Mystic

Chapter 6; Matthew

Matthew stood in awkward silence as the strange girl got down on her hands and knees and bowed deeply to him and Orion.

"Uh...what are you doing?" Matthew convinced himself that she was mentally ill.

"Showing respect to the god standing before me," she slowly stood up.

"I'm... not a god... or... anything...," Matthew said, holding back laughter.

"B-but how do you possess such a creature? These creatures are myths, legends, even!" she exclaimed.

Matthew was surprised by the girl. No one had ever paid much attention to him, and he liked it that way. Most people probably thought of him as the boy with his head in the clouds.

"He's my friend. I'm Matthew, by the way." He reached his hand out. She seemed hesitant to shake hands." And... you are?"

"Amira Alfarsi, once a future Queen... but I guess I am still a princess." Matthew was shocked. What was a princess doing in Yamen?

"You're a princess?"

She gave him a confused look." Yes. I was.... And I am Princess Amira of Javan."

"Wow..." he sighed and then abruptly got to his knees and kissed her hand.

"Sorry," The princess' hazel eyes locked on his made Matthew uneasy. He looked down at the ground and finished, "About before."

She nodded in approval." It's fine. Besides, how would you know me?"

"Uh..."Matthew brushed his hand through his messy hair, unsure what to do now.

"We should, uh, probably get going." Matthew stepped back from the princess and put his hand on Orion's shoulder. He studied the dragon's navy blue scales, just to avoid looking at the princess. He didn't know much about royalty, but he was afraid that so much as looking at her the wrong way could land him in a dungeon or something. Why am I being so stupid? Matthew thought. She is just a person.

"I can't seem to recall your name." The princess said with an authoritative voice. Matthew looked up and met her eyes.

"Its Matthew. Matthew Wilde." The princess nodded.

"Mr. Wilde--"

"Uh, Matthew is fine." Matthew interrupted. He looked back at Orion's scales. "Stupid..." Matthew muttered as he kicked at a stone, hoping the princess would not hear. Of course, the princess did hear, and she giggled.

"Matthew," the princess started again, a hint of amusement in her voice, "You are going to take me as far away from Javan as possible, assist me in forming a group followers and a plan to win back my kingdom."

By the time she finished, the princess' smile was replaced with a serious expression.

After a few seconds of processing the princess' words, Matthew started,"I really don't think--"

"You will help me." the princess interrupted firmly.

"Well, you see--" Matthew tried to explain again.

"As future queen of Javen, I command you to help me."

"Technically--" Matthew started yet again, only to be cut off once more. The princess wasn't listening unless the answer was "Yes, your majesty," and Matthew didn't have another option.

"Please?" The princess asked.

"Fine." Matthew said reluctantly, letting out a defeated sigh. He had planned to stay in Yamen for a few more days, but it seemed his research would have to wait. Matthew climbed onto Orion's back and gestured for Amira to climb on. She looked hesitant, and Matthew scolded himself again.

"Don't you have any manners, you heartless p--" Matthew's muttering was cut off by Orion's loud, angry snort.

"I was talking about myself." Matthew replied a little too loudly. The princess giggled again. She could hear as well as a wolf. Matthew sighed. He had just met the princess a few minutes ago, and he was already making a fool of himself. Matthew directed Orion to the princess and held out his hand to help her up. She turned around and crossed her arms.

"I refuse to show such disrespect to such a pure creature." she huffed.

"He doesn't mind, and we can--"

"No." she said, taking a step away.

"I swear--" Matthew started.

"No." The princess replied again taking a step away. Matthew slid off of Orion's back.

"We are going to have to walk, then," Matthew said, "And I only brought enough supplies for a day long trip for one person, so we have to go back to the market and restock. And maybe get you some shoes"

"Very well." The princess responded, looking down at her feet. She immediately turned around and trekked back towards the city.