Chapter 22

Brava walked to the edge of the practice ring, “Yes, Savia, Thor, or Thunder as some call him, is my future husband.”

I helped her but her sword back in its scabbard, “How long have you been betrothed?”

“Since birth. His father was on of my father’s friend’s. They met on the battle field and when Thor’s father saved mine, my father, rest his soul, became indebted to him. Not only did he make Thor’s father his right hand man, but he promised him his first daughter as a gift to his young son. And, well, I am the first daughter. There you have it.”

We walked toward the castle briskly. “Do you love him, Brava?”

She did not hesitate, “No. But I respect him, and that is more than I can say about 99 of the males I meet. Sometimes, Savia, when love can not be achieved, it is best to find the second best thing. Respect is as rare as love.”

We came to the side door in which Abidime oversaw. He smiled and bowed. “Hello, Zita.”

I curtsied to the large black man, “Hello, Abidime. Can I bring you anything from the kitchen? I am on my way.’

“Only if my mother is in there, then you should bring me the usual.” He answered.

I nodded and wandered toward the lower kitchen. It was always busy with servants and cooks rushing about trying to prepare the courts next meal. Abidime’s mother was the second-in-command of the lower kitchen. She was a round, stout woman with big dimples and a wide smile. She has a thick accent that accompanied her deep, booming voice.

“Hello, Princess! What is it that you might be needing?” Yewande asked heartily.

I hugged her, “Your son asks for the usual. Some spiced wine with some of your deer venison.”

She nodded, shooing me out of the kitchen, “Yes, my dear, of course. Now go get to packing. You are leaving in the morning and you have lots to do!”

I shrugged and began the long walk up to my chambers. Because of all the hustle to get me ready to leave for Castille de Azul, my 16th birthday passed somewhat unnoticed. Pita had the cooks make me a small cake while some of my closer friends brought me gifts. Brava had managed to get me a custom made sword. It was light, yet strong, with a scarlet scabbard. The sword itself was made of gold while the hilt bore my name. Packages from Terren arrived that same day. My father had acquired some new books by my favorite native author’s. while my mother had sent me quite a few new dresses, all tailored to my new, more curvy body. Venus had painted a small portrait of me in that beautiful pink dress Auntie Flann had made for me. Alex brought me a beautiful necklace that mother had worn on her wedding day.

“It might bring you luck!” He said, winking.

From Sargon came many things: a black stallion, jewelry, clothes… But, the quiet dinner was the best. We talked of many things, including our wedding which was to take place in a year. I still had much training to complete before I was ready, but he was proud of how far I had come. He also mentioned my new curves, which he was growing very, very, fond of. I laughed when he said this and took his hand. When we were together alone, formality was dropped and in its place stood intimacy and a growing infatuation that was easily becoming love. We had gone no farther than kissing and fondling, but it was becoming much harder to contain ourselves, especially knowing I wouldn’t be around for a while as I resided in the sea castle.

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It was hard to say good bye to everyone. Luckily, Agapita and Abidime were accompanying me to Castille de Azul. My brother would also be joining us, although if it was out of his good will I don’t know, seeing as Brava would be there with me for 2 months to make sure things ran smoothly. I had told him about Thor, but that stubborn streak that resided in all Terran nobles reared its ugly head.

I nearly cried when I kissed Sargon good bye. As I watched his strong figure fade into the distance I realized I could never love another man as I loved him.

The journey went very smoothly at first. We camped out at nights enjoying some wild fruits and herbs that spiced up the plain bread we were given by the upper level cooks. My brother and Brava went hunting together twice, both times bringing back a plump rabbit or boar.

Curiously enough, the third night we stopped to make camp, Brava, helping me set up my tent, asked about Alex.

“Savia,” she said, drumming the stakes into the ground, “Is Alex betrothed?”

“Why,” I said hastily, flustered with the stupid tent, “do you ask?”

She shrugged, obviously regretting her question.

I sighed, “No, he gets to choose his future bride. Fortune smiles upon him.”

She nodded and walked away, muttering something about needing more stakes.

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“Brava!” I screamed. “We are under attack!”

Men flooded out of the forest, surrounding our caravan. They were armed to the teeth with swords, daggers, rapiers, spears, and every other kind of weapon you can imagine.

A man on a tall, chestnut mare moved toward us. His crowd of thugs and bandits waited on his command to attack. What I supposed to be their leader wore a dark scarf, shielding his face from us.

“We have come for the blonde princess. We will harm none of you none If you hand her over.” He said in a raspy voice I had heard somewhere before…

Brava stepped forward boldly, with my sandy haired brother right behind her, “You will have to get through us first, and that is not an easy task.”

The raspy voice chocked out what I thought was a laughter, “You and what army, Bravanna?”

We had only but a few soldiers and we were not nearly armed enough to take on the multitudes that surrounded us.

Brava drew her long, double-edged sword crying out , “Savia!” She charged forward, with Alex close by her side…

Wow I like this! I should write more often lol

shanice