The Hidden Princess: Secrets Revealed (Book Two)

Chapter Six: Better If You All Had Died

Tension was high. The candidates for the apprenticeship had just finished their final tasks. They would have the evening to relax, then in the morning they would be finding out the results. I watched as the majority of boys sat together. A few doing sword drills, others practicing their hand to hand combat and others just relaxing. Looking around I saw James and Kole being part of the sword drills. I went to join and then noticed that Rowen wasn't a part of any group. Looking around I spotted a figure on the tower. Smiling, I jogged over and climbed to the first tower where he stood leaning against the corner pole. "Normally I go to level three, but to each their own." I said, taking a seat with my feet dangling from the edge. "Why are you up here and not down with the boys?" I asked looking up at Rowen.

He raised an eyebrow and remained silent for a moment. "And I thought that you were smart and quick on the intake. I'll put it in layman's terms for you. I'm different, unknown, most people in this town don't like that. Thus they don't want to be around me," he said.

Shaking my head I stood up. "No, that's not true. You are part Aurojian," I said, trying to understand what Rowen was saying.

He smiled at me taking a seat beside me. "You didn't grow up in Jarrow... you don't really know how things work here. If you aren't fully Aurojian then you have to prove yourself if you move here later in life... like me. Even though it sounds harsh it's the way it is and I'm okay with that. I didn't come here to be popular. I came here for a better life for my mum and sister," he said.

Before either of us could respond we heard shouts from below. Looking down, a small crowd of boys were coming our way.

"Samantha, we've been looking for you," Gray called, frowning when he saw who else was on the tower. "You should come join us. It's our celebration night," he grinned.

Shaking my head I jumped down. "There is nothing to celebrate until you get the results tomorrow. However, if we are given free time I say we take it," I said then turned back to Rowen, who was now standing at the base of the tower. "Come on, Rowen, come join us," I said.

Gray shook his head. "He wasn't invited... he shouldn't even be here," he said, crossing his arms.

Rowen held up his hands. "I wasn't asking to be a part of your celebration. I was actually just heading to my room," he said, walking to slide past but one of the other boys stood in front.

"You think you're something special because Orion sought you out. You aren't. It's all in pity he did it," Drew said, shoving Rowen back a step.

"Hey!" I said, stepping forward. "Knock it off. You are all here because Orion saw something in each of you, some I'm not sure what, but he didn't just let anyone come. Rowen earned his spot just like the rest of you," I said, crossing my arms.

The boys laughed, shaking their heads. "Now he's got Samantha believing his tales. You really are a Nivertarian. With their silver tongues they pull people into their lies," Gray said, stepping towards Rowen. "What do you have to say about that Flatlander?" He asked, using the degrading term for the people of Nivertara. "You probably told her that your daddy's a hero. Another lie," he said, shoving Rowen in the chest.

Rowen caught himself, but said nothing. He went to walk around, but Drew grabbed his arm, twisting him around. "You don't walk away from us when we're talking to you. You think you're better than us!" he said, shoving Rowen into Gray. "Your mom was an idiot for leaving Auroja. She should have never come back with you and your sister... better if you all had died," he said.

Rowen's eyes lit up at that insult. Within seconds he was on top of Drew. Unfortunately, Gray was there to help.

Before I even knew what was happening there was a large group of boys in a full out brawl. Yelling at them I tried to get them to stop, but my voice did not carry over the voices of the boys. I went to try pulling one of the boys off, but caught an elbow to the nose. As I was about to join in the fight, I felt a hand come down on my arm and pull me back. I looked up into the face of a very angry Benedict. He didn't say anything as he pushed me into Louis's arms. Louis didn't say anything either as he started to care for my bloody nose.