Chapter 21

"You're far too alert Joel," Schehera commented as she, Joel and Yuu sat in a carriage on its way to Muu's residence. It had been sent by the captain early in the morning, complete with its own Fanalis guards consisting of Lo'lo and another male who she didn't recognise.

"Hey little lady," Lo'lo greeted as he lifted Schehera in a tight embrace and swayed her from side to side. "Heard you had a rough night last night."

"Not as bad as yours," Schehera replied on he let her go. "You were so drunk you could barely walk straight."

"Hey son," Lo'lo lifted Yuu up into the air and onto his shoulder, the boy giggled. "How you and your mama been?"

"That's not funny," Schehera pointed out. "It's really not."

"It kind of is," Joel said quietly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Schehera," the other fanalis greeted her with a bow. He was a tall and well built man, with shoulder length red hair that fell into his eyes. "My name is Yaqut."

"Just Schehera please."

"I can not do that," Yaqut replied. "My captain has ordered us to treat you with the up most curtsy."

"I'm no lady here," Schehera pointed out, technically it was true, in Reim she had no such titles. "At best an apprentice courtesan or a former gladiator." This revelation seemed to throw the man off balance.

"Umm, well... Even so... I have my orders," he stubbornly insisted, Schehera rolled her eyes. That bull-headedness was indeed a fanalis trait.

As the carriage turned another corner, Joel's former royal guard instinct seemed to have taken over and every shift the carriage made was carefully surveyed by the man. "You were attacked last night, we can never be too careful princess," he replied in his deep voice. "And I thought you hated that name."

"Don't call me that," Schehera reprimanded. "I'm no longer a princess. Joel is stupid and I don't like it, but a name can mean so much to ones identity. Am I wrong?"

Joel thought back to his father, Yussel was his heir, Fulle his toy. Joel was a brother, someone's family and who'd now sworn his loyalties to a mad woman. "You are ever wise, your highness," he answered.

Schehera rolled her eyes, knowing that it bothered her wouldn't matter to the man so she tried another approach. "A princess is a target, regardless of where she is. Especially when she is at the centre of a brewing civil war. It will only put me in more danger." She had told him over breakfast of how Yuu had entered into her care, which lead to her telling him of the assassins who had followed her to Reim. His expression had remained unchanged even as she told him that his own father was rebelling against her.

"The old fool," was all he had to say.

"Your own father opposes my reign, should you not reconsider to whom you pledge your loyalties?" asked Schehera.

"My father disowned me when I left Huang all those years ago, it is of no business of mine what he does," was the simple reply.

"He must blame me for robing him of both sons," Schehera remarked. Joel scoffed.

"He ignored Ward from the day he was born, and me, well you know how quickly he sent me into the royal guard to curry favour with the king. I was a barely 12 when I joined, a child. Looking back, sending me away was the best thing he could have done for me. He cared nothing for us then, why would that change now?"

"You'll be amazed at how time and old age can change someone," Schehera told him.

Yuu sat curled up in her arms, clinging to her. He was scared, but what could she say to comfort him? That nothing was changing? That he shouldn't be afraid? The words were stuck in her throat and all she could do was hold him.

"Then I will protect you, your grace," Joel simply replied. Schehera raised an eyebrow at him. "Milady perhaps? Like what Yuu calls you."

"How about just Schehera?"

"Can't do that," was the immediate reply. "It makes me uncomfortable." Yuu nodded, he understood Joel's feelings. "Milady it is then."

"You two are impossible, why can't you just call me by my name?" Schehera sighed.

"Our stations are just too different milady," Joel replied. Yuu nodded his little head as well.

Xxx

Muu's place was not what Schehera had expected. Despite being aware that the man descended from royalty for some reason she had pictured that he lived in a barn of sorts with plenty of land for him to run around and stretch his legs. She was half right, however what was presented to her was very different. His home wasn't grand however it was large, both in size and presence. The stone bricks that made up the walls were grey and green vines was sprouting between the cracks. The front doors were made of solid oak and enormous, at least 4 times Schehera's height.

"Not what I pictured," she heard Joel whisper under his breath. "Where are the ropes for that gorilla pet of his to swing from." He was referring to Lo'lo.

A small smile escaped Schehera's lips. "Hush," she cautioned. Lo'lo had gone to take the carriage and horses around the back however he had ears like a bat.

"This way Miss," the other fanalis stepped in front of her and pulled the enormous doors opened with sheer strength and ease. Schehera's jaw almost dropped, she knew that the fanalis were strong however the doors easily weighed a tonne each. "Please follow me, our captain should be waiting for you in the courtyard."

Xxx

Muu took a deep breath in. He was nervous, having her here in his home, what would she think of all his brethren running around and hitting each other for no reason other than to start a fight? Even now, there were a dozen or so fanalis of all ages sparring in the courtyard. Those who were wearing their armour were no doubt getting used to the metal's weight on their body, however majority of them wore simple white robes in varying styles, the clothes were light and easy to move in. Among them was his teenage sister, Myron. Myron was as graceful as his brethren came, she knew proper tables manners and social ettiqute, all skills that he had no idea where she'd learnt them from. He'd left one summer leaving his brutish and naughty sister behind, only to return to find that the girl had matured into a lady.

"Schehera!" Muu greeted enthusiastically as he approached her. She smiled warmly in response, carrying Yuu in her arms she managed a curtsy.

"Muu, that you for having us," Schehera replied. The small child in her arms was quietly sucking on his thumb, however he waved in hello. "Joel," Schehera turner around to the tall, pale skinned and dark haired man behind her. "Can you take him?"

"Of course," the man replied as he took Yuu from her arms. Muu's smile faltered when he saw how easily Yuu went to him. The captain almost didn't recognise the man with his hair now slicked away from his face, emphasising his fine features. He was the cook from her workplace was he not? They'd briefly met the night before. Was he always so pretty? What was he doing here in his home with her? "Are you cold?" The intruder asked Schehera as he took her hand in his. "They're like ice. You should take my coat." Schehera smiled and shook her head.

"I'm fine," she assured him, however Muu noticed that she didn't pull her hand away. "Just keep Yuu warm."

"I've had quarters made up for you and Yuu," Muu said with a smile. "However I didn't expect a third guest, Fulle wasn't it? How is your head? You were stuck pretty hard last night."

"I'll live," he replied. "And it's Joel, not Fulle." The man corrected to Muu's confusion. Joel? Since when?

"I apologise Joel. I'm sorry I don't have anything prepared for you, unless you intend to remain at your apartment?"

"The fault is mine, I was the one who showed up unannounced, but it's alright," Joel assured the fanalis. "I can stay in Milady's room." That was a curve ball.

"It's hardly appropriate, a young male and female staying in a room together at night," Muu pointed out. "What would others think?"

Joel frowned, why was he trying to separate them? Did he intend to harm his liege? "I never gave much thought into what others thought."

"Enough," Schehera told her companion. "Joel, you sleep in Yuu's room and he can stay with me. Is that alright?" she asked the child who quickly nodded. "Problem solved."

"Not exactly," a female voice remarked. Muu turned to see his sister walking towards them. Her red hair clung to the sweat on her forehead and grass stains marked her robes, the girl looked angry however Muu did not know why.

"Myron! Schehera, this is my little sister who I've told you about. Myron, this is Schehera, Yuu and Joel. They will be staying with us for a time."

"And there lies the problem," Myron remarked. "The child is one of us, he can stay as long as he wants, but she's not, and neither is he." The red haired teen indicated to Joel with her chin. "They shouldn't be here."

"Myron," Muu cautioned. "Don't be rude to my guest. Schehera is a capable warrior and great fighter, worthy of your respect and manners."

"A great fighter? I see nothing of the sort," Myron replied. " Look at her, with that skinny frame. She's useless in a fight."

"Want to try me?" Schehera challenged.

"Schehera, there is no need for you to play along with this," Muu quickly interjected. However a smirk appeared on his sister's face as she walked closer towards the blue eyed young woman. "Myron, enough!"

"You humans don't know your limits. It would be like fighting a cripple," Myron replied, her face only millimetres away, however Schehera didn't back down and in fact moved closer.

"Have some confidence child," she replied. "Oh! You WERE you referring to yourself? Were you not?"

"I am a fanalis, you don't stand a chance against me!"

"You're half a fanalis, and I beg to differ," Schehera gently touched the chain around her neck.

"You don't want to do this," Muu cautioned them both.

"Try me."

Xxx

"How did this happen?" Muu sighed as he watched from the sidelines. Schehera and his sister stood less than two meters away from each other, fists raised and prepared to fight.

"I know, its great isn't it?" Lo'lo remarked with a gleeful smile from beside him. "Anyone want to take bets?"

"I don't see how anyone would bet against Myron," Yaqut remarked.

"I will take that bet," Lo'lo countered.

"Very well, you're on," Yaqut replied.

"I've seen her fight, and yes she's very good," said Muu with a worried look. "But I don't see how she could possible win against my little sister." Loll just continued to smile.

"Wanna bet?" he asked.

Xxx

"You can walk away," said Myron as she began circling her opponent. "No one will think less of you, it wouldn't be possible."

"Brat you need to shut up," Schehera replied.

"B-Brat!?" Myron lunged at Schehera with her fists clenched. She swung at her face but Schehera easily dodged and grabbed her arm. They struggled before Myron managed to pull her arm free from her grip.

Schehera smiled, she was at a disadvantage when it came to physical strength, however her opponent was a child with her heart on her sleeve and her emotions plainly on her face. Myron lunged at her again, Schehera managed to dodge her fists and avoid a knee to the chest, only to be brushed on the side of her head with a foot. This disoriented her, she avoided most of the damage however her vision was a little blurry from the blow.

Myron saw an opening and attacked again. With her perception now compromised Schehera was unable to hold back, she never wanted to seriously hurt the girl and conserve her strength however it was no longer an option. Her movements dictated by pure body memory, Scehehera caught Myron's fists in both hands and pulled the girl down and forwards, causing her to loose balance and stagger forward. Unbalanced, Myron was unable to defend herself from the blow dealt to her chest from Schehera's knee or the following kick to the back of her head. Myron suffered two more blows to the stomach and back before she fell to the ground coughing and gasping for air.

"Oops," was all Schehera had to say.

"Yes! Pay up," Lo'lo cheered.

"This fight is over," Muu declared as he hurried forward to check on his sister. She was unconscious, he'd never seen anything like it. Myron had a bloody lip from her fall and no doubt she would be covered in bruises the next day. Getting back up he turned to ask Schehera "How on earth did you win?" only to see that she wasn't there.

Xxx

Schehera stumbled her way from the courtyard to rest her head against the cool stone surface of the hallway walls. Her head was throbbing, she felt bad for the way she handled the fight however her ears were still ringing. If she'd taken that kick full on it would had been her on the ground. He sense of time was disoriented but no doubt they would be wondering where she was, and so she began to make her way back, only to realise she didn't know where she was.

On her next step Schehera stumbled, she held out her arm she lean against the wall however she was too far away and began to fall. Before she hit the ground a familiar hand grabbed her upper arm, steadying her. Looking up Schehera saw Myron smiling down at her.

"I thought you were hating me," Schehera commented. Myron shrugged as she helped Schehera back to her feet.

"I could never hate you. I wanted you here but others were going to oppose, you're not a fanalis no matter how good of a fighter you are. I just gave them a voice," she answered with a smile.

"So when you fell, no one else could speak up against it," Schehera laughed at the girl's craftiness. "Clever girl."

"I learnt from the best," was the simple response. "It's been years, hasn't it?"

"Indeed, you never told me about your brother or your last name in fact," Schehera remarked. Myron shrugged.

"You never asked."

"True."

"It's been a long time teacher, it's good to see you again," Myron said with a smile.

After another victory in the colosseum, Schehera made her way down the underground walkways back to her room. She wiped the sweat and opponent's blood from her hands with a rag. As she walked down the corridor she realised she had a shadow, turning around she saw a young girl of around 11 or so, following her.

"What are you doing?" she asked. The girl first froze, her shoulder's hunched, and after taking a deep breath in she carefully walked towards Schehera.

"I saw you last night, at the brothels with Lo'lo," she said.

"What of it?"

"You were all dressed up in silks, and your hair had little shiny things in it and your face was painted. How can you be so strong and yet so pretty?" she asked.

"Is there a rule against it?" Schehera asked back.

"No, I guess not, but I guess...no that's not right, I just, how can you be so cool? I mean, so lady-like and yet fight so well?"

Was she trying to insult me? Sent by Lo'lo? Schehera wondered. No, she seemed genuine. "Why can't I?" she asked in return.

"Well, no one else here is like that," the girl replied.

"No one else is me," Schehera said nonchalantly.

Her response seemed to light a fire in the child's eyes. "Can you teach me? How to be lady-like? I already learnt how to fight!" the child pleaded.

"You're a fanalis," Schehera pointed out. "I don't think your kind ever need lessons on how to hit someone."

"Please," the child pleaded. "You're so cool, when you're in there, the colosseum, fighting. With everyone cheering! You're so awesome. I want to be like you when I grow up." She had no idea, what it was like to be her.

"No," Schehera immediately replied and turned around to walk away.

"Please! I'm, my family, I feel like they're ashamed of me," the child said in a quiet voice. "I'm a fanalis, but only half. I can't fight as well as the others and I'm a girl to boot, with a human side... They don't bring me out in public, they look at me like...some kind of embarrassment. I want to learn to be like you. I want to be strong! And pretty! I want both! Why can't I be be both."

Schehera silently eyed the child. She understood her feelings, to feel different, to be different, yet want to conform, yet want to be herself... The child was covered with dirt, her hair was a mess and her dress torn. Had it not been for her long hair she could had easily passed for a boy.

"Alright, but I'm warning you now. I'm very strict," she told her. However the child did not seem to care and only eagerly nodded. "Let's start now. First lesson, no slouching. It ruins your posture."