Natalie POV

I walked down the corridor with my hands balled up into fists mumbling every curse in Harom's dictionary. Words cannot describe how scared I was, but that fear turned to anger, as it always did. I quickened my pace, prepared to return back to my home.

"Hey you there!" a man called as a figure appeared from behind me."you do not seem of high status, so why by Fina's petals are you in this wing? Rat." a venom filled voice questioned. I stopped in my tracks and my eyebrow twitched. I was in no mood to put up with some noble man with a stick up his ass. Unfortunately I new what my outcome would be if I spoke out of line.

Reluctantly, I turned around and offered a bow. And did my best to simmer down before I said anything I'd regret.

"Sir. I am from Commander Rockus's wing. He took me to his office and now I'm returning to the gates." the man inched closer. He had pale blonde hair and green eyes. Something all too familiar to me, I pushed those haunting memories thinking that it wasn't possible.

"Is that so?" I only nodded since I didnt trust my self to keep all of my insults to mental. I also didn't want him to see my face. "Your story seems surreal let's see if it matches up to Rockus. Shall we?" he said grabbing my wrist and dragging me down the hall.

"H-hey what are you doing!? Release me!" I protested but his grip was too strong. When I realized I couldnt pry is bony fingers off of my arm I dug my boots into the marble floors. "I said let go!" I yelled, making sure I was able to keep my voice from wavering.

Thats when commander Rockus came out to see what all the commotion was. "What in Harom's name is going on!" he bellowed.

"I found this guard far from his post! Thought he'd be trying to steal from the palace. Not to mention he had recited the dictionary of Harom's curses about you. Is he yours? If not I'll just throw him in the dungeon now and it'll all be done and over with." his tone was emotionless.

"My lord, please. What the lad says is true. He is one of my men, however I do not blame him for his insults. I was insensitive during private matters. You may let him go." he placed his foot out then pushed me down making sure I'd trip and fall. Rockus, being in his better mood dropped to my aide. Lord Bremerton however left without looking back.

"Jack ass." I said wiping the blood from my busted lip.

"I'm sorry bout that lad. Alots happened today, would you like me to walk you to the gates?" he tried being kind however I took it as an insult. I stood up ignoring his hand. He was a complicated man at that, he'd run you ragged if you're late but if you had the smallest wound or illness he would help immidetly. There's a good balance between discipline and commodity when it comes to being a soldier. He had found the perfect point.

"No. But before I leave the palace, I would like to see lieutenant Ferguson."

"Very well. He should be in the training yards about now." He said running a hand through his red mane.

"Thank you." I paused, taking in the perfect opportunity to sneak in a well deserved insult for earlier. "Y'know you're really not as bad as the soldiers say you are." I innocently smiled up at him.

"W-wait what do the soldiers say about me in the morning?!" He fumed as I started to run off. I laughed to myself down the hall a bit, once I was sure I was out of sight I immidetly started to walk instead. Until I bumped into Audrey who had undoubtedly heard the whole ordeal.

"What happened?" He whisper screamed. "Youre not in trouble, are you?" He asked with a knitted brow.

My voice hitched as I tried to actually process what had actually happened. That lord had given me an uneasy feeling in my stomach. If he was really who I thought he could be....

"We need to talk. Tomorrow." I said and walked off with out waiting for his response.

The clock tower rang again, the sun just started to set by the time I actually made it to the training grounds. However it was empty. I was told that Ferguson would be here so I decided to lean up against a marble pillar and dug my foot into the ground, impatiently waiting.

My thoughts swirled about today. And what I was going to do if my theory was correct, that is until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey kiddo!" I jumped to see Ferguson standing behind me with a wooden practice sword. "It's only me. Commander told me you need to burn off some steam." He offered a smile as he readjusted the small rectangular glasses he wore that reflected the light from the lanterns.

"Aye, indeed I do. That is if you don't mind."

"Of course! I'd love to see how my student has progressed since the last time we've sparred."

"We only sparred a week ago-"

"Uh uh uh." he cut off wagging a finger in my face like a nagging mother."Plenty can change with in a short amount of time."

"How so?" I got up and walked to the rack for a sword.

"For instance, I've changed to an engaged man last week."

I nearly tripped and looked up at him to see he wasn't joking. "No way you're kidding me! I never took you for a man of that sort! I always and just went to the common brothel every now and then." I said shocked.

"How rude! And here I was thinking of inviting you to the wedding. You look pretty enough I thought you could be the flower girl." He jested but I stiffened at the mention.

"Oh har har. I'm pretty sure I'm no lady. I don't wear skirts I wear a sword at my hip if that helps clarifies." I tried to play it off, but I felt a pang it my gut. There's no way he could actually know, could he?

"Alright. But I'd still like you to come."

"Oh. Darn." I slapped my knee "sorry bud I can't go." I said trying to think of some lazy excuse to use.

"I didn't even tell you when it was." he protested.

"Unless you really want me to come wearing my uniform then so be it. This is the most dressed up you'll ever see me."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you may. Now are we sparring or no?"

We walked to the open tile area and crossed swords.

"Hee, foi ,ime!" he counted us off and just like that our blades crashed. I made a lunge for him while I dodged several of his swipes. Finally I jumped back. He faked left, then right. We circled each other and mirrored each others moves. Again and again we took turns being as offensive as we could. My muscles ached in protest but I kept going. Beads of sweat ran down our faces as the sky grew darker and the lanters grew brighter. Our movements repeated in an unpredictable pattern until we both attacked at the same time and each sword shattered. He held his up eye level to see the splinters.

"Well that didn't work out so

well." I said as I tried to catch my breath.

"Very well done." He complemented, "So?. What's got you all worked up?"

"Nothing." I said, tossing the useless wood onto the ground.

"Oh?" he pondered for a second. "Obviosuly it's something? I know you're short tempered and all but 'nothing' would piss you off this much." Ferguson reasoned as he picked up the splintered pieces of wood.

"Its nothing important." I said as I sat down on one of the railings.

"Oh come on now, don't be like that. I know you're usually closed off but you can atleast give me some context!" He said with an overly dramatic expression.

"And why should I?" I side eyed him as I watxged him try to find a place to dispose of the broken swords. Until he finally gave up and just dropped them in an empty barrel.

"You refuse to come to my wedding, the least you can do is tell me what's up."

"It really is nothing, just got into a bit of a... Run in? With a lord who doesn't know the difference between his ass and his mouth." I said, his expression changed from playful to serious as he sat down next to me, resting his elbows on his knees with clasped hands. I mimicked his movement a bit as he slouched forward a little more.

"You didn't instigate anything, did you?" He said in a worried tone.

"No, I did not."

"Good, I know that mouth of yours can be unfiltered."

"So I've been told." I smiled, I desperately wanted to change the mood. The drab vibe was palpable at this point.

"Anyways, where's that idiot, Cole?"

He tapped a finger on his bottom freshly shaven chin and looked up as though thinking." visiting the common brothel I believe you put it." I gave a light laugh.

"Sounds like him."

"Agreed. Anyway, the first day of fall." he said.

"Huh?"

"The wedding. Will you come?"

"Well, we'll see." I said.

Mathis Ferguson, twenty three years old. Tall and well built, black hair with golden brown eyes hidden behind rectangular cut glasses with thin frames. He had a sharp chin and long nose. Pretty handsome. But more like a brother to me as well as Cole was. Those two dimwitts are the ones who trained me when I first arrived here a few years ago.

"Hey...."

"Yeah?" I asked leaning my head back on a column.

"I would like to visit your family." The second he said that my blood turned to ice.