Chaos & Order

Chapter 24

Aliyah led Siel to the training area--a small, square area in the corner of the castle. Off to the side was a rack of weapons--swords, spears, a few halberds, and others. It was meant for combat training. And it was currently in use by two guards who were sparring, but halted when Aliyah cleared her throat. They ceased and saluted.

"Princess! What brings you here today?" one of them asked.

"Nothing much. I just want to let off some steam." Aliyah said, taking a sword.

"Alone?" The guard asked.

"As far as you know." Aliyah said with a playful wink.

"This is always so much fun." Siel snickered.

"It is." Aliyah nodded.

The guard looked around in confusion, "I don't see anyone else with you, Princess."

"Okay, we've had our fun. Now, reveal yourself already or I'll look like a fool." Aliyah said.

"Very well..." Siel said, hesitantly. He dropped his glamour, making himself visible to people besides Aliyah. The guards...seemed only surprised by this.

"Oh, you must be the Princess' Guardian." One of them said.

"Yes...you're taking this well." Siel nodded.

    "The king made us aware of your presence yesterday." Another said, "He told us that there would be an angel keeping watch over the princess."

    "Just keep it clean. Or else." The guard said, patting the hilt of his sword in a way that made...his intent quite clear.

"Thank you, good sir." Siel said, giving a short bow.

The guards left the arena, giving them room. Aliyah walked to the far end and looked to Siel, "Ready to play?"

"When you are." Siel said, entering the arena.

Aliyah took a stance as she pointed her sword at her Guardian. Siel spun his crook around before tossing it into the air before catching it and pointing it at her. Aliyah scoffed, playfully, "Show off."

"You need a little flare. Otherwise, you'd be Domiel."

"Fair enough." Aliyah laughed. She then moved, making the first strike. Siel immediately side-stepped and bopped her head with his staff. Aliyah huffed before striking again.

"Too green." Siel smiled, dancing aside and bopping her again. Aliyah turned and slashed the sword towards his torso...which Siel casually blocked. With an annoyed growl, she stabbed at his chest. Siel side-stepped, playfully saying, "I think you got a little more than you bargained for."

Aliyah glared at him a bit as she started slashing at him, which Siel casually blocked with his crook. Noticing the pattern, she asked, "Are you just going to keep blocking?"

"What? Are you suggesting I harm my charge? Does that sound like a guardian angel?" Siel asked with a laugh.

"It's not much of a spar then." Aliyah said, a bit annoyed.

"But considering the skill difference? I think you're better off like this." Siel said.

"It's only because I was trained with my mother's weapon more." Aliyah pointed out.

"Even then, do you really want to see the power of a guardian angel? We're not as powerful as the warriors, but still..." Siel said.

"I am the curious type, remember?"

"The full power of a guardian should only be reserved for those attempting to harm you." Siel said.

"Oh, very well. This is no longer fun." Aliyah said as she returned the sword back to its place.

"What?" Siel asked, "I was having fun with that."

Aliyah looked at Siel before reaching under the skirt of her dress. She soon took out the Artemis rod, which had been strapped to her upper thigh, "I was talking about the sword."

"Oh, I see." Siel said, readying his crook again. Aliyah smirked as she swung the rod. It grew longer as she twirled it before pointing it at Siel, "So, switching to a longer-ranged melee weapon? This might be more interesting."

"It's easier for me to use." Aliyah said before she rushed Siel, swinging the rod. Siel blocked it with his crook. Aliyah used the other end of her rod to strike him in the side. Siel bent into the blow, using the hook of his crook to grab onto Artemis' rod and pull it from her hands.

"And that's why we carry these things." He said.

"Ah, hey!" Aliyah got closer to him, reaching for her rod. Siel tossed it back. She caught it with ease before ducking down and turned, using the rod to bring his legs out from under him. The guardian, though, jumped up to evading the hit.

"You're a tough one...." Aliyah said with a small laugh as she stood.

"It's like I've been doing this for a while." Siel shrugged, playfully.

Aliyah smiled before rushing towards him again, swinging the rod. Siel side-stepped and held the hook of his crook out. He caught Aliyah's ankle and pulled, tripping her. As she fell back, she grabbed onto his clothing, pulling him down with her. Siel yelled, falling right on top of her.

"Never saw THAT before..." Siel said.

"It...it was sort of spur-of-the-moment." Aliyah laughed...before the situation hit her. The two started to turn red in the face when realizing how close they were.

Siel then realized the close proximity and immediately pushed himself off, "Uh...sorry."

"N-no...my fault...." Aliyah said, pushing herself up.

"So, wish to continue or has this become too awkward?" Siel asked, standing up as he dusted his robes. Aliyah's response was to use the rod to swipe his feet from under him. Siel jumped again, "You know, that's not really an effective move."

"Doesn't hurt to try." Aliyah said as she jumped up and rushed towards him.

"In combat, though, it does." Siel said, swiftly bopping Aliyah on the head, "Flare is good. But effective is better."

As he spoke, though, Aliyah quickly used her rod to deflect his crook. Before he could respond, she grabbed his wrist and twisted it away. The moment she was close enough, though...she kissed him on the cheek. Siel's blue eyes went wide as he suddenly dropped his crook. Aliyah gripped onto his crook and used it as a lever, swinging Siel off of his feet and into the air. With a yell, Siel fell onto his back.

Aliyah stood over Siel, a smug smile on her face as she handed his crook back. Siel took it and used it to help him stand again, "That was a dirty trick."

"But it worked." Aliyah said, playfully.

"Annnd you just wanted that satisfaction, didn't you?" Siel asked.

"Maybe." Aliyah said as she returned Artemis to its holster. Siel rubbed the place where she kissed him as he followed after her.

On their return, they passed by the guards from earlier. The first one watched and asked, "Anyone else feel that tension between them or is it just me?"

His fellows nodded in agreement, some laughing.