The Five Realms

Chapter 4

The sparring hall echoed with grunts and sparing sticks hitting against each other. The large room grew more humid and sticky as the sun got higher in the sky. And Amealia got tired of watching the same techniques and falls.

The mats the teenage boys were falling over onto were going a visible sheen over the leather. The walls were cobble stone, just like the floor. The various windows were barely cracked open, keeping the air inside the room.

Every breath taken while standing in that room felt thick. Amealia was standing off in the farthest corner from the action, but the air was still as humid as the rest of the room. Strangely, Amealia would rather have the feeling of breathing in condensing air than the sinking feeling from earlier that morning.

Amealia leaned against the wall, her arms crossed and a bored expression on her face. She glanced around and saw Jackson sparring with one of the younger boys. He was too busy paying attention to his footing to see Amealia slip out of the sparring hall.

She closed the heavy door behind her, leaning on the cold stone wall and taking large inhales of air. She fanned her damp skin and groaned at the thought of going through that everyday. She glanced down both ends of the hallway.

Silence came from the hallway but the sounds of sparring and 'training' slightly echoing. And she felt the urge to finish what she came for. So she started walking in a random direction, hoping that trying to get lost in the maze of a castle would lead her somewhere.

The hallways all looked the same when you were jogging down each of them without a single sense of direction. With the two times Amealia heard footsteps, she tried to play it off pretending she wasn't in a rush, or trying to not be seen at all by hiding behind a pillar or random corner.

Amealia continued going down more hallways, recognizing some of them as one that could lead you to the throne room. She was confused as to how she ended up in another entrance point than when she left that room. She slowed her pace as she approached the throne room, she peeked her head around the corner and saw a group of knights gathered around the throne.

"Our alliances have started discussing the when. There is talk of voyaging to our realm to discuss this in greater detail." One of the knights had his helmet off and speaking to the King. From what Amealia could see, even if it was the back of his head, the knight seemed concerned. His voice had a tone that conveyed his seriousness.

"My king, they fear spies are being sent to our realms." He said, attempting to lower his voice, even if the room made the quietest breaths echo. His words made the King chuckle with clear amusement.

"They have grown paranoid! Our enemies aren't anywhere near to understanding what we're doing. The spiritual quacks are the only ones that care enough about it and look," The King motioned to the general area around him. "We are still standing and the plan is continuing, my friend!" He said boisterously.

"Just say who they are." Amealia mumbled to herself, straining her ear to hear better.

"Just say who who are?" Amealia turned around in alarm to see Jackson standing there, peering over her shoulder. "Did you really think I didn't see you leave?"

"I needed to breathe fresh air!" Amealia said in defense. "And shouldn't you be training?" She asked, looking up at him as she hoped to deflect the attention onto him.

Jackson crossed his arms and quirked an eyebrow at her. "Shouldn't you be watching the said 'training'? And why are you eavesdropping on the King's conversation?" He asked, switching his gaze between both of her eyes.

"The Bee Realm and the Sky Realm are preparing for voyage next week." Amealia heard from the room behind her. She felt her heart drop in realization. The Bee Realm had secretly become allies with the Crystal Realm. And she was days away from being discovered.

It was known among all of the realms that the Divine Realm and the Bee Realm were friends. Whoever apposed them be damned and never make that mistake again.

"This war is the most important in the history of the Five Realms." The King's booming voice said. "We can't risk suspicion because of details."

Jackson's expression morphed into a childlike state as he looked in the direction of throne room. Fear and confusion. He looked back at Amealia, uncrossing his arms but staying silent. Amealia felt her heart beat faster, she could hear the blood rushing in her ears.

"What are you doing here?" Jackson asked lowly, his voice sounding different, matching his facial expression but still holding a serious undertone.

"You heard when I first got here. I was banish-"

"Don't. Don't lie to me," He still spoke quietly, evidently trying to not attract unwanted attention. "Tell me the truth, or I'll start planning for your execution." Amealia looked him in the eye and swallowed, trying to get some moisture back in her mouth.

"I thought you stopped doing executions two centuries ago." She tried sounding witty but a light quiver in invaded her voice.

"Amealia, I swear to God, if you don't answer my question, you won't be able to praise one of your gods ever again." Jackson said, his jaw clenching as stepping closer to her. Amealia took in a shallow breath. Her greatest fear had finally come true.

She had been discovered.