The Asters of Ogaza

You're just like me

           Exactly a week ago, the dining room was occupied by Asters; who mostly hadn’t met each other prior, eating with caution and trying hard to impress their trainer— who didn’t care about that. Now, they ate, a little more relaxed and friendlier with each other and still trying to impress both trainers— more than they had on the first day.

“Congratulations. You have successfully stayed here for a week. Does anyone regret that choice yet?” No Aster reacted

“Of course, they would deny it. They always are a bunch of pretenders.” Princess Haile derided

“Okay. Who feels a little . . . overwhelmed? Maybe because of the newness of this?” Now, a couple hands went up.

“Thank you for your sincerity. And for choosing to not hide in self-deception. It is normal, to feel the way you do. When you become used to this, things would get better for you.”

“Or not. If you choose laziness, you damn well would feel like waste till the last day.” Princess Haile smirked at Master Poja who maintained his calmness “C’mon PJ, tell the truth.”

He cleared his throat “The determining test for this week was the Discipline program. Some of you gave the staff their share of rudeness, and the others handled it properly. You all did fairly well. However, the Aster who aced the test for this week is Cairone. Applaud.”

The asters applauded as Angel gleamed in his seat.

“The test for each week is picked at random from any of the programs. So, do well to excel at them all. We are watching, we see every single one of you. Your Highness, please do the honours.”

“PJ! What is with the formality? Why won’t you just stick to calling me Haile?” When Master Poja triumphantly ignored her, she scowled and continued “For every set of Aster, there are representative leaders, the Asters who would be your voice and can call you to order or assign rightful duties and punishments to you. You were observed and after deliberating, we selected Angel Cairone and Marjani Adey.”

Applause and cheers pervaded the room. Angel and Marjani took pledges to be effective and efficient leaders.

“Remember, you are little pieces of iron, sharpen one another. Those of you who are quick witted and fast learners should be sure to help the others who are not quite like you. That is an essential way to be true and kind Asters at heart. Rest well. See you at the field tomorrow”

“Zina, speak with me outside" Princess Haile rose and her chair screeched as two Royal guards moved it backwards to make room for her to leave. The Asters began talking amongst themselves.

Is she in trouble?

Why does the Princess want to see her, in private?

I saw how she kept looking at Zina throughout dinner, oh poor girl. Whatever the Princess wants from her, it's not going to be good.

These thoughts were the same kind running through Zina's head. What did she suddenly want to see her for?

"You should go to her." Angel grazed her arm. "I'd wait for you."

          The awkward mumblings and gazes from the Asters as they equally left for the dorms made her uncomfortable. She pretended not to hear or see them and headed straight for the Princess who was waiting under one of the many mango trees just opposite.

"Your highness." Zina bobbed her head

"What's your story?"

Zina snapped her head to meet the Princess's eyes. They were curious, strangely inquisitive. "My . . . story?"

"Where are you from? Who are your parents? How many siblings you got? What kind of person are you?  What do you do for fun?" Princess Haile shook of her curiosity, her wonted rigidity engulfing her.

Why in the world does she want to know all of these?  The Princess’s questions spiraled in Zina’s head.

 A muffled cough escaped her mouth, an attempt to clear her throat “My . . . uhm . . . I live on East Street, Dahlia Province. My parents are dead so I was raised by my grandfather. My little sister and I help out at his tailor’s shop. That’s what I do for fun.”

 “I’m sorry about your parents. When did they die?”

 “During the war.”

          She nodded, as though that was the answer she had been expecting. Zina watched the curiosity in the Princess’s eyes return and deepen. This was outright nosiness, and it angered her.

Princess Haile stepped closer to Zina and the girl’s body tensed even more, her cinnamon scent almost choking Zina. “When were you born?” Her amber eyes were raptly fixed on Zina

“The Year of the Lion.”

Princess Haile gasped. “The Year of the Lion. So, you . . .  you are 18?”

Why do you care?! Zina wanted to yell, instead, she affirmed Princess Haile’s question.

          A cackle. Was she really laughing? At what? Zina bit her lower lip, bewildered as the Princess cackled on like mother hens do until tears formed in her eyes.

“You have no idea how long I waited for you.” She moved close enough till there was almost no room for the wind to swoosh through and cupped Zina’s cheek in one hand. The tears now rolled freely down Princess Haile’s face and Zina looked away. The atmosphere was so awkward she wanted to run away. Princess Haile dabbed her eyes dry with the sides of her pointy fingers

“You are worried.” She sniffled “My behaviour makes you uncomfortable. I know, but I don’t care. Your sword skills need a lot of work, or you would end up being easy kill for your opponent. After general training tomorrow, do not leave. I would teach you personally.” She walked away. Zina was so dazed that she forgot to bow as the Princess left.

“Why is this Palace making my life so . . . strange?” Her heart thumped.

Amare emerged from the dining hall and when he spotted Zina, he went to meet her.

“Vulture.”

“Salty Stevie.”

They stood distant for a brief second, eschewing eye contact.

“Thank you. For not telling on me.” Amare kicked at gravels.

“Whatever. I did it for Angel, not you.” She started to trot off. Her mind was saturated and it felt like a volcano was going to erupt inside her head.

“What about you?” Amare called “You didn’t tell me your concern with the Obsidian.”

Zina angled her body halfway “Do I owe you any explanation?” She sounded exhausted.

“Well, I told you mine. You should tell at least me yours, so that I can trust you. Think of it as a collateral.”

          She watched as he grew impatient and interested. His eyes were still bloodshot and looked even worse now. He had tried hard not to cry when he told her how badly he wanted to find his Mama and sister. The same ruthless war had taken them from him. The determination in his voice, the spark in eyes as he assured her that he would cross the Obsidian and bring them back home. That spark had rekindled her own fire.

“Am I supposed to scream? If you want to hear it, then come over here”

He didn’t wait for her to finish before he hurried over.

 “My parents. I was 4 when we lost them to the war.” She told him her story and saw his eyes become piteous “What is that look in your eyes? Get rid of it. I don’t need you to feel sorry for me. Just like you, I’m going to find them. I know for sure they are in the South. Pa doesn’t want me talking or even thinking about it. But they are alive, I feel it so strongly.”

Amare tittered “The mountains forbid Dada ever figures my plan out. He would have me locked up in Viper Dens for the rest of my life.” His skin became tight with goose bumps at the thought of it. Viper Dens was worse than death.

“This plan you have, how detailed is it? We can’t make any mistakes if we’re going to do this together. You should keep in mind though, that I would not hesitate to leave you behind if you as much as annoy me. You still disgust me.”

          His cynical smile creeped out and Zina braced herself. She would be seeing it more often “Pfft. Calm down now, vulture. You know for a fact that you need me, and you wouldn’t want me changing my mind about you, would you?”

Amare was impossible. She felt repulsion building in the pit of her stomach and decided to ignore him.

“How are the both of you in the same space and are not trying to kill each other?” Angel twinkled as he hobbled in their direction.

“Hey, captain.” Amare grinned and Zina almost barfed.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight ever again. Don't even think about it." Angel pointed at Amare who chuckled and raised his hands up in surrender.

"Thank you for finding him, Warrior Z. Even if you both have refused to tell me where you were." he eyed them searchingly.

"He'd tell you himself." Zina shrugged. "Congratulations. On winning the first weekly test and being selected Captain of the Asters. You deserve it. "

"Thank you. I will do my best to serve." He bowed "And, I hope none of you are in trouble?"

"Why would we be in trouble?" Amare raised his brows.

"Well, Princess Haile asked to see Zina, and Master Poja asked to see you."

"Oh, PJ? He just wanted to know why I didn't raise my hands at Meditation. Basically, to know if I was alright. He said I seemed a little off, so I just told him I missed home."

"What about you, Warrior Z? Did something happen? Did she have some information for you?”

          Zina cringed at the not so distant memory of her conversation with the Princess "It was nothing sensible. Most of the conversation was obscure. I hate to agree with Jael, but she is one weird human."

The boys chortled.

"Although, she did say something about me having personal training with her tomorrow. I have no idea why she would want to train me personally. I don’t need her help so I’m not going to show up." She saw that Angel was about to chip in and she held up her hand to stop him “My mind is made up. Don’t bother trying.”

          Angel heaved. “Yes ma’am. Let’s walk you to your dorm. Captain’s orders” he deepened his voice when he announced ‘Captain’s orders’ and they laughed. Zina thought Amare laughed a little too much; she still didn’t understand his and Angel’s relationship. Sincerely, she was shocked they even had a relationship that wasn’t about them being mere roommates. But she wasn’t going to ask. At least not tonight. She had heard too much for the day.

They got to the female dorms and the boys waited as Zina got set to go in.

“See you tomorrow?” Amare asked

Zina gave him a single nod, understanding, “See you tomorrow.” She half smiled at Angel “Good night.”

He gave her his usual big one, and they watched her disappear before they made for their dorm.

                                                          * * *

          Zina swung the door open and dragged herself in. She felt weighed down; by Amare’s secret that was now hers to keep, by her secret she had to trade with him, and the still stupefying, absolutely uncomfortable conversation with the Princess. She would draw. The subject, she didn’t know yet, but she would make sure to draw before going to sleep.

“You’re back! What did she ask you? Does she want anything from you? She’s terrifying, isn’t she? Are you in trouble? Is she sending you home?” Jael’s googly eyes sunk into Zina’s face and she jumped in terror.

“Do you have to be so loud? You scared me” She placed her hand on her chest.

“Is everything alright? Why did she have to see you in private?” Marjani’s gaze was as fixated as Jael’s. Both could bore actual holes into Zina’s face.

Zina huffed as she trudged to her bed “Why are you all so concerned? Is that an act of kindness?” she c****d her head “Should I be thankful for that?”

“Tell us.” Jael whined

“There’s nothing to tell. She didn’t say anything meaningful. And I have to agree with you, The Princess is so weird.” she shuddered.

“Well,” Jael ‘s visage was prideful “My hunch is always right.”

“So,” Marjani started “Princess Haile called you out and kept you standing for a while to tell you nothing?” Her brows furrowed

“Unfortunately. She asked a bunch of personal questions, rambled some strange thing and then said my sword skills are poor and she wants to train me personally”

“Personally?” Marjani and Jael leaned forward

“Why did she choose to personally train just you?” Jael asked and Zina shrugged.

“You guys can have my place, if you want it. I don’t care about it anyway. And,” she turned to Marjani “Congratulations, Captain Marjani. I hope you and Angel do well at leadership.”

          Marjani muttered a thanks and kept her eyes locked on Zina whose back now faced them as she shuffled things in her wardrobe for bathing items.

“I wonder why she is suddenly interested in you. Oh, Marjani, when is the Princess or PJ ever going to be interested in us?” Jael abruptly rose and clutched the hem of her dress for dramatic effect

“I don’t know. I have never been the center of attention anyway.” Marjani said coolly and slid under her blanket “Besides, Princess Haile doesn’t see anyone. Obviously, none of you are as good as I am at sword fighting and archery, and she has never acknowledged that. Only Master Poja has.”

“I know. Her heart is probably frozen.” Jael frowned and started her usual speculations about the hidden witchcraft of the Princess. Zina left them for the bathroom and Marjani lay, her mind moving at the speed of light desperately trying to understand the situation between the Princess and her roommate, deliberating on all the possible reasons the Princess doesn’t see her.

          “Meza, stop trying to stab with your sword! That was a good opportunity for you to displace her sword, Gaius. Seize it next time. You are doing good, Adey. Be smarter with your feints or Steves would catch on and easily defeat you.” Master Poja remarked as he went around supervising the Asters while they trained. He didn’t give them actual swords yet; they still had work to do. Princess Haile stole longing glances at Zina that made her falter. She didn’t claim any victory, Jael defeated her all through the sparring.

“Okay. A tad bit improvement. I am still not impressed, but I can see that you have had extra trainings. Do more, this is still an eyesore” Princess Haile ran her hands through her scanty braids

“Well done, Asters. With this effort, I’m afraid you would become better swordsmen than me in no time.” Master Poja smiled slightly and the Asters’ visage relaxed “Do not let your excitement make you lag. See you at dinner.”

          Zina didn’t wait a second before hurrying out of the training field. She fished her cloak out of her knapsack and threw it on. When she got to their agreed star apple tree, Amare was pacing.

“Can we go now?” He asked and Zina nodded.

“I hope you got your permit this time” she marched ahead of him. He caught up easily and they began making their way to Vines. Their first escapade together. Both their hearts drummed against their ribcages but they didn’t show it. With erect backs, wistful eyes and quick feet, they moved in silence and seeming dauntlessness.

“Zina?”

She froze and Amare squeezed his eyes shut in frustration. Why is everyone chasing after this damned vulture?!

Zina spun sharply to find Jael ogling at her “Do you want something?”

“No. But Princess Haile does” she flashed a sly grin at the two Asters, her sparkly white teeth and yellowed canines in stark contrast with her silky, ebony skin. Her eyes suspicious and itching to ask questions.

“Well say you didn’t find her. We’re in a rush and you’re delaying us, commoner” Amare said through gritted teeth.

“Too late.” She scanned Zina’s face “We told her we saw you dash out of the field and she ordered me to find you and bring you back. Ordered. So, let’s go. I don’t think the Princess would appreciate you running off with a boy when she summoned you.” Jael’s sandals raised dust as she sauntered.

Amare cussed and punched the air “This is our first mission, vulture. Our first mission and it just got messed up. What in the name of the Emperor does she want from you?”

“I don’t know. I hate her attention so much, but I have to go. I’d find you when I’m done, we can still make it today.” Zina trailed after Jael, back hunched, fists balled at her sides and rage burning inside her. The Princess was slowly becoming an obstinate thorn in her sides. She didn’t hate so many things, but amongst the few things she hated; Princess Haile had topped that list. She despised her.