Chapter 18, Avva
1135 Words
I think we were both loathe to do it, but when the morning came, we dressed in our uniforms. I wore my cloak as well, and conjured apples to eat on the way. And so, we headed back into the real world.
We walked hand in hand, but mostly silent until we reached the infamous glade from three days ago. A smile played at my lips thinking of the memory.
“Avva, we should talk before we separate,” he said. I didn’t like it. I could sense his hesitation, and it didn’t bode well.
He began again, “I think...I think we should sleep separately when we return to the barracks.”
“What? Why?”
“Because, love, I’m going to have to send you off to another man, and probably one day soon. The longer we share such closeness, the harder it will be. The more it will hurt you.”
“You know me, Cormac. Do you think I would submit to having my husband chosen for me? Do you think I won’t fight for us?”
“I know you won’t. But I also know I’m not human. Your father won’t look kindly on that. Especially were he ever to find out where you’ve been the last few days.”
I tried to quell the tears that sprang to my eyes, but it was no use. They were streaming down my face when I said, “So, you’re just going to let me go like that? You’re not going to fight for me? For us?”
“I love you, and I will fight for you until the day I die, no matter what man you are with. But this is a fight we can’t win.”
“Yes, Cormac. We can win. But you’re too much of a coward.” I turned and stormed off toward the city. I somehow managed to find the gates through my tears. By the time I reached the training grounds, I had managed to dry them up, but it was still obvious that I had been crying. Borglum saw me, and started toward me to offer comfort, but I stopped him dead in his tracks with a look. I didn’t think I would ever be ready to talk about it.
Cormac was fifteen minutes behind me. When he strode into the training area, he quickly searched me out and made a beeline, but Borglum stopped him.
“I wouldn’t,” the golem advised, “at least not if you want to keep your manhood. She’s on the warpath. I imagine we have you to blame for that. Give her some time, then tell her you’re sorry, she’s right and you’ll do better.”
“It’s complicated, Borglum,” he mumbled.
“I know it’s complicated, Drache, but it’s obvious you love each other. Make it right, or leave her be,” Borglum ordered. With that, Cormac wandered off.
Borglum, who knew I had been listening, turned and winked at me. “It’ll all work out. Don’t worry.”
I didn’t even know golems could wink. Borglum was certainly the single wisest living creature I had ever come across, and I was thankful for his help. I didn’t have long to dwell on any of this before Melkree made his way to the center of the grounds with a human man I assumed was Mauricio’s replacement.
“Everybody, gather round. This is Henry. He’s Mauricio’s replacement and a capable soldier. We will train today as we did in the beginning to show him the ropes. Dolf, as his partner, you will help him. Now, as always, it’s time to run.”
Running only made my melancholy worse. Cormac and I didn’t speak over breakfast, during group training, or even over luncheon. When it came time for one on one training, I was more than ready to take out all of my frustration on the coward. I went immediately for the bow staff. I would not make this easy for him.
“Avva…”
I cut him off, “Don’t you f*****g dare. Now, guard up.”
I wailed on him with my staff. He at least had the good grace to take it in stride. I landed more blows than not, and didn’t take a single one myself. I knew he was letting me beat the s**t out of him. It wasn’t helping with my mood like I thought it would. Cormac would be feeling this beating for days to come.
When the training was done, Melkree approached me with Henry, the new recruit.
“Avva, I was asked to introduce you to Henry, and to give you this letter from your father.”
“Thank you, Captain,” I said, taking the letter, “and hello, Henry.”
“Your Highness,” he said, and gave me a short bow.
“If you’ll give me just a moment to read this letter, I’ll be right with you.” I knew Da’s letter contained something regarding Henry, I just didn’t know what. Most likely that he was the son of some lord and I was to keep my eye on him.
Henry was perhaps four inches taller than me, and quite attractive, by human standards, with unruly chestnut hair and green eyes. But there was only one male who would ever be attractive to me now. And he was afraid.
I broke the seal on the letter.
Avva,
I’m sure you’ve met Henry by now. He seems a kind young man, and I have reports that he’s also a right good soldier. His father is one of the outlying lords. Please do help him out and keep an eye on him.
I think you should know that I’ve arranged for you two to marry. I believe he will be a good match and will help protect the kingdom. Take this time to get to know him, and soon, we will begin planning a wedding.
All my love,
Da
Cormac wasn’t stupid enough to try reading over my shoulder, but I knew he wasn’t far behind me. I had to remind myself to breathe before I could speak to this lordling Henry.
“So, we’re to be married, then,” I said. It wasn’t a question. I sensed that Cormac had gone rigid behind me.
“Yes, Princess Avva. I hope to be a good husband to you.”
I hoped Henry hadn't heard the Drache growl behind me. I knew that I had my chance to see whether Cormac would actually let me go.
“Well, then, I suppose that’s settled. We can talk more after dinner. I hope to see you by my fire,” I said, dismissing the human in a tone that brokered no argument. It must have been my rank that truly prevented him from trying. I gave him a few minutes head start, making sure that he was through the doors, and then started for the mess hall myself, completely ignoring Cormac. The ball was now in his court.
I hadn’t gone two steps before he was on me.
- Writer
