Three days. That is how long I have been laying here awake. Swaying to the uneven rock of the floor of the carriage as it travels along the road. Every bump, dip and swerve flaring every muscle in body. The straps holding me down to the makeshift stretcher barely help keep one steady pressure across my healing body.

Three nights. That is how many times I have seen the stars. Glistening above like forbidden gems precariously scattered across dark velvet night sky; before being moved into the patched-up canvas tent.

Multiple faces pass above me. All blurred. Too quickly for my eyes to focus. Voices sound as if being filtered through layers of wool. As more voices join each other in conversation, the more jumble and confusion follows in my mind.

Water and soup pass over my lips during the day. Overnight everything from that day passes back across my lips. Fever and sickness hold firm over my body during those long painful hours of darkness; only to leave as soon as the sun kisses the night sky away with its golden rays. My body comes out from the long nights slightly more healed of its wounds. My mind comes out more tired and frazzled than the day before; merely to fix the scattered thoughts that flitter through my head giving me some form of normal sanity before the night comes again.

‘She is healing remarkably fast, brother.’ A young woman’s voice sounds distantly from my left, though I can feel the heat radiating from her body right next to me. I vaguely hear something shuffle to my right, before a man’s face appears above my head into my line of sight. My vision still slightly blurred. But I can focus enough to see his deep brown eyes staring directly into my own.

‘Yes, her body is healing quite well; but her mind is still scattered and unstable.’ His face disappears from my sight.

‘That is normal though, you know this.’ The young woman’s voice starts to sound clearer as I concentrate as much as I can to their voices.

‘I understand this but…’

‘Give her a few more days. By then her body will be fully recovered and her mind should be more stable and on the mend.’

‘I hope you are right sister…’ The man’s voice slowly fades away as he moves away from my hearing range.

Slowly the woman’s face comes into view. Most of her face slightly blurred just like the man’s face before; and just like the man’s face I can see her eyes clear enough when I focus hard enough. Her hazel eyes crinkle around the outer edges in what I am assuming is happiness as she stares into my eyes. The laughter lines slowly fade away as she notices the fearful and confused look in my eyes. A sense of sadness fills her eyes as I continue to look into hers without blinking.

‘Only a few more days and you will be fully recovered.’ The young woman tells me. Only she cannot look my in the eyes as she says it. The words falling on my ears sounding like lies. Before she disappears.

The feel of a cool and wet washcloth rubs against my forehead, clearing away the sweat and filth from the night before as well as cooling my skin. It comforts me enough that I close my eyes, as my wearied mind and body start to drift off to sleep and the darkness consumes once more.

♠

‘Of course, your grace. We will…’ Shouts from outside capture my attention from the conversation my father and his grace are having.

Silently I walk over to the open window at the edge of the room. Looking out I notice there is a small group of people in the courtyard below. Most are bent over struggling to catch their breath, hands on their knees. A few are standing looking around the group. Two people stand off to the side in the shadow cast from the barracks awning; slightly away from the group, enough to be a part of it but far enough to have a private conversation.

A few minutes pass before they emerge back out into the sun and joined the group. One slightly older than everyone there, he was clad in brown leather jerkin with straps and buckles on the front that reflected in the sunlight. It was worn over the top of a now slightly discoloured white tunic. He also had dark-coloured baggy pants that slimed down to be tucked neatly into a pair of dark leather boots. Around his waist was a leather twin belt from which hung a pouch, probably filled with coins; as well as two weapons which I had never thought I would see with my own eyes. His dagger and sword were both of elven make, rare for these parts of the kingdom.

Elves are known for their grace, which encompassed not only in their movement and their clothing, but also their weapons. The two blades are stripped down in their designs, which take away all unnecessary elements of a common sword. This leaves behind the two most important parts – a slender curved blade for slicing and a suede wrapped grip for wielding. Nothing else is needed.

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His companion was dressed like everyone else in the yard. He wore a simple tunic and a pair of dark-colored baggy pants tucked into a pair of leather boots; and just like all the others in the yard his tunic and pants were sticking to him from sweat. He was younger than his companion in the leather jerkin. His weapon was just a common training sword. Enough to hurt when hit but not cause severe damage.

The young man walked over and stood amongst the others as the elder gentleman circled around to stand on top of a small crate to gather everybody’s attention.

‘That was a disgrace!’ He shouted at the group.

‘We will continue to practice this until you all get it right.’ He glanced around at every person in the crowd before him.

‘Again!’ His voice bellowed out causing a few men in the group to flinch. They all slowly disperse to start the training session again.

‘A little pathetic will not you agree?’ My sister had obviously seen my distraction and wonder over to see what was happening. I cast my eyes to my sister, whose gaze is focused down below, before turning to look over my shoulder to see my father and the king still engrossed in their conversation.

‘Somewhat.’ I say as I cast my eyes back to my sister before looking back down into the courtyard.

Now the group have formed a large circle with the young gentleman from earlier in the center. At first nothing is happening; then as if a surge of adrenaline has hit, two of the men from the circle rush forward to the young gentleman. As if it is without thought his body anticipates every move his opponents make. But to my eyes and that of my sisters it almost seems too rehearsed. The young gentleman obviously has some skill but at this rate his training will get him nowhere. Not if no one is willing to engage him in combat.

‘Who is that?’ I nod to the young man before turning to my sister. A small smirk is present on her face before she senses my gaze and turns to look at me.

‘Why it’s the Crown Prince, dear sister.’ That silly smirk gracing her face again. I roll my eyes at her turning back to look out the window.

After knocking his final opponent over and placing his training sword at his throat, signaling the end of the fight; the older gentleman from earlier walked over shaking his head. Talking to the young prince congratulating him one a pointless win.

As if sensing our gaze both of their heads swivel up to look at us. They squint hard in the sunlight. The young prince throws his hand up to cover his eyes to help him see better. Once he can see us a little better a sly grin slips onto his face. Turning to the older companion to resume their conversation. I step back away from the window with my sister and notice that our father and the king have left us both alone in the room, notably finished with their discussion. My sister catches my eye with a knowing grin before gesturing to the door.

‘Shall we grace his royal highness the Crown Prince with our presence, dear sister?’ Her eyes sparkle with hidden mischief. Feeling the same knowing grin slipping onto my face I turn away from my sister and make my way over to the door. Grasping the cool metal handle in my grip. I turn back to look at my sister.

‘Let us dear sister,’ I say turning the handle. ‘And let us see just how well he is with that sword.’ My sister’s laughter trailing behind me as I exit the room and walk down the hall.

♠

Laughter is what I hear when wake. Different from that of my sister’s. More joyous, full of wonder. Opening my eyes I squint from the bright light filling the tent. I subconsciously lift my hand to shield my eyes from the light and notice I can move without pain. Holding my hand up in front of my eyes I study my hand as roll my fingers in and out of a fist waiting for the pain. Slowly I roll my head to the side, and I can see the opening for the tent left slightly ajar. I continue to look at the tent flaps as I gradually sit up; feeling every muscle as it stretches. The tightness left in them from being left unmoving for so long.

Sitting up on the edge of the makeshift bed I look around the inside of the tent and notice fresh clothing laid out on a chair, next to the chair is a table with a bowl with a piece of cloth and jug of water. Seeing no one else in the tent I slowly make my way over and shift the clothing and take a seat on the chair I take the jug and pour some of the water into the bowl with the cloth.

After cleaning all the dirt and grime from travel and healing, I dress in the garments left for me. A simple forest green vest, a cream-colored chemise style blouse with a ruffled neckline and ruffled sleeves worn underneath, along with some dark-coloured trousers. Looking around I find a scrap bit of cloth laying across the table that I use to tie my hair up away from face.

‘I’m glad to see you are feeling well.’ The voice of a young woman sounds from behind me. Fastening the belt, I found lying on the table, I turn to look at her.

It is the same woman who tended to me through my sickness. Looking at her now, I can she just a couple of years older than me. Her clothing like my own and her hair is braided away from her face. Her eyes crinkle with the friendly smile that is present on her face.

Turning away from her I look around the tent in search of footwear to leave in. Walking barefoot will last for so long.

‘There should be some boots beside the bed.’ She walks over to the table to collect the bowl and jug as I walk over to the bed.

Like the woman had said there were boots beside the bed. Sitting on the edge, I bend over cautiously still waiting for the pain to return. With no pain I quickly slip the boots on, I hear her shuffling around before I look up and see her by the opening of the tent.

‘He wishes to see you. You know where to find him.’ Her smile faltering on her face as she gazes from me to the floor before leaving through the opening.

Sighing I cast my gaze to lap, where I was fiddling with my hands. Thoughts swirling in my head along with a faint haunting voice. Cringing from the sudden pain as I try to focus on the chaos in my head, I stand. I walk over to the opening a look out at the campgrounds before me. People bustling about their daily chores and routines. The familiarity registering deep within me. Breathing in deeply I throw the tent flap aside step out into the rising sunlight. Trying to prepare myself as I make my way through the camp.