Crushed Dreams - Love and Hate (Paused)

Chapter 1 - Friendship

8 years earlier

It was a warm summer day in Dospia when I first found a friend, a real friend. I was wandering around the castle grounds looking for something to do as well as avoiding the court ladies. I hated how the ladies acted around me always criticizing my posture and style. I heard the guards on patrol about to come around the corner so I dashed behind a bush.

"Her Majesty told us to keep an eye out for the Princess. Apparently she disappeared half an hour ago from a social with the Ladies of the court." one of the guards said. I waited until the guards had gone around the next corner before slowly getting up and brushing the dirt off my dress.

"What are you up to?" I jumped at the voice coming from right in front of me accidently spraying him with water. Nicholas, my brother, stood in a defensive stance soaking wet everything except for his dirty blonde hair.

"What was that for?" he nearly yelled.

"Shhhh. I'm sorry, you know I can't control my magic, not like you do, especially when people scare me like that." I replied quietly. His posture relaxed and seconds later he was already dry, not visibly using his magic but still using it all the same.

"So what are you doing hiding behind a bush?" he asked.

"I don't want to attend the stupid social with the Ladies so I am evading the guards so I don't have to go back." I replied quietly.

He gave me a sympathetic look before saying, "Why don't you come to barracks with me, Kendra?"

"Isn't that the opposite of what I just said I was doing? As soon as I get there I will get sent back into the gossip filled room of torture." I stated.

"Not true. The guards don't monitor the barracks as often as the castle and it is the last place they would look for a princess. Plus if you come with me I could teach you to use a sword and—"

"Alright I will come with you but I hope you have some more sensible clothes for me to fight in than this." I relinquished, cutting him off and pointing down at my dress. He took my hand and together we ran to the barracks, stopping only to hide from the patrol. I rarely saw Nicholas as he was always doing things with the guards and Father. The only time I did see him was at dinner and even then we didn't talk much. I cherished the moments like these that we had together, he might be five years older than me but he was my only true friend. There were no Ladies my age and everyone seemed to think me ignorant and naïve.

We arrived at the barracks and snuck inside. He handed me some more appropriate clothes and I quickly put them on while he stood there awkwardly, back facing me. I pulled my light blonde hair, almost white, into a high ponytail before I told him I was ready. We went through the weapon's room next and I looked in awe at all the perfect blades and beautifully made armor.

"Pick a sword, any sword. If you can hold it up with both hands then you can fight with it." I tried again and again to keep up one of the massive blades but it was too heavy. I sighed, disappointed. I picked up a blade much smaller, putting one in each hand. Nicholas looked at me and shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"Those would be daggers, Kendra. But if you want to start with those first than be my guest." He gestured to the next room which I soon realized must be the training room. He instructed me how to hold them and how to throw them. He told me I was a natural and looked like he was jealous that I could pick this up so fast. After I threw the dagger for the fifth time I looked back to him. He was glancing at his watch worriedly.

"If you need to go, than go I'll be here if you need me." I told him. He flashed me a smile before nearly sprinting out of the barracks. I sighed; well it was fun while it lasted. I started to pick up the daggers putting them back where they belong when I heard footsteps. I paused, listening, as far as I could tell it was only one person.