Chapter Sixteen: Friendship

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.