Lyra's POV

"Congratulations." I say suddenly, slowly clapping my hands together four times, causing an echo to ricochet off of the ceiling and walls.

The two Guards have been sparring for the last six minutes, and have been in an engaging and beautiful dance of thrusting and parrying that I have been silently spectating up until now.

One man turns sharply on the heel of his boot, startled, the wooden training sword raised and ready to strike at the abrupt interruption.

Camisêal pauses the blow he is about to land onto the man's side, eyes flicking up to mine. He looks sweaty and well worked, his dark curls sticking to his skin with perspiration, but seems far from tired. He gives a small smile and bows, fist to heart.

When the first man sees who I am, he drops the blunt weapon with a clatter onto the floor of the training room and bows so quickly, that you would think he is in the presence of the good Lord himself. "Princess!" He says breathlessly, copying the man next to him, fist to his heart.

I immediately laugh, and tell him to straighten. "There is no need for that," I then glance behind me with a secretive smile, hold a hand to my mouth and whisper, "Only in public."

The man is in his early twenties, with thick, curly hair the color of wheat, and a set of light grey eyes. He straightens and I notice that when he smiles, his eyes crinkle at the corners and he shows straight teeth. "As you wish, my Lady."

His hair is longer and much lighter than Camisêal's, who keeps it cut cleanly near the base of his neck.

I stride towards them, Jasla, and Merlin moving to stand by the front of the room, and I stop in front of Camisêal. "I expect that if he lasted more than six minutes with you he must be a good fighter." I had been in the doorway for a while, observing the new man without notice.

The Guardsmen nods, leaning onto his wooden weapon's hilt. "Ah, you've been observing, have you? Yes, he is decent, my lady. If Hana was here, I'm certain he would seem much less capable than he does against me."

My mouth makes a line as I press my lips together at his name. Sam will take care of it, he will bring him home. I say another silent prayer for Hana again, one of the countless I've muttered since he's been gone. I swallow the lump in my throat, irritated with myself. I've held this emotion in through the horribly long luncheon, so I can keep it smothered for now as well.

Seeing my expression, Camisêal stands straight, but doesn't reach for me, so not to teach the new man any bad habits. "I am sorry, my Lady, I did not mean to upset you."

I wave him off. "No apologies needed, it is alright. I've just been in a bit of an emotional upset as of late." I don't have to explain to Cam what my pent up emotion is about, I can read the pain he's covering up through his eyes. He's feeling it, too, the loss of Jensen and the absence of Hana.

To distract myself, I then look around the room in search for my second new member. The training room is large and well equipped with weapons of every sort lining the walls, every one well used. The marble floors here have less shine and more scuff with even the occasional blood stain, as it is nearly always in use by roughly training men. "Where is the second man?" I ask, looking back to Camisêal.

He easily looks over the top of my head with his tall frame, out the open doors. "He should be back any moment now, he went to fetch us some water."

I shrug, and turn to the man who is still gawking at his princess. "How do they call you?" I ask, hand outstretched customarily.

"D-Darion, my Lady." He stammers, taking my hand and kissing it gently. "It is truly a pleasure to finally meet you."

I smile jokingly. "I assure you, not all of the stories are true. "

He looks mortified. "Has there been ill speak of you, my Lady? Shall you like me to hunt them down?"

My eyes widen and I burst into a laugh that fills the large room. "Heavens, no! Though I am sure some do not hold a very high opinion of me anymore, I feel as though I've earned it."

He looks set to go off on a rant, but I hold a hand up to calm him. "Now, now, easy. I am not bothered by it, so neither should you be. Oh, and stop with the your highness and the my ladies. Call me Lyra. Only address me formally in public, I detest that formality when we are alone."

He bows shortly, reining in his apparently short temper. I sort of like him more for it, even though most people would cringe at a Guardsmen with a temper. He is fiery, but always polite towards me. "As it pleases you, Lyra."

"Would you like to know what would please me, Darion?"

His face lights up and he nods, long hair bouncing around his eyes. "Always."

I smile and point to the wooden sword that still lay at his feet. "Then pick that up and ready yourself. I am about to test your skills myself."

Camisêal expected this, and already holds his weapon out for my use, a smile on his face. He looks too a confused but willing Darion, who bends to retrieve his own sword. "Good luck." He says genuinely.

Darion begins to ask a question, apparently not understanding why he should need luck sparring against a girl. "Why would I need-" When he straightens, I cut him off with the rounded tip of my weapon to his throat.

His Adams apple bobs as he swallows, but he is smiling. "I see," he says, and chuckles a bit. "I heard rumor that you were a fighter, and I see that you dress the part, but now I get to see your skill for myself! I am honored."

I lower my wooden blade and smile. "Indeed, you shall see."

Darion and I circle each other, after Camisêal has moved to the side to give us room, joining Merlin and Jasla.

Darion seems reluctant to attack first, as if I will charge him of something that might cost him his life if he hurts me.

"You know, you won't harm me," I say, then more quiet, like I'm telling him a secret. "I've been shot before. I am quite accustomed to pain."

His eyes widen. "Surely you are joking!"

I raise an eyebrow and raise a hand to my shoulder, pulling the sleeve down a bit to show the still pink, fresh scar that has claimed my skin as its home.

We continue to circle each other with neutrality, eyes locked.

His cheeks flush at the movement, but then sees the old wound and looks impressed. "Wow, so you did after all."

I pull my shirt back up and raise both brows, nodding. "I don't lie... often."

He raises an eyebrow with a grin, reminding me of the youngest Staph son from lunch, Kagan, and the way we silently joked at the table.

After a beat or two, I decide to lunge first, so he doesn't feel like he is going to harm me by making the first move, even after viewing my scar.

I relish the way my weapon sings as it is blocked by the other, vibrating up my arm. I missed the weight of a sword in my grasp.

We dance and block each others blows for several minutes, judging one another and our weaknesses.

Darion is very good, but he leaves himself vulnerable, and I notice it the second time around. I note that Darion is slower to block his left side than his right, leaving a moment open for an attack there.

I block one of his blows to my side but earn a graze to my forearm doing so, and fake a move towards his right side.

He takes the bait, and goes quickly to deflect it, but I switch sides at the last moment in a quick movement. He is too slow to defend the open space, and my sword hits his flesh hard, a killing blow.

He isn't hit hard enough to fall, but he has to check his balance to avoid it. He rubs his sore spot, looking at me in awe. "No one has ever beaten me that quickly."
I swipe a bead of sweat from my hairline and smile. "I think you'll find that I am full of surprises."

He grins. "Indeed, you are. Who taught you to fight? Surely not your father."

"That would be me."

We both turn to look at the man who is leaning against the door frame, smiling proudly.

"Lance!" I say, surprised.

Camisêal is eying him, and pushes off of the wall to come stand by me.

I stay his worry with a hand, and give him the wooden sword to hold. "It is alright, stand down." I tell him.

"Forgive me, Lyra, I found this loitering outside of the doors watching. I thought he might belong to you." My brother says, pushing from the wall.

A second man, almost a head shorter than Lance, steps out from around him, two cups in his grasp.

He bows to the best of his ability without spilling the water, cheeks flushing pink. "Forgive me, your highness. I was spectating from a distance, so not to disturb you..."

"Please, rise. I suspect that you are my second new Guardsmen?"

The man seems to be in his later twenties, and is well built, though not very tall, he is still shoulders higher than me. He has sleek brown hair that he wears in a low rising pony tail, and has a beard upon his chin. He straightens, and begins to walk over with Lance. "Yes, my lady."

"What do they call you?" I ask, as the man hands the cups to Darion and Camisêal, who have taken a place on either side of me.

"Sebastian, lady."

I nod, and allow him to take my hand to kiss my knuckles as Darion did in a greeting. For some reason, my skin crawls at his touch and I have to resist the urge to pull my hand from his.

"Forgive me to question, but why do you need us, my lady? There is so many of us, yet you fight better than most!" Sebastien asks, once he's straightened. The look upon his face is of a very impressed man.

Darion drains his cup in one long drought, and brushes the blonde hair back from his face, only for it to flop back down again.

Camisêal sniffs the contents before deeming it safe, and takes a drink. Apparently he doesn't trust Sebastian as much as Darion, and I take notice, trusting in my Guards opinion.

"My father does not like me sparring, let alone fighting for myself in public." I answer, then gesture down to my clothing. "The king and Queen wish me to act like a lady, but we see how that outcome worked, thanks to this devil." I say, pointing to Lance.

My brother purses his lips, attempting to suppress his proud smile. "Those without swords-"

"Can still die upon them." I finish for him, and he nods once, pleased that I've remembered what he taught me.

His voice takes on a serious note. "But you leave yourself vulnerable when you attack- your step falters to the right. You've not been practicing lately, I see. How is your archery coming, not as rusty, I hope?"

I shake my head. "I haven't had the opportunity to come and practice myself, as I've been under the kings heavy glare since I've returned. I didn't practice much anymore after you left, either."

A silence blankets the room at my defensive tone as we look at each other, and the Guardsmen keeps their gazes averted.

Lance clears his throat awkwardly, glancing away a moment. "Well, do you have the time now?"

I think a moment, of all of the things my parents have given me to do today. None of them are horribly important, mostly etiquette and practice with becoming a princess again, after my little display this afternoon.

I shrug. "I don't care for what I have to do, but I do have to be there. Perhaps tomorrow we can train, I would love to see more of Sebastian and Darion." I say, looking to the men.

They both bow in unison.

"It would be an honor." Darion says, clearly exited for the plans.

I turn to Merlin, who had walked with Jasla to my side from where they were chatting a few feet away.

Merlin is, like most of the Guard, in his twenties, and has black hair and blue-grey eyes. He has a dimple on his chin when he smiles, and carries a glare to his eyes when his face is meant to be emotionless.

Jasla has a mess of thick copper hair, uncustomary for most of the people of Nordic. The majority of them have dark or blonde hair and blue or brown eyes, but more and more people from other groupings have been introducing more genes to the pool.

Syl's hair has a more red tone to it, where as Jasla's is more of a coppery orange. They both have freckles and pale skin, though.

"I should like to be escorted to my chambers. The queen would not appreciate if I showed up in the same clothes as I am now."

-

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Jed's POV

I find the Prince has not yet left the woods for the next town, and I release a sigh when I see the pearl coat of his white Vann Hest through the trees. The trail is wide enough for two horses to walk side by side, but none of the four men behind Sam walk next to him. I am surprised they will stand anywhere near him.

The white beast seems to find this amusing, his neck taking on a predatory arch as he flicks his ears back, flaunting the fear he strikes into the other animals. He grins hideously at our noticing, pulling his top lip up to show a row of razor sharp teeth and stretching his neck out in our direction. A poisonous, abhorrent sound comes from his nostrils, as if calling to Hamais, perhaps taunting him. He blinks his black, shiny fish like eyes and I shiver.

That animal is the devil himself.

I nudge my bay gelding into a slow canter, fighting to keep him from running the opposite way, and we meet the party in the center of the trail.

Sam sees me coming from a while off, and raises an eyebrow, moving his beast off to the far side to let me near. "So you really have decided to come." He says, not sounding surprised.

I keep Hamais a ways away from the white beast, who is eying him up like he would make a handsome meal. We carry on, and I join the group, keeping an eye on the Guards that accompany.

"How far is Hana?" I ask, my eyes never leaving the beast in front of us.

Sam doesn't look at me as he keeps his Vann Hest moving, reins short and taut. "Three days ride. He is being held in Ghána."

I've been to Ghána a few times, it is a small city near Paneis, a more rural town known for their coal. "I know that city well. How did you manage to find out the location?" I ask.

He looks at me slightly over his shoulder. I don't miss the way his spine straightens at the question.
"I oversee the torture of prisoners in my kingdom. I know how to make them speak."
After a moment of awkward silence, Sam speaks again. "Your leader did not give you trouble over this, he will not bother Lyra?"

I shake my head. "He is well with it, he will not pester or harm her, I swear by it. He does not even know the reasons for my leaving." I assure him, keeping my eyes trained on Sam's beast. He is nothing like Lyra's, and it creates a nervousness in me, watching him lick his lips. Sam doesn't seem to have the same connection with his Vann Hest, which greatly unsettles me. I hope he has had a large meal today. Not only this bothers me, but the beast seems to size up the humans as well, not just the horses. Lasreal does not do this, only proving the connection and control she has over him. I've never seen anything like it.

As if this tense, uncomfortable and rather awkward ride could not get any worse, the sky opens up with a splat on my cheek. I turn my face heavenward and see the dark grey clouds that roll in above us, slowly moving to eclipse the sun from view. Any warmth the day had married on its breath before is washed away with the rain as it downpours, soaking me through and through.

I shiver, my breath making pale opaque shapes in front of me, and steal a glimpse at Sam.

His expression never changes, and moved his Vann Hest into a charging canter. It is hard to guess through the fog that slowly slips through the trees to the trail around us and the mist clinging to my view, but it seems as though Sam's face has gotten impossibly more determined.

The strong stench of dead sea animals trails after the white beast, and I cannot be certain if it is my eyes or the poor circumstances, but I swear his enormous hooves never quite touch the ground. I am certain Lasreal never did that, at least not that I've noticed.

There are a hundred incessant taps on the metal covered chests of the men closest to me, and I sigh at my bad luck.

Without a word to one another, the Guards behind and next to me follow him, the sound of our mounts hooves being sucked at by the mud underfoot quickly becomes the only audible thing through the loud hiss of the rain.

I hope that Lyra is fairing well.

-

A/N

Okay, want to know something funny? Of course you do! I've only recently started watching the show Merlin, and when I posted those pictures for models I actually hadn't a clue that they were movie stills from the show! Crazy, right? Any who, I did acquire the names Jensen, Michael, and Castiel from Supernatural, and I shamelessly fangirl super hard over the show. ( #CasGirl ) You guys can already tell that I'm a Lotr nut as well, I'm sure (:

So this chapter took a little while, but I'm trying my best to edit each new chapter before I post it... hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter should be posted within a week or two, and thanks for those random dedications guys! They made my day so thanks so much. Also, to anyone who messages me privately or on my profile, thanks a bunch to you too, it honestly means a lot.

One more thing, thanks so much for stick in with me through the awful grammar and punctuation, I appreciate it.

Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear them.

God bless, lovelies.

-A.