Chapter SIX: Sword Swinging

...

Seven months pass...

The sound of a sword and rapier clashing could be heard off in the distant woods behind the castle. Leaves of amber, orange, and red covered the surrounding trees and the ground beneath. The day was pleasantly warm and a gentle breeze blew in from the east, making the loose leaves scatter.

"Is that the best you've got, Devin?" Alicia prodded as she was trying to corner him into a tree.

"No-I'm just letting you-win!" Devin said a little uncertain, as he was forced to step backwards a few more steps yet again.

"-Perhaps you should put in some effortthen..." she smiled, as he finally had his back to the trunk; but Devin gave her a smirked when he managed to maneuver his way to the other side.

"I'm just warming up, Princess!" he said, now cornering Alicia as she had done to him.

"Do not be so sure about that!" She slipped past his left arm and hid around the tree.

Devin moved carefully to the other side, but was baffled that she was not there-or anywhere in any direction. He walked towards the surrounding trees holding his sword close, waiting for any trace of weakness that would hint her location.

"Alicia...Alicia?!" Devin called, after a few minutes of searching, but she did not respond, making him worry all of a sudden. But suddenly, he felt a quick tap on his shoulder and turned around.

"Boo!" she blurted, stunning him, then taking the opportunity to knock his sword to the ground. "I win!" Alicia declared merrily.

"Nice try. But you're forgetting something..."

"What is it that I am forgetting then?"

"Never let your guard down!" he exclaimed, as he picked up a pile a leaves and threw them towards her way.

Alicia tossed her rapier to the side and the two began having a playful leaf fight.

After awhile of playing, they sat down on the drying foliage.

"Devin...have you heard anything from Talia lately?" Alicia asked causally. She had been careful to bring up Talia, but she wanted to know what was on Devin's mind, or more so, if she was still on his mind.

"Yes, Talia writes to me almost every week now. She's doing really well training as a priestess. I'm expecting another letter from her soon," Devin said dismally and stopped speaking as he became lost in thought.

Alicia remained silent thinking if she should continue with the subject.

"Devin, do you still love her?" Alicia asked a little too carelessly. She hadn't wanted to ask him until now, but somehow she blurted out the question; she also found herself hot in the face.

"Aye, I don't think I will never stop loving her. I would give anything to see her again."

"Then why don't you tell her how you feel? Why do you torture yourself?

"I don't know if she feels the same way, Alicia. I can't expect her to give up becoming the Dreamer, yet alone, risk destroying our friendship."

Alicia decided not ask anything more, since talking about Talia always made him depressed. Devin stared quietly at his sword thinking about his beloved. Alicia noticed little twigs on his hair and began to gently stroke them off.

For the first time in her life, Alicia had a friend that would not assume she thought herself better than everyone else, or judged her for being royalty-or worse-tried taking advantage of her privileged circumstances. During the past few months they had been spending a lot of time together. Alicia had grown quite fond of Devin as a companion.

"...Devin, my parents," she started again, "are throwing a ball for me in a week. I suppose it's another one of their hopeless attempts to find me a husband, as you know. But I was hoping that you would request to be present that night. I don't want to be left alone with those boring know-it-all princes."

She gave him a deliberate thin-lipped frown that was meant to provoke sympathy. Devin sighed and rolled his eyes. How could he not say yes?

"Yes, yes. Okay, I'll be there. But you have to promise not to expect me to be your prime source of entertainment again. I almost got into trouble with your father the last time."

"Agreed," she responded, but she crossed her fingers behind her back, knowing she couldn't keep her promise. After all, she was the Princess of Thais and could do whatever she wanted.

Just then, they both spotted a figure running towards them. It was Tailor.

"Devin!-Thieves!" Tailor panted.

"What have they done now?" Devin asked, as he and Alicia got off the ground and searched for their weapons.

"They've stolen three ships on standby at the dock," Tailor replied.

"Did one happen to have black sails?" Devin asked already knowing the answer, since there were only a handful of them at the dock.

"Yes, how'd you know that?" Tailor asked.

"Lucky guess-No, because it was my ship! Have they've gotten away?"

"I'm not sure yet; but the constable didn't expect to catch them. We think that they needed the ships to join pirates."

"Miserable thieves!" Devin flustered spitefully.

He hadn't really been using the ship since his duties in Thais prevented him from going on any adventures. Nevertheless, the thieves had stolen something of value that was his and Talia's.

"Come on. We can walk to the knight's quarters to see if they have anymore news for us," Tailor offered.

The three of them walked back to the castle. Alicia veered off to go inside the palace, while Tailor and Devin walked back to the knight's quarters only to find out that the thieves had indeed escaped.

With nothing more to be done, the two knights chatted, then agreed to meet later to practice sword sparring another day. Afterwards, having some free time, Devin went back to his room.

The room which he didn't have to share for being highest knight was a better accommodation than the rental room back in the alley, containing a bed, chest, and small fireplace in the corner.

The day was still early, so he decided to rest. He still had Talia's journal under his pillow which he reached for immediately. He had not opened it after all this time, but having it with him was soothing for his heartache.

The window in his room was open when a small, strange butterfly flew inside. Devin sat with the journal on his lap as he watched the mysterious butterfly circle recklessly above him. Without warning the butterfly began to flickered tiny sparks of light and then disappeared. A parchment of paper then landed on top of the journal. Devin was a little shocked at what had just happened, but he picked up the paper and began to inspect it to see from who it was from.

He immediately recognized Talia's handwriting.