Tame the Fire

Chapter 1: The Zaytsevas

They all gathered in the library for the first lesson in the afternoon.

The hall was voluminous and baronial—the walls occupied with endless stacks of shelves filled with row after row of neatly lined up books. Yelena and her siblings sat in crescent-shaped tables—one for each person—with Nikolai on her left, followed by Kolzak and Vanya on her right.

Their professor, Nadriel, stood in front with a chalk in hand teaching the Etherian royalties about the history of their country and its origin. This was already a tradition. Whenever the lessons were getting boring, Nadriel would always tell a story about the history of every country known to man. Yelena would have already memorized it if she was only interested. But she wasn't. Still, she had no choice but to listen, or pretend to.

Etheria wasn't always the country it was now. In fact, it used to be the largest agricultural land in all of Preinebeon. Lives were simpler, just as how the first people of Arde Terra started, and people in the country focused more on manufacturing and trade. Since the first city, now called the Dvatkovo capital, was near to the ocean port, it was easier transporting goods. That attracted a lot of merchants all over the globe, including the most evil ones.

One man, known for his impressive trading strategies, wanted the country from himself. Knowing the country was still uncharted, he took the opportunity to claim it, exploiting the people and selling the goods they would make for very hefty amounts. He became the king of the world. But it didn't last for long.

A country boy, Slavik Volynskiy, finally decided the s*****y has to stop, so he gathered all the men he could and led his people through a series of successful military campaigns. The victory didn't come easy but after three full years of mayhem, they finally reclaimed the land during the Siege of Kruzenschtern—Kruzen for short— from its corrupt leader. He established a kingdom with his name and with the support of the people.

It has been said that King Slavik took many wives over the course of his life. Some also presumed that he only had one mistress after her wife, Queen Riseya, died in bearing their son, Artem, but no one had lived to confirm the allegations.

After he died, Artem, his only son, was forced into ruling at a young age of 15 and married Zoya weeks after his coronation as king. The people easily loved the boy-king. The economy bolstered, unemployment was at its lowest and the people prospered. It was a new beginning for Etheria.

Unfortunately, King Artem only lived a brief life after dying at the age of thirty, so Dmitriyev, his first and only son, took the responsibility. He was a good king, to say the least. Not the best but he was a good ruler.

However, the Volynskiy dynasty after its long years of ruling finally ended when Dmitriyev's mother, Queen Shirza, died of a heart disease. In the same year, the country lost many of its land to the rebels that had drowned the country in debt.

It became King Dmitriyev's downfall. Eventually, he became mad and ordered the s*******r of the rebels and their supporters. Because of that, many people turned their backs on him and the family. They had lost all hope for the Volynskiys.

Abram, who used to be a stable boy in the palace, organized a successful rebellion against the mad ruler and reigned until then. This became the birth of another dynasty, the Zaytsevas.

Yelena tried her hardest not to yawn in front of the professor as he recited their history for more times than she can count. She shook her head to release herself from the shackles of slumber and observed her siblings who, like her, could barely keep their eyes open.

She covered her mouth to prevent herself from laughing. It was not because of their sleepy or tired faces. It was because of Nikolai who was already in his limbo. He was so formidable that even the daunting voice of the professor didn't frighten him. As always, she was impressed.

Vanya nudged her elbows, "This is one of those times where I really hate being a Zaytseva."

Yelena giggled. Nikolai was already drooling and his mouth could pass as a nesting place for flies. Sometimes, she doubted if they were ever royalty. By the books, princess and princes were supposed to be prim and proper, not literal mouth-watering princes on their way to slumberland. 

The professor was still talking but she could no longer pay attention. They were bored as hell and making fun with each other was good enough for a past time. 

Yelena waved a hand at Kolzak and pointed to Nikolai who was wrapped in profound sleep, mouthing the words "wake him up". He immediately got the message and nodded. His smile was playful, and there was something in it that told her he was up to no good.

"He's going to get himself killed," Vanya commented.

"We'll see."

Kolzak had his hand to Nikolai's side, aiming for something. When he was finally right on target, he squeezed the side of his ribcage.

"What the f**k?!"

Nikolai jumped to his feet and almost stumbled.

Yelena wanted to roll over from laughing. If she could only photograph this memory of him, she'd rule the world. 

Nikolai was a mess. His facial expression was out of control. He turned around, looking for the one responsible for it but Kolzak had already escaped towards the outside. Maybe Nikolai's death glare was still horrifying than the professor's punishment from ditching class.

"Out!" 

Yelena jerked from her seat when the professor's voice rang in her ears. He was furious. Nadriel was terrifying but him screaming from the top of his lungs was already a different story.

"We're dead," Vanya whispered.

"We're totally dead," Yelena said.

"You," the professor pointed Nikolai who was still confused with everything, and infuriated. "Out!"

Nikolai was puzzled.

"Uh..."

"I said, out!"

As if everything finally made sense, Nikolai straightened his posture but it was already too late.

"Learn to behave like royal children!" the professor seethed.

Nikolai didn't care enough to explain his side and just walked away, defeat weighing on his shoulders. Yelena stared at him as he was nearing the exit. He still had the energy to frown and act all blue yet for all Yelena knew, he was already rejoicing from the inside. He was just given a shortcut ticket to the end of the lecture.

"Eyes on here, people!" he knocked on the board and both Yelena and Vanya complied.

Professor Nadriel started to speak and talk about the history of the Ikigais, some people they told her about possessing magic and stuff but not that she cared about. Yelena just stared outside the window, listening to the sound of soldiers training outside.

The princess have always wanted to be a part of the army. It wasn't common with a lady of her status but she always loved the thought of it despite the King and Queen telling her otherwise. They said it was her responsibility to reign and not to be a princess in some soldier's uniform. 

What is so wrong about it? There wasn't any rule informing her it wasn't allowed. Also, wouldn't it be good to have princesses lead the battleground for once?

She sighed.

Sleep was trying to lull her back again so she just looked at the enormous anchor clock placed on the topmost wall. Hands slowly move towards the hour. One second feels like a minute. A minute feels like 30 as she observed its longer hand move towards the number 12.

Tick

              Tock

                            Tick

                                         Tock

When the clock finally struck 3, Yelena's face lit up. She was already itching to go outside. 

Just a few more seconds.

"Lecture is dismissed."

As if the two of them read each other's thoughts, instead of waiting for the professor to stand and make his grand exit, they immediately bolted out of the hall, running as fast as they could and pushing each other through the door like little children too eager to go the playground.

She heard Professor Nadriel murmur something but she just shook her mind off of it, lucky that she could finally leave from that agonizing session.

When they were out, Yelena was astonished to see her two brothers having a staring contest in the middle of the hallway. "Hey," she called.

The two immediately broke themselves from the stare and approached the ladies.

Vanya marched towards Kolzak, "Now that's the Kol I know," she burst laughing and gave him a high five. 

"I'm surprised you haven't killed each other yet," Yelena said.

"I already killed him a million times in my mind," Nikolai answered, his aura was getting darker and darker.  

"As if you could do it. I know you love me enough to kill me, brother," Kolzak chuckled and tapped his older brother's shoulder.

Different servants in the castle bowed their heads when they passed by the Zaytsevan royals as a sign of respect. Yelena couldn't help but notice the amazement in their faces every time they see a member of the royal family. Perhaps it was because there was never a single photograph of them anywhere. She'd bet to see the villagers don't even know them at all. 

It was only the King and Queen that were allowed for business travels and exposure. As for them, well think of it as birds trapped in lavish cages.

"You want to see how much I've improved, Nik?" Kolzak flaunted his biceps and stood like a Herculean statue. But he indeed looked like one. Markolin was slender though he was still well-built.

"Pfft," Nikolai dismissed him with a wave in the face, "If I were a bird, you'd be the first person I'd s**t on."

Kolzak just scowled and rolled his eyes at Nikolai.

***

Yelena sat on the wooden bench staring at Nikolai and Vanya fight against each other, the padded swords swinging and clashing. They huffed once in a while, catching their breaths, and swung their swords again.

Kolzak sat beside her. He had already finished training with Vanya earlier, and you could tell that the princess gave him a good beating.

It was always like that every time they trained; they think she's too delicate to be wounded in training, considering she is still 14, so fighting her was more of a defense practice than an offense.

Yelena knew how Vanya hated that. Even if she was practically cared for by her brothers, she didn't want them to make things easy for her. It made her feel like a babe who still needs to be tended to.

"You should stop being so overprotective to Vanya, she hates it," she said.

"You can't expect us to be harsh on her, you know, she's just a kid."

"She's not a kid, Kol," she clarified.

Yelena knew how Vanya felt since she had also been in that same position once. She might have liked the feeling of being safeguarded by her brothers but she also wanted to be free, have bruises, stumble and fail like how every other child does.

"You're just jealous we're not treating you that way anymore," Kolzak teased and crumpled her hair, "Don't worry sister, you will always be our baby girl."

"Hmp," Yelena rolled her eyes in retort and turned to Nikolai and Vanya's direction.

Vanya was panting for breath as she lay on the ground. Her face was still unblemished even though her white shirt and brown pants were already stained with dirt. Nikolai was spotless, as always.

Nikolai offered her a hand and pulled her up, "That was a good one."

Vanya took it and faked a smile upon standing up, stomping towards where they sat. "I hate this. I fought Nikolai, but all I get is a kick on the foot," she complained when she sat on the bench.

Yelena chuckled, giving her a slight pat on the shoulder, "You'll get used to it."

She then sat up and dusted off her boots.

Finally.

Nikolai called her name and gestured for her to go to the grounds. When she was finally in front of him, she positioned herself, clutching the handle of the sword at her side. Now this is a million times better than lecture classes with Professor Nadriel.

Slowly, she slid the sword off the metal sheath and raised her hands just above her chest, clutching the sword tightly. He smirked. He always thought being older was an advantage when it comes to training, but she thought otherwise.

Not today.

She marched towards him, angling her sword at his chest plate. Just as she was about to s***h her sword in front of him, he swiftly countered the attack. She took a step back and steadied herself.

Yelena was aware that beating Nikolai is tough since he has always been the finest swordsman out of the four of them, but she never thought it was impossible.

It was a series of swords clashing and shielding and running and rolling. Their breaths heavy with every air they take—tired but no signs of surrender.

Once again, she lunged towards him and acted as if she would hit him when she suddenly swerved on his back and kicked him flat to the ground. He huffed and rested his back like he was already on the brink of surrender. But she knew her brother too well; he's not the type to back down in a fight.

Yelena offered her hand as she chuckled at his carelessness, "Who's the better fighter n—",

Nikolai kicked her feet, causing her to stumble.

He used that time to get back up and was about to charge until she defended the attack by her her blade. Nikolai's sword flew from his hand, diving into the ground.

She used that to her advantage and toppled him over with her feet until they were already both on the ground.

Yelena stayed alert. She knew Nikolai could do something any moment that would lose her to him once again. Her sword was still in her hand. Just one s***h and she would finally win against him for the first time.

She lifted her sword in an attempt to point it at his chest, but like a lightning bolt, a small pocket knife was already on the sides of her neck.

'Great. Just great'

Realizing she lost, she placed her sword on the ground. The defeat hurt. Nikolai was almost close to losing but he was clever, thinking ten steps ahead when she was still planning for her next attack.

They stayed like that for seconds, panting. Then they erupted in laughter.

Nikolai stood up first and gave her a hand, "First rule in battle, don't let your guard down."

She took it and stood, dusting off her shirt.

"Thank you," Yelena said, "Don't worry, more training and I'll finally get to outmatch you," she smirked.

Nikolai winked, "Try harder."

Kolzak and Vanya headed towards them. Kolzak was clapping while Vanya was still frowning for what happened earlier.

"That's it for today," the commander of the Royal Guards, Elil Marquesse, came into view.

He was the one responsible for their training in battle and the castle's defense. Although he's already at his mid-50s, his strong suit with combat doesn't seem to recede. He is still the King and Queen's vanguard, despite the old age.

The commander turned to Yelena, "The Royal Highness is looking for you, Your Grace. You may go straight to the Great Hall, the king and queen are awaiting for your presence," he said.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

Why would they like to see her all of a sudden?

Instead of asking for further questions, she glanced at her siblings hoping they would know something, but they all just gave her a shrug.

Since no one seemed to have a hint about it, Yelena just told her thanks to Commander Marquesse and they all went back to the castle.