Out in the sunlight were two Fanelian flags one was near the main castle gate and the other, as far as she could see, was in the middle of town. Surprised at the distance they were going to run she also noticed that some of the streets had been discreetly cordoned off.
"What surprises do you have for me this morning?" She wondered to herself softly and almost jumped out of her skin as Hitomi answered her.
"Nothing much. Just going to make certain that I do what's best for Fanelia."
Narine whirled about to catch Hitomi in the strangest outfit she had seen on the girl yet. She was wearing a pair of embarrassingly short breeches and then a shirt of some sort that did not have any sleeves. Instead it was held to her body by two straps over the shoulders. "I am not certain what you think you can do girl, but I can assure you that I will not be leaving Fanelia anytime soon." Narine replied with poisoned sweetness.
Hitomi just walked off to the starting area, the muscles in her legs rippling slightly in their fitness and stretched readiness for the race. She was perhaps in better fitness now, after her accident than she was before and faster too. She could easily catch up with Van in the fields now and their races proved it when she really pushed herself.
She knew she was fast, but Hitomi had no idea as to what her opponent was capable of. She had rattled off the first challenge that sounded like it might give them both an equal chance at winning. She now knew by Narine's preparations for the race that day that she too knew what she was doing.
What Narine hadn't known was that Hitomi had been up hours longer than herself and was thoroughly warmed up beyond the stretches. She had tested her stride in the palace and knew by Merle's reaction that things were going to be close.
As they both approached the starting area Lord and Lady Chalon were there to cheer Narine on, while Hitomi's cheering section comprised of Gaddes and Merle. Van had chosen wisely to appear to be non-biased in the race, as he knew the outcome would affect him the greatest.
Hitomi had looked into his eyes though, and knew that no matter what the outcome of the race, he supported her. He loved her and she loved him. They both knew it and it was that quietly confidant love that Hitomi would carry with her through the race.
Van told the runner's to take their marks, and as they did Hitomi wished Narine luck. Flabbergasted Narine haltingly returned the sentiment as Van told them to get ready.
Hitomi's mind shut down. Only one thing was in her mind now and that was the finish line almost a mile away. She would have to pour everything she had into this race, as her sprinter's speed would only come in two short bursts.
Narine watched Hitomi's eyes harden to a fiery cold gaze as she fixed on the target at the end of the race line. She was ready to run in a different stance than Hitomi. Her mind idly wondered what kind of an advantage it was to start out so low to the ground when she was snapped into motion with the bang of the firecracker.
Hitomi was off like a shot out of her starting position, her first few steps pulling her out of Narine's grasp easily as she poured on the speed. Her sprinter's speed started to give out on her and she knew that she would have to conserve a little if she needed that second burst near the end.
Narine was surprised at Hitomi's speed but she soon caught the girl up and passed her for a short time during the sprint. When they both settled into their distance stride Hitomi proved to have the longer stride as she slowly caught up to Narine.
It was a very close race and as the finish line neared minutes later Hitomi could tell that her body as really pushing to stay just ahead of Narine. The competitive spirit within her wouldn't let her rest and at the last moment she kicked her stride into high gear and with a second burst of speed that Narine hadn't thought possible from the previously injured girl, as Hitomi pulled ahead to a lead that she was determined to keep.
Neither of them saw the other as their eyes fixed on the target as Merle, Gaddes and two of the Eastern Lands guards were at the end of the trace to determine the outcome.
Eyes on Gaddes, Hitomi saw the worry in his eyes, as she knew that Narine was too close for comfort. Not knowing if she had anything more to give in her second burst she poured everything of herself into her last few yards and crossed the line just a foot fall before Narine.
Hitomi kept running for a few moments to wind down and prevent cramps while Narine stopped and almost collapsed at the end. She had lost and she had known it. It all came down to will in the end as she known Hitomi could not have had that much speed in her for that entire trace.
She had done this for herself and Narine was now ready to severely hurt the girl that had humiliated her so in front of her fianc?. She got up and the look in her eyes had Merle off like a shot to protect Hitomi while she recovered from the race and Gaddes snapped at the far Eastern guards. "Protect your princess. If anyone comes to harm here I will make certain that Lord and Lady Chalon know that it is your fault that you did not protect Narine from herself."
The Guards may not have been under Gaddes's command but the steel in the Fanelian Guard Captain's voice could not be dismissed lightly to the subordinates and they flanked Narine. "Come Princess, you need rest and to recover for the decision that will be made later today."
Narine's eyes narrowed at Gaddes and Hitomi as she allowed herself to be taken back to the palace. Her legs were protesting the use she had just demanded of them and she knew that she would need a massage later on that day if she wanted to avoid the pain of the muscle cramps.
Hitomi was being guided by Merle as they walked back up the trace to the palace. It had been a fast and hard won race for the woman from the Mystic Moon and right now her mind had shut down until she knew that she would either be staying or would be going home. Merle had seen that look on her face once before and this time hoped for all of their sake that Van would think with both his heart and mind.
As they reached the palace Merle called several of the maids and had Hitomi bundled off to a hot bath, massage and a rest in her rooms while she went and talked to Van. Now was the time for private conferences when they both knew that they would not be disturbed.
Van was almost agonizing over the decision he had to make now. On one hand he had Hitomi, kind, wise, friendly, and the one person that he could love because he did love her.
On the other hand he had Narine. Petty, selfish, cruel to his people and at times to him as well and someone he could never love as long as he knew that Hitomi was out there.
The decision seemed clear until he brought in the fact that Narine was a part of a powerful nation that he did not want to become enemies with. Everything they had rebuilt in the almost two years since the war would be for nothing if another war were to break out now.
He would be forced to fight again and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he enjoyed that too much for his own mental well being. Hitomi offered him peace of mind and heart just as the Eastern lands offered him security from a possible war.
His thoughts were disturbed by the furry arms that surrounded him quietly in understanding. "Merle, Hitomi won, so what am I supposed to do. I want her, not Narine."
"Follow your heart this time Van. It hasn't turned you wrong in the past and you love Hitomi as much as she loves you. Why shouldn't you be together?" Merle had come to terms with Hitomi and their friendship grew out of their adventures from the Great War. She had known with certainty that Van and Hitomi loved each other long before Van was certain of his own feelings for the sandy haired girl.
Van thought on it just as hard as any other decision he had come upon in his few years as Fanelia's king. Little did he know that Dero and Karis Chalon were having a muted conference of their own in another room determined to decide the future for themselves.
