Too Different

Chapter One|Setting Out

Chapter One|Setting Out

When I wake up, the other side of the bed is surprisingly cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking my sister's warmth but finding only the soft cover of my mattress. I remembered Fia climbing into my bed last night after she had one of her nightmares. She had them regularly and I did my best to comfort her.

I prop myself up on one elbow and look around my room in search for her. There is just enough light flooding into my room through the curtains to see Fia curled up in the corner of the room cuddling up besides my dog, Frost.

I swing my legs off the bed and as quietly as I can I walk over to my wardrobe. I take off my pyjamas and I pull on a pair of high waisted denim shorts and a baggy dark purple t-shirt. I tuck the shirt into the shorts, pull on a pair of black, leather ankle boots, and brush my hair so it falls into its natural curls down my back and shoulders.

I look over at my still sleeping sister with a smile. Walking over to her I give Frost a quick stroke on her back feeling her soft black fur against my fingers. I gently pick Fia up and carry her over to my bed before laying her down on the soft mattress and cover her with the blanket. I whistled to Frost who ran over to me and jumped on the bed before laying down beside Fia.

Frost was basically Fia's protector whenever I wasn't around, it made me feel a lot more relaxed knowing that she was in safe hands, well, safe paws.

I gently kissed the top of Fia's head before I quietly left my room.

The palace corridors were silent as usual. Torches were lit with fires on the walls creating a usual warming glow across the halls. I allowed my feet to carry me into the throne room and smiled up at my father.

"Good morning, father." I greeted as I bowed before him.

"Indeed it is Seraphina. Where is Fia?" He asked as I walked up the steps and took my seat on my smaller throne beside his.

"She's still sleeping." I said.

"Another nightmare?" He asked. I nodded and looked towards the ground.

"Any plans for today?" I asked.

"I have a few meetings with the war Generals later and then I promised Fia that I would go with her on a walk." He said smiling.

I smiled back at him. "Well I hope you enjoy yourself. Fia can be a handful." I said.

"Indeed. Unfortunately I do not know when the meetings will end, we are going to be planning new defenses against the Kingdom of the Darkness." He said.

"Yeah that will take a while." I mumbled.

"Are you going to be training with Blaise today?" He asked. It was my normal routine to train with Blaise for a few hours before I'd do anything else.

"Actually Conley has requested that Blaise and I accompany her to one of the outer towns on our Kingdoms border to visit her grandmother." I said.

"The outer borders?"

"Don't worry I'll keep them safe." I said.

"Its not them I'm worried about." My father replied with a sigh. "I will allow you to go only on the condition that you take two guards with you as an escort but you will remain in charge so don't worry."

I nodded immediately. "If you think that would be safer then I will gladly take the guards with me."

"Thank you, my daughter." He replied.

"I'll be back in a few days." I said before I stood up, grabbed an apple and placed a light kiss on my father's cheek before I left the room bowing once more to my father before I walked into the corridor.

Once I got back to my room I saw that Fia was awake and was stroking Frost who was laid across her legs on the bed.

"Sera!!" She exclaimed excitedly when I opened the bedroom door.

"Morning Fia. Sleep well?" I asked as I perched on the edge if my bed so that I could give her a quick hug.

"Yeah! Where were you?" She asked.

"Breakfast. Father told me that you were spending time with him today, are you excited?" I replied smiling when I saw her smile turn into a full-blown toothy grin.

"Yeah! We're going to go for a walk! Then we're going to play fetch with Frost in the gardens! Then were going to go and eat burgers together and I'm going to make him play dress up!" She said bouncing up and down excitedly on my bed. Her dark green eyes glowed brighter with excitement.

"Father playing dress up? Good luck with that Fee." I said using her nickname as I winked at her which caused her to giggle.

"Do you want to join us?!" She asked hopefully.

"I'd love to but I have to accompany Conley and Blaise on a trip to Conley's grandmother's house. But I promise we'll spend time together when I get back." I said as I kissed the top of her head before I stood up from my position on the bed and  walked over to my wardrobe.

I heard Fia sigh from behind me. "How long will you be gone?" She asked.

"Two days maybe more." I said as I began looking through my clothes to find something more appropriate for travelling.

"Two days? Can't I go with you?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, Fee, but its too dangerous." I said.

"Okay." She said. "When are you leaving?"

"As soon as I've packed a bag." I replied.

"Well please be careful! And you owe me an ice cream when you get back!" She said smiling as she stood up and walked out of my room with Frost running out after her.

I smiled and got changed into my travelling gear; a pair of skin-tight black trousers, black leather combat boots, a dark kimono-like tunic and a pair of navy blue leather finger-less gloves.

After I packed a bag with a change of clothes, some of my throwing knives, a cloak, blanket, some food and all the other things I would need. I also grabbed my two favourite long daggers and put them in their sheaths that were strapped to the outside of my thighs.

Once I was finished I grabbed my bag and left my room.

"There you are!" Blaise yelled when I walked outside into the courtyard.

I grinned at my best friend before I hurried down the steps and hugged him.

"Where's Conley?" I asked when I realized she wasn't here.

"She's meeting us outside the city gates with the two guards your father assigned to escort us." He explained before he took my hand and pulled me after him through the city.

I waved and smiled at the people of the Water Kingdom as I passed them.

"How's Fia? I haven't seen her since last week." Blaise asked from beside me.

"Her nightmares are getting worse and more frequent." I sighed.

"Really?" He asked, worry evident in his voice.

"Yeah, my father says that its probably nothing and that I shouldn't worry. I'm sure its fine." I said as I sent him a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, your father is probably right." He smiled.

I nodded and grinned when I caught sight of Conley.

"Hey!" She yelled as she waved at Blaise and I.

"Hey, Con!" I yelled back as we came to a stop in front of her.

She giggled and pulled me into a tight hug.

"We're already running late so lets go!" She said after she hugged Blaise.

I nodded and turned to the two guards. "You two can go on ahead and scout out the area." I told them.

"Of course, milady." They bowed before they hurriedly did as I instructed.

"Let’s go!" Conley said as she grabbed Blaise and pulled him after her making me chuckle as I slowly followed behind them.