Helliance

Chapter one

I stare out the window remembering the agonising moments when my father took his last breath. Was that only just 12 hours ago? It feels like a lot more. I feel like I have aged 10 years since then. My whole world torn apart, the loss and the betrayal. How could she do this to me? To my father? Wasn't she happy? I compose myself not letting my anger overtake me, her words come back to haunt me, even in the smallest action. You will be a future queen, sooner than you realise my dear, act like one. She gave me this advice only when I was 13, mad at everyone because I wasn't allowed to compete in the celebrated tournaments as I was too young, now at 19 I am old enough to compete but even that is ruined. Was there a message behind her words? Was she planning this since then? It's such a pitiful detail in comparison to everything that has happened but I have spent nearly my entire life dedicating to fencing and competing has become such a tangible event to me.

But of course her advice is the sanest thing I can grasp onto in this distorted perception of reality that has eaten up everything I know and love. Mother, I cry internally, Oh what have you done? Why? what did I ever do to deserve such a punishment?

I dig my claw-like nails into my palm steeling these hazardous thoughts, no, she is a traitor and when I find her, I must kill her. Forgotten should be those 9 months she carried me and then the labor. Forgotten should be those special moments where she told me about her when she was younger or how she always was there for me when I was doubting myself of being queen... how she was always there for me...

I stifle a sob as these tender memories overwhelm me. No.

It was the royal tournament, where each member of the royal family from the 6 cities must participate in at least one or more challenges if they are over 15 and under 50. An event that occurs every 6 years - the location changes from one city to another. This year the event was held here, at Altsek. The events last for 15 days each of them taking up a whole day. It was the 3rd event. The event that changed everything. I was cheering her on - past caring how I should behave with the other royalty around my same age and she turned around smiling. I remember it was a hot day, the heat punishing and the air distinct with the smell of sweat. The sun was in my eyes and I was thinking it was a trick of the sun but it felt like her smile was forced and almost tainted with regret. Her eyes casted downwards and she bowed low in the direction of my father on the other side, I watched him raise his hand in acknowledgement and then she raised her bow, slipping the delicately crafted arrow in and aimed for the target - it was a marvel, she never misses, her arrow was true and direct and always in the centre. 1/3, she aims again and it pierces the target, a ghost of a space between the first. Then it was her last arrow, she took a while to get it adjusted, as if she never shot before, as if she 'forgot' what her target is. She raised her arrow towards the target and within a blink of an eye, her long dark hair whips backwards, jolting and her arrow is flying towards my father striking him in the shoulder. Seconds of silence passes as she runs towards the gates that lead out into the city where its full with spectators trying to glimpse the event. I stare at her lightning fast figure, befuddled, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Shock registers first, confusion, betrayal and anger follows. I jump out of the stadium and run after her in vain, my epée sword bouncing against my hips in rythm as I shout at the guards to go after her. By the time I reached the gates, she has already disappeared into the mass swarm of bodies. 'Find her and Kill her' I scream at whoever was listening, I passed out then, the heat and shock overriding my system. Char carried me into the palace and kept me under guard, should I have been harmed.

They're still looking for her now, the entire city is on lockdown even the other royal guests. I can't let her do this, let her go. She has told me this much, Do what you believe in, and I shall honor her memory, I believe I should avenge my father.