NOVEMBERLAND: the little shieldmaiden

16

After our walk on the fields, we returned to Grandfather's office to discuss some more regular business. I had no idea why I needed to be there, but Grandfather insisted on me being there. To be honest, I liked it, I liked knowing what happened in the different kingdoms, especially the stories. I felt the need to explore and see everything, to see all the kingdoms. Even though I was not fond of King Richard, I would still like a glance of his kingdom. But my biggest wish was to see Esca, Viorica had told me about its beauty. It was so rare to actually see it as a non-escan because nobody outside of the escan borders really knew where it was. 

When the discussing at Grandfather's office was finished I decided to return to my chambers to see if there were anything I wanted to take with me. The sun was shining through the tall windows, and I could feel its warmth. It felt good being back in the castle too, I had missed the staff a lot, they were so friendly and I had known them my whole life.

"Princess Saga," someone shouted, and I turned around to see Gryffin catching up to me.

"King Gryffin," I said and stood still till he approached me. 

"You were great," he said as we walked down the halls leading up to one of the plateau gardens.

"What do you mean?"

"In the meeting, you act so professionally," he answered and looked at me. His hair had gotten longer, and his cheekbones were as sharp as when I met him.  However, he did not look as fragile as the day before.

"Well thank you, you were great as well," I said and smiled a little smile at him.

We entered the plateau garden, and it was surrounded by walls but all you could see was the bright sky and the sun. It was not that warm outside, but it was bearable. The gardeners had planted flowers in colours such as pink and purple. 

"Are there not any matters you'd have to attend in Calibur?" I asked and turned towards him, leading him in front of me. 

"There are, but I'd have to visit some kingdoms too," he said and smirked. His green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, it was as if they shone. "And I needed to see you."

I looked the other way as he said that last thing, I could not bare to look at him at this time. I did not know why, but I could not. Him being here was different, it was as if everything had changed from the time we had in Calibur. It was as if me leaving was a key to a different feeling.

"I'm sorry," he said after a while. I looked up at him, and his face had turned into sadness. 

"It's alright Gryffin."

"You!" someone said as they entered the garden, and as I saw the furious person I knew what was going to happen. Gryffin turned around and received a fist to his face which slammed him down on the ground, making an unpleasant noise.

"Tyr!" I said as he stood over Gryffin. Tyr was raged with fury, and I could see his eyes darken. Gryffin was still on the floor, trying to managed to get back up. But the Tyr kneeled down and he grabbed on to Gryffin's embroidered collar.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, your highness," he said as he was so close to Gryffin's face. I could now see the damage on Gryffin's face. His cheek was bloody, and you could understand that it would leave a mark for some time. "No man should treat women like that, nor should you treat any person like that."

Gryffin did not say a word, he just looked frightened up into Tyr's face. I could now see how different the two men were. They were like opposites, Tyr was blonde but had tanned skin, and he was broad and muscular, Gryffin, on the other hand, was pale and dark-haired, and his physique was more skinny than muscular.