Below the Peak (Sola)(4)
Her posture stiffened while a guarded look descended on her face from his perusal.
“Pardon me lady, what is your name,” the soldier asked, standing more upright, his shoulders square to intimidate.
“Nara Thani, daughter of Jae Thani the royal advisor and brother to King Lorenz Thani” She recited confidently while holding the soldier’s eyes with her own keen brown eyes. That should be proof enough and remove any doubts.
After a long moment of looking at her, he stepped back and said. “Open the gate.” The other two guards pushed the wide gate. A hollowness dipped her stomach, and a tightness wrapped in her chest as she passed through and entered the second wall.
So, this is how it feels when you lie. Nara frowned, feeling a discomfort and decided she did not like. Setting her eyes forward, she rode past the ordinary houses, old and new taverns, vibrant market and streets filled with all kinds of people from old men and women to young children playing around. The air was marked with all kind of sounds too, sellers pitching their goods, people talking in high and low-pitched voices, laughter, and clanging sound from smiths’ shops and chirping of birds. The atmosphere quite different from within the King’s Wall.
Nara dismounted when she reached the third wall. She pulled Lucky to a nearby tree and tied the rope loosely around it, leaving Lucky under the shed. “Stay here yeah” she patted Lucky once. She looked around to see if anyone was watching her and sneaked in the military base. Soldiers wearing different uniforms of their ranks and divisions moved about while others rested on benches and took rest. Nara stood under a giant oak tree on the outskirts of the arena that she hid herself the first time that she sneaked in with Otto. It wasn’t the best spot to hide, but no one seemed to be bothered by her, some looked at her for a curious second and then focused on other things. Two men clothed in belted long tunics that reached the knees paired with leather trousers and boots stood not very far from the hiding spot and caught her attention when they faced each other. Her heart pumped and blood boiled in excitement to what was about to happen. The blonde man with a goatee attacked first with a swift kick. The other dark-haired man blocked with the side of his arm and threw a quick fist back. Mesmerised eyes watched the two spur, noting their fluid movements. Each person attacked with purpose, none relenting. Their attacks increased in speed and strength with each minute that passed. Active chests rose and down heavily as sweat poured down their faces. Nara watched with excitement and apprehension. She couldn’t pick a winner if she had to since both fought fiercely although the one with the goatee seemed to be more skilled than the other man. Nara held her breath when the other blonde drew out his sword that was sheathed on his hip and moved quickly toward his opponent.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” a loud voice questioned. Nara’s shoulders jerked as she turned abruptly, shock palpable on her features. Nara stood rigid. Brown eyes rose slowly, noting the broad and vigorous form fitted in dark blue uniform until they reached the face of the man. Nara was met with a stern young-looking face with harsh sea blue eyes. She averted her eyes to his forehead close to the edge of his hairline.
“I am sorry… I shouldn’t be here” Nara stammered.
“No, you shouldn’t” the man affirmed. “Civilians are not allowed here. So, what are you doing here?”
His cold eyes assessed and measured her from head to toe, causing unnerving sensation to roll through her.
“Don’t stare, it's rude” Nara blurted. The man resettled his gaze on her round pale face once satisfied with his inspection of her.
“And it’s rude not to answer and not look at the person talking to you” he countered.
Nara’s answer was silence.
He moved a step closer to her, his voice laced with sarcastic humour. “Are you going to stand there until you become one with the tree or speak up?”
Caught and with no alternative, Nara breathed to subdue the fear inside and said. “I just wanted to watch them train. I don’t mean to cause any trouble. I’ll just leave” She closed and open her fist repeatedly and took a step back, wanting to quickly bolt.
He looked at her curiously and spoke. “If you enjoy watching people fight why don’t you become a soldier?”
What?
Her mind went momentarily blank. Nara blinked a couple of times to gather her wits.
How could he suggest such a thing? She looked at him. “I have never thought of it.” her head shook slightly as the idea started to take hold, rousing something deep within her.
“I am too young, and besides I’m a girl. How possibly could I fight” Nara added. That was lame. She had read of women who were remarkable warriors and heard there were a few who were soldiers, although she hadn’t seen one yet. He looked her over slowly, his eyes searching as she tried not to fidget.
“You don’t look too young and being a girl is just horseshit excuse,” he said. Such a crass mouth, she thought. Looking at him, he didn’t look much older than her, probably four or five years older.
The conversation was giving her crazy ideas and hope that might be futile in her world. Girls of her status didn’t become warriors, they served another purpose for the kingdom. To be married to other aristocratic men over treaties and agreements.
“I have to go” was the reply she could come up with. Nara turned quickly before he could stop her or tempt her mind with more outrageous ideas.