The Stolen Crown

CHAPTER 2 ~ EMPIRE OF ETHRIEL

Still trying to comprehend what just happened, 3 servants, Julia, Lucia and Marcella all very nice and lovely, tugged at my sleeves and dragged me towards my chamber. My room was heavenly and spacious, better than my other comrades got. I was favoured by the king because of the time I saved Damen's life, to me it was the least I could do but the king acknowledged it highly. I stood in front of a large mirror while the 3 girls were measuring and jotting down notes, my face remained blank as they were doing so. My mind was still on what the Prince said earlier, "Whichever you think is more important you go to..." Marcella popped her face in my field of vision jerking me to life. "Something the wro- something the matter?" Her English was not very good, pretty much all the servant's English was not very good. Education for them is not highly recommended, but I could still understand her. I bent down to her ear, she was also pretty short too. "Could I talk to you alone?" With a glance and hand gesture the 2 other girls left the room. I plopped onto the bed and asked her to join, she gave a concerned look "Don't worry Marce it's a friend to friend talk. Sit" She nodded and cautiously sat on the edge, I breathed a heavy sigh. "Can I ask you a question? If you had to choose between the person you love or your passion, which one would you choose?" Marcella sat there quietly and then turned and have a response. "Love? I can't - I don't have a passion to - for any something" I gave a weary smile pitying her, all she does is serve people, that's the only way she can survive in this treacherous world. I rested my hand on her shoulder "That's alright, could you help me prepare my bath and armour? Could you also take my sword to - never mind I'll do it myself" "No I do for you" She quickly butted in "No no it's too much work I feel terrible." She shook her head vigorously. "I make bath then I take sword" I leaned over and hugged her, I also told her to take bread and honey up for me so that she can have a snack while I take a bath. Her eyes lit up and quickly hurried to prepare the water.

After my citrus soak I felt refreshed and Marce helped me into my nightgown, I thanked her once again and she bowed and left the room. I waltzed into my bedroom and found a candle that smelled of all things sweet pleasuring my nose. I slipped into soft well made sheets, I tucked my whole body in leaving only my head and finger tips exposed. It was going to be a peaceful night but then everything flooded at me. Princess Cybele, Prince Damen, the wedding, the ranking ceremony and the war that was going to wreck havoc tomorrow. There was only one solution I thought to myself, if you don't want to choose just stand in the middle of the battle field. All your problems will be solved! I facepalmed myself and tugged on my face. I shuffled to lean on my side and rested my eyes but all I could do was dream of things going really wrong.

I awoke with barely any sleep and bags under my eyes. I slipped out of bed and felt the frigid floor on my toes, I opened up the curtains and saw the sun just beginning to rise "7:00" I groaned "Might as well wash up and train" And with that I top toed to the bathroom and rinsed my face with warm water. I stood at the mirror facing myself, I do have nice features if I do say so myself. I've got high cheekbones, golden eyes, scarlet hair, a heart shaped face. I nodded at myself in approval then I heard a voice at the back of my head "All you do is give him pleasure, satisfy him..." I discarded that thought and threw a handful of water on my face once more. Marcella helped me into my armour and fitted on my sword, I packed a small snack and headed of to the training grounds.

Training was same old same old, it was pretty much drills, practice fights and by the end of it, it was time to head out for war. We placed our galeas (metal helmet) on and took with us our scutum (shield), gladius (sword) and pilum (spear). Everything I was thinking of in my head vanished in a click of a finger, I never take any memories or people in my head or else I would get slaughtered, I learnt that the hard way. I had a moments silence to remember my friend Fabia. She had fought along side my for 5 years... Until, she took her loved one to war. I exhaled slowly and prepared myself for the war against the Empire of Massalia and the Empire of Ethriel. Judging by the sun I would say it was around 6, and then we heard the battle cries of Ethriel ringing through the field, and we screamed back. For honour... And for glory.

The last of the enemy team had fallen and there had been torches speared into the ground as the sun was setting. I looked around leaning against my shield, most just had minor injuries but the unfortunate ones... They'll be missed. As we finished clearing up the bodies and debree we payed a minutes silence for all who had fought with us, for all these years I'm still alive... Now I just need to slumber I mused, I took a step and my knee buckled and I clutched my abdomen in pain. My 2 comrades Felix and Florian aided me as I plummeted to the ground, my vision blurred and I saw more of my partners surround my wounded body.