The Jem

~4~

She'd been trying to do what the Mage had told her to do for about an hour. And Hunter was getting really bored. He watched her summon her Earthen powers carefully but he didn't say anything. And some part of him felt proud for tricking Crimson. He was already beginning to understand how she operated. The thought made him smile but he quickly cleared his head.

"Uhhhh I cant do it." She moaned

"Ok, close your eyes, then think of something that calms you and think of our nature and beautiful surroundings" The Mage said swiftly but Hunter could see the frustration growing in his eyes.

Suddenly a spark arose from her hand-it was wonderful but extremely short lived.

"Well then dear, we will try again tomorrow. You have the rest of the day to train on your physical combat."

She stood, "Thank you, I know I'm not the easiest person to handle." The kind old man nodded then walked away.

"What calmed you?" Hunter finally said from behind.

"I just thought about me strangling you." She grinned childishly. This girl probably didn't know how to act like an eighteen-year-old because she was imprisoned since she was young. Yet she still used vulgar language which surprised him.

"I'm flattered that I'm the reason you calm down." He grinned evilly. She rolled her eyes.

"Ok so who's training me?"

"Unfortunately...me" He muttered.

"Oh come on!" She complained.

"Deeja!" He called.

"Hey Hunter, Hi Crimson." Deeja purred as she walked over to them.

"You know each other?" He asked.

"Yes actually we met yesterday." Crimson said.

"Deeja and I will teach you how to fight physically and how to kill."

"What if I don't want to kill anyone."

"Well too bad."

"Fine, go ahead."

~

Crimson was beginning to hate Hunter more and more, especially cause he was very good looking, his aqua blue eyes like pools of water, his silvery-white hair pushed into a quiff, his soft sun kissed skin, his strong jaw and good build. Ugh! She hated it all. And most of all she hated his smug face when she did something embarrassing, it just made her what to grow freakishly strong roots from her nails and scratch his face with them.

However, Deeja taught her with perfect skill. Crimson already knew how to defend extremely well and she was already learning to attack. But the sky was now dark and the stars lay upon it, twinkling brightly.

"That's it for today, I need to take you back to her Majesty so we can inform her about your progress, then you can go eat." The guard said.

"Alright, bye Deeja." Crimson Said as she walked with Hunter.

In the halls of the great palace the two of them walked silently. "You learned faster then expected" He finally said.

"Don't sound so surprised." She snorted.

"Hey, hey you were the one who was ready to give up before we even started."

"I- I have no comment." She huffed the crossed her arms and turned her back to him only their foot steps could be heard on the marble floors and they once again went quiet.

As they rounded to a corner, they saw too guards unconscious, or were they...dead?

Hunter walked over to them panic written all over his face. "Are they dead?" Crimson asked her breathing became unsteady.

"They've been suffocated to death." He gasped as he met her gaze.

"The Queen! Check if she's alive!" Crimson cried out. They both ran to the Throne room. But Queen Cordelia was very much alive and well as she sat upon her throne crying.

"Queen Cordelia, what happened." Crimson called, her breathing still in an uneven rhythm.

The Queen looked up at them, both her eyes puffy as she met both their faces, "The Liharas have attacked again!" She said hoarsely, her voice strained.

"Who are the Liharas?"

"They come from the country of Andreas and they are feared by many." She explained.

"What are they?"

"They are mists and shadows who are very easily hidden, every time they come to my castle they kill two of my guards then return to their lands."

"Why, what did you do to them?"

"I killed one of their Brothers so every year they take two of my guards souls with them."

"I'm so sorry." Crimson whispered.

"We'll have to adapt our defence systems again and make some changes. Kane, Trullo check on everyone in the palace and see if they are alive and well. We'll have Logan and Ivo's funeral tomorrow." Cordelia ordered.