Chapter Two – Confusing Friends

A blow to her forearm jarred Kerrayrlia out of her wandering thoughts. Her opponent had taken advantage of her distraction to score a hit on Kerrayrlia's forearm. Any other person would have cursed; Kerrayrlia just frowned slightly, barely wincing at the pain delivered. It was, after all, her own fault that her thoughts had wandered off while practicing.

Kerrayrlia's opponent grinned, raising one finely arched golden-coloured eyebrow. He had not pressed the attack when he had the advantage, a fact that Kerrayrlia noticed and appreciated; she would have ended up with more bruises otherwise. Giving her opponent a small smile, Kerrayrlia said, "Let's continue, Zarien."

Zarien was a tall boy who towered a head and a half above Kerrayrlia, who was quite short, even for a female. His hair was a metallic blonde that glinted gold whenever touched by sunlight, a brilliant shade that any girl at Court would kill to possess. This shining mass of hair fell in soft but straight lines to his shoulders, arranged in a style that was currently considered the height of fashion at Court. Cool, intense eyes the colour of grey mist, just a shade darker than the pale Trainee Grays that Heraldic Trainees wore normally, only served to emphasize his striking hair colour.

Those piercing eyes were currently focused on Kerrayrlia, who immediately launched into an offensive before even taking the time to allow the pain of her bruise to fade. Back and forth both of them went, in a deadly and complicated dance, neither of them gaining another advantage before the Weapons Master, Herald Giaryn, signaled for them to stopped.

Zarien tossed Kerrayrlia another smile as he bowed to her, in acknowledgement of her skills at the sword. "As usual, thanks for the workout, Kerri." Kerrayrlia bowed in return to Zarien. He was one of the few male friends that Kerrayrlia had, which was the natural result of her usually aloof attitude around males. Yet although Kerrayrlia considered Zarien a friend, she was always careful to maintain her distance, distrusting his evidently handsome features and friendly smiles. This, she supposed, was the result of having a lecherous father. It made one paranoid when interacting with good-looking males.

But the comment warranted a response, and so Kerrayrlia replied after a few seconds of hesitation, which she suspected Zarien noticed. "Your skills have improved. That will keep me alert in future, and prevent me from woolgathering." Zarien laughed, an act that flashed his almost perfect set of white teeth.

He teased, "You mean I wasn't good enough to keep you falling asleep while sparring with me before? Kerri, you wound me." Winking at her stone-faced expression, he sobered when Giaryn, having noticed the conversation, barked. "Two extra rounds around the salle, Trainee Zarien, since you seem to have a lot more energy to spare. Everyone, three rounds to cool down and you can go."

Kerrayrlia inwardly winced. Two extra rounds around the salle was hardly cruel punishment, but it did ensure that Zarien would most probably not get to soak in a tub of hot water, coveted by all Trainees after weapons as soothing remedy to their aching muscles. Concerned, she stole a look at Zarien before turning to go, but far from the depressed expression she expected, Zarien's face was a pleasant empty mask. When he caught sight of her looking, he smiled briefly and mouthed the words 'I deserved it' to her.

Confused, Kerrayrlia started running. She certainly did not expect that of any male, so egoistical they seemed to be, to admit that they were ever wrong.

-LS-LS-LS-

Wandering around the gardens in the palace by herself was one of Kerrayrlia's favorite pastimes. Yet today, she was not alone since two of her best friends were accompanying her. One of them was her favourite harp, the only heirloom that her mother had left her, a silvery, delicate instrument. The other was a living being, in the form of one Liritia Falker; a Healer Trainee who had took it upon herself to befriend Kerrayrlia when they had accidentally crashed into each other at a party three years ago. Literally. Kerrayrlia could still remember the look of stunned surprise on everyone's faces when the two young girls, against all odds, had managed to bump into each other on the dance floor. But then, she had been a clumsy fledge, a mere slip of a girl at that time. The grace which she showed in wielding the sword had being gained only after those awkward coltish years. And Liritia...well, Liritia still had not mastered the art of dancing three years down the road. Which, Kerrayrlia thought, was part of her charm. Innocent, child-like and gentle Liritia...

Her soft auburn hair flew freely in the cold breeze, as Liritia tilted her face upwards to take in the feel of winter sun caressing her with its heat. Because of the cold, Liritia was dressed in her Healer Trainee's green, heavy cloak. Yet despite the warmth that the cloak provided, Liritia's pale face looked flushed with chill.

A note of concern in her voice, Kerrayrlia asked "'Ritia, are you well?" Turning, Liritia smiled at her best friend, taking in Kerrayrlia's appearance appreciatively. The russet-coloured Trainee Reds of the Bards contrasted with Kerrayrlia's black hair and pale blue eyes nicely, with the white winter background framing her. She knew that Kerrayrlia rarely indulged in emotional displays; coming from Kerrayrlia, that slight emotion showed in that question amounted to a worried demand.

"I am quite well, Kerri," was Liritia's soft reply to Kerrayrlia's questions. Gentle and soft-spoken most of the time, Liritia was everything Kerrayrlia wished she could be; pretty and sweet. With her auburn hair, soft hazel eyes and oval face, Liritia seemingly presented a picture of loveliness and health. But Kerrayrlia wasn't so sure. Liritia's cheeks resembled the reddish blush of a tomato, which was not at all normal on her usually milky pale complexion.

Liritia must have seen doubt in Kerrayrlia's face, for she added reassuringly, "Do not worry about me. After all, I am a Healer Trainee." With a start, Kerrayrlia nodded ruefully. She was quite protective of Liritia, even though Liritia was two years older than she was. It must be because 'Ritia seems so innocent and gentle. Well, at least when she's not on duty as a Healer. I've seen her once like that before and…let's just say I wouldn't dare disobey her orders if I am one of her patients.

"Well," Liritia looked into Kerrayrlia's eyes, which was the colour of the winter sky. "What's the secret, my dear? Is it a secret so great that you had to drag me out into the gardens in the chilly morning?" A note of teasing entered her voice, and Kerrayrlia smiled in response.

Casually, Kerrayrlia replied. "I just fancied a walk. If you're tired, lets take a seat over there by the rocks and I can play a song or something..." She hid her excitement beneath her usual mask of aloof blankness. I can't wait to see 'Ritia's reaction to this song. Oh, I hope I can repay her, at least a bit, through this song. She has been so nice to me all these years...

Soon, strains of the melody drifted around the garden and wove itself into threads of friendship and comfort. Kerrayrlia was using her Gift to put all her feelings of gratitude into the music, and was soon so immersed in the playing of her song that she did not notice Liritia's expression change.

When the song ended, Kerrayrlia looked at Liritia expectantly, a smile forming on her face. But when she got a good look at Liritia, her smile faltered. Liritia's mouth was turned up in a frown, her forehead wrinkled angrily and her eyes flashed. Her expression, so foreign and unnatural on her usually open and kind face, reminded Kerrayrlia of finely chiseled ice.

What's going on? Why does 'Ritia look so angry? Confused,Kerrayrlia started to speak. Her blue eyes looked at Liritia searchingly as she gave voice to her questions. "What's wrong, 'Ritia? What happened?" Liritia did not reply. Instead, she glared fixedly at Kerrayrlia's harp, looking for the all the world as if she intended to devour the harp.

By now, Kerrayrlia was in a panic, though her face had regain its usual mask. What did I do? Did my song offend her? What's wrong with her? All these thoughts flashed through her mind as she stared silently at her best friend, ignoring the snow that was just beginning to fall from the skies.