The Unforeseen [EDITING]

Chapter Five

"Are there any traces of her?" Silas conferred with Miro, who shook his head defeatedly.
     "We'll find her, she couldn't have gone too far." With those parting words, Miro walked away, combing his fingers through the dark strands of his hair in frustration.
     Reaching King Vassar, they stared at one another for a moment.
     "If Silas does not find her Vassar, believe me when I say that he won't react too kindly. I don't wish to see any misfortune befall you or your people, so please." He warned before stalking off.
     Vassar had a decision to make, his people would suffer greatly without the help of King Silas. He could feel the shame wash over him, he had managed to run his country into further financial despair because of his past generations' mistakes. His wife Adelia hadn't even been aware of the trouble they had been in and it was not until Silas offered assistance that Vassar had felt some sense of relief, but at a price. His daughter. 
     He couldn't forgive himself and he knew Timena wouldn't either, but he had an obligation to his people's survival, and it would also continue to ensure his family's as well. Making his way over to Norman who was standing quietly, Vassar quietly stared at him before finally pulling the piece of paper from his pocket and showing it to him. He revealed a tattered, old drawing of Norman as a child. 
     "That was your old home if I remember correctly. Do you know anything, Norman?" Vassar asked accusingly, but nothing in Norman's expression had changed.
     "I'm as clueless as the rest, your grace." He replied, simply.
     Vassar's expression grew hard. "I can't tell if you're lying, but if you are, you'll have Silas to deal with as well as me, and I can't imagine you wanting anything bad to happen to Eurina and Enoch." He threatened.
     A flicker of fear at the thought of his family's safety being compromised made Norman think twice about what his next few words would be.
     "Norman..." Vassar warned.

     "So, what else can you do? Can you, make my eyebrows disappear or, turn me into an animal?" Timena joked.
     Looking over to her, Clara glared. "Would you like me to demonstrate on you?"
     "Eh... no, that's alright." She said, putting her hands up in defense.
     The two women exited the stable, Timena led the horses through the forest by their reins. She still couldn't properly comprehend what she had seen Clara do and the information she had learned, but now she questioned the childhood stories she had heard, which of them also held some truth?
     After the horses trotted around the open area for some time, they were led to a small pond where they calmly bent their heads to drink water. As peaceful as it all seemed, Timena remained vigilant just to be safe.
     "We're safe, don't worry," Clara assured her before sauntering over to sit by the edge of the pond.
     "Can you hear thoughts?" Timena blurted out suddenly.
     Clara chuckled in response. "No, but body language isn't difficult to read. So, now that we're a little more acquainted, will you tell me more about yourself?" She quickly diverted.
     Sighing aloud, Timena rolled her eyes. "Why are you so curious?"
     "I love to pry into the lives of those around me, what can I say." She shrugged, and they both laughed. 
     Not knowing if it was a clever move to discuss her current predicament with her, Timena began to think. She barely knew this woman, and there was the unsettling knowledge she was now aware of about her.     
     "What do you want to know?" She finally gave in.
     Clara's eyes lit up as she turned her attention to Timena. "Are you running from something?"
     "I am." She answered simply.
     "What are you running from?"
     "How did you know my name?" Timena interrupted.
     "Magic." Clara teased.
     "But how-"
     "Tell me what you're running from." She implored, eagerly.
     Timena's shoulders sagged. "It's who—I'm running from a king, who wants to marry me." She sighed.   
     Clara's brows knit together in confusion. "Is that not what every woman dreams of, a king asking for her hand in marriage?"
     "That is definitely not what I dream of. I dream of dueling with my fellow companion here." Timena patted the scabbard that safely held her blade.
     "Can you not have both? Or do you only desire the one?" Clara queried. 
     Timena hadn't ever given marriage and love much thought, she didn't necessarily oppose it, but she had never seen herself engaging in it. The responsibilities that would rest on her shoulders weren't something she envied either—the freedom she had, from the armor she wore to her use of weapons, it was considered a privilege for her. She'd been grateful to have the father she had, for how he had encouraged her and trained her, it had fueled her desire for independence. Her mother was never fond of the idea of her handling large weapons, she had always said they were for men, but since she had Delacroix, she'd never discussed the matter any further. 
     "Maybe it's always been the way my mother described marriage and being a queen to my sister and me when we were children. She made it seem as though that's all a woman could and should ever want. My father made sure I knew there was more to life than that." Timena explained.
     "Your father sounds like a decent man. Maybe you should have, possibly given this oh so powerful king the benefit of the doubt, he might've surprised you." Clara suggested as she flung a stone into the water.
     "He definitely isn't the type of person I'd give the benefit of the doubt." She shook her head at the thought as a bitter laugh escaped her lips.
     "Well, who is he?"
     Timena hesitated before saying his name. "Silas Stokrev."
     Clara's expression changed slightly, fortunately, her face was hidden. "Is he really that terrible?"
     "According to my father, he's disturbed. An exceptional leader, but otherwise..." She trailed off. "Probably because of his father."
     "Jarvis." Clara said, quietly seething.
     Timena nodded.