Chapter 5: Petty Revenge 

Eira and James continued to talk, then James froze as he heard the bushes shake. Someone was watching them. “Someone’s here….” He murmured under his voice. 

“What do you mean?” Eira asked confusedly as she looked around. “Just look,” James said, then picked up a small rock and threw it into the bush. 

“OW!” A voice cried then soon the mysterious figure emerged. It was the nobleman from before that Eira used her ice magic on. “That hurts you idiot!” the man said as he approached James and Eira but he wasn’t alone. Three more men emerged behind him. “You're the man from before. What do you want?” James asked as he looked at the men gathered.

 The nobleman pointed to Eira. “That woman humiliated me in front of everyone. It’s time she learns some manners” the man said then he pulled out a dagger. The men around him also pulled out daggers. James narrowed his eyes. “You don’t want this fight. Leave us alone before you do something you’ll regret” he warned he didn’t want to hurt innocent people but if they make a move first they will no longer be innocent.

 “HA! Your threats don’t scare me, pretty boy. You're outnumbered! Last time you surprised me but this time I’m ready.” The man said with a smirk as he rushed them.

 “Look out!” James then grabbed Eiras's arm and helped her dodge the bows. He then punched one of the men attacking them in the face, making them lose their balance and fall. “We can’t take on all of them. We should distract them and run” James told Eira as they continued to evade the blows. 

Soon they found an opening. “Run for it!” He said then they began to run. But soon the nobleman raised his hand and soon fire shot out of his hand “You're not going anywhere!” He said as he shot balls of fire in their direction. They managed to dodge it just barely but the fire blocked their path of escape. 

James looked around and he was out of options. He didn’t know what to do. He felt useless. If he used his magic, he could end the situation in 2 seconds. ‘Ugh, what’s wrong with me? Why can I use my magic as a normal person? Why am I so afraid?’ James thought then while James was lost in thought Eira stepped up and raised her hands. “Don’t worry Jay I got this!… I think” she said, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘focus Eira!’ She thought then after another deep breath she shot out medium-sized shards of ice. The ice managed to hit the noble and several ice shards pierced his skin.

 “DAMN YOU!!” The noble yelled as blood dripped off his face. Then out of his hands, he shot out a large beam of fire straight at Eira. “LOOK OUT!!” James cried as he tried to push her out of the way but it was too late the fire hit Eira and sent her flying.

 She crashed to the ground and lay there unconscious with visible burns and heavy bleeding. James' eyes widened with horror as he watched Eira lay there unconscious and burnt. Then James’ mind flashed with memories of Xaria who was unconscious and burnt similarly.

 “N-No... Not again!!” He yelled out then suddenly a wave of fear washed over the garden as all the men froze in fear. As James glared at them his green eyes darkened. 

“H-how is your aura so s-strong?” The nobleman asked as he was frozen in fear he wanted to run and hide but he couldn’t move. “Leave and never return. If you ever return to the palace again I will kill you… Now get lost!” He ordered afterwards the men immediately nodded “y-yes s-sir!” Then the men ran off as fast as they could. 

James let out a sigh and went over to the unconscious Eira. He picked her up and carried her out of the garden. ‘This is all my fault. If I had just used my magic if I was strong enough to overcome my fear and take action, you would never have been injured. Once again I let people get hurt because of my hesitation….’ After making his way out of the garden Henry who was worried rushed over to him.

"Y-your Majesty! Are you alright? What happened?" Henry asked as he noticed James carrying an injured and unconscious woman. "Henry, call for a healer immediately!" James ordered as he carried her inside the palace. 'This is all my fault.' He continued to say in his mind as he carried her inside.