Chapter Sixteen: Friendship
It wasn't sunny yet the sun was there hidden beneath the
clouds. I made my way through the stack of wooden crates to witness Lord
Albertson, one of my father's councilman sputter an excuse at one of Zaibach's
soldiers.
"Do you
know who I am, I am the son of.."
"Something
wrong Lord Albertson?" I inquired stepping up to separate him from the soldier.
"No,
Princess," he stammered bowing rather clumsy.
"Maybe you
should settle yourself in their quarters. You don't want to get in their way,"
I cautioned.
"Of course!
Till we meet again," he said walking towards the vione.
I shrugged at the soldier and walked up to a person with his
back turned to me.
"Think you
can handle him?" I teased him when he stood up.
"Probably not,"
Thomas said through his small smile.
"He's not
bad but he snores and talks in his sleep ," I replied with a straight face.
He laughed and then his face became serious again.
"Why did
you help me," he asked.
"Shouldn't
you be asking me how I convinced my brother," I answered back.
"Your
brother wanted to prevent another dispute with Zaibach," he replied.
"You'll
also be able trade goods with Fanelia which no other country I willing to do,"
I added in.
"Still, why
did you help me? I tried to kill you, your mother and your friend Vanessa not
to mention almost destroy Fanelia again." He was clearly baliffed.
"It was the
power of Atlantis that made you greedy and besides making amends for your
mistakes takes more courage than suicide," I concluded.
"Lord
Thomas, time to go," the soldier called.
"Princess
Trinity I hope we'll meet again," he said slowly trying to judge my face. Here
he was acting all polite when I just wanted his friendship.
"Never
mention the P word or she'll bop you on the head. Trust me it hurts," Alias
advised as he approached us from behind.
"I only
want your friendship and may Zaibach be as peaceful and loving as Fanelia some
day," I announced holding out my hand.
Thomas looked at my extended hand for a second and then we
shook on it.
"You should
get back," he warned.
"No, it's
all right have a good trip," I assured.
The wind was so strong at one point that Alias had to pull
me against him. I was happy to oblige being in his arms. When they left I
pulled back slightly from him. He kissed the tip of my nose and released me.
" We better
get back," he said leading me back to the castle.
We walked into one of the many courtyards in the castle.
Vanessa and Alexis were practicing with the arrows and crossbows. Hitomi and my
mother were sitting side by side on lounge chairs talking like old friends.
"Trinity
come and have a look at my paintings," Alexis called after we greeted my
mother.
Lying on the grass was two paintings. I picked up the one
closet to m e. It had everybody standing together in a semi circle. My mother
and father were the center figures with Merle and Marcas on either of their
sides followed my Folken, Hitomi, Alexis and Vanessa, Alias and me.
"Why do I
always have to be last?" I complained.
I sulked over to my mother. I sat beside her when she moved
over to make room for me.
"You'll
probably grow a little bit in the next two year," she comforted me.
"Train, if
you feel bad about this painting wait till you see this one," Alexis exclaimed.
I held out my hands like a baby who wants its mother. I
sucked in a breath as I placed my eyes on it. A man and a woman were standing
in a shallow pond with the mystic moon hanging over two mountains. The man's
arms were wrapped around the woman indicating a romance. In different positions
of light the wings appear on the man's back or woman's but never on both of
them.
"Does this
painting represent Alias and I," I asked.
"Yes, but
it also can be Marcas and Vanessa, the King and queen and even Folken and
whoever he's going with," she said excitedly.
"The
paintings are wonderful thank you Alexis," my mother praised her.
"Yes thanks
friend," I chimed in handing the painting to my mother to look at as Alexis
blushed.
" I also
made copies and did individual portraits of all of you too," Alexis said.
"Vanessa
what are my father and brothers doing?" I asked innocently.
"I could
find them for you," she smiled wickedly.
She turned and shot an arrow to her right.
Somewhere else:
"Father,
maybe you should think this over," Marcas advised as Folken paced back and
forth.
"Folken
will you stop that and listen to me," Van snapped.
"She's too
young to marry," Folken stated.
"And who
knows what Alias did when Trinity was unconscious," Marcas finished.
"Enough
both of you do you really have little faith in them," Van shouted.
Silence.
"They look
at each other just like you and Vanessa do Marcas. Most of all I remember one
thing that Alias said let your daughter live her own life. We can tell her what
to do teach her everything we know but in the end it's her decision," Van
explained.
Whiz.
"What in
the world?" Marcas shouted.
