The Promised Princess

Chapter Fourteen: Oh Shut Up

We left for Vartsra a few hours ago. As we walked he explained to me what it was like. How the family of royals were, but nothing about who we were meeting with. We walked along side Kevin on the dirt road that never seems to want to end. We were walking past a large mountain, you could see snow at the tops of it. Yet it was warm where we stood.

"Asher?" I asked for the millionth time.

"Let's play a game." He snapped in frustration. "The first one to talk loses."

I closed my mouth wanting desperately to win when it dawned on. He just wanted me to stop talking. I opened my mouth but he raised his finger covering my mouth with it and shaking his head. I kicked dirt at him, earning almost double that amount sent back at me.

"I have a question." I muttered.

"Couldn't even last a minute." He sighed shaking his head. "Spit it out."

"C-can you teach me how to fight?" I waited for him to laugh but I was met with intrigued eyes instead. His eyes seemed to be dancing with questions of his own.

"I-I don't want to rely on my magic for everything. T-t-they had ways to take it away and I was defenseless. I don't want to feel like that again." I muttered ashamed, recalling the fight where Soren was able to hit and pierce me and there was little to nothing I could do about it.

"Of course little Queen." He spoke looking ahead.

"We will start now." He told me. I gave him a puzzled look. "Have you had any training in any form of combat? Not involving your abilities?"

I just shook my head frowning.

"How have you survived this long? You've never had to use a weapon before?" He asked shaking his head.

"I wasn't allowed to leave." I whispered.

He didn't seem to follow but I didn't want to talk about it.

"We are going to start at the basics. Your brain and mouth can be the biggest weapons on you at times." He spoke, flipping a recently polished blade in his hand.

"You never tell anyone your real name, your real story, nothing. Do you understand? You make it up until you know you can trust them and even then it may not be worth it." I gave him a confused look hoping he would continue.

"Protecting your identity, can protect any little bit of peace you can have left. It also takes a huge target off of your head. No one besides a select few know what my face looks like." He did always have a hood and mask on, except for that one day when he found me when I had set the man on fire.

"Come up with a name. Now." He snapped, focusing his attention ahead of us.

"Rose." He tensed at the name but I decided not to say anything.

"Again."

"Amorah." I whispered.

"No." He snapped looking down at me, his red eyes piercing through my soul. "Never someone you know. It will raise suspicions and make them question you."

"Again."

"Myra." I spoke softly. Recalling the characters from the many books I enjoyed reading at home. I frowned knowing none of them likely survived what happened. Survived me.

He had me name at least twenty different names before he was satisfied. We continued walking for several more hours when something in the distance caught my eye. I saw dragons flying high above us. Roaring as smoke filled the air far above us around the tall and daunting mountains.

"Welcome to Vartsra." He whispered.

"These people can be trusted. They are a little intense but I've known them a while." He spoke pulling his hood further down his face.

"Asher." I whispered looking up at him. His eyes immediately locked onto mine. "Thank you."

He gave me a subtle nod in return as we continued our walk towards the large stone gates that were surrounded by cages filled with fire.

We made it to the front gates when the large stone doors creaked open allowing enough space for us to enter. We walked through keeping Kevin along side us. Immediately someone walked up to us and took the reins from Asher. I was ready to yell, but Asher gripped my arm firmly.

"Let them. We will get him before we leave." He ordered. I gave him a look and we continued walking. This kingdom was so different than what I expected. There were houses made of stone lining along the perimeter of the walls. There were so many markets outside, children running around screaming and giggling happily as they chased each other. I couldn't help but let the smile take over my face. Was this what The Grey Isles were like before everything?

It just felt peaceful, calm and safe here.

We weaved through the various markets ignoring the looks we were receiving.

"Why do they keep looking?" I whispered to him.

"Either cause of me or cause you look like a rutting mess." He cursed. I playfully shoved him and winced when the shackles dug into my skin.

"You deserved that." He chuckled lowly. This time I just stuck my tongue out at him, earning a raised brow in return.

"How long are we going to stay here?" I asked him as we continued walking up the stone pathway, this place just needed color. Everything was grey.

"As long as they allow us." He spoke not taking his eyes off of the road ahead of us. His arms always hanging loosely next to the daggers concealed in his sides.

A few moments passed before we reached a palace made out of stone. I felt my jaw drop in awe of the intricately carved palace.

"This place is beautiful." I muttered.

"Just wait until you see it at night." I looked at him knowing beneath his mask he was smirking at me.

We reached the palace that was surprisingly not lined with guards like I had seen from my cell.

"They are lethal. Which is why you are to only use your fire manipulation. They can be trusted but they are allied with Meselaria and it's not worth the risk." He told me noticing my confusion. I frowned at the thought of using only my most uncontrollable powers.

"Lethal enough to not need protection ever?" I whispered. He nodded in response as we walked through the palaces doors.

I barely had time to react when a girl a little taller than me ran, leaping into Asher's arms. Her dark brown hair was braided on both sides of her face. Her red and black dress was revealing but fit her perfectly. This girl was stunning. A part of my brain hummed at the sight of her but I quickly shoved it away, not understanding the feeling.