Chapter 2

As his battleship reached touchdown with a loud thug that shook his otherwise comfortable seat in front of the jet's control panel, Man-at-Arms sighed in relief as he envisioned a less than precarious undertaking at the Castle Eternia for the coming weeks. He had just arrived from a dangerous mission overseas of aiding peace talks between two nearby kingdoms amidst warfare. After its success he was looking forward to being back in Eternia but as he got off his battleship of and walked nearer to the castle courtyard, a sudden sense of dread overcame him as overwhelming clashing of swords and heavy breathing and panting welcome his return. He poised his sword ready for battle, expecting the worse as he stepped into the place of action but to his astonishment, he found Adam engaging in sword fight with twenty of the best warriors of their kingdom.

For a moment he watched in awe at Adam's excellent swordsmanship before realizing that Adam never showed his skill before, opting for a ruse of disinterest and lack of skill in fighting but now he was displaying how he could take all 20 men alone! Adam stopped the moment he saw Man-at-Arms watching their training.

"Duncan! You're back," exclaimed Adam.

Man-at-Arms furrowed his brow, "Where is Teela? Isn't she supposed to be teaching you?"

Adam indicated that his men are dismissed before joining Men-At-Arms inside the castle. Adam shrugged before taking a drink and handing one to Man-at-Arms as well. "I don't know… I have this feeling Teela's been avoiding me. She hasn't trained me for months, since that day you left I believe. After that I didn't see the point of playing down my skill. I don't want those men to eat me alive," he laughed.

"Where is she now? I want to talk to her?" said Man-at-Arms.

"She shouldn't be neglecting her duties…"

"Cut her some slack. Maybe your daughter is just too exhausted…"

Man-At-Arms raised his voice, "Exhausted? What has she been doing? She knows very well your training is the priority. She can take a break in doing other things but not protecting and training the crowned prince of Eternia"

Adam sighed, "I don't know. I only see her at supper time and she doesn't stay long enough to take tea and chat."

Man-at-Arms shook his head. I better talk to Teela. What's gotten into her? Two months I'm gone and this happens.

"I never knew you to be remiss of your responsibilities, Teela. I don't want this to happen again. We don't always like what we are assigned to do but as loyalty to King Randor we must do what we are supposed to do. Do you understand me?" scolded Man-at-Arms.

"I understand, father," replied Teela in a soft voice.

"Now first thing tomorrow you will resume your post as Prince Adam's trainor and bodyguard."

Teela nodded solemnly.

Man-at –Arms was almost out of the bedroom door when his daughter's soft and hesitant voice spoke to him.

"Uhm…father… May I go to the Midsummer Ball tomorrow night? I…I thought it would be a nice change to go to a party."

He was surprised but not angry, his daughter was never the party type but it would be good for her to hang out with the common people, especially girls her own age. His lips curved into a smile, "Why of course, you can. That would be a nice thing for you. But, remember, do not forego your responsibilities as Captain of the Guards."

She jumped into bed the moment her father left her room. She suppressed the angry tears trying to break free as she hugged her pillow to her chest.

I can't do this. I just can't stand being so close to Adam. I'm falling for him. I'm afraid that with one look into my eyes, he would know…he would know how much I love him. Get a hold of yourself Teela, at least you can go to the ball and have fun tomorrow night. It will help you take your mind off Adam.

Teela hardly slept a wink the night before. She was mad at her father for forcing her to continue training Adam. From what she heard from whisperers around the castle, he was doing well without her help. She wanted to move on to other things, distance herself from Adam since she knew very well if she nurtured her feelings she will be in for a heartache. The princess from the nearby Kingdom of Avalon was scheduled for a visit but she knew it was not some ordinary courtesy visit, it was business. King Mordred of Avalon and King Randor were discussing a strong alliance between the two kingdom and what better way can

they secure their alliance but by marriage between their kingdoms.

She heaved a sigh and ran her fingers through her long red hair as she stood in the middle of the courtyard waiting for Adam. She couldn't find her golden headgear that kept her hair in place, preventing it from falling all over her face. She could have sworn it was just on her dresser before she dressed up that morning but by the time she went back to her room it was gone. Oh well, I guess I would have to learn to live without it for the meantime. I'll look for it later. Where is Adam? As usual, he is late for his training.

Teela yelped in surprise as strong large hands covered her and whispered in a deep spine-tingling voice, " Guess Who?"

She covered her dainty hands over his large ones, trying to take it off her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat at the warm feeling of his skin beneath her hands but she tried not to show it.

"Adam! It's about time you showed up!" she scolded.

Adam took out his hands over her eyes. She turned back to face him with a glaring look but his wide grin was infectious and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Ooh I love the hair," he teased as he brushed his fingers through it.

Now her heartbeat did a double beat. "Cut it out, Adam," she tried to snap but it came out a faltering voice.

"Are you all ready for me Teela?" he asked with a boyish twinkle in his eyes, swinging his sword playfully.

She knew it was nothing but a question but why did it sound differently to her. Stop it Teela, she scolded herself.

"I'm all set. I heard you've been doing very well while I was…uhm… busy. Well, you can prove it to me now, if you're anywhere as good as they all claim you to be."

Adam was still grinning at the fiery lady warrior in front of her but before he could breathe her sword was already coming towards him. He managed to duck only at a nick of time but the tip of her sword slashed the sleeve of his new dress shirt.

He wasn't angry. He was never angry at Teela. Her friend had always fascinated him. In fact, no other woman could make him feel the way she does. She didn't have to do anything to catch his attention, just here mere presence makes him lose all sanity but being crowned prince, he knew how to carry himself well. He never wore his feelings on his sleeve, and never let anything cloud his judgment albeit he couldn't help but indulge in bantering and teasing Teela occasionally.

He looked at into her blue-green eyes and saw the fire in them. For a moment he thought of falling on the ground in pain just to have her take care of him but that would be too obvious. There wasn't even a scratch on his arm yet. No he would play it a bit longer before falling in defeat. Besides, she looked so beautiful with her auburn locks unbound and caressed by sunshine and touched by the gentle breeze.

Not long into their arduous duel when Adam didn't have to feign losing as he usually does. Distracted by her hair falling all over the place, Teela flipped her head, pushing her hair away from her face, trickles of water sliding down the side of her face and her lips moist from her constant licking. Never had Adam seen anything so sensuous that he didn't notice Teela's sword swinging in his direction, causing him to trip and fall back. He didn't mind actually losing as he had a good view of Teela hovering over him. He had to stop himself from actually getting up and kissing her as he drown his fingers on her thick auburn locks.

Before anyone of them could move, the voice of Man-at-Arms rang out from watching them a couple of yards away. As though caught red-handed in something they shouldn't be doing, both were immediately up on their feet in an instance.

"See what lack of your training did to Prince Adam? He lost sooner than he usually does. Now, I want you to take some rest, Teela. Sleep early tonight so you can do some rigorous training tomorrow to catch up. There will be visitors from Avalon soon and we don't want Prince Adam to lose face do we?," said Men-at-Arms firmly.

"But father, tonight is the ball…" she began to protest.

"You can go to another ball… After you have prepared Prince Adam for the visit of King and Queen of Avalon."

Teela suppressed her anger, her face almost as red as her hair as she furiously walked away from the courtyard.

Adam was silently grinning when Orco fell beside him. "Why do you always pretend to lose over Teela? I can't understand why Man-at-Arms never reprimanded you for it? You're making Teela work twice as hard," scolded Orco.

"C'mon, Orco. How else can we spend a lot of time together? If she thinks I needed her protection and her help in swordfight she would always be here by my side. Besides, it's good practice for both of us. And for your information, I did lose this round."

"Oh, yeah?," replied Orco skeptically.

"Sounds like love to me."

Orco and Adam looked at the floating eccentric witch on a broomstick above them, hugging herself and blinking her eyes in a dreamy sigh.

"Madam Raz, what are you doing here? Where's Adora? Is my sister with you?" asked Adam in a delightful surprise.

"Oh, she's here. In fact, everyone is here. We have some pressing business with your father and mother. I…uhm… just got here ahead, losing control over my broom," she explained.