[ Inside the Veinham Barrier

Day 1

Cave 3]

“Navarda, it’s supposed to get harder. This is like a warm-up,” said Fera, a little fairy on her shoulders, occupied with adding the last pink diamond to her pinkie. “There! How pretty,” she thought.

Fera started up her translucent wings and flew alongside Navarda to gossip. “What’s interesting is that I heard there’s a pact to take out an Earthen contestant.

Navarda plucked a few strands of her hair and whispered an ancient spell. The strands of hair rapidly multiplied, it rapidly twisted and turned, within seconds, it had contorted itself until the strands turned into a raven, the size of a 100-pound bulldog.

“Bring me back the shield,” she commanded. The raven bowed and flew off into the cave. “I don’t understand the need…Humans are so…” Navarda gave herself a millisecond to ponder the best word, “…weak. Or is that an understatement?”

“You do recall that you’re a human,” Fera said.

Navarda released a sigh and gently caressed her soft hair with a smile. “Are you trying to be insolent? You know what I meant. She’s a purebred human, is she not?”

Fera pouted her lips.

“Why do they care? Most of them are mixed, far superior to a simple Pure Earth human.”

“Well, I don’t think it matters. Xander the Invincible was a purebred human from Earth too. You should know, he was your great, great, great, great Grandfather.”

“What is your point Fera?”

“My point is, you shouldn’t make light based on genetics. It was that discrimination that led to your people’s many conquests, might I add, your family was on the receiving end of the discrimination.”

“I’m bored with this discussion.” Navarda looked down at her perky, triple-D blossoms. She twirled her hair.

Navarda caressed the exposed part of her breast. She thought they would've met Lord Ames by now, but instead, she’s in this crummy cave. She had pitied the monsters and now, she pitied herself, chasing after a man, when she had many suitors. What am I doing? she thought.

“Anyways,” Fera chirped back into gossip, her favorite pastime, “Apparently General Ames knows the girl, and is helping her which is unheard of so it is assumed he has feelings for the girl, which means..”

“I see, they just want to take out the competition. Hahaha.”

“Why are you laughing, are you not concerned?”

“Concerned? That’s something for the weak to do. I cannot judge them though, how else will they go against an opponent with such an advantage? But, this is a Love Contest so ganging up on a rival is… just so cheap." She placed a finger to her chin to think. “Hmm, I hope the girl makes it. I never met a free purebred Earthen.”

The sound of a thick blanket hitting the ground disrupted the conversation. Her raven had returned with a Shapeshifter shield.

“Seriously, you can’t just hand it to me?” She looked down at a wool-like, gray material that looked more blanket than a shield. “Ugh, I don’t want to touch it. Such disgusting creatures. Why haven’t they just eliminated them all.”

“This planet belongs to Lord Eastman. They throw death row prisoners here to make room, feed them prisoners and well, it scares most people into submission. Lord Eastman is Veinham’s eldest daughter’s husband.”

“Hmm, the Veinhams cast a wide net.” Navarda grinned. The mention of Veinhams forced her to think of General Ames again.

“Well, it was the Veinhams who caught all the shapeshifters and exiled them here. The barrier prevents them from leaving.”

Navarda touched her heart, “My heart, it’s going so fast.”

“Well, that’s why we’re here my lady."

“I know, but the mere fact that I even have to compete for a man annoys me to no end,” Narvada said as she wrapped the shield in cloth using mana, so she could transport it without touching it. “It is beyond disgusting to think these monsters created these shields with their hide sheddings. What is the point of these shields?”

“They are a magic item. Put it on and it can camouflage you to your surroundings immediately. You don’t have to be grossed out, just cast a cleansing spell.”

“I’ve already put it away. Fera, are you not paying attention at all?”

“Sorry, I just wondered who else is here. I’ve heard Princess Blinka is also here.”

“Why would she care?” Navarda and Fera made their way toward the entrance of the cave.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“Not sure, well at least we know she isn’t in it for the looks, unlike a certain someone.” Fera flew out in front of Navarda and stuck out her tongue.

Navarda rolled her eyes.

———Flashback ——

[ One month ago

The Center ]

Navarda was reading on a treetop when she heard the slamming of metal into the wood. Puzzled, she went down to see who it was.

When she reached the location, she saw a shirtless man, sweat rolling down his toned back with an ax in hand, chopping down a baby-bearing willow tree. Navarda swallowed, she was a little nervous, there was something about his presence. “Who are you? This is my people’s land, and you’re trespassing,” she said with fake indifference.

“You’re asking who he is, that’s a first,” Fera said, hidden in Navarda’s blossom.

“Shush!”

“Is that so,” the man with a mighty broad shoulders said. He turned. Navarda’s cheeks felt hot. She froze at the sight of General Ames. He walked over to her, the closer he got the more anxious she got. He smiled at her and she almost fainted. “Sorry, Miss?”

“This is her Highness to you, you half-naked man. I present the crown princess of the Center, Narvarda Tanaphan,” Fera responded. General Ames bowed, almost touching his knees.

“And who might you be?”

“I’m her royal advisor and guard. You can address me as Miss. Fera."

Narvarda smirked. Fera is so cute, even when she acts ridiculously pompous.

General Ames bowed again, this time to the little fairy and her princess. “I deeply, deeply apologize, I was not aware I was in the presence of royalty. My name is Ames, I’m captain of the Ambers fleet. Our ship crashed and landed here and my men and women need detoxification medicine. We were ambushed and,” He looked at the baby-bearing willow tree, “that could save our lives.”

Navarda walked closer to General Ames. “I see and you’re doing this manually because you’re poisoned. Your mana cannot be tapped into or you’ll die a terrible, terrible death. So terrible that your handsome face will be no longer. And what a shame that would be.”

General Ames laughed but on the inside he was uneasy. His mind started to think… Although she comes off like the typical spoiled princess, a hot one at that, she is abreast of warfare technology. She is right, I am poisoned as well. How did she know? It’s only been a month or so since this started to appear on the battlefield.

“As you’re aware, this baby-bearing willow is extremely rare. To the known universe, it grows only in three Districts. On this planet, there are only six, and of which, only three are of mature age to make into medicine,” Navarda said as she continued to examine him. She thought to herself, He’s breathtakingly gorgeous, with such strong arms. Stop it! Why am I only focused on his looks? Has my reading retreat turned me into a rabbit in heat? I hope not. But, there’s something about him that I can’t put my finger on. He’s hiding something, I’m sure of it.

Fera fluttered by Navarda’s ears. “Your heart, it’s beating pret-ty fast my friend.”

Navarda blushed and slapped Fera away.

“We have funds and,” General Ames seductively looked at her, he held his hand up and gently touched her rosy cheeks, “I’m willing to do anything.” He did his best to look longingly into her eyes.

Starting at a young age, General Ames was trained to suppress sexual urges; seduction is a normal occurrence in his circles. Sexual training in the Veinhams family is extremely unorthodox. General Ames spent some of his youth days in brothels to get used to the female present. He learned a number of things about the women there, including what makes a woman's heart flutter.

Flustered, Navarda pulled back. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Being a crown princess, she also was trained, but unfortunately for her at this moment, Navarda is only good at detection and not defending.

General Ames laughed out loud, “So what do you say?”

“I don’t know yet, what about you owe me a favor.”

You have got to be kidding me, these mature baby-bearing willow trees are worth a fortune, Fera thought.

One glanced at Navarda and she could tell her princess was 100% seduced. It hasn’t even been five minutes! Fera shook her head, she had a feeling this courtship wasn’t simple. By the looks of it, this man has a royal emblem engraved on his heart. Old magic, and not run-of-the-mill. Only Wizards of Old are capable and they only work for the most powerful. Who is this man? He is no mere captain of a fleet. Navarda should be able to tell from what family with her powers, but she’s too love-stricken.

General Ames grinned. “Well, any promise for your Highness, but on three conditions.”

She looked at him, “they are?”

“One, they cannot be immoral. Two, they cannot go against my core principles. Three, they cannot make me less of a dignified man.”

“Deal,” she replied and spent the remainder of the day chatting with General Ames as he chopped down the tree. She neglected to mention that she could’ve easily helped.

The next day.

“You’re leaving?” Navarda said in shock.

“Yes your Highness, I did mention we are on our way to aid an ally nation as they’re under attack…this very second.”

“Oh, right, lives of billions or so,” Navarda said as she twirled a lock of her hair. “How can we meet again?”

He smiled and pulled her in close to him.

“There is more I want to do,” he said and looked down at her massive breast. He slowly licked his lips as she watched. “But alas, I am betrothed. It is a cardinal rule in my family. I have to marry the winner of my family’s love contest or die.”

“Love contest? What a cheesy name!” Narvarda laughed.

“My forefather is very strict about this. Veinham males and females have a seal placed on them since in the womb in the case we should be kidnapped as a newborn and a seal cannot be cast at birth. Clearly, my forefather had some time on his hands and quite an imagination.”

“Hmm, a seal? Fera is a seal and curse specialist. Fera, can you take a look?”

Fera flew over to General Ames and took out her small staff. She whispered a spell. “I can break it,” Fera said cheekily, “just one condition though.”

General Ames looked excited and without thinking simply said, “Name your desire,” a phrase not normally associated with military men, but of noble birth or higher. Something a commoner would not notice but something that makes most nobles' ears twitch given such a phrase requires extraordinary wealth to back it up.

Both Fera and Navarda caught this lapse in judgment.

“Three million years, give me three million years and maybe I can crack it,” Fera said and laughed.

General Ames laughed, “That’s a cruel joke little Fera.”

Fera gave him the death stare.

BLAM! Navarda slapped her off her shoulders.

“Hey!” protested Fera as she landed on her butt.

“Still that name, Love Contest,” Navarda said and laughed again. “It’s like you’re in some theater production.”

“Yes, the name has many times been mocked. But, I’m forever cursed by it,” he said and looked dreamingly at her.

“It’s also a deadly one, you’re much safer here,” he whispered into Navarda’s ears, who was loving it. However, Fera thought the whispering was very unnecessary since she could hear everything he was saying.

General Ames held onto the Princess’s chin. “Goodbye, Navarda of the baby-bearing willows.”

She grinned and squeezed his muscular arm. “Save your goodbyes, you won’t be seeing the last of me.”

----------------------------------------

Present day...

As they strolled out of the cave, Narvarda tapped her side, locking the shield inside of her.

“On second thought, where is this Earthen now Fera?”