“I’m not even missing a whole arm, I’m only missing half of an arm!” screamed Amelliea.
“Break!” commanded the trainer, and Amelliea lowered her weapon, but Gabriellen kept coming.
“Watch out!” cried Galvan, fighting his way into the heart of the action.
Amelliea jumped back to avoid Gabriellen’s strike, but the spear cut a deep gash in her shoulder, ripping a tear in her uniform that was instantly flooded with blood.
“I said break!” shouted the trainer getting between them.
“Your weakness is embarrassing,” said Gabriellen to Amelliea. The Prince pulled the dark-haired girl away by the forearm.
“Amelliea, come with me!” said the trainer, hastily grabbing Amelliea by the wrist and dragging her out of the training hall. She was surprised that he knew her name.
“I’m sorry!” cried Amelliea. “Please don’t cast me out, I want to keep training! It got heated, its no big deal. Please sir, I beg you, let me stay!”
They had made it to the hallway and the trainer rushed her into the healing room. He handed Amelliea off to a woman who looked wide-eyed at the gash. Collecting herself, the healer woman quickly cut off the sleeve of the tunic and began to clean the wound with evident expertise.
“Please, it’s just a scratch. I’ll be fine! I want to train!” pleaded Amelliea.
“I know,” said the trainer, and Amelliea grew quiet. The man looked at her with serious eyes. “That girl,” he said shaking his head. “I can’t stand her,” he confessed unexpectedly. “Gabriellen knows no honor, yet I have no choice but to teach her alongside you! Such is the way of it.” He grimaced. “Next time expect her to fight unfairly, and do me a favor—don’t hold back!”
Amelliea smiled, and then winced as the healer woman began sewing a row of stitches one at a time across the wound and pulling them tight.
“I’m afraid you’ll have an ugly scar, my dear,” said the healer woman. “It’s too bad, since you are such a lovely young woman with attractive shoulders.”
“Scars only decorate a warrior,” said Amelliea, making her trainer smile.
“You are to take the remainder of the day off,” he said. “And no more training in the evenings!”
“But—” protested Amelliea, surprised he knew about that too.
“I am your master, and you would do good not to disobey me.”
“Yes master,” said Amelliea with a slight bow of her head.
“Good,” said the trainer. He turned to leave. “Give her the salve,” he said to the healer woman, before walking out the door.
“It’s alright,” cooed the healer woman. “You’ll be back to working order in record time.” She handed Amelliea a jar of brown paste. The girl suspiciously gave it a sniff. The stuff smelled of cucumbers. “It’ll speed your recovery,” said the woman, tightly bandaging the freshly sewn wound with clean fabric. “The recipe for this here salve was invented long ago by a powerful wizard, and though it has simple and common ingredients, it works like magic every time!”
Chapter 31
Closer Than Ever
After only a few minutes of furiously pacing her room, Amelliea decided to head outside. She needed to clear her mind and to breathe some fresh air. So focused had she been on her training, that she had not yet permitted herself an outing to see the Gator city, and since she was ordered to take the day off anyway, she decided such an adventure was in due order. Feeling slightly better upon making this decision, she grabbed her coin purse and instantly staggered back from the searing pain exploding in her shoulder. Although the balm was rapidly healing the wound, it still stung a good deal more than was pleasant. Rotating her shoulder to ease the pain, Amelliea hurried out into the corridor. Eager to avoid the curious eyes of her classmates, she snuck out of the palace through the kitchen entrance, which she had noticed a while back.
“You shouldn’t be down here, miss,” said the cook, waving at her disapprovingly with a wooden spoon. He stood over a large boiling pot, his hair tucked under a pleated white hat.
“I’m not down here,” smiled Amelliea, turning to the pastry chef, “am I?”
The pastry chef winked at her, “Who? Down where?” The man smiled and handed Amelliea a freshly baked cinnamon roll.
The cook rolled his eyes, “Just don’t be late for dinner,” he called after Amelliea, smiling as the girl danced out the door.
In one swift motion, Amelliea hopped the gate of the vegetable garden without bothering to unlatch it, and soon found herself on a wide street. Pausing before entering the noise of the city, she looked out at the many buildings spreading out before her and felt her troubles evaporate, for nothing could be better medicine than the freedom of exploration. Taking her time to enjoy the cinnamon roll she had been gifted by the pastry chef, Amelliea moved forward into the noisy mill of city life. There were people leading donkeys and mules saddled with baskets or pulling carts filled with produce, and children running between them, playing games or hurrying to keep up with their parents. Every now and again she spotted a gator rider astride a giant reptile weaving a path through the crowd. The creature’s mouth was always firmly bound so it would not snatch up young children along the way. Shops lined both sides of the street boasting exquisitely crafted goods from their windows. Amelliea passed a map store, a teahouse, and a shop dedicated solely to yarn, roving, and spinning wheels. The many yarns and fibers looked heavenly soft and were died in bright, attractive colors. Next she passed a bakery, and a bank, and a library filled with scrolls.
Amelliea turned down a different street and came upon a gallery of historic paintings. She wandered through the gallery for a long time, pausing for a while before the painting of a young pirate. The youth had similar features to that of Prince Galvan, and Amelliea asked the historian working nearby on the restoration of a water-damaged canvas, if the pirate had been a distant relative of the royal family. The woman gave Amelliea more information than the girl would ever manage to remember and confirmed that indeed the young pirate was the great-great-great-grandfather of the King. She told Amelliea that later in his life the man was known as the fearsome captain of a swift and massive sand ship call the Petrichor and that the pirate stole the throne for himself from the previous King of thieves. Amelliea looked upon the painting of the raven-haired boy and thought about the fact that at the time of its creation, the pirate was barely more than an innocent child who had no idea what was to come. She wondered what would happen to Galvan, and if he too in time would become a terrible warlord and hardened murderer. Shaking these gloomy thoughts from her head, Amelliea left the gallery and continued her exploration of the Gator city.
She saw many more remarkable things, including strategic board games played on checkered platforms with carved wooden pieces, and tailors measuring their clients for luxurious custom robes. Amelliea tasted new fruits that were sweet and fragrant, and had lunch in a small café with a view of the red cliffs towering above the city on either side. As the sun began to slide towards the opposite horizon from where it had risen, Amelliea made her way back to the palace.
It was nearing evening by the time she returned, and knowing that dinner would not be served for yet another hour, Amelliea strode through the autumn flower garden enjoying the last of the blossoms. Her feet crunching on the sandy path, she slowly meandered through the royal gardens. The last of the roses were small but plentiful, and their green thorny branches were decorated with many plump rosehips. The flowerbeds were mulched with a thick layer of finely chopped leaves in preparation for the long winter ahead. The smell of leaves and flowers hung lightly in the chilly air. So romantic was the setting that Amelliea could not fight the desire to sing. Humming at first, and then whispering the words, Amelliea did not notice how she slipped into singing a song from her childhood.
“The sun and moon did shine upon,
A little house that now is gone.
A lonely valley in its place,
The dwelling lost without a tra
ce.
Though light by day and dark by night,
Here lies a secret in plane sight.
The house was once a charming home,
With rolling hills where sheep would roam.
With laughter sweet and chiming bells,
And flowers blooming in the dells.
A little girl did live there then,
Now by the river and again,
She played and sang a lovely song,
About the home where she belonged.
She never wanted it to end,
This happy time with all her friends.
One day she caught a silver fish,
And then the little girl did wish.
To live forever in the dell,
And never hear a silent bell.
And in an instant all was gone,
Transformed forever into song.”
Amelliea paused upon hearing a pair of birds take sudden flight from a nearby tree. She looked up to find Galvan smiling down at her, sitting comfortably up on a thick tree branch as though he had been there for a while.
“Are you eavesdropping?” she asked.
“Not intentionally,” he answered, “but I was not about to interrupt such lovely singing.” He jumped down in one graceful motion. “Your voice is positively enchanting.”
“Thank you,” replied Amelliea.
“Do you play any musical instruments?” he asked.
“I play the harp,” said Amelliea. “At home I practiced every day, I miss it sometimes now that I am traveling away from home.”
“I shall have a harp brought to your room at once,” said Galvan.
“Oh no, that’s not what I meant,” said Amelliea. “I don’t require a harp, I’m more than happy with all that I have here.”
“Please understand, Amelliea, it is for selfish reasons that I wish to provide you with an instrument,” he smiled. “For I want only to hear more of your magnificent singing.”
Amelliea looked away. “What brings you to the garden?” she asked, unable to forgive him for abandoning her the other night without an explanation, as well as for introducing the new girl into their friendship.
“I come here to think sometimes,” he replied, without asking for forgiveness. “It is one of the only places I can escape where I am not being watched by the guards and servants of the palace.”
Amelliea wanted to ask why he was not with Gabriellen, but then thought better of it. Even thinking of the other girl made her shoulder ache.
Galvan noticed her shift in mood. “Are you alright?” he asked.
“The wound is healing quickly,” answered Amelliea.
“I’m furious with Gabriellen for coming at you like that,” he said. “I would have intervened had I managed to reach you sooner.”
“It’s alright,” said Amelliea.
“It’s not,” he argued, shaking his head. “She needs to learn to control her temper. Though, in a few months, you could school her right and proper,” laughed Galvan.
“She is skilled in ways I am not.”
“She is at the peak of her abilities,” said Galvan, “while you have barely scratched the surface of your talents.”
Amelliea blushed at the complement. “Your friend is quick to anger,” she said to divert attention from her rosy cheeks.
Galvan snorted, “She is only jealous of your reputation.”
“My reputation?”
“Amelliea, your fame spreads across the Seven Regions as wild fire. That is why Gabriellen has come. It seems her hard won reputation is being threatened and Gabriellen has no intention of letting her fame be overshadowed or her skills outshined by another girl. Especially not a younger one with only one arm.”
“Prince Galvan!” shouted one of the guards from across the way. “I know you’re out here!”
Galvan ducked down beside a tall rose bush and indicated for Amelliea to do the same. “Here we go again,” he whispered. “They’re after me.”
“What do they want from you?” asked Amelliea.
“My signature,” he answered sullenly. “I’m to sign a towering mountain of scrolls this evening, and probably every evening for the remainder of my life! Proclamation this, and declaration that.” He made a sour face.
Amelliea chewed her lip, “This way.”
“What?” he hissed, as she led him through a maze of tall rosebushes keeping them well out of sight of the guards.
“How do you know this place so well?” he asked, running behind her.
“I have a view of the gardens from my bedroom window,” explained Amelliea, looking back at him over her shoulder.
They raced to the palace, bumbling their way through the kitchens before dashing into the corridor. Upon hearing voices ahead of them, Galvan whispered for Amelliea to act natural, and they slowed to a walk. An important-looking man in burgundy robes approached them.
“Prince Galvan, Master Galloway has been looking all over for you, did he manage to find you?” asked the man.
“Why yes, he certainly did,” smiled the Prince brightly.
Bowing her head, Amelliea curtsied politely. The man looked unconvinced. After they had gone ahead a short distance, Amelliea glanced back to see which way the man would go, only to find him staring at the pair of them.
“Run!” urged Amelliea.
Grabbing her hand, Galvan veered to the left, ducking behind a marble sculpture of a lion, and into a secret passageway. They rushed through the dusty tunnel, out of breath from laughter, until they came upon a squat wooden door. Here, Galvan paused and brought a finger to his lips. After opening the door a crack and cautiously peering out, he waved Amelliea through. The girl ducked out into the hallway and was immediately followed by the Prince. The coast was clear, and they raced to one of the nearby towers and then hurried up the winding stairs. The stairway was not very long, and it soon opened up into a wide hallway leading to a large, rectangular room.
“This way,” said Galvan, leading Amelliea past a set of finely painted doors into the room. Amelliea soon found herself inside the splendidly decorated space.
Amelliea spun around in a circle, taking in the space. The red stone walls were carved with horizontal ledges that supported vast paintings of battle scenes and landscapes. Fine furniture was placed stylishly throughout the space. There was a marble dining table next to a row of narrow windows. Gathered silver curtains hung down half way over the glass, letting in the evening light. An orderly weapons wrack with over a dozen swords, spears, and daggers stood against the wall by the door. A wide bed was positioned on the opposite side of the room from the dining table.
“Make yourself at home,” said Galvan politely.
“Where are we?” asked Amelliea.
“This is my bedroom,” said Galvan, jumping onto the giant bed without removing his shoes. The blankets spread out across the bed were so soft that the Prince sunk deeper down than Amelliea had expected.
“You live here?” asked Amelliea in wonder.
He smiled, “Sure do.”
Amelliea thought that although it was certainly a grand and beautiful room, it was not a very welcoming space, but she did not mention this to Galvan. There were footsteps in the hallway, and Amelliea looked behind her to see a servant approaching the open doorway.
“Your Majesty’s presence is required in the dining hall,” said the servant.
Galvan rose from the bed and walked over to the man. “My guest and I will be dining here alone tonight,” he said. “And we do not wish to be disturbed.” Galvan closed the first door, and then moved to close the second.
“Understood, your Royal Highness,” said the servant bowing his head and turning to leave.
“There’s one more thing,” said Galvan. He glanced at Amelliea, and then beckoned the servant closer. He muttered something quietly and then sent him away. Galvan closed the second door.
Amelliea went to the window to admire the view. It was growing dark and the city below glowed here and there. The balloo
ning roofs of the buildings were faintly tinted orange with the last rays of the setting sun.
“I love this time of day,” said Amelliea, sensing Galvan come up behind her.
He took her hand, “May I have this dance, fair lady?”
“I’m afraid I can’t dance,” replied Amelliea, turning to face him.
“If you can fight, then you can dance.” He placed his other hand on her waist and easily waltzed her around the room.
Amelliea stepped on his foot. “Oh—I’m sorry!” she said.
“Try the footwork of the Gallivant attack,” suggested Galvan.
Amelliea did as he advised and they whirled, laughing around the room in an easy dance. Galvan spun Amelliea twice in a row and then caught her in his arms in a low dip.
“You move well,” said Galvan.
“You lead well,” answered Amelliea.
Galvan gently supported her upper back as he pulled her out of the dip. Caught up in the moment, Amelliea found it suddenly impossible to look away. Galvan held her gaze and then glanced down at her lips, only to look into her eyes once more. He moved closer.
There was a knock on the door, and Galvan politely released Amelliea, but remained beside her. A moment later a servant entered holding a lidded silver tray. The man bowed slightly, and came into the room to set the table with drinks, hot food, and fresh bread. Galvan pulled out one of the cushioned chairs for Amelliea and she took her seat. The Prince sat across from her, as the servant bowed and departed. They ate and spoke of many things, drifting organically from one topic to the next.
After dinner they relocated to the sofa, where they could continue their conversation. Amelliea was surprised that Galvan sat closer to her than was necessary, but she did not move away. “Will your father be furious with you for neglecting your duties tonight?” she asked.
“He will likely understand, since he is not unfamiliar with the mundane aspects of holding the throne.”
“I have to wonder if you are simply too polite to let me feel guilty about getting you in trouble.”
“I guess you’ll never know,” replied the Prince. Amelliea shifted beside him and he grabbed her wrist. “Nice try,” he laughed, pulling the pocket watch from her hand by its chain.
The Curse (The Windore Series Book 2) Page 17