The War Within

Chapter 3

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death- Omar. N. Bradley 
     
As the week towed along, every day seemed to get weirder. Guards were much more alert and the Royal family were always seen with security around them. If it wasn't for my observation skills, I would have never noticed how many more guards there were than before. I guess it was because of all the visiting princes. I may never know. "Master Anakin, are you ready to leave or would you prefer to be late?" A familiar voice had entered the room. I forced an exaggerated yawn. "Francis, does this day seem, off to you?" he frowned at me "What do you mean Master?" Then it clicked in my head. "Its Saturday! Of course! Today is Liara's free day, maybe we can do something other than dawdle around the castle." My butler snickered at me. "Master, are you acquiring you go on a date with her highness?" I gasped at his claim. My face going berry red. "Of course not!" Growling, I walked away from him. Slamming the door behind myself as I made my way towards the Limo. What a day this will be.

"Make sure you organise this properly, place half the guards on the east side of the castle, outside her highness's bedroom and position the other half in front of the drawbridge." Leaning against a wall, I snicker, it feels good to eavesdrop on Gareth. "You must do what you can to ensure that her highness is protected, do I make myself very clear?" His voice deepens becoming more stern. "Yes sir." the guards jog on off to their positions. Mimicking what Gareth had just said, I cautiously backed away listening closely to whereabouts he was now. I couldn't risk to be spotted. He is the head of the guards, I could get fired. "Not a good idea to spy on me, now is it little bro?" Gareth sneaks up behind me, his voice leaving shivers on my skin. "What's going on that I don't know off?" I scrunched up my forehead, making it wrinkle. "Don't get involved in things you have no business in, but Anakin what would Liora think of you if she knew what you really are." He lifted both his eyebrows, I know that face... he's threatening me. "What's your Intention? To get me fired? To become the next prince?" I had to stifle a laugh. "I have no intentions as I will always be better than you no matter what happens." He turned his heel and walked away.

 Disregarding his last comment, I grabbed a piece of paper with my index finger and middle finger from my pocket. Opening it up I observed it, finding the princess's destination on it. "10 o'clock.... Oh here it is. The Public Royal Library?" I looked at it confused. Why would she be at the library. Sighing, I made my way there, the many doors was no longer a problem. And the twist and turns of corridors didn't feel like a maze. The white door with silver trimmings represented the libraries door. Before I could even lay a hand on the handle, the door swings open and Liora, looking as pretty as always, frowns slightly. "Oh it's just you." I ignored the disappointment in her voice. "Good your ready, we're going somewhere special today, follow me." I grab her hand , dragging her down the hallway and out the front door ignoring the curious stares and haunting whispers of other guards. We walked across the drawbridge, but a hand was placed on my chest making me release my grip on Liora's arm and stare at the guard who just stopped me. "Where do you think your taking the princess Mister?" I rolled my eyes "I'm taking her out, she can't stay cooped up in the castle all day, plus I'm a guard I have the right to." The other guard snorted. I frowned, how rude. "What on a date?!"The other guard piped up laughing loudly. I gave him a death stare which shut him up. The first guard, pulled me closer towards him, changing his voice into a whisper "We have seen what you can do Anakin, do not hesitate to use your fire to protect her highness." I gulped, could I really expose myself like that. I nodded and he released me. I signalled for her highness to follow me, I heard her sigh and I smiled. This is going to be fun.

The lake glimmered like a thousand crystals , birds chirped and trees swayed gently like they were dancing to the rhythm of a slow song. Her hair blew along with the wind, beautiful and golden. I remember the time when I first saw her on the balcony, hair blowing, big smile on her face and I couldn't help it but I think I fell in love with her at first sight. "Hey idiot, when your done daydreaming can we go for a walk?" She punched me in the arm and I flinched. She's strong both emotionally and physically. "Sure." I searched around, this place was the last destination I came with my mother and Gareth. I remember it so clearly, we were sitting on the checkered red and black picnic blanket with our picnic basket packed with food. We played that game where you make the stone skip across the water, we climbed the tall pine trees and my mother taught me how to be a proper- "Dragon!" Liora shouts not looking a slight bit afraid. My eyes dropped, there across from us on the other side of the river was a dragon. A big creature, shades of orange, yellow and brown, with 7 horns at the most, a tail that gets smaller near the end and it's wing which were abnormally large was staring at us clicking it's long nails on the grass. "It's a dragon," Liora repeated in another tone, laughing and turned to face me, smirking.