Chapter 3 Water under the bridge

I turn around and walk out the door. I feel his piercing eyes on my back as I walk out to the hallway. I try to catch my breath when I hear footsteps moving towards me.

"How did it go?" I turn to her, a smirk crawling up my lips.

"Oh stop it Madare. I know you saw everything already why bother asking?" she grabs my shoulder softly and pulls me into a hug

"I knew you were a brave one"

"So you do know what happened?" We walk together down the stairs,

"Being a seer has its perks. Sometimes my mind shows me even that which I do not seek to see. It's not my fault, I had to watch over you"

"You know He isn't as scary as everyone makes him out to be"

"That's what he wants you to think dear. Being vulnerable makes your enemy think he is superior. He is trying to seem defenseless. But do not under estimate him."

"He said something about you lying against Kabi?"

"That's a topic for another day child, let us leave here." She walks forward. I have never been one to question Madare. My mother always told me she was the reason we are as strong as we are today. I wonder if that had anything to do with what Cecil mentioned, I mean Mayit. Whichever one he prefers. We start our journey back to our city. The entire time I watch Madare. She's restless, worried, relaxed, and perplexed all at once. Her face gives off the angst she feels. I want to ask. But I've learned the hard way to not give into her thoughts. For as long as I can remember, Madare has been the most faithful member of my Father's court. When she was young, her mother sent her off to the Slumber. A temporary sleep forced upon someone to determine the amount of power they are born with, and if it is enough to gain the gift of magic from our ancestors. Madare passed and was given the gift of seeing, and although it came with a price, it was one she was without question willing to pay. I sometimes ask how she got the powers, but all she says is 'When the ancestors deem your soul clean and fit enough, they share their knowledge of the world with you, they do not give powers, they only open our minds, and they crush that timid mentality that limits us to what we know, and give us the strength to see how powerful we really are'. The last time she told me the story, I began to wonder just what sacrifices she made that we named so daring, and if I too were ever chosen by the ancestors would be able to sacrifice such.

The door to the carriage opens and I catch first sight of my father standing by the threshold. He smiles when he sees me and opens his arms wide.

"I am proud of you Ofure" he says, I turn to Madare,

"Couldn't wait for me to give him the big news myself?" he Pulls me into a hug and rubs my hair down,

"Don't attack Madare, I was the one who asked her to show me everything." I let go off him and smile,

"I missed you Baba"

"I missed you too my child" he holds my hands firmly as we walk into our home. "How was the meeting with the chiefs?" He sighs, "Same old, same old, those old wolves cannot see what's right in front of them. They want only to conquer more and more lands each day. They plan to extend the Colony to the outer Southern shores"

"And how do they plan to equally divide the land to all towns if said extension works?" He laughs,

"You see, this is why I have been asking you to join me one of these days at the meeting" "You know it's a chief only business"

"You could always just watch" he persists, "You know one day you're going to take over all this, someday"

"I know Baba, but after the thrill of today, I think for now I'm fine doing the side travels of your missions" he laughs

"I am very impressed. For your first assignment, you handled it wonderfully. "Your training paid off"

"How was Cecil?" I stop by the table covered in a large feast. I take two glass and pour some wine, handing baba the second glass. "He's not as frightful as everyone says. He is weak, although he tries not to be, firm in his decisions. Noble, hardly smiles, and has devotion in doing what he believes in. I admire that. He is also scared of losing everything. He fears for his thrown, his crown, his power, his town, his wealth, he fears for his father. He would do anything to repair the damage already there. Which is why I know we would be hearing from him in the next three days"

"I completely agree daughter" he says clinging his glass to mine in a soft manner. "When does mother return?" "In a day's time. She will be most proud of you"

Later that night, I take my horse to the stables. For some fresh air, and a conversation that doesn't involve politics. "I didn't think you would show up today, considering your big win"

I roll my eyes softly, getting off the horse. "I'm beginning to wonder who has a bigger mouth, Madare, or my father" his laugh comes out gravely yet smooth. He sounds tired. I watch as he emerges from the shadows, completely taking my breath away. He's wearing his training outfit, his shirt loosely hanging from his chest, easily removable, he watches me watch him and smiles.

"Are you okay?" I roll my eyes once more. "Shut your mouth Ola!" I walk towards him, gaining my strength from his soft chuckle.

"I think I should be the only aggressive one here considering the fact that you just openly assaulted me with your eyes"

"Me? Assault? You must be seeing things." He places his work bag and other things on the small desk and walks over to me. I get a whiff of his fresh scent before he hugs me.

His hug is even better

"I'm happy for you. And also relived he didn't hurt you. Wouldn't want to impose war on them for hurting my lady" my heart flutters. "Oh, so I'm your lady now?" He pulls me toward his desk,

"You have always been my lady, but alas you would never accept a commoner like me." I shove his shoulder lightly,

"Stop it"

He raises his hands in surrender,

"Apologies princess, I meant no harm"

"Yes you did"

"So how did it feel meeting the great Master Cecil?"

I slouch on his desk as he fishes out a bottle of wine and two cups from his drawer

"I would tell you one thing, the stories highly over estimate him." He hands me the small cup,

"So I take it that he's not some fearful, arrogant, spoilt, brute?"

"Oh no he is. He is quite fearful, but I think we established the fact that I'm not scared of him, his arrogance is exhausting, he behaves like he owns the world. Spoilt? I would say not. He actually looks like he's seen war more times than once"

"So you liked him?" I turn to him shaking my head,

"no, I tolerated him because I had to, I mean he stood defenseless for nearly 20 minutes in that room with me, at any point in time I could have attacked him"

"But you didn't?"

"Cause I had no use for him"

"Yet the entire fate of you family's big come back plan rests on the decision of him and his father"

"exactly"