Below the Peak (Sola)(14)
“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.
“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?”