Chapter 2: Perspectives
2001 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
Hokay! We are here... facing the love of my life... nothing extraordinary... just...
Terrifying!
Luckily, I was able to utilize my size against him. I was able to dodge his throws by a hairline! I wonder if this is what Kenji was feeling when they fought. Only, Kenji had a totally calm composure!
But this was my time to show my skills. I have to let him know that I can defend myself and am worthy to be by his side, no matter what situation we may be in.
I can't stop now!
One of the arts that I've observed from Emiko was something called jujitsu or judo. To use one's inertia to our advantage by redirecting their force.
And Dom had so much force!
He threw a kick and I timed it perfectly to land a grip and swing with it. Once I planted my footing on the ground, I pulled and took him off his footing. I was evidently surprised that I was able to pull that off!
Dom stumbled, but did not thud. He glared at me with those eyes.
I guess it was my turn to charge!
I dashed in and without signifying what I would do next. That was another lesson I was taught by Emiko was to predict, but never be predictable.
A few inches away, I formed a fist and threw my punch.
I was met with a swift grip on my wrist and was lifted off my feet. I was pinned against the tree I was hidden in and he wore a smirk of victory on his face.
Shit!
::Dom's POV::
What is she doing?
Did she really think I did not know it was her?
But, how did she get here? How did she find me?
Nonetheless, I had to make sure it was her. She may be covered up, but she only needed to reveal those eyes before she gave away her identity.
It would also explain why I got hard the instant I knew it was her.
But, while we sparred, more questions arose in my thoughts.
Like how she has learned to fight and defend herself, or her agility and flexibility has improved.
There was no denying that she has developed new changes, and these changes were alluring.
And she killed that boar!
The first time I met her, and we went hunting, it wasn't a task she could take on. Mainly because she was injured on her ankle. But this was more than just a recovery. These were skills that were taught in Nihon.
Was she taught by that bastard Kenji?
A part of me fumed knowing that could be a possibility, but I had a few tricks up my sleeve. And I was going to have her submit to it.
I pinned her against the tree and was done trying to convince her that this was an actual fight.
"So?" I pressed my chest against her. I had to pretend I didn't feel her chest, "Do you surrender?"
She remained silent, but that was fine with me. I got in just a few inches from her mask, "Not talking huh? I guess I will have to make you."
I cupped her chest and she squealed.
"EEEEKK!" Ryanna shrieked.
"There you are," I licked my lips.
"H-how did you know it was me?" She wriggled free from the mask to reveal her beautiful face.
"Well," I let her down and released her, "You're not dressed locally, and..."
"And?" she encouraged.
"Well," I looked away guiltily, "I got hungry all of a sudden."
I looked back at her and she was beet red. Oh, how I missed that expression of hers.
"You would have s*x with a stranger?" she hissed.
"I knew it was you," I rolled my eyes, "Your eyes are one of a kind."
"Oh," she hesitated and then slowly looked up at me sheepishly, "Then why don't you?"
"Why don't I what?" I asked curiously.
"Eat me," she responded.
My mind went blank. I was not expecting her to play along with that scenario! I'd never imagined her to be so vulgar or bold! But that wasn't changing a situation further south of me.
I chuckled and pulled her in close. Her small figure melted into my physique as I kissed her on her head.
"Not now," I sighed regretfully, "We have a village to feed."
She looked up at me with unanswered questions and I nodded my head, "I will explain when we get back, but it's nightfall and a dead prey will attract predators."
I duffled the dead boar on my shoulders and started walking back to the village. I turned to see Ryanna hesitating.
"Do you want to join the pig on my other shoulder? I don't mind," I smirked.
Before she could respond I scooped her right up and placed a playful smack on her ass, "I know what I want to eat first when we return."
By the immediate heat she gave off and pouting hands along my back, I knew she was blushing and feeling red. I've noticed she has gotten a bit lighter in weight, but her beauty stayed defined.
Before we got to the village she asked me to let her down.
"You know that men carrying women to bed here isn't out of the ordinary," I teased.
"Dom!" she shyly whispered, "Let me down!"
I carefully unloaded her and was greeted by Garyd.
"I'm sorry Lord Dom," he apologized, "There was a fellow looking for you, but I see the maiden has found you after all."
"Who's looking for me?" I asked.
"He didn't introduce himself," he apologized.
"Tyrion," I guessed, "What's he doing here?" I looked at Ryanna for answers.
"He helped me get here," she stated, "After the national council meeting..."
"The National Council Meeting? You attended?" I was in shock.
"Yeah..." she trailed off, "I'm kind of like... Kenji's right hand."
A part of my soul left my body when she spewed those words out.
"How could you?" I asked with worry, "Did you know what being a right hand is?"
She lowered her head, "I'm sorry, I thought it was an easy way to get into the meeting."
I sighed, "Right hands are obligated to discuss tactics of war and also..." I paused, "Die before their leader does."
She looked at me with a shocked expression.
"Tyrion should have remained in the southern isles like I ordered him to," I growled under my breath, "whether I returned or not!"
"Don't blame him," I heard her say, "He's just doing his duty as your right hand."
It was more than just dying for your leader. The right hand was a titled war chief and second in command that would inherit the position of a deceased leader. It's not something that should be easily branded onto someone. Especially, her!
Garyd spoke, "What a lively catch you got there. If we processed that boar we could feed the village tonight!"
I nodded and a few of the villagers happily took the boar away. I pulled Ryanna close to me and had to hide my jealousy.
"Let's get ready to eat," we walked in.
Tyrion was waiting for my arrival at one of the vacant huts. He was not happy in the slightest, but that was the usual.
"Lord Dom," he grunted with hidden frustration, "You're alive."
"And as you are," I answered, dismissing his worries.
"You haven't returned home," he reminded through gritted teeth, "And now I find you in a wasteland offering voluntary charity to these people?"
"It's always been in my nature," I countered, "As I did for you and the others."
Tyrion sighed and rubbed his temples and I knew he had enough of me. But behind that thick wall was a man who disguised his emotions.
"You didn't want to be the Southern Savage leader yet, huh?" I chuckled.
"I have other important things to do," he grunted, "And besides, one of them is to make sure we get our true ruler back on her throne."
"Her?" I gestured at him in question.
"Oh?" he contemplated, "It seems someone hasn't told you yet," he glared at Ryanna, "But I'll leave that to you."
What did he mean by that?
Ryanna tugged at me and urged me to go inside my hut.
"Ryanna," I closed the door, "What is he talking about?"
"I-" she stuttered, "It was what I had learned before we got to the meeting. My dad... he..."
"Go on," he patiently waited.
"He was 1st descendant to the throne," she squeaked, "Which makes me heir to the position."
I took a step back and leaned against the wall. All my life, I vowed to bring down the hierarchy of the northern government. I've liberated and helped countless of people because of their neglect and greed. All those lives that suffered due to the decrees of the Royal Government.
I looked at Ryanna.
And it ends with her.
:Ryanna's POV::
Maybe it has been a while, but I couldn't read his expression at that moment when I told him the truth about my heritage. A part of me dreaded that information because his whole cause was to liberate the citizens of the Isles from the grasp of the Royal Govenrment. Yet, here I was, next in line.
Dom hesitated, "So your dad's been around, huh?"
"Apparently so," I sighed, "His influence at the National Council Meeting also caused an uproar," I admitted, "It was like the whole world knew about him but me."
He came towards me and embraced me. His warmth was something I missed during my stay in Nihon.
He reassured, "Some things are better left unsaid. If not discussed in war tactics it is meant to protect."
"Since when did you become so wise?" I joked.
"Sorry I am not speaking in my savage tongue," he countered.
I rested my face on his chest, I wanted to remain like this forever.
"What are we going to do now?" I asked.
"We?" he looked down at me, "We aren't doing anything as it will only be me."
"But," I looked up at him, "I'm able to defend myself."
"That back there?" he dismissed, "That was new, but nothing compared to war."
"You lost to Kenji," I blurted out.
"Did I?" he looked at me with such cocky eyes, "I let him win."
"What?" I gently pushed him away, "But I saw..."
"What I wanted you to see," he interjected.
I didn't get it.
"A man knows when he is outnumbered. If I was to show my full strength in front of his entire kingdom I would've been beheaded even if I was victorious."
"But..." I paused.
"I know," he patted my head, "You're just doing your right hand duties," he chuckled.
"Hey!" I pouted.
"Ryanna if there is one thing that you should know is that Kenji is accustomed to fighting within his area. I've fought more than just the Southern Borders. Lessons and humility are sometimes sweeter after its bitter taste. My goal was to make sure you were alive. And I succeeded."
"By leaving me?" I could not hold it in anymore, "Why did you just leave me?"
"I knew that he wouldn't hurt you," he spoke with gentleness, "There were so many things running through my mind when I saw you. Holding back was one thing against my pride, but turning away from you was another," Dom sighed, "I didn't want you to be a part of this war. Not now, not ever!"
All the pain I felt when that moment happened came rushing back. Although in his eyes he was considerate I didn't feel like it was the right thing to do.
"I don't want our reunion to be filled with arguments," I sighed, "But, I will say this now..."
Dom turned to me curiously.
I faced him, "No one gets to decide what I do with my life. Not now, not ever!"
- Writer
