Below the Peak (Sola) Read online

  The other boy stood beside him, his mouth pursed and hand holding the sword tightly.

  “Are you ready?” Hagen asked, sounding anxious despite the confidence he showed with his stance. Fingers clenching around the handle of the sword, Nara curtly nodded. “Yes, I am.”

  She charged first, sword high as she headed for Dusty as Hagen did to the other boy. Dusty met her head on, blocking her sword and thrusting his sword. Nara twisted her body to the left, the sword cutting the air sharply and making a whooshing sound. Nara gasped faintly, eyes widening at how she merely escaped the sharp blade that would have pierced her chest. She charged again, and Dusty countered the attack. It was like a dance they did, but that involved sharp swords with quick feet and hand movements. When she stroked, Dusty mirrored her with additional impressive blows of his own. Metal clanged against metal. Tiny droplets of rain dropped on her forehead and slid down her face as it did her opponent yet they went fiercely against one another. The thrill that she might die with a single mistake pumped through her veins. It felt too real like she was on a battlefield when it was just a friendly match. She could get addicted to this kind of great rush.

  At the corner of her eye, Nara saw Hagen going at it with the other guy. The other guy seemed to be on the defensive side whereas Hagen attacked more. The two-opponent kept a fair close distance between each other, their backs to each other, unlike her and Hagen who were more apart.

  “Manni” Dusty shouted, then surprising her when he spun. She was suddenly fighting the other opponent, and he was going against Hagen. The change had her blinking, slowing her for a second giving the opponent to bring his sword near her neck. She blocked by a breadth and pushed back the blade with her own. Speed was the guy’s strength, he moved and twisted too fast on his own legs, he kept her on edge, sending her heart into a wild race. Nara didn’t let that be a deciding factor in the match, she countered with skills of her own. Her hand twisting and striking in unlikely places, keeping the guy on his toes too. Nara twisted in a way she was behind the guy and brought the sword to the back of his neck. When she thought, she was going to sweep the man out of the match, Dusty thwarted, pushing the blade away with the tip of his blade. The blades had been dangerously close to slicing his neck.

  Nara ground her jaw.

  “Shit!” someone cursed loud. Nara stole a look, and it was no other than Hagen. He had a sword pressed to his neck. His face an angry storm, with hands stretched out in surrender. The crowd cheered.

  What the heck? Nara couldn’t understand how he was down already. There was no sword in either his hands. It was cast down just a few steps behind the other guy. How and when did this happen? Nara pushed the frustration back in her mind. She couldn’t start thinking about this when it was now two against one. I must get that sword She thought, taking a guarded stance. Hagen glanced at her then started talking to his captor, waving his hands. Nara didn’t wait for another hint, she dashed forward as Hagen made a distraction. She got sooner before Dusty realised what she was doing, kicking up the sword in the air then grabbing it with the empty hand. The guy pushed Hagen aside and spun and came to a screeching halt, feeling the blade pointed to his throat just below his chin. He gasped aloud and stared at her, scared. She held the sword there while the other she had it pointed toward Dusty whose expression was of pure disbelief. It was a dirty play, but she didn’t care.

  Her hands didn’t falter, Nara stood confidently, her eyes boring into the guy’s own. Manni’s mouth trembled as his eyes slid down to look at the steel blade. “I yield” his voice trembled and said in a small voice. “Please let me go.”

  The silence that followed was deafening as everyone waited for her to say something.

  “Go” Nara ordered before she spun, crossing the blades as a shield from Dusti’s blow. She had sensed him coming, felt in her bones and tiny hairs on the base of her neck. They were face to face, only a few inches apart for their forehead to touch. Dusty pushed against the barrier she set, his jaw hard, forehead burrowing, determination gleaming from his dark gaze. Nara glared and gritted her teeth as she pushed back with all the strength in her body. Now it was a battle of will and power. Dusty pressed harder. Nara grunted when her arms shook from pain. He was strong, too strong. She did her best to maintain even though her hands began to move back, closer and closer to her chest. He groaned and pushed again with force until the back of her fists rested on her chest, the blades on each side of her neck, resembling large sharp scissor legs about to cut off her head.

  “You yield?” he breathed down her face. She didn’t lower gaze when she replied in a voice only he could hear. “Yes, only today.”

  Dusty gave her a smug smile.

  Nara threw the swords to the ground. Cheers erupted on her back as she stomped away from the crowd, seething with anger. Hollowness sank at the pit of her stomach, the defeat sending a hard punch to her gut. Her jaw clenched. She had given her all; at the very best and didn’t go easy on Dusty then why didn’t she win? She brooded sourly, eyebrows creasing. If she could’ve only attacked faster and swung the sword maybe at the side while blocking his attack with the other sword... Nara continued to mull over sourly on what she could have done better, her features turning darker and bitter with each tormenting thought.

  I could’ve done better She beat herself over and over, anger rose from her chest clogging her throat, threatening to spill. Nara hit her chest and screamed in frustration, startling passersby. They turned they gaze and stared as she marched to the big oak tree. Nara sat behind the tree, sliding down until her arse hit the ground, not caring about the wetness on the grass. She folded her arms around her knees and stared hard at the wall. A long moment passed until she calmed. Once her anger subsided, then did Nara groan in embarrassment. She had just humiliated herself from the way she walked out there. Shoulders hunching, Nara dropped her head to her knees. They would see her as a sore loser. A distasteful image she painted herself in.

  She didn’t hear the steps until the person spoke, pulling her from the pit of her head. “This is a terrible spot to brood peacefully.” Nara stood abruptly, stumbling as she turned and looked at him.

  “I know” she replied.

  ***

  At the look on her face, Barra got what she was thinking.

  What does he want? Is he here to talk down to her about her poor manners he witnessed at the match? Talk about her sword skills?

  He could also see she feared him. Her wariness was justifiable since he was not particularly friendly to the recruits nor most of his fellow soldiers.

  “You lost because you did not listen to what was happening around you. You were only concerned about winning, almost through the whole fight you paid no attention to what was going on with your partner.” Barra said forthrightly, not gentling the briskness in his voice and care if he would hurt her feelings. The girl’s features grew hurt and bitter, she swallowed and struggled to maintain a controlled posture. He continued in the same manner. “Unlike you, Dusty and his partner watched over one another, came to each other’s defence when needed be.” He paused, his gaze turning intense, his voice grave. “And that is what makes a great warrior. Winning is an afterthought to us, keeping each other alive out in the battles it is what matters the most. Is what we celebrate not a victory for conquering kingdoms.”

  Nara nodded heavily, his words doing more than opening her eyes. They transformed her into something entirely new. The determination shining in her eyes and resilience on her features which he did not expect after criticising her did something to him. She impressed him.

  Barra let one of his hand rest on the butt of the sword strapped to the side of his waist and tried to ease his stance and gentle his tone. “For what is worth, your skills are impressive. They will keep you alive.”

  Nara blushed, her fair skin turning a shade of pink, eyes looking anywhere other than his face.

  “Thank you, sir,” Nara muttered, soaking in the compliment. Barra felt the corner of lips tip up.<
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  “Very well, lady Thani” Barra slightly bowed his head and marched away but not before seeing the surprised expression Nara wore at the mention of the family name. Barra had come to know it when her father requested his presence outside of the gate one afternoon. He had seen the man in court when he and the General were summoned and knew he was the royal advisor. He was shocked when the man asked him to keep an eye on her daughter. He was not one to take additional requests yet when he saw the worry on the man’s face, reluctantly agreed to try. The man had been eager to give him a drawing of her daughter to identify her. He had thanked him gratefully. Barra had momentarily wondered what was she doing training to be a soldier when she needed not, after all, the royal family had the army under their command, men to dispose at their will. He later didn’t give it a thought, whatever she did was not his concern unless she caused trouble in his turf.

  *****

  The three girls were talking at Risa’s bed when a girl came to them. “Isabel, Lady Astrid want to see you at the office”, and with that, the girl left.

  “Did you do something?” Risa asked as Isabel stood from the bed.

  “Not that I know of” Isabel replied, tucking in her tunic properly. “I’ll be back,” she told them, looking as calm as ever as she walked away. “I would be scared going there,” Risa said, leaning back, resting her head on the wall.

  “Me too,” Nara said. It got awkward as they waited for Isabel. She had never been alone with her; Isabel has always been there with them. Admittedly, Nara found it easy to be in the company of Isabel than Risa. Probably she found her friendlier than Risa who she felt she had a meanness beneath her good-humored attitude.

  “When all this is done, I’m going to join the law enforcer division.” Risa said when the silence became too much. Nara stopped cracking her knuckles and cocked her head.

  “Patrol the city, keep thieves and the likes in jail and have a simple life” Risa added. “Which division are thinking to join?”

  “Battalion.”

  “Huh. That would be nearly impossible from the qualities the captain demands of his men, but I guess you could be allowed to be part of it” Risa said. Nara didn’t miss the biting under marks. She didn’t appreciate the way Risa thought that being a royal member made her get everything on a silver platter. Only if she knew the cutthroat life of the court, she wouldn’t be jealous and do herself a favour to swallow the snarky jibes she aims at her. Beneath the splendour life in the inner city, devious ploys are carried.

  “I will work hard to prove my worth” Nara replied instead. Risa made a sound at the back of her throat. Standing up, Nara decided she would go sit on her bed until Isabel returned. She stopped when she saw Isabel. Isabel wiped the tears spilling down her cheeks as she moved past her to her trunk. Risa got up, the bed creaking with the shift of weight. “What’s wrong?”

  Isabel shoved the clothes hanging on the bed rail into the open trunk, her shoulders shaking all the while she did it. She shut the top of the trunk and locked it.

  Nara moved closer to her, concern coating her features. “Did she do something to you?” Isabel stiffened then shook her head. Wiping another trail of fresh hot tears, she lifted her head and looked at them. “My…”

  Nara watched her swallow hard as if the words were choking her. “My father is dead” she croaked, more tears spilling. Her heart stopped for a second for her friend, aching on her behalf. “I’m so sorry to hear that” she was the first to speak as they absorbed the saddening revelation. Risa wrapped her arms around Isabel quickly. “Oh, I’m so sorry” she whispered, stroking her back gently. Isabel hugged her tighter, sobbing into Risa’s shoulder. Nara just stood and watched, conflicted if she should her hug her too or not. The act put her mind and body at a conflict. She didn’t like physical contact, it had her feeling constricted, wanting to crawl out of her skin. She did her best to tolerate Ingrid and her mother’s touch and hugs, and they kept it minimal knowing how it could upset her at times. Still, her mind told her to give her a hug, it would be the right thing to do. It would comfort her friend. Yet, her feet remained rooted.

  Slowly, Isabel pulled back and murmured. “I need to leave. They are waiting for me. Lady Astrid has given orders to one of the soldiers I should be escorted back home.”

  “When will you be back?” Nara asked, then scolded herself for being insensitive.

  “I don’t know” Isabel replied as she grabbed the handle of the trunk and carried it. “Give it here let me carry it” Nara offered, hand reaching forward. It was the least she could. Isabel began to walk, Risa wrapped her arm around her, shielding her from curious gazes following them as they escorted her outside. She and Risa halted when they reached near the gate which paved the way to the outside world from the city. The man who was to accompany Isabel stalked toward them and took the trunk from her hands, going to strap it on the simple carriage and giving them some privacy to say their goodbyes. Biting her tongue, she forced herself forward, arms going around Isabel. She patted her lightly and pulled back quickly. Risa did the same though she lingered before taking a step back. Isabel turned, taking step after step to the horse she would be riding. She straddled the horse.

  “Be well” Nara half yelled, watching them ride off.

  Chapter Five

  Kalil Kingdom

  Nikolas

  Nikolas was waiting under the tavern’s shade for the rain to let a little when he saw a beautiful young woman hurry along the street. She held a black veil over her head, shielding herself from the pouring rain. Even as her steps quickened, she moved with grace. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. His heart beat faster as she came near. Her beauty was captivating. Doe eyes, skin white as snow and hair the colour of the red sun. Nikolas wanted her to look at him. He desperately hoped she spared a glance at him, making him feel undeserving and lowly at the same time. She didn’t cast a single eye his way, nor turned them to other men. The mysterious beauty kept her head straight. Nikolas let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding after she passed him.

  “Something, isn’t she?” Gittan said beside him. Nikolas wasn’t surprised to know his companion was also caught by her. He guaranteed other men in the street also watched her.

  “Rumour has it she’s the prettiest girl in the city” Gittan took the hat off his head, wringing the water from it. Nikolas agreed silently, he had never seen such a woman. Someone could say she was the prettiest in the whole of Kalil and he would believe it. She tugged at him.

  “What do you know about her?” Nikolas asked.

  “No much, just she lives with her sick mother,” Gittan replied.

  “And?” Nikolas asked, knowing his friend knew more than he was saying.

  “She entertains at a brothel.” It was as if Gittan had kicked him hard in the stomach. Nikolas mouth soured. He couldn’t believe she was a whore. She was young and looked to be pure to be one. Still, Nikolas heard the truth in Gittan’s word. Gittan wouldn’t lie. He frowned as a profound truth lingered his mind.

  “Has she ever entertained you?” Nikolas looked at Gittan straight in the eyes.

  “No, she has never”, Gittan admitted. “I went once to the brothel she works, but she hadn’t been working that night. I never went back, too expensive and there were a lot of Muri people. She only services the wealthy.”

  Nikolas eyes darkened. “The rain has lessened, let’s go back,” Nikolas said tersely instead, already stepping back under the drizzling sky. Nikolas didn’t say a word as they walked back up the street. His mood seemed to darken with each step he took to where they headed.

  ****

  Murisa Kingdom

  It has been over two and a half months since Isabel left and still she hadn’t returned. No word came from her either. It made Nara slightly worried and wonder if she was alright. The spring season was ending as summer prepared to arrive. Life at the military quarters remained the same. Training day in and training day out. The first days without Isabel made the atmosphere be
tween Nara and Risa awkward, to say the least. Both girls could feel the void their friend had left with her absence. They still sat together during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours yet spoke little to each other. Nara committed herself to focus on becoming the best soldier there ever was by working hard through the practice times even after when they were done for the day. With it, her body didn’t stop accumulating a few bruises here and there. When Nara looked at herself in the mirror, she saw someone new from the reflection. Her body was not only hardening but her mind too.

  When the sun began to burn the sky for long hours so did the rigorous work she and other recruits performed. They learned to make traps. Their bodies were pushed to the limits through brutal activities that span from patrolling all day and night, scaling walls, facsimile activities. The real test came one night she had been patrolling the small village just outside the capital city’s gates. Nara had just come out from taking a piss in the smelly public latrine when she had heard the commotion. Head snapping, she stared into the dark woods and listened carefully to the rustlings that came from it. Brows creasing, she slowly drew near. The rustling in the woods also increased. Someone yelled loudly, the clang sounds of swords followed. Her left hand reached for the short sword on her side, her fingers ghosting over its hilt. Nara withdrew it when a man in dark clothes jumped out, his back to her as he fought Lady Astrid. Not a second passed when two other people in similar dark clothing as the man came out too. Her eyes widened when the captain also emerged on the heels of the two strangers. He fought fiercely against them as did his opponents. Nara quickly came to conclusion they weren’t fooling around when the captain cut one of the two on the shoulder and blood started to drip down his arm to the ground. Assassins! She surmised.

  Out of nowhere, a fourth assassin appeared behind the captain, but this one had been limping. He had an arrow sticking out his leg.

  She knew rightly what his intentions were before he had the chance to act. She did not think, she just threw the dagger she keeps nicely tucked on her waist. The knife found a home on the man’s skull, blood coating the small blade as the man dropped dead on the ground. Looking unaffected of what she just did, she made use of the sword in her hand effectively. It wasn’t until much later after all laid dead and where one had plunged the captain's sword intentionally into his own chest rather than reveal who had sent them, did the realisation hit her hard in the gut. I killed a man. Nausea rolled from her stomach to her throat and made her feel ill.