The Battle of Seas was one of the biggest battles between humans and water folk. The humans set to sail hundreds of warships from the coastal city of Tolro. Five miles from the coast, the Water folk attacked. The sirens sang in unison. A spectacular chorus of hauntingly beautiful singing enchanted hundreds of sailors. The ear defenders that were worn, did not do much do block out the chorus of over a thousand Sirens. Whilst the Sirens enchanted and distracted, the Mer made work on the wooden ships. Transforming into their beastly, hunting appearance, the Mer ripped and tore the ships apart within the water.

There were plenty of Water folk casualties too. Ships were armed with underwater weapons that would fire spears through the water. Nets were trawled through the waves, scooping up sirens and Mer alike, ready to take them back to land and be sold.

The waves on lapping against the beaches of Tolro were red with blood that day.

Three Years Ago

I wake up with heavy eyes and my back both stinging and aching at the same time. I let out a groan and force myself up off my front.

"Illyana," Fallon says and she rushes over to me so she can help me up.

"How long have I been out?" I ask groggily, feeling disorientated. I rub my eyes before running a hand through my tangled and greasy hair.

"Just over a day," Fallon replies and hands me some water to drink. I lap it up thirstily, my throat dry and a funny taste in my mouth. A frown crosses my face.

"Was the Solavar here?" I ask, memories of what happened a blur. She nods her head.

"Yeah, the pup lead him right to you," she says and I frown.

"How did you find out?" I ask.

"Sir Jago told me father had taken you," she sighs. I close my eyes and nod my head before drinking again.

Fallon helps me stand up and I go to my mirror. She removes my bloody bandages which stick to my skin slightly. I gasp when I see my back. Deep red gashes line my skin. Overlapping the previous scars and still slightly bleeding. I feel my eyes sting as I reach a shaky hand round to touch the top of one of the lines. The scars from the punishments before have never been very visible. Father has never done it hard enough to leave as much of a mark. But that night... I gulp.

"He's never done it like that before," I tell Fallon. She looks at me and lightly touches my shoulder. "He was almost in a frenzy," I gulp.

"I'm sorry Illyana. I didn't help the situation. If I hadn't have messed around and pushed earlier in the day he wouldn't have been so worked up," she gulps and I can see her eyes go glassy with tears.

"Oh, Fallon," I say with a soft smile on my face as I go an hug her. "None of this is your fault. I give him just as much attitude as you. Plus, I was the one who got court holding the hand of our enemy," I tell her. She nods her head and I give her a kiss on the forehead.

"We had best get this wrapped," I sigh. She cleans it off again before wrapping a white cloth tightly around my back and torso. Every touch or movement that involves my back moving has me wincing and sharp tears stinging my eyes. 

"We have training this morning," Fallon tells me. I let out a defeated sigh, my shoulders slumping.

"Really?" I ask. She nods her head and together, we manage to dress me in my training uniform.

"I think he wants to show the Lupine what we can do," she sighs. "Plus, I think he wants the Solavar to see you suffer. A warning to stay away." I gulp and nod my head. "Come on, it's time to go," she sighs and takes my hand.

We walk slowly to the training fields. Already there are my sisters and some of the Red Guard. Councilman Drake is wearing a similar training uniform as us. He, however, wears a red cloak attached to his shoulders by silver pins. He is training us today.

Great.

The Lupine are here also, watching. I look over to the Solavar. There is a frown on his face as he sees me.

"Good morning, princesses," Councilman Drake says. "It is nice of you to finally join us," he sneers. Fallon glares at him and he looks away. We go and stand next to our sisters in line whilst he addresses us.

"Today, I will be testing your abilities in hand to hand combat. It will be a trial going through several rounds. Starting with competing with each other before the winners move onto one opponent of the Red Guard." He gestures to a servant to get our head guards. I put the padded helmet over my head. I am then given something to protect my teeth along with gloves for my hands. Finally, we are given a hard corset type thing to go around our stomachs. If someone hits it, it will still hurt. However, it does better protect our internal organs. These precautions do hinder our abilities and get in the way. That is why Fallon and I don't use them. But, the princesses can't look battered and bruised. Even though there is still a split in my lip from Fallon the other day as well as a bruise on my cheek. Though Fallon also has a black eye and a cut on the bridge of her nose, meaning I'm not the only one. Still, I must look a wreck. Though at least no one can see my back.

"First round," the Councilman says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Princess Shaelyn against Princess Rayana. Princess Cordelia against Princess Illyana. The winner of each round will go against each other. The winner of that round will compete against Princess Fallon. The losers of each round will match against one of my soldiers as both a punishment for losing and also a lesson in how to improve." I look over to Cordelia. She has a determined expression on her face and I know I will not be getting any sympathy from her. Not that she knows what state I am in. Cordelia has always wanted to impress in everything. With the audience we have to do, I have no doubt in my mind that she is aiming high.

"The rules are simple. No breaking each other's bones or leaving permanent damage. You must show the skills of self-restraint. No yielding. Winners will only win if their opponent cannot fight anymore."

"Then how do we fight the next opponent?" Fallon asks. "If we can't fight anymore?" He glares at her.

"That is all part of the training," he says. "It is training endurance to start with. It is also training you to fight and defend yourself even if you are physically and mentally broken. We are trying to give you the best support and teachings as we can to ensure that you make it through the Queen's Trial with skill and integrity," he tells us and I let out a low sigh. "There will be times where you may feel broken but you have to have the mental strength to continue to push and fight for your life or the life of someone you love." Fallon looks at me and rolls her eyes.

"First, Princess Illyana and Princess Cordelia!" he calls. I groan and step forward slowly. Walking to the ring, I try and get my body to wake up a little more. It doesn't work. I am still in pain and everything aches. I am getting a beating today.

"Begin!" The councilman says before even giving me a chance to get into a starting position. Cordelia is on me in an instant and I can barely block. She knocks me back and I stumble, though stay on my feet. She charges me again, but this time I can block and I duck away from her attack. I attack whilst her defences are down, landing a kick against the pad around her stomach. She recovers quickly and retaliates, her elbow slamming into the side of my face. Even with the handguard in place, I still feel a lot of the blow and I am momentarily disorientated. I try and attack and throw off her momentum before she can land another blow. This backfires majorly as she twists around me and kicks me in the back. Hard and right between my shoulder blades. Pain explodes through my body and I let out a scream before I can stop myself. My body lands on the floor with a heavy thud and tears sting my eyes as waves of heavy, throbbing pain ripples through my body. 

"Fucking hell, Illyana!" Cordelia mutters. "Why didn't you tell me," she says with a snarl. I can't answer, I am just holding back tears. She reaches down and grabs my hand, helping me up.

"Princess Illyana!" the Councilman shouts. "I know you can do better than that! The fight is not over. Stop being pathetic and get on with it," he demands. I groan and look at Cordelia. I feel so weak. She sighs.

"I am the clear winner," she replies. "I am not wasting my time fighting someone who can't be bothered," she says. The councilman raises an eyebrow and a sneer crosses his face.

"Continue the fight," he orders.

"No," Cordelia replies and we walk over to our sisters. He shakes his head.

"Very well," Councilman Drake replies. "If you can't be bothered to fight your sister, Princess Illyana, then you shall fight against my son." My heart sinks as Kristoff smiles arrogantly. "Now."

"At least let her have a break first," Fallon says. The Councilman looks at me with an arrogant grin.

"No." I realise he must know the state I am in and what my father did me last night. This is retaliation. They are trying to humiliate me in front of the Lupine because of how I humiliated my father. They want me to look weak, lazy and pathetic.

"Princess, step into the ring," he orders. I gulp and my hands shake as I watch Kristoff walk confidently to the ring. I follow him and try and keep my head up.

"Begin!" the councilman shouts, again before I have a chance to even prepare. Kristoff is on me in a second and I can't defend myself at all. His boot lands heavily against my stomach and I go flying and land right on my back. I let out another sound, a mix between a scream and a sob as pain explodes through me. It has my body going weak and shaky. Kristoff steps back and watches me with a cruel grin as I stand slowly. He stays in his place, watching me with an arrogant, confident smile. He is taunting me. Just as I stand and find my balance, he attacks again. He isn't even trying. His fist slams into my face and I fall to the floor. The head guard flies off with the force and I am left dizzy. A groan leaves my mouth as I again try and stand.

"Come on, princess. I know you can do better than that," he grins. I snarl at him. He laughs. Gritting my teeth in determination, I attack. A scream exits my mouth. I don't know what fuels it. Rage, pain and determination. My mind goes blank of any sort of tactics or skill. My body rams into his with all the force I can muster. My shoulder slams into his stomach and I continue to push. I hear the wind being knocked out of him as my arms wrap around his back and I lift slightly. His legs leave the floor and I continue with my momentum. He lands heavily on his back and I fall on top of him. Quickly, I am able to recover and slam my fist into his face twice. A rage-filled growl leaves his mouth and the back of his hand slams across my face. Another little scream leaves my mouth as I role off him. Quickly he stands, towering above me. I have broken his nose and blood is pouring down his face.

"You little bitch," he snarls as he wipes it away with his sleeve.

"You didn't expect me just to roll over and show you my belly," I growl back. He grins.

"I thought your father might have finally whipped some sense into you," he chuckles. "But I guess that didn't work, so I'll just beat it into you instead." I am not able to defend myself as his foot slams into my stomach. The wind leaves me and I gasp for breath. He does it again and a groan leaves my mouth. He goes to kick again, but I grab his ankle before he can hit me and pull with my remaining strength. There is a thump as he lands on his back. I try and role over to him, but he is on me in a second. His heavy body pins me to the ground, leaving me struggling and unable to move. All I can see is his grimacing, smiling face before his fist appears. 

I feel the bones in my nose crunch as it pounds into my face. I don't know how much strength he is using, but it is enough to make my head spin. Again, he slams his fist into my face. Blood fills my mouth and I just feel pain. When I am able to open my eyes, most of what I can see is blood as it fills my eyes. My breathing is difficult the longer he presses against my chest. His hands wrap around my throat and I can't breath at all. My body clenches and spasams, my eyes popping out of my head. Burning fills my lungs and I start shaking completly. My hands claw at his. All I can see is his wicked grin, spit flying from his mouth. Black spots appear in my vision and I start light headed.

I think I am about to die.

Suddenly, Kristoff is thrown off me. I open my eyes to see the Solavar standing over him.

"What are you doing?" I hear Councilman Drake shout.

"I am stopping my Princess from being killed," he replies with an angry shout. "Is this how you treat our future?" he calls. Crouching down, his face appears in my vision. He mutters in his language before I feel myself being picked up.

My body is limp and I can't move. I can hear people crowed around us. Fallon especially. I think she had been shouting the whole time.

"Let go of me, Cordelia!" she is screaming. "You fucking coward!" she screeches and I see Kristoff rushing away. "I'll fucking get you! There is nowhere in this fucking city where you can hide you disgusting, pathetic piece of shit!"

"It is okay, Solavar." It is Emlyn I hear. "I can take her from here. My father is the castle healer. She will be well looked after," he replies. I am passed over to Emlyn and the sounds of the battlefield disappear.

For the second time, I wake up groggy and aching. Emlyn's father stands above me.

"Ah, princess," he says as he wipes a cool cloth against my face. I groan and sit up, feeling oddly pain-free. He must see the frown on my face. "Your father dropped me off a special gift after he heard about what happened," he tells me and lifts up a small, now empty, glass vile. My eyes widen.

"Was that?" I ask, trailing off.

"Siren's tear," he sighs. "It fixed you up pretty well," he replies and I go to stand. I can still feel a little twang in my back. He holds up a mirror.

My face is cut, bruise and damage-free. My eyes widen.

"Wow," I reply.

"It has healed almost all of your wounds. Even your nose has reset. Unfortunately..." he pauses.

"What?" I ask. He sighs.

"Your back is still...fucked to put it blankly."

"Oh," I reply as the ache begins again.

"Come on, let me see it," he orders. I turn around and pull down the robe. Emlyn's father has been a close friend of mine for a long time. I trust him and soon, he will be on the council.

"The King really did a number on you," he sighs and I feel the damp cloth. "There was only one drop in that vile and it managed to fix all your majorr injuries from the fight. There wasn't enough to deal with this completely though. It is better than it was. I can't decide if it looks worse than before though."

"Let me see," I whisper. He goes to the corner of the room and pulls a cloth off a mirror. I stand slowly and turn to look at my back. My eyes widen. The multiple red lines crossing along my back are now scabbed. Massive bruises surround the wounds. Patches of yellowish browns skin which are sore.

"We'll keep it unwrapped for now," he tells me. "Let it try and heal on its own. The tear has done most of the work. Now it is just a waiting game." I don't say anything as I pull the robe back up and sit down. "I have told the King you aren't to train for two weeks. Whether he will listen or not, I don't know," he shrugs.

"Probably not," I reply.

"You were lucky your father had a tear, Princess," he warns. "If he didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now," his says as his expression darkens.

"What was Kristoff's damage?" I ask.

"Broken ribs, broken nose,  jaw, collar bone and internal bleeding just to name some of the few. Not to mention your neck..." he finishes, licking his lips. I gulp and shudder, remembering the feel of his hands around my throat. "That man is an animal," he snarls. I nod my head in agreement.

"Thank you," I say and kiss him on the cheek. "For helping me," I tell him. He lets out a hearty chuckle.

"Well, it is the least I could do after what you did for me. Getting me on the council..." he shakes his head.

"You were chosen?" I ask as a smile crosses my face. He nods his head.

"You are speaking to the new Councilman of Medicine and Healing," he beams. I nod my head. 

"Good," I say and turn to go.

"One more thing, princess." I look over to him. "Your father has requested you find him once you are up." I close my eyes and slowly nod my head.

"Okay," I whisper then clear my throat. "Thank you again, for helping me." He smiles and nods his head.

"Be careful," he warns.

"Always," I smile.

I knock on the door to my father's room.

"Come in," his voice says inside. Slowly, I open the door. He sits at his desk and is quickly putting away what looks like a little black book. He covers the papers on the disk with other books before turning to look at me.

"Take a seat," he says and I walk over to his bed and sit down. He comes and sits next to me. We don't touch. We don't even speak. Both of us just look down at our hands awkwardly. He clears his throat.

"I am sorry, for how far things went," he begins. I turn to look at him with a confused frown. "You must understand, Illyana, that with all my councilmen watching along with the nobles, I need to make sure you know your place. The only way to be able to do that with you is through punishment. That being said, Kristoff took it too far and he has been disciplined."

"How?" I ask. My father looks away and muters the next words under his breath and I can't decide if he is ashamed or amused by what he has done.

"I told Fallon where he was hiding..."

I let out a little shocked snort of laughter and shake my head.

"Has he been seen since?" I ask. He smiles softly.

"Yes, but with some fresh new bruises." I laugh properly this time and even my father smiles.

"Sometimes, Councilman Drake likes to take things into his own hands without consulting me first. Yesterday was one of those times. He manipulated so many of my instructions," he sighs and shakes his head. "The council..." he almost growls. "They are more disobedient and scheming than you and your sisters," he snarls.

"What are you going to do about it?" I ask softly. He looks at me with a cruel grin.

"Councilman Drake..." he begins before pausing. "Has always struggled with knowing his place. Much like you," he frowns. "But, it is more dangerous when he acts against me. It makes me angrier than when you do it," he chuckles. I let out a laugh too.

"Wow, must be bad then," I grin. "You did this to me," I say gesturing to my back, "when I went against you. What are you going to do him?" I ask. He looks at my back and a look of shame crosses his face.

"I am sorry, Illyana," he tells me. "I should not have done that." My mouth dries and I bite my lip nervously. I don't say anything. I see his hand reach around to his back and gently rub it. My heart beats a little faster as a question pops into my head. I am not sure whether to ask it or not. Clearing my throat, I decide to.

"Is that how Grandfather..." I can't finish the sentence. Father looks at me with an expression I can't read. He doesn't answer the question.

"I have already shown the Councilman he is not invincible by giving his son to Fallon," he begins. "I have also disregarded his opinion in the choice for the new Councilman position. I have given it to Emlyn's father instead of his choice. I need something more though. Something that would better put him in his place..."

A sadistic grin crosses my face.

"Humiliate him," I begin. My father raises an eyebrow.

"How would you suggest I do that?" he asks.

"He is the Councilman of Military. He claims he is one of the best warriors in Vivelle. The Red Guard are his most elite soldiers. Trained by him, they are undefeated."

"Illyana?" my father asks, wanting me to get to my point.

"We literally have a race of brutal warriors staying here in the castle. Set up a competition with the same rules as mine. This time, Red Guard against the Lupine warriors and he has to participate. They will put up a good fight," I say. "But I do not think they will win. In fact, I think the Solavar will almost kill him," I shrug. My father grins.

"I like that," he says and nods his head. "We can play it off as just a bit of sport between us. A way for everyone to let off steam after heated negotiation talks. We'll have Kristoff participate too. When they lose, I will humiliate him further in front of court." My father has the same sadistic grin I wore. He nods his head. His expression darkens and he looks at me with a sigh.

"That is another thing I wanted to talk to you about..." he begins. I frown. "The Solavar." My heart races in my chest and I feel my mouth dry with nerves. "It would appear that in your few meetings, the Solavar looks rather... fondly upon you," he spits with disgust. I raise an eyebrow.

"I am his princess, nothing more," I tell him.

"That may be so, but we all saw the way he rushed in to help you."

"Again, I am his princess. He was doing his duty and probably trying to get into your good books."

"I want you to get closer to him."

I freeze.

Silence fills the room for a few awkward seconds before finally I stand up and glare at him.

"No. Fucking. Way," I snarl. 

"Illyana, watch your mouth." I feel tears stinging my eyes.

"You did this!" I point at my back. "To me because you were paranoid that I was too close to him! You mutilated me!" I scream and begin to pace the room before stopping to glare at him again. "And after all of that, you actually want me to do what you punished me for doing?" I shake my head and go to storm out of the room.

"Illyana! Sit back down!" he shouts. I turn to look at him slowly. Doing as he says, I walk back to the bed and sit. My hands shake with rage.

"I apologised," he says.

"That doesn't make it okay..." I snarl.

"No, I know," he growls but grabs my shoulders. "But if you can get closer to him and soften him up a little..." He shakes his head. "Perhaps that stubborn savage fuck will be easier to negotiate with. Perhaps, we can have peace with the Lupine." I look away from him, my body still shaking with rage. "It is for Vivelle." I don't say anything. "You're going to have to make sacrifices, Illyana. We all have had to. This is one of them and it isn't a request." I force back tears and stand slowly.

"Yes father," I say in a whisper, before looking at him. "I am tired," I tell him. "I am going back to bed." He nods his head and walks back over to his desk.

"Goodnight. I expect you to start your task tomorrow. If you can find out any useful information, tell me." I go to leave and as I am halfway out the door he calls my name. I turn and look at him.

"I want you to get close to him. But don't fuck him. As is in the Queen's Trial contract, you are to be pure for the new King should you win." I grit my teeth and glare at him.

"You want me to get close to him..." I begin, "then I'm doing it my way." I warn.

"Illyana," he almost growls.

"For fuck sake, dad," I say to him, "I won't survive the Queen's Trial!" He freezes and goes pale, his eyes gazing into mine and going glassy.

"You don't know that," he whispers, "you may succeed," he continues, his voice shaking. I scoff.

"Do you really think I'm going to let myself live when it could be one of my sisters?" I ask him. His lips quiver and he gulps. "So it doesn't really matter if I'm pure," I spit the word, "for a husband that I'm not going to marry. Does it?" He licks his dry lips and stands up slowly, looking back up at me. We fall into an awkward silence.

"You can't throw the trial," he finally says, his voice sounding weak.

"You can't stop me," I growl back. His jaw clenches and his hands ball into fists.

"Gods, why do you have to be so..." he begins, "good?" he asks, shaking his head. I frown, taken aback by his wording. A long sigh leaves his mouth. "Fine," he finally says, not looking at me, "have your fun with the Solavar," he continues, his voice sounding defeated. My eyes widen in surprise. "Just... make sure you aren't caught. If the council find out..." he shakes his head. I can't even say anything. I hadn't even meant it. I had just said it to piss him off. He turns and looks at me. We fall into silence again. "I'm not a complete monster all the time," he finally tells me. I gulp. Is he trying some sort of reverse trick? I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. He laughs. "Just get me the results I want," he tells me and walks closer. "And..." he continues, "don't get caught." I open and close my mouth a few times, not sure what to say. Finally, I manage to speak.

"Wait, are you trying to whore me out?" I ask, my voice joking. He laughs and shakes his head.

"For goodness sake woman," he says, "just make up your mind..." he grumbles. I laugh and he tries to hold back his smile. "Go on, get out of here," he sighs and gives me a joking boot in the bottom. I laugh again and he does too. "Illyana," he says as I start to walk out of his room. His mouth opens and closes a few times and he gulps, not looking at me. I freeze, seeing tears form in his eyes and his hands shake. "I really am so sorry," he gulps. "I..." he mutters, licking his lips, "in answer to your question earlier..." he begins, "yes," his voice is a whisper. "That is what my father used to do to me... among other things... I don't expect you to understand." He shakes his head. "You shouldn't have to understand," he spits more to himself. My chest just feels heavy as I look into his reddening eyes. I move forward and gently wrap my arms around him. He doesn't move at first. Then, he puts his arms around me. Not touching my back though. His hands instead pressing against my head as he holds me close to his body. My head leaning against his chest. I can't help the tears stinging my own eyes as he leans down and kisses my forehead before resting his cheek on the top of my head. "I'm sorry," he says again.

"Thank you," I gulp, "for your apology," I continue. I can't tell him I forgive him. I can't forgive him for what he did to me and he doesn't ask for it. But, I can understand it. Father doesn't talk much about his childhood, but I know my grandfather. I know he is a cruel manipulator. Deep down, I know that my father still carries the trauma of his childhood. I close my eyes and hold him a little tighter. Wanting to be with my father like this for just a little bit longer. To actually feel like he loves me. To feel that warmth and safety a father should exude. After a few moments, he lets me go. Without saying anything, he lightly pushes me out of his room and closes the door. I stay stood there for a few moments, my body shaking. Silent tears falling down my cheeks. My body jumps as I hear a smashing coming from his room and then a shout. However, I know he needs to be on his own. So I turn and walk back to my own room. My thoughts twisting and chaotic as I try to process everything that just happened.