how he would react, and stood still, waiting for him to drag me down with him.  We began wrestling on the ground--he was twice my size, and exceptionally strong, but that didn't stop me from kneeing him in the stomach, which, I had to admit, seemed to be becoming my trademark when it came to fighting men.

We both got on our feet, and began throwing and blocking punches. The army, as I had expected, seemed to watch as if this were a classroom lesson. Finally, I let Caspian grab ahold of me, keeping me in a chokehold.

"I surrender," I muttered, and he let go, stepping back and grinning, hands clasped behind his back.

"First lesson," I told the army, stepping back and kicking Caspian in the stomach, knocking him over. "Never believe a claimed surrender."