Spirit of the Ashes: A Nyssara story

Chapter 11

Nyssa's POV

Sara's nightmares are becoming much less frequent. Although, she will still occasionally wake up crying and yelling about someone named 'Olie.' Each time, however, I will ease her back in bed and give her tea. It seems to be helping...

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"Nyssa!" My head jerks up as I look to see whom is calling me. My father look is looking at me expectancy. I immediately close my notebook and kneel before him.

"I am very sorry Father, I did not hear you come in." I say, my voice muffled by my stance. My head is filled with questions; why is he here? What does he want? Am I in trouble?

"Rise." He watches me as I stand and bow my head in shame. I should not have been so invested in writing.

"What is it you wish?" I ask.

"I am here to talk about your new project, Ms. Lance." This can not be good.

I look up at him, "What about her?"

"You have been skirting your usual duties, I would hate to think that is because of her." The lines on his face deepen as he abrasives me coldly.

"Of course not." I say immediately, silently cursing myself for being so lax.

"Good. For I would hate for anything to happen to her because you could not fulfill your obligations." His face is unreadable. The thinly veiled threat hangs in the air.

"Of course not, I shall work to make sure that never happens." I say, hoping it will sedate him.

He nods, "I have heard rumors that you have been training her. What would be the point of doing that? Once healed, she will be leaving."

"I thought that she should be able to defend herself. So she would not be harmed again." I answer boldly.

He nods thoughtfully a minutes passes before he speaks again, "Perhaps, once she is healed completely, she should begin training. As to become a warrior."

"No!" As soon as the words left my mouth I realized my mistake. Ra's eyes me with a cool anger. Before I knew what was happening, he backhands me, knocking me to the floor.

"Never speak to me like that again. I will make you wish for death." He glances at me one last time. His eyes narrow, telling me that this is not over. He glances at the bathroom before swiftly departing.

I gently touch my cheek after I am sure he has left. It feels warm and will most likely bruise. I sigh and stand up. At that moment Sara comes out of the bathroom.

"What was that about?" She asks, she walks over to the bed, dangling her legs off. I realize that the whole conversation was in Arabic and sigh in relief.

"He was wondering how you where coping." I lie. "I told him you were healing well. He is pleased."

"Well that's good. I would hate to displease the high and mighty Ra's." she says sarcastically.

My eyes narrow and I swiftly stalk over to her. "Never talk about my father in that tone. I am very lax when I comes to you. But it would do you good to learn some respect for my family. If any of the other warriors heard you, they would not hesitate to kill you."

She nods quickly. I realize how I look and move away from her. "I am sorry."

She stands up and walks over, "No, it's okay. Understand; I need to watch my mouth."

"I still should not have overacted." My father's words echo inside my head, "Sara, there is something I need to ask you."

"Yea?" she looks at me curiously.

"Would you be willing to join..." I shake my head, "I am very sorry, but I need to spend more time on my duties and heir. Is that okay with you?"

"Oh... uh... yea." She smiles at me but I can tell it is forced.

"I will still be spending the night with you. But I will be needing to go on missions more frequently and training the new recruits."

She suddenly looks nervous. "Will the missions be dangerous?"

I think for a minute, and decide that the truth is the best option. "Yes."

She starts to tear up, "I can't lose anyone again." She turns away from me.

"Sara." I put my hands on her shoulders, "You will never lose me. The missions will be dangerous, I can not deny that. But I have been doing this my whole life, I will not get hurt."

She looks up at me, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She wipes her eyes, "I'm sorry, I can't imagine what you think of me, crying about you leaving."

"I think you are one of the bravest people I have ever known."

"How?" she looks confused.

"I know not one who would not hide their feelings. You are so brave for showing them in a moment of weakness." I smile at her.

She smiles back and gently puts her arms around me, "Thank you." She whispers.

"It is my pleasure."