ALLEGIANCE OF THE INFIDEL

COMPANION AND CONSPIRATOR

Astrid lied on her bed and tried to shut her eyes to get some sleep before the training. But, her sleep had drifted farther away. She realized the graveness of the intense dilemma in which she was. Messalina's devise would aid her in procuring the throne after her father's death as Messalina was younger than Lord Julianus Artorius Caelestius, and was bound to live longer. It was discomforting to Astrid that the wretched woman had her claims to the throne.

Astrid comprehended her devise and vile behaviour better than the others. Her gentle smile was a camouflage to conceal her rather bitter nature.

She decided to abandon the trail of pessimistic thoughts behind her and closed her eyes strenuously.

Then, she heard a thud that came from the adjacent side of the window. Her initial thoughts were that a few thieves broke into her room. she presumed that the people might be after her letter. Then, following the sound of the steps, she comprehended that there was only one thief.

Ordinarily, any woman would be petrified, but Astrid realized she was no ordinary woman' from the day her mother was decapitated. She woke up from the bed in a sneaky manner and crawled towards the window. There, she saw an unfamiliar figure approaching her desk. She grabbed the person from behind and realized that it was actually a woman when her long hair fell upon her hands.

She pushed her down on the ground, sat above her and held her hands through hers.

"Dare to intrude, wench? Identify yourself !", asserted Astrid in a hard voice.

"I am a friend", responded the girl with a smile.

Astrid was astonished by the anonymous girl's bravery. She glared at her and ordered, "Leave my room at this instant, otherwise you won't admire the hospitality that you'll be witnessing".

That girl approached Astrid and asserted, "Princess, I just observed that you took lessons from Serlon. I approached him too, but he didn't agree on making me his apprentice".

Astrid began to drive her towards the window and claimed, "I genuinely felt bad for you, but you have to leave now".

The girl held Astrid's hand in hers and enunciated that she understood that Astrid didn't wish for any trouble, but her passion for Swordsmanship was as genuine as Astrid's, but being a woman, she was not allowed to make that choice for herself.

Astrid sympathized with her as she shared the same passion, and assured her that she will try to talk with Serlon about her.

The girl left a kiss upon her left hand, bowed, and then left by stating that her name was Delilah.

Astrid couldn't comprehend if she should admire or criticize that woman's audacity. Thereupon, she went to her bed and slept.

In the morning, Astrid woke up, bathed, had her morning meal, and then went out for training. She reached the training ground to find Delilah waiting for her. Thereafter, she brought his sword out of its holster and positioned it towards the tree, and began her training.

Soon after, Sirius arrived. He observed the presence of Delilah but chose to disregard it on purpose. The girl approached Sirius but was rebuked mercilessly.

After observing the ruckus, Astrid approached Sirius and tried to persuade him into letting her be a part of it.

Due to her constant rambling, Sirius glared at her and spoke, "Be wary of what you wish for. Sometimes, the people that seem earnest would try to s***h you to pieces. The world is an ungenerous place, and so are its inhabitants".

Astrid couldn't decipher the meaning behind what he said but was glad to see that he permitted Delilah for the apprenticeship

Delilah was presented with a wooden sword of her own, and then she began to learn the movements from Astrid.

The constant routine of the practice began to bring the two girls closer. Their relationship soon transformed into companionship. Delilah was the first mate that she ever made since her childhood.

After the practice, they even went to the markets around the first part of the city and spent time conversing leisurely.

Sirius could observe the changes that were occurring, but he knew that his advice would not be followed until Astrid realized that she began to stray from her objective.

Soon enough, Sirius announced that he had gotten Astrid into the tournament, but she would have to put on a disguise, and she would be using the name,' Hunter'.

Astrid embraced knight Stetson and was delighted by the revelation. Delilah, on the other hand, seemed distressed.

Astrid inquired about the reason for her anguish, but she chose not to speak.

Due to the constant disregard that she was greeted with, she pursued her to disclose her reasons for being shrewd.

She uttered that she was disheartened due to the ignorance of Knight Serlon. She grumbled how he didn't provide her with the privilege to be in the tournament.

Then, they went to knight Serlon and conversed about getting her into the tournament as well.

Consequently, knight Serlon gaped at them, tolerated their gibberish talk, and then responded, "You are still not prepared. You just began training. People actually die in that tournament".

Delilah glared at him with displeased eyes and asserted, "Then, she shouldn't be allowed to. Why do you let her go?"

Astrid tried to coax her and asserted, "I have my reasons. This is the only thing through which I can prove my valour and strength".

That conversation led to the dissolution of their friendship.

Astrid now began to observe the resentment Delilah held for her, but couldn't let it surface.

After three days, the first day of the tournament arrived.

In the morning, Lady Messalina approached Astrid and reminded her of the importance of her presence during the tournament. She was needed to accompany price André, her soon to be lawfully wedded husband.

She complied and then went to get prepared. She was glad to behold the sword that Serlon presented her. It was the first time she held a real sword made up of tri-titanium, the strongest metal known to men.

Then, she went out and joined the tournament as a spectator. Serlondeliberately chose to put her name towards the end of the battle, so she could observe the battles that preceded before hers.

The first three battles were won by a man of huge stature. He was addressed by the name 'Ogre' on the battlefield, nobody knew his actual name.

He spilt a lot of blood on the battlefield. It was inhumane, how he tore people's limbs with his spear. He was a true brute. He managed to defeat his every enemy and won all of the battles. Now, the last battle of the day was left. Serlon felt concerned for Astrid, as he knew nobody was capable of defeating him.

Soon, the time for her battle arrived. She excused herself by pretending to be frail and feeble.

Then, she went towards the bushes and got changed in an instant. She entered the battle with valour but was greeted with scurrility and mockery.

She realised that her only way of escaping the battle was death itself. Thereafter, she went towards the opponent and bowed, soon a wave of laughter followed. The spectators mocked her rectitude.

By paying no heed to the disrespect that greeted her, she paved her way towards the enemy. The moment she drew the sword out of its scabbard, gripped its pommel and positioned it towards her enemy, she was haltered.

A minister of the senate halted the battle and removed the headgear ofAdtrid. The crowd gasped in bewilderment, and Lord Julianus glared at her with resentment. While Sirius seemed concerned, Lady Messalina seemed pleased with the affair.

Whereas, Astrid was astounded by the abrupt hindrance, and couldn't figure out the source through which the minister garnered such knowledge. Then, she caught a glimpse of the woman who was sitting among the spectator while covering her face with a headscarf. The woman removed her scarf and grinned at Astrid. The woman was none other than Delilah herself.

She understood that she was beguiled by Delilah, her amiability and devotion was pretence and her sweet words represented nothing, but fraudulent and forged feelings.

Though the fall did hurt her, she knew she was not a mere ordinary woman, but a 'Pheonix'. No matter how many times she burned, she will rise from the ashes constantly. She carried the weight of vengeance, and it was her creed to penalize the people for their wrongdoing and protect her dead mother's chastity.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

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