Chapter 3: The First Sign of Danger
Akurean woke up to the sound of birds chirping and squirrels scurrying through the trees. She got up from bed and stretched her aching body. The princess glanced at Shinkoi's bed and realized that her maid was gone.
I wonder where she went so early in the morning, Akurean thought to herself.
Just then Shinkoi's head popped in the room and said, "Morning, my princess! Your bath is ready."
"I'll be there in a minute," Akurean replied.
Shinkoi closed the door while Akurean picked out a kimono to wear for the training today.
"I better hurry or I'll be late for breakfast," Princess Akurean muttered.
Akurean and Shinkoi sat down at an empty table to eat their breakfast. Surprisingly, there were only a few people in the dining room. The princess scanned the room and spotted a young man observing her. He had short, spiky hair with emerald green eyes. He saw her looking in his direction and swiftly looked away.
Is there something on my face? thought Akurean.
"You two are up pretty early," Neal said as he arrived.
"Waking at this time is pretty much normal for us, " Shinkoi replied while eating.
"And here I thought you ladies were excited about your first time training with us, handsome gentlemen," Neal said with a sad face.
"We are looking forward to the training session," Akurean said reassuringly.
His face lit up, "Really? That's terrific! Now I have my appetite back."
"You were just faking your sadness, Neal. Only so you can hear the princess say that she was looking forward to the training session with us," Prince Roald accused as he arrived with his tray of food.
Neal blushed as the princess smiled at him.
"You gentlemen should hurry up and eat. It is almost time to start training. My lady and I will go on ahead without you two," Shinkoi said while picking up the tray.
While they were walking in the hallway, Shinkoi asked, "Are you going to pretend that you don't know how to use a staff and other weapons?"
"Of course! I already said that I only know how to use shurangins," Akurean said unconcerned. "Shinkoi," Akurean said suddenly, "Be on your toes. I have a feeling something bad might happen today,"
Shinkoi looked at her mistress with curiosity. Princess Akurean's warnings should always be taken seriously. "Yes, my princess. I shall be careful," Shinkoi bowed her head slightly.
"Good," Akurean replied. "Now let's hurry over to the training area."
Just then a servant walked up to them and said, "Princess Akurean, their majesties has requested to see you at the main dining room."
"Take me there," Akurean replied.
The servant bowed and said, "This way, your highness."
Akurean and Shinkoi followed the servant through the many hallways that lead to the main castle. They passed by multiple rooms that were decorated significantly. The servant stopped and opened a door. The princess entered with Shinkoi and bowed once they saw the king and queen.
"What can I do for you, my majesties?" Akurean asked politely.
"We just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed," Queen Thayet said.
"No need to worry. If I need anything, I will ask one of the servants," Akurean reassured.
"Very well. Have you eaten breakfast yet? There is plenty of seafood on the table," King Jonathan said hungrily.
"Shinkoi and I have already eaten breakfast. If you'll excuse us, your majesties, we have a training session to attend to," Akurean said courteously.
"Well, of course! Come have dinner with us any time you want. Have fun at the training session!" King Jonathan exclaimed.
Akurean and Shinkoi bowed and left the room to the training camp. As they arrived, they saw that the pages have already started the training exercise.
"Aah, glad that you can make it, Princess Akurean," Lord Wlydon welcomed.
"I apologize for our tardiness. We had an important meeting to attend to," Akurean said kindly.
Shinkoi grabbed a staff and yelled, "Who wants to go against me for practice?"
Several hands went up and Lord Wlydon made them form a line. "Are you skilled with a staff?"
"I'm not that good and I'm not that bad. Back at home, I was the weakest when it comes to spears and staffs, but I am the strongest using swords," Shinkoi said honestly.
"Aah, I see. Then I guess this will be great practice for the boys, eh?" Lord Wlydon replied. "Let's begin!"
"Our first drill will be swinging the staff down onto your partner's head, which of course your partner has to block the attacks. Next, you will swing the staff to the right and to the left. And the last step is to swing upward. Boys, you better block the last swing or you will be rolling on the ground," the instructor shouted his orders.
"Yes, sir!" his students said in unison.
One by one they paired up and started swinging the staff as Lord Wlydon gave his orders. Akurean was paired up with the red headed guy that she had seen in the dining room this morning. Shinkoi was paired up with Neal and the prince was paired up with another student. He is Jack of Timberson.
The instructor yelled, "Down, right, left, up," whenever their rhythm was off.
The mysterious red headed young man grinned at Akurean and said, "You're pretty good at this, princess."
"Not really. This drill is just simple if you think about it," Akurean replied cautiously.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Xertec of Tunstall. I know it is none of my business, but I'm quite curious about why you decided to come to Tortall," Xertec said while blocking the princess' attacks.
"Well, Xertec of Tunstall, it is certainly not your business, so you do not need to know," Akurean replied with narrowed eyes.
"Of course," he replied. "But that doesn't stop me from finding more about you." Xertec smiled at her, sending a chill down her spine. "How abou-"
"All right everyone! Let's take a break. We'll resume in thirty minutes," Lord Wlydon called out.
Akurean briskly turned around and walked away to put away her staff. I got to thank Lord Wlydon for saving me back there, thought Akurean. That saved me from listening to the rest of his nonsense and saved me from replying to him questions.
"Akurean! Come join us over here," Neal bellowed.
"Okay! I'll be there!" Akurean replied. She ran up the hill to where they and sat down under the tree.
"So what do you think about the training? I think it was fun," Roald asked.
"It was fun and was great workout for me. How about you, Shinkoi?" Akurean said as she took a sip of cold water.
"I think it was exciting. Especially when I have to strike upward, " Shinkoi giggled.
"She almost hit me in my weak spot when I wasn't paying attention," Neal exclaimed. "Luckily, I have fast reflexes."
"I would love to see you rolling on the ground, Neal," Roald laughed.
"Then we'll partner up and see who is going to be the one that will be rolling on the ground," Neal challenged the prince.
Roald grinned, "Bring it o-"
All of a sudden, the loud bells began to ring. Soldiers, knights, and wizards came streaming out of the buildings. All the children were rushed inside their house until the streets were empty.
"Wha-what is happening?" Akurean asked worriedly.
"I don't know if this is a drill, but let's get inside a building first," Roald instructed. "Whenever more than one bell rings, it means that enemies are here. They are either armies from other countries or immortals, like Cyclops."
The group of teenagers rushed towards the nearest building. Passing by the box of staffs, Shinkoi quickly grabbed a couple of staffs for everyone to use just in case they were attacked.
"Kekeke, I found you at last, Prince of Tortall," came a nasty voice from the sky. "We shall be taking your head as a decoration for our queen. Ready or not, here we come!"