THE ORACLE

Ryan's Welcome

As Ariana and Ryan walked down the hallways in silence, Ariana felt drawn to this man. She hated him, she reminded herself but her heart always wished to disagree. She knew deep down, that she was very similar to Ryan. They were both fearless, brave.

Ryan said, "Have we met before Princess?"

Ari was taken aback at the sudden intervention in her thoughts.

"Umm, yes. I was the girl you saw in the woods. The 'girl' you didn't want to fight. " She said with disapproval shining through her voice.

Ryan stared at her. This girl was different. She was fearless. He smiled. "Well I am sorry to disappoint you. That's how men are brought up Princess. If I had known that you were as fearless as your eyes are beautiful, I wouldn't have ever said no."

Just as his defense was over, he realised what he had just said. Meanwhile, Ariana blushed at this sudden compliment she'd received. Ariana had been called beautiful earlier too, but for some inexplicable reason this one felt better, more genuine.

Ari said, "If men are willing to change their opinions about us, we're still not in a very bad place."

She then softly mumbled a "Thankyou ".

Ryan was moved. Never had he seen a girl who was intelligent, beautiful and fearless at the same time. He started to picture this girl as his wife, on the battlefield with him. He smiled to himself.

"I am telling you about the tragic story of my ancestors. What makes you smile Your Highness?" Ariana blurted out.

"I was thinking about having a sword fight with you right now." Ryan winked.

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Ether was worried sick about this man Michael. She knew she had performed some really dark magic in the past and that each magic had a consequence, but she wasn't being able to decide what might have led to this man becoming absolutely undetectable by her magic.

In the back of her mind, a constant nagging feeling said it had to be that boy who she had seen being shot and later tried to save, but she dismissed that voice, thinking that it couldn't be him for he had died. But whoever this man was, knew some really dark secrets that the air and soil of Ambrosia held and Ether could see the start of something extremely dangerous.

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Michael wanted to meet Ariana again. He didn't know why he wanted her so badly ; Was it because he wanted Ambrosia or was it because of old times sake when Ariana had lived him more that her very own mother? He knew he had to bring back her memory and convince her that they had to go to the Oracle together before it was too late.

Princess,

I was looking forward to meeting you again. But this time, I'll send you the carriage and it'll bring you to me. I hope you know that I wouldn't so anything to ever hurt you Ariana. There are so many things that you're unaware of, some that might me causing havoc in your memories just by being blurred spots of things you can't register. I can help you out if you allow me and trust me. We can talk. And also complete that little game of ours.

Please be there.

Yours faithfully

Michael.

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As Ryan returned from Ambrosia he had a big chivalrous smile on his face. The sword fight had been hot. For the first time in his entire life, he had come across a girl that he actually liked not for the way she looked but for her bravery and the courage she possessed. It was pretty clear that King Silas wanted them to get married. But Ryan was in no mood to rush things. He wanted to understand Ariana first and allow her to decide if she wanted to spend her life with him or not. For the first time, Ryan was actually concerned about his impression on a female.

He got down from the horse. Luna had been waiting for him. She came running and hugged him with all her might. "My oh my, did I just see my very own brother smiling and swooning? " She exclaimed.

Ryan stiffened. "No. What are you talking about?"

"RYAN, save the act for somewhere else. Who's this girl and when are you getting married?" She literally yelled in excitement.

Ryan couldn't help but smile at his sister's reaction. "Come with me." He pulled her away. As they went to her room, he saw Amada peeping from his window; an unreadable emotion shining through his eyes.

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Ariana lay in her bed. She was blushing badly. Ryan had left almost an hour ago and yet she couldn't stop thinking about him. He had made her flustered and comfortable at the same time. She liked being feminine around him. The way he had fought her, with tact and diplomacy she knew he was using half his strength and valour and yet she enjoyed it. Just this once, she didn't want to be competitive; just happy. And Ryan made her happy. Very happy.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep she saw something hanging from the curtain in her room. She went and plucked it out. It was a letter from Michael. Even though Ether gad strictly warned her about Michael, this letter confused her about what she would do. Michael was right. There were pieces from her memory that were missing.

And she had never told anyone about it. So how did Michael know. He could only have known if he were a part of them. Ariana decided to find out as she drifted off to sleep.

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