Araman

~ 12 ~

   Over the next week, Raliena did everything she could to avoid being alone with the General. She invited people along to join them, if there was need for them to go the same way, even if it meant asking Dergen. This pleased the King greatly to see the two getting along in front of the guests and gave Dergen an ever satisfied smile, always more than happy to oblige.

It made it easier that the King kept the royal guests busy, showering them with entertainment. Sherin wanted to spend most of her time in the gardens, paddling her feet in the water of the river. General Kassen and his two guards were taken hunting with the King for a day, giving Raliena a break from acting pleasant around the arrogant General.

It was heartening to see Baynil and Sherin together. The King had taken the little Princess into the town and bought her anything she desired from jewellery to dresses.

Raliena had also enjoyed Sherin's company, listening to the girl talk about her family and life in Attashar. She was especially keen to talk about Kassen.

"My riding instructor struck me once when I could not get my horse to turn." Sherin rubbed her wrist unconsciously as she told the story. "Kassen had been watching me from a distance without the instructor knowing. I remember he rushed over and grabbed the stick the stupid man had struck me with; then he snapped it over his leg and threw it at the instructor and said that, 'if he ever touched me again or even said a word that made me unhappy, he would do the same to the man's personal stick next time!' You should have seen how pale he looked." Sherin giggled at the memory.

Raliena was surprised that, during their talks, Sherin did not broach the subject of her healing the General. She almost brought it up herself but could never find the right words to explain what had happened without revealing her ability. Fortunately, Sherin appeared content with keeping it a secret.

One afternoon, Raliena was heading up to her room when she saw Kassen waiting for her by the door. Before he saw her, she quickly darted round the corner and into the corridor where Dergen's rooms were.

She had never wanted to explore this side of the castle, worried at what she might find, so did not know any way around it and back to her room. Instead, she picked a direction and headed deeper into Dergen's lair.

What has he to hide? She thought, but still hoped he was not around for her to find out.

The deeper Raliena ventured, the blander the walls became, as if they were stripped of their decor and colour until the corridors all looked the same and she was quickly lost in them.

She came across some stone steps that had a curtain pulled across it and headed down them, thinking it would lead her to the floor below and somewhere she recognised. Instead, there were more corridors to navigate and she had no idea what part of the castle she was in. Raliena had not known the rooms extended this far and became increasingly concerned that, as she had not seen these corridors before, perhaps she had entered through the only entrance, meaning it was also the only exit.

Doubling back again, she almost wished she had faced the General. Yes, he was infuriatingly arrogant but he still had not told the King or anyone about her powers and he was very sweet with his little sister and his guards Sitnen and Derio respected him beyond what his status required.

"Lost?" A cold voice from behind Raliena said and she resisted the urge to shudder.

"I was just on my way." Raliena replied and turned to face Dergen, finding he was very close as usual. His deep eyes bore into her and she felt her skin crawl, the familiar feeling of fighting against an unseen force almost overwhelming her.

"Not looking for me then?" His voice was dark with something she dared not consider.

"Afraid not." Raliena stepped to one side to get past him but he put his arm out and rested it on the wall with controlled ease. Her breathing quickened at his proximity and she wanted to run but couldn't. The imaginary pull of water quickly turning to mud. She had to face him.