Scene Four: Brothers and Sisters. Love and Duty. (Part 2 of 3)
The horse's hooves landed hard on the closely packed dirt.
The Prince's rear landed harder.
"Oof," grunted Rivan as the wind was knocked out of him. He barely had time to wince before Lyon was at his side. Miakis was about to vault of her off her own mount but she felt a slim yet insistent hand shoot out and grip her by the arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" she asked Lymsleia angrily.
"What are you doing?" Lym hissed back at her, "You're my bodyguard Miakis! Look – Lyon's with him."
Sure enough the dark haired girl was already helping Rivan to his feet.
"Prince! Are you alright?" the girl asked in evident concern.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Rivan answered groggily, "But I swear that horse is out to kill me."
In response the great black steed that Lord Barrows had 'graciously' lent to him snorted and seemed to prance forward haughtily, throwing its head in disdain.
"Same to you buddy," the Prince laughed.
Shaking off the hand of the Princess with a scowl, Miakis trotted her own mount towards her two friends. "You don't need to stand for this you know," she said, as she dismounted.
"I'm not doing a lot of sitting on this trip," Rivan muttered ruefully. "Or much riding either come to think of it."
"I'm not kidding around," Miakis said seriously, and she made sure that for once her expression showed it. "And neither should you. We all know the reason why the Princess suddenly decided to go 'riding'."
Lyon and the Prince exchanged a glance. It was no secret that Rivan – so agile and confident on foot – was at a bit of a loss when it came to riding horses. The Queen had brought in some of the finest riders in the Queendom to instruct him, but Rivan barely managed to stay in his saddle most days, and that was on a docile horse. This monster stallion that Lord Barrows had picked out – apparently upon being told by Lym that her brother wanted a 'spirited' mount – was way out of his league. Miakis doubted whether even Roog or Rahal could tame the beast… and they were trained to ride dragon horses! Lym on the other hand, had taken to riding like a duck to water – or like a brat to mischief. It was very clear to Miakis – and should be clear in her opinion, to anyone with a brain - that this was just the latest in a string of efforts to make life difficult for the Prince.
Despite all that, Rivan simply shook his head. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"Prince- " Lyon began.
"Rivan-" Miakis started.
The boy cut them both off. "She's my sister," he said, "And our future Queen. Don't speak ill of her." He gestured with his head. "Besides, she's almost here."
True enough, Lym came trotting up to them, her white mare practically prancing, while at her side another mare bearing Luserina Barrows moved forward with a more dignified gait.
"Are you alright Prince?" Luserina asked, in a concerned tone of voice.
"Oh dear brother is used to falls like that," Lym practically cackled, "Aren't you Puh-rince?"
Rivan just ignored his younger sisters' tone, though Miakis was sure she saw his jaw clench a little. "Oh, you know what they say milady – practice makes perfect." He smiled graciously at Luserina. "I'm alright milady, don't worry. As my sister says, I've had worse."
The brown haired girl smiled. "Well I'm glad I wasn't present for the 'worse' – this alone nearly gave me a hea- "
"Alright, enough chit-chat," Lym interrupted her, whirling her horse around easily, "It's almost noon, and I want to cover as much ground as possible. It is just such a beautiful day for riding," the Princess positively glowed as she looked up at the angry, overcast sky. As she and Luserina headed back to the front of the entourage, she looked back over her shoulder at her brother. "Do try to keep up alright brother dear? You know how I hate I when you hold me back…"
With that she was off, leaving the Prince behind, along with a rather irate Lyon and Miakis.
Make that a very irate Miakis.
"I can't believe it! How could she speak to you that way?" the purple haired apprentice Knight fumed, her hands twitching towards her daggers. "Even rudeness has its limits!"
"I agree completely," Lyon nodded her head in agreement, "I mean, who does she think she is?"
"Yeah, who does she think she is, acting like a Princess of Falena, Heir to the Sun Throne?" Rivan commented drolly.
"Oh come of it," Miakis snapped, "Royal blood doesn't give you the right to be a Royal Pain!"
"I say we tell Commander Ferid just how bad she's gotten," Lyon offered, "I'm sure if they knew she'd gotten this far out of hand…"
"Leave it be Lyon," Rivan said, "Mother and Father have more than enough problems to deal with as it is."
"But Prince - " his bodyguard objected.
"Leave it be," he repeated, and Lyon sighed, then nodded her head.
Miakis though was not quite so easily subdued. "What, you think you're doing anyone a favor by just letting her have her way all the time? What kind of Queen do you think she's going to be if she grows up not having to treat other people with the slightest decency?"
Rivan sighed. "Look, it's not like she's this way with other people. Just – well, just with me."
"And that makes it okay?" the older girl asked incredulously.
"No, but it makes it a bit premature to speculate about what this means for her future as a Queen," Rivan countered, just as a piercing shout was beard from the vanguard of their riding party.
"Miiiiaaaakkkkiiissss!" Lym called out, and more than a few highly trained guardsmen had to resist the urge to cover their ears.
"Uh oh," Lyon said. "Looks like she's waiting for you."
"Let 'er wait," growled Miakis, placing her hands over her chest.
"Go on Miakis," Rivan told her.
"No! Why should I?" Miakis protested.
"Because it's your duty."
"She's not wor- " Miakis began, but stopped when she saw the alarmed expressions on the faces of the Prince and Lyon. They weren't alone in the forest, and some lines could not be crossed within hearing of any but the closest of friends. "I just think she's long overdue for a lesson in respect."
"And who's going to teach that to her if you're way back here?" Rivan inquired, "She certainly won't listen to me…"
Miakis sighed heavily. "Oh fine fine FINE!" the young Knight-to-be exclaimed. "I should remember that the next time I spar with you Rivan, it should be with knives, not words."
"Thanks Miakis," Rivan smiled, "Sweets are on me when we get back to the Palace."
"Don't think I won't hold you to that!" the purple haired girl warned as she reluctantly rode back towards the waiting Princess, a scowl set on the Knight apprentice's fate.
Bribing her with sweets might be enough to get her to return to her duty, but not even a lakeful of chocolate could make her like it.
Even the Princess' zeal for riding gave way to hunger at some point, and the entourage found themselves setting up a mid-afternoon camp by the Feitas. The soldiers who accompanied them were soon pounding stakes and poles into the ground, both for tent moorings and as an erstwhile perimeter, while those of the Sun Palace kitchen staff who had been brought along for the journey busied themselves preparing a lavish mid afternoon meal that was vastly at odds with their rustic setting. After all, even in the woods, Royalty deserved to be treated like Royalty.
Even if only one of them was really acting like it.
"What's he doing?" Lymsleia asked, as she watched her brother grab one end of a wooden pole being brought towards the kitchen pavilion. The guardsman carrying the other end tried to wave him off but the prince merely laughed and persisted.
"Hm. That's a toughie…. Uhm, milking a cow?" Miakis answered, rolling her eyes, "What does it look like he's doing Princess? He's lending a hand."
"But why?" Lym shook her head in disbelief, "That's what we brought all these people for anyway." She waved her hand at the small army of guardsmen and palace functionaries milling about them. "It's not even our tent – why bother?"
"If I need to explain, then you wouldn't understand anyway," Lym's bodyguard sighed, and the Princess inwardly fumed. She hated it when Miakis treated her like some ignorant peasant. She had tutors instructing her in six languages! Not that she allowed many of them to finish their lessons before ordering them to leave her alone… But still! She was educated – whatever Miakis had to say, Lym was certain it wouldn't be over her head.
Although the Princess did readily admit there were some things that would always remain a mystery to her. Like why Miakis always took Rivan's side.
Lym looked at her brother, who had somehow maneuvered Lyon into joining his stupid little act. Oh that's what it was – just some act to make everyone think he was such a nice boy, such a great Prince, one with the common people. Miakis just didn't understand… of course it was easy for Rivan to do that – he wasn't going to be Queen. He might as well be one of their retainers!
"Well, they certainly look like they're having fun," Miakis said, an odd catch to her voice as she watched Rivan jokingly miss whacking Lyon on the head with a tent pole, and narrowly evade the black haired girl's counter-attack. The older girl turned to her ward. "Wanna join in?"
"Are you an idiot?" the Princess snorted. It was very unlady-like - and Mother would have been aghast - but it seemed to be the appropriate response. It was what Aunt Sialeeds did whenever that Knight Apprentice Kyle tried to give her gifts. She held out her hand beyond the shelter of the canvas above her and felt the soft kiss of raindrops, and an almost liquid mist. "It's already starting to rain… and anyway, why would I want to get all dirty and sweaty to do something that'll get done anyway in the end?"
"Oh." Miakis said, unsurprised, "Alright then," Lym's bodyguard then began to walk away from the Princess.
"Hey! Wh-where are you going?" Lym asked, and she hated the fact that her voice showed her alarm and disappointment. Stupid Miakis!
The purple haired girl shook her head, "Maybe I should just have everyone wear a sign," she muttered, before speaking in slow, measured tones: "I – am – going – to – help – out – too."
"B-but!" Lym protested, "I told you I wasn't going to go!"
"Gotcha. I heard you."
"That means you have to stay too!" Lym shouted.
"Not quite," Miakis answered, "Since last I heard, 'me' and 'you' were quite different people. Thank the Sun."
"But - you're my bodyguard!" Lym cried out.
"Oh don't worry about that – that's why we brought all these people anyway," she said, in a reasonable facsimile of Lym's voice. "Like a wise little girl once said: Why do I need to do something that'll get done anyway in the end, right?"
Lym stared. "But – but… that…. That wasn't…"
Her bodyguard just ignored her protests. "Couldn't have said it better myself," the purple-haired girl grinned, "See ya!" And with that Miakis trotted away – away towards Rivan.
"I hate you!" Miakis fumed, stamping one royal foot into the unyielding ground. The ground appeared to be indifferent to the violence, which only served to anger Lym more. Did nothing she do matter? She couldn't take this anymore… It wasn't fair!
The Princess sucked in a deep breath, then let all her anguish out in a wordless scream of pure frustration.
"EEEYYYAAAAAGGGHHH! MIAKIS I HATE YOU!"
All activity in the camp ceased at her shout, and every eye turned towards the diminutive Princess. Miakis was red faced, and she opened her mouth to let loose what would probably have been a blistering rejoinder –
- if it had not been drowned out by a resounding feral roar from amongst the trees.
Almost before anyone could move, a thunderous crash sounded throughout the underbrush and an immense, dark brown bear tore through the foliage surrounding the camp, emerging not three meters from the shocked Princess. Lym had seen some fearsome creatures before to be sure – but never uncaged, and certainly not this close. The guardsmen dropped their tools and scrambled for their weapons, but the bear was quicker, batting aside two who were within arms reach, and striding meaningful forward – straight for Lym.
The Princess screamed, and tried to run, but in her fear her limbs moved as if made of ice, and she stumbled and fell backwards, the pain of impact forgotten as the bear charged her, mouth open and jaws slavering. Lym screamed then, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she could hear nothing else.
She was going to die, she thought to herself. She was going to die without having lived at all.
But as fast as the beast was, the Queen's Knights Apprentices were faster. Miakis was nearer and arrived on the scene first, twin daggers biting into the matted fur of a beastly forearm. The bear roared, withdrawing its injured arm and rearing back on its hind legs to swipe at the purple-haired girl with its good arm. But even before it could begin its downward swing, Lyon was there, her folding sword fully extended, dashing behind the bear and dealing a vicious blow to its left hind leg. Lyon barely missed the hamstring, but her strike cleaved a substantial portion of flesh from the animal's hind leg, and the creature fell back on all fours.
And then, just like that, it was over, the bear fleeing back into the forest as quickly as it had come, leaving the camp still and stunned in its wake.
Luserina was the first to speak. "Goodness… is everyone alright?"
Some soldiers went to tend to the two who had been nearly mauled by the beast, but happily aside from tattered egos, the gravest of their injuries would likely be a paw-shaped bruise from the paw-shaped dents in their armor. The other soldiers had formed a two-layered protective circle around the pavilion which sheltered Luserina and the Royals. Outside, what had begun as a drizzle had become a steady down pour, and the guardsmen who formed the outer circle were soon drenched, rivulets of water streaming down their burnished armor. Despite the deluge though, they stood as steadfast and alert as their brethren within the tent – the best Falena had to offer. Still… the Princess remained terribly frightened. They were only men after all – and that thing had been easily five times the size of the largest of the guardsmen. Lym clung to Miakis' arm, and for once her bodyguard made no move to disengage from her.
"I'm terribly sorry," Luserina apologized, bowing her head in contrition, "I had no idea there was a bear in the area – they have been so rare, what with the drought and- "
"It… It's okay Luserina," Lym squeaked, then cleared her throat, "You couldn't have known. I'm just glad that… thing, is gone!"
Rivan however, still looked apprehensive. "Tell me my lady," he asked the Barrows' daughter, "Are there any people who live near here? Farmsteads or villages or…?"
"There are a few…" Luserina began, then her eyes widened in comprehension. "Oh no…"
Rivan nodded. "There aren't many things more dangerous than a wounded bear, or so my Father tells me." He turned to the others. "We have to send some men after it – to finish it off."
The sky rumbled ominously as the guardsmen within hearing distance looked uncomfortably at each other. "Beg pardon your Highness," the guard captain finally ventured, turning to address his Prince, "But we have strict orders not to stray from the side of the Royal Family. Commander Ferid was very explicit. And what with bears around, in this weather…" the man shrugged helplessly.
Rivan's eyes narrowed. "Fine then – guard me. I'm going after the bear."
Lym's jaw dropped in shock. "You're crazy! Did you see how big it was? And you want to go after it?" He couldn't be serious. Had he seen what had almost happened to her? Had he seen how scared she was? Did he even care?
He shook his head. "I don't want to Lym," he explained, "But if I don't someone is going to get hurt."
"What about me?" she cried hysterically. How could he do this? How could he… Rivan must not care what happened to her at all! How could he be so selfish? "What if I get hurt? I almost… you can't take the guards! I won't let you!"
"Lym…" Rivan began, but she cut him off.
"No one leaves!" the Princess shouted, then turned to the guardsmen. "I order you to stay here and guard me. Father said so!"
"Lym people are going to get hurt!"
"No!" Lym squatted down on her haunches and placed her hands over her ears. She didn't want to hear it, didn't want to know. That bear had come after her. "Please… Please brother, let's just stay here, with everyone, and leave as soon as we can! The rain will let up, you'll see!"
"Lym…" Rivan sighed, and he placed his hand on the girl's shaking shoulder. His voice was gentle, yet firm. "Lym… This is our duty."
The word pierced her heart, for it was a word that carried much significance in their family. How could it not? She'd seen how her Mother, Aunt Sialeeds… Even her Father changed, when they spoke of duty. But… it wasn't fair. They were adults - they could handle it! And Lym… Lym was just a little girl. Princess or not, she was so scared… Scared that she wouldn't be able to say no – not when duty was involved.
Unless – it was all just… just some trick. Yes, that was it… Lym realized then what was happening. Rivan was just getting his way again! She would not have it!
Lym shrugged off his hand violently. "My duty…" she began, in a trembling voice. She knew she should stop, but in her fear and desperation, the words just came tumbling out. "My duty is to become Queen! You go – you go and get yourself killed if you want! I'm the one who will succeed Mother – you're nothing Rivan! The guards should protect me!" She took a deep breath, part of her wanting to stop, but the fear, the momentum of the moment, pushed her on. "No one needs you! You needn't even have been born!"
There was complete silence at her words, and the falling rain seemed unnaturally loud in her ears. Lyon was aghast and Miakis had a look of utter and complete disbelief.
Rivan looked like he'd been stabbed in the heart.
Then the guards began to mutter amongst themselves, looking from Prince to Princess, some beginning to break ranks, sending black looks Lym's way, while others stayed still as statues, though their eyes were troubled. Before anyone else said a word though, the Prince spoke.
"Lyon, we're leaving." His hands were balled into white-knuckled fists.
"I… Yes, my Prince," his bodyguard said quietly, falling into place behind him.
"Your Highness," one of the guards began, and Lym's eyes grew wide. They couldn't be thinking of –
"If you wish us to- "
"You heard the Princess," Rivan said, through gritted teeth. "I rescind my earlier request. Lyon and I should be enough."
"Your Highness, we can't let - "
"I won't have you choosing sides," the Prince said quietly, but his tone left no room for argument. "We've had enough of that. Obey your… future Queen."
"Rivan!" Miakis called out, as he and Lyon turned to go. He stopped but didn't look back. "Let me- "
"Stay with the Princess," Rivan said, in a dead voice.
"Don't be stupid Rivan, I-"
"That wasn't a request," this time he did turn back. "It's your place Miakis. And I… well, I guess we know mine…"
With that he and Lyon were gone, disappearing like ghosts amidst the curtain of rain.
He… he really left, Lym thought to herself. She could hardly believe it. She hadn't thought he really would, she realized. Her heart started to beat painfully fast as it began to dawn upon her just how much danger he was exposing himself to.
No… I won't feel bad! It was his fault – it was his idea!
She pushed the seeds of guilt away, squashed them beneath pride and fear and need. She had only told the truth after all – she was more important, she was going to be Queen. Even Rivan had agreed with her in the end… Maybe now Miakis and the others would too.
The Princess turned to where her bodyguard stood, where Rivan had left her behind. Miakis stood staring into the rain for a long while, then she turned and addressed the guard captain in uncharacteristically brisk tones.
"I'm taking the Princess to her tent," she said, pointing out the elevated tent which had been placed right at the edge of the pavilion, allowing for dry access even in the storm, and which would keep its occupant out of soil that was quickly turning into mud as water seeped beneath the surface. They had brought it them for the ride, just incase the weather turned bad. No one however, had expected it to turn this bad. "Re-center the circle there and rotate those who get to stay inside the pavilion, except for the injured."
"Yes ma'am," the captain responded easily, not resenting in the least being ordered around by an eighteen year old girl.
Miakis said nothing as she took Lym's hand and led her towards the tent, but Lym was so nervous she couldn't stop babbling. Through her fear a single ray of light shined through. Miakis had stayed! She was going to protect her! Not only that, but from the way she was carrying herself – nary a sarcastic remark or joke to be found -she was finally taking her job seriously!
"Do you think the rain will stop soon? Are we safe here you think?" she asked as they entered the tent. Lym was babbling, she knew that, but she couldn't help it. She had been so relieved – she had thought Miakis would have followed Rivan out into the rain, and then what would Lym have done? No one else but Miakis could protect her. "I mean, won't the bear stay out of the rain? That means it'd be better if it didn't stop right? But if it doesn't we won't be able to leave and I guess that's okay since we have to wait for that stupid brother of m- "
Lym was still talking when the open handed slap caught her at the side of her face.
It was not a powerful blow, but the young girl fell to her knees in shock, staring wide eyed up at her bodyguard, who wore an expression Lym had never ever seen on her before, something more akin to a person looking at a dead frog, or some other slimy, disgusting creature.
"How could you…" Miakis growled, her voice tight with barely restrained emotion, "How could you? He's worth ten of you. A hundred! The things he does, the way he serves his people – you'd never be able to match him, not in a million years!" Her entire body trembled, and her hands spasmed on the hilts of her daggers. In a fit of rage she stripped off her weapons belt and threw it hard onto the canvas covered ground. The knives made no sound as they hit the thick cloth, and yet at the same time, Lym could almost hear them echoing in her head.
The older girl leaned down towards the Princess, her face intense. Lym would almost rather have faced the bear.
"If anything happens to him," Miakis hissed, "Anything at all… I swear Princess, you'd best find another Knight to guard your back, for you and I… are through!"
With that Miakis spun on her heel, and almost threw the tent out of joint, so roughly did she push against the flap as she left.
Lym could barely breathe, barely think. It was practically treason, what Miakis had done, to raise a hand against the royal family – she, a Queen's Knight candidate! Yet that wasn't what occupied the Princess' jagged thoughts as she lay there sobbing in great quivering gasps, tears rolling down here cheeks faster than the rain outside.
It wasn't fair. She was the Princess. People… people were supposed to obey her. Protect her.
Love her…
"Miakis…"
Barely able to see through her tears, she crawled backwards deeper into the tent, and her hands brushed against tooled leather. Miakis dagger belt. As if in a daze, the tiny girl pulled the belt to her, stared at it a moment, then unsheathed one of the daggers. It took almost all her strength just to hold it up, but Lym bit her lip hard and persevered. She stared at its naked blade, steel full of wriggling shadows as the light from a nearby lantern danced within it.
You'd never be able to match him, not in a million years!
She'd show them. She'd show them all. She was better than Rivas. She was.
She had to be.
With a grunt of effort, Lym made a single downward slash through the rear canvas of the tent, the weight and keenness of the weapon more than her own strength moving the blade in its downward arch. Instantly the wind blew inside the tent, forcing the rent in the tent wider – just wide enough for a six year old Princess to slip through.
And vanish into the howling, swirling storm.
OOC: Did I say this was going to be a two-parter? Sigh... Sorry about that - the characters have just been running away with me in this Scene. It's hard to write a six year old who is trying to justify to herself doing something she knows in her heart is wrong - they get very wordy :P And since Lym running away seemed a good place to end a chapter... I hope you guys can bear with me for one more where I close the scene. Since there are important relationship changes in the ending portion, I didn't want to rush it, but neither did I want to miss my deadline by another week - so, in the meantime, please enjoy part 2.