Serena's Curse

Chapter 7

Harriet’s POV

Later that evening I snuck away from the square, leaving my friend Whitney in charge of our co-owned vegetables and fruits stand. I escaped through the back, taking a narrow path that led straight to the other side of the square, the fountain.

Here, the world beyond Windrest looked deceptively bright, the field stretched green, sound of laughter rolled with the wind. A group of boys crowded the centre of the field, five of whom were my friends in the neighbourhood, and Ayden was there, which made six of them.

They were shouting over one another; the sparring game had begun. the boys of the village liked to prepare for war, even though they had never had the chance to fight one. They took on each other, delivering quick strikes to the delight of everyone watching.

I had drifted closer to the gathering before Ayden saw me, and immediately, he strode across the field. His cloak was dusty; he surely had participated in a couple of rounds. When he got to where I was, he reached for my hand.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he muttered softly,

“Yeah, I needed a break, and I… get the chance to see you,” I teased, hoping to see him smile, which he did so effortlessly.

“Well then, welcome to the show.” He remarked with a rather charming grin.

“Thanks, I…” I was speaking when I noticed Mason over his shoulder looking in our direction with an unshakeable focus. Mason always had an eye for me since we were little. He definitely wasn’t emotionally comfortable seeing Ayden around me.

Ayden held my hand, and we walked to the midst of the spectators, straight to where Mason was standing. This time his gaze was fixed on the action like he hadn’t almost stared a hole through Ayden moments ago.

Then suddenly he turned. “Harriet, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Mason spoke sharply.

“Ayden invited me, plus I needed a break from the rowdiness at the square,” I replied.

“You two are acquainted, great.” Ayden cut in.

“We’re more than that, actually,” Mason replied before Ayden even landed.

Shortly after, Ayden was called up again to take on Noah, who had just bested Eli, and for some reason, my friends were being pitched against each other.

“I’d be back before you know it,” Ayden whispered to me before stepping forward. With fewer than ten strikes, he had Noah down with his baton pointed at him to win the round. Someone else stepped into the circle to take him on, whom he also made quick work of.

Cheers exploded, my hands came together before I realised I was clapping. When Mason looked at me, I noticed the twitch in his countenance. He didn’t seem comfortable with Ayden getting all the spotlight, even worse, Ayden had my attention. Ayden was strong; he fought valiantly, like a real warrior. I couldn’t hold back cheering.

After winning another round, no one wanted to step up to him again. I noticed Mason’s jaw tighten as his eyes flicked towards me again. He grabbed the nearest baton and stepped into the circle to take on Ayden.

They squared off without hesitation, Ayden fending off a flurry of attacks from Mason in the opening seconds. Mason would pull back after failing to land any hits. They stared each other down, rearing in circles to go again. Mason again went on the front foot, Ayden deflected flawlessly before launching his own attacks, which Mason also stood very well against.

“Time to end this,” Ayden echoed loudly after a pause before squaring off again. After a few strikes, they locked batons. Ayden swung Mason’s baton away and swept him off his heels with a kick, pinning him down for the victory.

Everyone clapped, including me. Ayden had a wide grin on his face, and it struck me how much life he carried compared to everyone else here. He walked stealthily like a champion back to where I was,

“Impressive,” I commended with a clap,

“I guess?” he replied with a smile,

“How did you learn to fight like that?” I asked curiously.

“Where I come from, we face real battles.” He spoke calmly. “And…” Mason interrupted with thunderous claps before he could continue.

“I’m sure she’s impressed by your exceptional skills,” Mason muttered,

“Not to brag, but it wasn’t really a challenge,” Ayden responded.

“Lucky you, but it would take more than that to have a girl of your own here,” Mason continued, “You have bested all of us here, good luck besting Windrest’s curse.”