I dismissed Tabitha from my mind the instant Elder Zu started with the training. I was going to confront her with questions later.
But right now, I needed to focus on the goal which was— surviving.
That was the key thing now.
“You.”
Elder Zu let out.
I arched my brows, looking around to check who it was but was startled when I saw everyone looking at me.
“M-me?”
I stuttered. “Yes, you! Why are you holding a sword that way?”
He questioned, with an alarmed look on his face. Immediately, I looked down to the sword in my hands. It was bent down to the floor, like I was nervous and scared of this entire thing.
And I was.
Gosh I really was…
What if I didn’t make it? What if died too, like those girls?
But I had to be strong. For mum, for Moses and lastly, for Piper…
“Sorry sire!”
I exclaimed, correcting myself that instant and bowing in respect to him. Elder Zu rubbed his dark and grey moustache, looking at me closely. His face wore a stern look.
Please don’t disqualify me…
Please, please. I swear not to make this mistake again.
I silently prayed.
“Be warned, Ava.”
He stated.
I blinked my eyes countlessly on how he knew my name. I mean, we were 25 and introduced ourselves. He must be really smart to have remembered all of our names; really.
“Y-yes, Elder Zu. I’m sorry.”
“And no stuttering! This goes to all of you here. Once you’re in this battle ground, there is no fear.”
He exclaimed, with a brave look.
“Courage, bravery, valor. A female warrior should be daring.”
“When others go back in retreat, she goes forward. She fights till the end, even if it means dying like a hero.”
Elder Zu added, walking around us with gallantry, saying. The girls were all attention, with their swords up high.
“Are we clear on that?!”
He exclaimed firmly.
“Yes, sire!”
All the girls chorused in response.
We began training immediately. Surprisingly, he told us to keep our sword inside its sheath.
In spite of the scene he made from earlier, today’s training didn’t involve it.
Instead, it was all about strength.
Elder Zu made us carry buckets of heavy water, telling us to run after him. He made us climb mountains with heavy loads on our backs.
And all through, some people cheated.
Tania and Satandra did.
They took short cuts while we fetched water. While we ran on the mountains, with heavy loads, they took short cuts in the bushes.
“Did you see that?!”
Emily breathed out, the instant we finished our jobs. Tania and Satandra got there before us. Myself and Emily were the second.
“See what?”
I asked. “Tania and Satandra. Elder Zu is going to know of this.”
She said, pressing her lips firm while they gave us a mischievous look. I could thank God they weren’t even in my room. Who knows what is going to happen?
“Stop, Emily.”
I said, holding her hands back. “Don’t.”
“Why?”
She asked, looking at me confusingly. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“We certainly don’t know how Elder Zu would react. If you noticed, around here, things we think would be punished for, are let go.”
“And then, little things get punished for…”
I trailed out, evaluating it with a tired smile.
“Give it time, karma would soon catch up with them.”
She agreed as we rested on our backs, so tired from all of the work we did today. I had assumed we would retire for today but that didn’t happen.
“Alright, time to train your strength with some lifts!”
“Huh?”
I looked at Emily, giving her a surprised look and so did she. The girls weren’t having any of it.
Different murmurs echoed the training grounds instantly.
“Quiet!”
He stated. “We’ll start with 50 lifts for today.”
“Is that amount necessary?”
One of the girls asked.
I noticed it was Tabitha. She looked sort of pale and a bit sickly. Maybe it was just because of the work out and I was imagining things.
“We might as well faint after we do it, milord…”
“Then faint!!!”
Elder Zu shouted at the peak of his voice in a thunderous tone. He was really harsh but I knew he meant well.
All these…was teaching us to survive.
Without mastering it, surviving might be very difficult for us.
…
Towards evening, the 100 of us were having dinner in a separate room. However, the chairs we sat on, were so much different…this time.
The 75 had a lower chair and less meal, while the remaining 25 who passed the tests, had larger meals and high seats.
P-piper…
“Hey.”
I called out to her, pouring the food I hid under my cloth to give her. She discreetly took it.
“Thanks Ava.” she muttered.
“How are you faring?” I asked. “How are things around here?”
“Some of the girls are really nice. One did my hair. She said I reminded her of her little sister.”
Piper said with a pout. But she didn’t seem happy.
“That’s good then.”
“Are you okay? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
I rubbed her head, saying in extreme worry.
“Some girls bully me!” she cried out.
“They say I’m too small and undernourished and will never get a chance with the beast.”
“I don’t want a chance with the beast..”
“..I want to go home…” she purred softly, holding my gown close.
“Hey, hey.”
She looked at me, and I gave her a re-assuring look.
“Just try to bear with them for now. I’ll talk to Lady Lydia about it, don’t worry.”
I encouraged. “I have to go now, would talk to you later, Piper.”
I moved to go but she held my gown in her small, feeble hands. “Ask her if I can move in with you,”
“Piper…”
“Please! Since I’m small, nobody values my opinions here.”
She begged. “Okay, I will.”
I smiled, saying. I moved to go but she let my gown more firmly again. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
….
Night fell afterwards. Today had been fast and I suspected it was as a result of the trainings.
As I attempted to sleep, I was a bit restless. Thus, I decided to go out to the gardens, to have a glimpse of the moonlight. And perhaps, think of my life.
“Seriously?”
A low baritone let out.
Startingly, I looked back only to see Jaskier.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been trying to get to you all day, but you didn’t see any of my signals, did you?”
“I um—”
How was I supposed to tell him my head was in the clouds?
“The beast requested for Lady Francesca’s presence. I suspect it’s to warm his bed.”
“What?” I let out in fright.
I was really working towards having a place in the castle and this? This was so unfair…
“I’m afraid so, milady.” he answered. “In fact, she just left his chambers.”
“Take me to the King.”
Jaskier looked at me like I had just said absurd.
“Are you sure? You might not want to do that..”
“Now!”
I exclaimed, with fury and rage growing in me.
He didn’t say anything anymore. Instead, like I requested, he took me to the King’s chambers.
“I do not have a hand in this.”
He stated, before leaving the front of the door and walking away.
Taking deep breaths, I opened the door, closing it behind me and walking in.
I knew this was a taboo. Coming to the King without being summoned, was unaccepted and I could have my head cut for this.
But it was all about risks…
“Ava.”
More of a statement. He looked tired. But I could smell her scent in his room. That really hurt.
Did she also lay on his bed?
“You said this was real, milord?”
I stated.
“What are you—"
“That I’m your mate, if I’m correct?”
“Yes, I did say that…Ava”
“But coming here in the middle of the night, knowing the complications—"
“Let’s talk about the humiliation instead.”
I let out bitterly.
“Why did you bring another woman in, after you told me I was your mate?”
I said, in hurt…batting off tears.
Seemed like my heart was beginning to get drawn to this creature.
“Ava…”
“What do you want?”
He asked, reaching out for my chin. I moved two steps back, away from him.
“Respect.” I gritted out.
“I want that respect as your woman. As your mate.”
I moved towards the door, walking out of his presence the minute I stated that.
Walking to the room, I removed the heavy clothes till I was in my underwear.
I cried a lot under the cover cloth, till my eyes were sore.
“All my life, I have never being touched by a man. I’ve remained clean and chaste.” – Ava Goodchild…“Ava! Wake up!”Some voice jeered me out of my sleep. I widened my eyes immediately, wondering if I was in trouble.“W-What?”To some extent, I expected to see Emily or anyone of my roommates. But when I saw who it was, I was shocked.Really.“Morning Cassandra, what are you doing here?”“Morning…” she whispered, pulling me up out of the bed.“I apologize for my impolite behavior, My Lady but His Royal Highness, summons you.”She said, whispering the last part in my ear.“W-What?”I mean, after the stunt I pulled yesterday I didn’t expect it to be so soon.“Yes, milady.”“He sent his trusted servant, Jaskier who delivered it to
I was thankful when the beast fell into my hands, sleeping.His hair, dangerously covering a part of his forehead. Chiseled jaw and a smooth face, which had some beard around his chin. He reminded me of the way an Adonis was described, in one of the books I read back at home.Home.I missed home.I found myself drifting back to reality, and giggling a bit at the way he snored while he slept.For someone as powerful and good looking, he was a disaster in bed.What are you doing, Ava?You should be making your way out instead of admiring him…“I need to go,”I whispered, pushing him off my body with all my strength and rolling him over. The girls would soon wake up, and I wouldn’t want any mixed feelings about this.“Stay.”His hands suddenly tightened around my hands saying.“W-what, I have to—”
*Days later*I wouldn’t say I became better, at heart after Emily’s words.There was an improve, yes.But I didn’t become better in my sword man ship, skills. No matter how I tried, I just couldn’t get it right.While Elder Zu taught us the techniques everyday and made us practice, I came back to the battle ground each time.Trying to learn, but nothing came out of it.“The challenge would be in a fortnight to now, ladies.”Knight Lydia announced one day, after gathering the 25 of us together.“Only after that, would the winner face me.”She was about walking away, when she suddenly stopped in her tracks, taking a view at us training.“With what I’m seeing, I’m sure none of you would be able to combat with me, one on one.”She snickered, before walking away.The morning bell for breakfast rang instantly. I shook the snow off my b
The beast held me as I leaned on him, crying intensely.Remembering Jasmine, did make me want to run into a box, and hide myself from it all.“She was my sister.”In a husky and hushed tone, I said.“And you lost her, didn’t you?” he asked.“She was just 9…”I brokenly let out, shivering. My body pondered as I said those words, with so much hurt withheld in my chest.“I lost someone too.”He suddenly let out.“I might not know what it’s like but I remember having an empty feeling.” he added, gently.“She was my mum.”“And her death was unforeseen. She died in the hands of the enemies.” he added.“And when she did, my dad became a gruesome, ruthless beast. I became worst.”“First you feel immense guilt, next…rage and anger. You then begin to blame y
The snow fell slowly, pouring on my head while the rain drizzled too. I suspected it was due to my transformation, that I couldn’t feel much of the weather.My skin felt a million thicker and impenetrable.I in fact, felt so much stronger, as I approached Master Zu. My face wrote of a determined look.My sword dragged on the floor, making linings on the snow that fell. And breeze blew off my already short hair, which I had earlier cut.I must win.I had to win.If I wanted to defeat Knight Lydia, I had to pass the hurdle.By defeating Elder Zu himself.“Come on!”Master Zu exclaimed, stretching his hands forward.I suddenly began running towards him, swaying my sword as I ran in the air. Instead of a sword, Master Zu took out a wooden stick.What was he doing?I stopped on my spot immediately.“You’re using that?”
Her crimson hair swarm widely, as she flipped some pages of her book. I inhaled nervously.What was she doing telling me to be free?I pressed my lips firmly, deciding to do as she said. Maybe she’ll tell me what I needed to know.“S-sure,”I muttered, reaching for the books in the shelf. My hands scanned through before taking one of them in my hands. I carefully observed it, as I did.Maybe it was a hint? Or was it?The book I took had an old brownish cover. It seemed dusty and ancient. But surprisingly, it was locked. With a padlock and it seemed like it needed a key.“It’s locked, Lady Archer.”“Yes dear, it is.”“For now, though. It’s left to you to open it; I’ve played my part.”“But I don’t have the key. How do I unlock it?” I asked frightfully.What if the answer to everything
Warning! Some parts of this chapter trigger self-harm and suicide.Dear readers, suicide is never an option. Whatever you’re passing through or facing will soon be over. Hang on in there, please...After that encounter with Rook Francesca, I headed to Knight Lydia’s quarters. My intentions were simple— I wanted Piper in my room.Then I would practice more and find the key after.Luckily, she agreed. Although with the condition that Piper shared a bed with me, since it wasn’t in her power to move anything in the castle.She had suggested me talking to Bishop Cicilia about it, but I waved it off agreeing.What was worse than going to one’s enemies for help?Cicilia would pay for her deeds, with Lady Francesca.But that was until I found the truth.Because something didn’t quite add up. I sensed a hidden enemy; pulling the strings.Who wa
King Caspian’s Pov“Milord, I sent the message. Lady Ava would be here in a few minutes.”Jaskier, my personal guard said with a bow.“Okay thanks.”I said, sitting down in deep thoughts as he left through the door, closing it behind him.Why won’t she accept to be my concubine?Why doesn’t she want me to protect her anymore? Why is she so stubborn?With these thoughts, I stood up pacing back and forth in my chambers.“I want mate.”“I miss her sweet scent and want to hold her in my hands.”My beast grumbled, threatening to take over.“Quiet, would you? Can’t you see I summoned her already?”He won’t rest until our mate was safe with us. Until she was protected from the games.Not that I couldn’t forcefully take her. But doing that, w