Victorious [on hold]

Little Knight

1651, March

The man sat on the thrown, a sword in one hand and a cane in the other.

'Welcome child,' his voice sang, he was perfect. He looked perfect.

He handed me the sword, I took it and looked into the shiny crystals, it wrote;

'Your father's blood is on your hands.
Your mother's blood is on your hands.
You are the reason why this has happened.'

'Child, do not cry, take happiness from their blood. Enjoy the life it has given you, no restrictions. They were only holding you back, you can now live and kill as you please.' His voice yet again whispered into my ear, as he appeared in front of me.

He raised the sword in my hands, towards my mouth, 'lick it, it will taste amazing. Your soul will be awakened.' And then he laughed.

I awoke before the sun came out, my hair stuck to my sweaty forehead and my breathing barely there. I sighed, and looked to my left, Jaycob was sleeping peacefully. The nightmares, they came and went, but Jaycob was now immune to them, and even slept right through the worst ones.

Slipping out of bed, I went to find my cousin, Darius Fregurd. Jaycob's father had pitied us two teenagers left alone, and allowed for us to move in. And though we both had our own beds, we found more comfort in the prince and princess's bedroom. When I arrived in front of Jane, my best friend and my lover's sister's room, I knocked quietly, signalling to Darius off the morning.

We hit the stables, our usual fighting place. My black unruly hair tied into a high ponytail and Darius's long blond hair tied back into a long braid. We fought, me to keep the nightmares away, him to awaken him for his day. This was our daily habit.

When the sun finally graced us with its presence, Darius nodded and disappeared. I stretched and put on my thick cloak as, I hopped onto my horse and rode into the winter morning.

I looked at the snow and the frost and couldn't wait until Spring was to come. I arrived back at the palace. 'Out of the quiet and into chaos', I thought with a deep sigh. I grabbed an apple from the kitchen and began to make my way back to my room, but before I could, out of the shadows, Seamus joined me.

He had been promoted to guardianship, for his bravery in saving me, and since has lived in the palace keeping an eye on Darius and me.

"Do not push yourself, my little knight." His quiet but wise voice mused.

I let a tiny smile grace my face as I threw my apple core to the ground, "Better is always best when faced with victory or loss." I told him, our feet echoing as we walked down the corridor.

"Should I start calling you my little poet instead?" He pondered, "You are already the best fighter in the whole kingdom. I do not understand why you still push yourself."

The praise made me knock my tongue against my teeth, I had always been that way with praise. I did not need it or want it, "What is that you want Seamus?" I asked trying hard to keep the bitterness out of it.

"A body was found this morning," Seamus told me, his hands folded tightly behind his back.

"What body?" I asked confused, how was it possible that in the short hours since I'd be up, I had not heard anything.

"The guards found a mutilated body hanging by a nail through its head, with a note nailed into the chest." He said, shaking his head.

"Why was I not notified?" My voice filling with rage. I had taken over the role that my father had left when he was taken, Captain of the Royal Guard. But I was still not trusted, and although no one had announced it, I was sure it was because of the fact that I didn't have anything dangling between my legs.

"The guards identified the body as the girl that went missing a year ago, Tihanara Jarger. Her parents wanted her body to stay intact as possible for a proper burial." He continued, and the anger that once was in my throat disappeared.

Tihanara Jarger, we had gone to school together, we weren't friends but friendly enough. I remember the day she had gone missing, her parents begged me to find her. And, I had tried, I never gave up. But it was as if the girl had vanished.

"They only managed to take it out and carefully unattached the nails and the note about an hour ago, since you were still training, Prince Jaycob opened it and is now discussing it with the other generals. They are in the chamber room".

I nodded, as I directed my attention towards the room. My mind running with thoughts, what did the note say, why was she the messenger, who did that to her. On and on my mind ran before finally, we appeared in front of the doors. The guards nodded and opened the door, I glided in. My eyes connecting with Jaycob's surprised eyes before I looked around and noticed all the generals staring back at me.

"Elyria, we have news of your father."