“Do you think people can change? People assume you are absolutely evil, but they aren’t.”
Mai took notes of her sister’s form as Em lined up her first dagger.
“I suppose that could happen. And contrary to popular belief, I don't find people to be absolutely evil. What are you getting at?”
Em released her dagger and as always, it hit the bullseye. She lined up her second dagger.
“Okay. Well, let’s say a Dark Knight, for instance. They were knights at one point. What if they are just born into a family of Dark Knights?”
Emmaline lost her focus and her dagger planted in the wall next to the dummy. She turned around and narrowed her eyes at Mai. Mai shuddered under her sister's deadly gaze.
“What? That’s just outrageous.”
“Why is it ridiculous? Paladins can turn to Dark Knights. Why can’t it happen the other way around?”
“It's ridiculous because no one has come the other way round. Never in history has that ever happened."
"Just because it hasn't happened that we know of doesn't mean that it can't happen ever."
"Why are you asking?" Em raised an eyebrow. "Have you come in contact with a Dark Knight?”
“What? I mean. No. How is that even possible?" Maiolaine stuttered. "I’m not even allowed out of the stronghold. How could I meet a Dark Knight?”
The look on her sister's face made it obvious that Emmaline didn’t believe her.
“It was just a question, Emmaline. Calm yourself. Is there any other way to throw a knife? Or is this it?” Maiolaine said, hoping to change the subject.
Emmaline gave her another look, and to Mai's relief, explained the next lesson.
“I can teach you the Half-Spin throw. It’s the most common of the throws and easiest to master. Watch me.”
Maiolaine rubbed her right arm. It felt sore and tight from throwing over and over. She couldn’t get the new move right. It frustrated her because it came so easily to Em. As the day dragged on; it became harder for Mai to focus on her work.
Sitting at the table, she poked at the odd meat in front of her. An animal smaller than a rabbit lay in the center of the plate. Mai picked the mystery meat up with her fork and sniffed. She decided she would not even try to eat that. Em looked at her sister and she made a gagging gesture which made Mai laugh. Mai stood to leave.
“Where are you going, love?” Olympe asked.
“I don’t feel well. I‘m going to bed.”
“Okay, dear. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Em offered her a slight nod and went back to pushing her stew around with her spoon.
Mai sat on her bed, looking outside at the setting sun. It was yet too early to leave. She was getting antsy and couldn’t wait to see Aundray. Mai couldn’t say if this was a crush or if it was the longing she had in her heart for someone to find her remarkable.
Finally, the sun set. The only thing Maiolaine feared was Emmaline was awake. She waited for over an hour before exiting her room. She peeked out the door to see if anyone was in the hallway. Satisfied it looked empty, she conjured up her Jovial powers to light her way through the darkened hallway. The dim blue glow, she guessed, attracted less attention as a flickering flame of a torch.
Mai left and got out onto the grounds with a small measure of maneuvering and hiding behind pillars and trees. The group of trees that hid the trail came into view. Practically there, she remembered the knotted tree. On the same rock, she sat in the lotus position. Even though she settled on the same rock as many times before, it sounded different. The atmosphere filled with distinct sounds at night compared to the sounds of the day. The air was much cooler, and she didn’t think to bring a sweater. She wished she had as the cool air made her skin rise with goosebumps. Mai rubbed her arms to create heat.
She heard twigs snap behind her, and she drew her dagger.
“Whoa. Whoa! It’s just me!”
Maiolaine eased her grip on her dagger. “Aundray! Why would you sneak up on me in the dark?”
“Oh, don’t I know that. I guess I’m a risk taker.”
He remained beside her on the rock and reached out for her hand. His touch had an unusual sensation than the night air but it caused goosebumps all the same. She smiled at him and clasped her fingers in his. With Aundray, she felt special, wanted, and needed. Perhaps it was love that she was feeling minus the butterflies that go with the feeling as described in the romance novels she reads. This is real life and not a childish romance novel.
She shifted herself to sit closer to the Dark Knight and put too much on her sore arm. She sucked in a sharp breath at the pain.
“Are you okay?”
“I trained with my sister. My arm is sore from all the dagger throwing. She likes to torture me.”
Aundray laughed as he rose and brushed off the grass from his trousers.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?” Maiolaine got up with his help.
“I want to show you something. I found a perfect place for your meditations.”
“OK,” Maiolaine followed him without question. She thought back to her conversation with Emmaline from earlier. That’s just outrageous! Her words looped on repeat in her brain.
She examined the Dark Knight mark Aundray had behind his right ear. It was red as if they gave it to him yesterday. It was three simple lines that formed a triangle that resembled that letter ‘D’.
“Look,” Aundray said as he pointed to the sky above them.
Maiolaine looked up at the sky filled with stars. Blue, green and gold. The moon looked so close she could pluck out of the sky and put in her pocket.
“It’s beautiful here.”
Aundray smiled at her. He put his index finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Not as beautiful as you.”
A blush rose to bloom on her cheeks and he kissed her. They pulled a part, and he leaned his forehead on hers.
“You may want to start,” he said.
She settled in the new spot, handpicked by Aundray with body still reverberating from the kiss. This spot was not the same as her rock, but it was peaceful.
As she started her breathing exercises, she noticed the gentle pulsing of the earth beneath her. She could detect the fragrant smells of the forest in her nose once more.
Just be. She echoed her mantra to herself as she acclimated to her new surroundings. New sounds. New smells. New sensations.
Once she opened her eyes to see Aundray beaming back at her. Almost like he was expecting her to say something.
"So, how was it?" Aundray asked. "This place is great, right?"
"This place is great," Mai echoed.
"But?
"I feel more energy on top of the rock."
"Ah. Really?"
Mai nodded.
"I just wanted some place that would help you break through your block."
"Thank you for trying," Mai smiled at him, grabbing his hand. "I really appreciate it."
"So, do you want to go back to your rock?"
"No. If you don't mind, I'd like to do a little stargazing."
"Sure," Aundray pulled her close and laid her down next to him. "That sounds perfect actually."
Mai nestled herself to his side, and he wrapped his arms around her. She laid there not really looking at the stars, but immersing within his scent and noting how his muscles moved as he hugged her tighter.
It's a strange feeling. Maybe this was love.
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