The King's Flame

Chapter II - The blade

The sun had not yet risen when Kira, after a series of instructions from Mrs. Virrin, entered the prince's tent to serve his breakfast and prepare his bath. The tent's partition was closed and Kira was relieved - perhaps it was possible to prepare everything and leave before he woke up. After putting the bread and fruit on the table, she started to fetch water to fill the bathtub. Next to the royal tent there was a huge barrel of water that was supplied by the soldiers. Three trips to bring cold water to the bathtub and then one to boil a pitcher of water and warm the bath. Everything was basically ready when Kira heard the curtain in the tent open.

- Good morning, Kira. - Said the prince before a yawn.

- Good morning, Your Highness. - Kira replied, turning to him.

Nichol wore only his black shirt, which was almost halfway down his thighs, and had messy hair that matched his stubble. He walked towards the bathtub and pulled his shirt off as he walked. Kira immediately turned away, embarrassed. She heard a discreet laugh that Nichol let out before the sound of him hitting the water and a relaxed sigh. Kira turned again and bowed slightly, taking two steps toward the door until she was interrupted.

- Why don't you help me here? - Asked Nichol.

The suggestion sounded like an order and Kira didn't find the courage to refuse. She turned and ducked beside the bath. He handed her the cloth he used to bathe. Kira dipped the fabric in the water and, delicately, began to pass over his back.

- Sorry about last night. - Said Nichol, suddenly. - I didn't mean to bother you.

A little surprised to hear that, Kira replied:

- No problem, Your Highness.

- You don't have to be afraid of me, you know? - Said Nichol, with a relaxed smile. - I don't bite. Not always...

- Yes, Your Highness. - Kira replied shyly.

Focused on the skin on his back, Kira noticed that Nichol was scarred; some scars looked old and others quite new. On his shoulders, there were some bruises that appeared to have been caused by the armor. His back, his shoulders and his arms were broad, strong and defined. His chest and forearm were covered by a few thin hairs that were slightly lighter in tone than his hair, almost disappearing into his slightly tanned skin. Nichol took the iron mug from the bathtub and splashed water over and over the top of his head, sliding his hands from his chin to the nape of his neck. Kira suddenly felt the urge to touch his wet hair with her own hands, but she expiated the thoughts from her head and returned to concentrating on the cloth in her hands.

- Do you know how to use a blade? - Nichol asked.

Kira looked at him confused. He stretched his body back and she immediately looked at the floor to not see his intimacy. Nichol's arm reached the table beside the tub and he returned to his position with a razor in his hand.

Nichol got out of the tub and Kira waited for him to dry off, on her back with the razor in hand. There was a robe on the hanger beside the bathtub, but he didn't put it on. He sat completely naked on one of the chairs at the dining table and let the cloth he used to dry himself rest in the middle of his legs, tangled up, as if it had been accidentally placed there. When he sat down, Kira took a crockery bowl, a few more cloths and a glass of oil, which she recognized as sweet almond mixed with some other floral oils. She put one of the cloths on her shoulder, poured some oil on her hands, rubbed her palms to warm it up, and put her hands close to his face. He withdrew.

- It’s for the blade slide better. - Kira said.

He seemed convinced by the explanation and she continued to gently rub the oil on his face. Nichol was staring at her, but she focused only on the lower part of his face. She took the blade, a beautiful razor with the Handar snakes etched into the silver handle, and began to slide it across his face precisely.

- Where did you learn to do that? - Nichol asked as she wiped the razor on the cloth on her shoulder.

- My mother. - Kira replied. - She shaved her husband before he died and taught me and my sisters. For when we get married.

- Her husband? Not your father?

- She wasn't my mother either, she just raised me.

- She taught you well. - he smiled - You have steady hands.

- She could've taught me better. But your soldiers killed her.

Kira saw Nichol's expression change. Once relaxed and playful, his face became serious and his body stiffened, slowly raising his hand that rested on the chair, as if he was on alert. Kira noticed it immediately.

- Don't worry, Your Highness. - Kira said, calmly, sliding the blade down his neck. - I'm not a murderer. Not yet at least.

Nichol stopped staring at her for the first time and looked suspiciously at her hand, driving the razor over his skin so delicately that it barely seemed to touch him. She pushed the blade away, wiped it on the cloth and closed it, depositing it on the table next to her.

- There, it’s done. - Kira said. Nichol's suspicious look was replaced by a contemplative expression.

- Thank you. - He answered seriously. - You can go.

Kira slightly bowed and quietly left the tent, without even setting the table or helping him to get dressed, as Mrs. Virrin said she would probably have to. She had a sinking heart, the anguish of talking about her mother and the nervousness of having confronted the prince in that way. Her hands were sweaty, shaking, but at the time she found an exceptional serenity in herself. She held a blade against the throat of the man responsible for destroying her life and didn't feel like killing him - but she found the courage to look into that powerful man's eyes and tell him that if she wanted to, he would be naked and covered of blood before he could even begin to beg for his life.

Calmer, Kira walked across the camp toward Mrs. Virrin's tent. Unlike when she entered the royal tent, the day had already dawned completely. When she returned she found only Mrs. Virrin and Amarna kneading bread dough. Amarna looked a little happier - or at least relaxed. Mrs. Virrin found out that both Guilla and Lanaida were sent to the camp and were serving the soldiers of the second regiment further south. She promised that they could see each other later that night when their chores were done. That gave them a little peace. Kira asked about Lila and was told that she was picking herbs in the field.

Lila was sitting on the grass with a basket beside her, pulling what Kira recognized as thyme from the floor. Standing in front of her, there was a knight, in armor and cape, leaning over one of his legs that was propped up on a rock in front of her. He seemed to say something to Lila that elicited a laugh from her that she immediately hid. He had very dark brown hair and a beard close to his face, impeccably tapered on his chin. Kira approached Lila.

- Hello, sister. - Said Lila. She wasn't laughing anymore, but she wasn't serious either.

- Hello. Hello, sir. - Kira said, turning to the knight.

- Miss. - replied the knight, with a brief bow. - I have things to do, I will leave you two. See you, ladies.

The knight returned to the camp. When he was gone, Kira sat on the rock where he was leaning.

- Who is he? - Kira asked.

- Lord Reimfred. - Lila replied, smiling. - I got a little lost trying to find the spices that Mrs. Virrin asked for and he helped me to get back.

- You two seemed ... friendly. - Kira commented.

- What!? - Lila reacted, outraged. - You're not implying that ...

- I'm not implying anything! - laughed - He's handsome.

- I know. - she smiled - Gentle too.

- We'll see Lanaida and Guilla tonight. - Kira commented, changing the subject. - I am relieved to know that they are fine.

- We can mourn Madame Orana's death all together, finally. I have really tried not to think about it, but every smile I give I feel guilty for not grieving. - Lila said, sad but calm. - I can't stop thinking about her last words. She asked us to be strong. It was as if she knew that we would survive the attack and she wouldn’t.

- She always taught us to believe in destiny, signs ... Once she said she had a vision the night my mother died. That's why she took me out of the house a few hours earlier, so I didn't have to see it. She was an exceptional woman.

- Nothing we knew exists anymore. We saw everything burn. I think I should feel a lot more distressed than I am now. We are serving the men who ruined our lives and all I feel is emptiness. A sadness that comes and goes, like remembering a lost amulet.

- The Goddess will help us through whatever challenges lie ahead. One day at a time.

- One day at a time, sister.

Kira helped Lila finish picking the herbs and the two returned to help Mrs. Virrin with the rest of the chores. The day went smoothly and passed quickly. A soldier reported that the prince would be dining alone and the knights' dinner should be served separately in Sir Destrian's tent. Lord Reimfred was there and Kira saw when he smiled at Lila, discreetly, as they set the table. Mrs. Virrin and Amarna were in charge of serving the knights' dinner while Kira and Lila returned to the royal tent. When they entered, the tent was empty, but soon Prince Nichol returned. He was wearing a leather coat instead of the armor.

- Good evening, ladies. - He said formally. - What did Mrs. Virrin decide to prepare today?

- Duck, Your Highness. - Lila replied, bringing him a jug of wine. - That's what the soldiers brought from today's hunt. I hope you like it.

- Served by you two, a stew of stones would satisfy me. - Said the prince.

Lila blushed and smiled. Kira remained as she was, in the corner. When she went to fill the prince's glass, Lila let the handle of the jar slip from her hand and, in an attempt to hold it, she ended up dropping the entire glass on the floor. Nichol quickly moved away from the table, and the wine that would be poured out onto him only wet the hem of his pants, his shoes, and the carpet.

- Your Highness, I'm so sorry! - Exclaimed Lila, putting the jar back on the table. Kira was next to a towel and immediately gave it to her sister. - I'll take care of it. I'm really sorry, Your Highness. It was an accident.

Lila was in a rush to start cleaning up the mess she made. She dried the table first, then picked up the silver glass from the floor and started, unsuccessfully, trying to rub the purple stain on the carpet. Nichol sat down again.

- It's okay, it was nothing. - Said the prince.

- Forgive me. - Lila insisted. She wiped the cloth on the shoe and the hem of his pants when she realized it had spilled there too.

- Looking at the bright side, at least it wasn't the whole jar. - said Nichol, sympathetically. - Then I would be devastated.

The comment made Lila laugh, but she apologized again. Nichol told her to forget about the rug, it would be very inconvenient to try to remove that stain in the middle of dinner, and dismissed them both in good grace. Kira was silent and remained silent.

Back at Mrs. Virrin's tent, the girls ate and waited for the time to be able to meet with their sisters. Mrs. Virrin and Amarna returned later, with the dinner knights' dishes. When the camp was quiet, Kira, Lila and Amarna went to the stream, where they were supposed to meet their sisters. They waited for almost an hour, until they saw Guilla and Lanaida with a lamp. The five hugged desperately; relieved, shaken and thrilled to be all together after spending two days living between danger and uncertainty.

- I brought this. - Said Lanaida, taking a candle from one of her dress pockets. – It’s for us to pray for Madame Orana, so the Goddess welcomes and comforts her.

Lanaida lit the candle and the five girls stood around it. Lila, as the eldest, recited a prayer.

Oh, Goddess, listen to our prayer

We pray for Azhema, who protects all souls

Intercede for the soul of the one who welcomed us when we lost everything

The one who brought countless healthy children into the world

The one whose kindness reached so many people

May she find peace by your side

We pray for Drahmera, who cures all sorts of pain

Intercede for us that are here

Suffering for the loss of our mother

Suffering from the destruction of our home

May our anguish be taken by you

We pray for Niarae, who writes all the destinies

Blessed be what we haven’t lived yet in the face of so many tragedies

Amid the men who took everything from us

Faced with impotence and uncertainty

May our destinies prove to be brilliant and kind

Guilla and Lanaida had to go back to their tent before anyone could notice their absence on the other side of the camp. Orana's daughters parted in tears, both with emotion and sadness, but calm because they knew the five of them were safe and sound. Kira, Lila and Amarna returned and found Mrs. Virrin already in a heavy sleep. Quietly, they undressed and went to sleep as well; with troubled minds, but with lighter hearts.