Page 24 of Legends of Sorcery
The lower floor of the inn doubled as the local tavern and those there for their evening drink craned their necks for even a glimpse of her royal highness. Valaria didn’t begin to fully relax until she was safely inside her assigned quarters.
The room may have been large to others, but to her it felt small and cramped like the walls were closing in around her. She wanted to put a barricade up against the door or demand Taneth sit watch outside certain she would get no sleep.
A knock on a side door had her near hysterics and shaking violently as she watched the knob turn. Arion walked in and she collapsed in sobs so happy to see him.
Worried, his had went immediately to his sword as he looked around the room for trouble. Finding none, he relaxed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her.
Instead of answering Valaria practically launched herself into his arms for safety.
“You’re shaking. What happened?”
She shook her head against his shoulder. “Nothing. I just felt so exposed walking through town. It was awful.”
Arion laughed. “You’re a princess. You should be used to people staring at you.”
“Yes, but not quite like that. I mean I understand they are just excited. Most have probably never seen anyone from the royal family in person. Back home, everyone’s used to seeing us and it’s just different. I don’t know how to explain it,” she said.
“I understand. The first time I met you and Garron it was sort of similar for me. I kept to myself and didn’t think anyone but Zallon really knew I existed. Then Garron wouldn’t shut up about all he’d heard about me and you were confirming it.” He sighed. “It was a little overwhelming.”
She nodded, so thankful he understood and wasn’t chastising her for being a silly spoiled little princess. “That’s exactly it.”
When Valaria realized that Arion’s room connected to hers on one side and Taneth’s on the other, she began to relax some. Arion helped her secure a chair under the doorknob to secure the door leading to the hallway and both men left the doors open between their rooms. Knowing they were close by gave Valaria the comfort she needed to sleep comfortably through the night.
Chapter 9
At first daylight Taneth had the two up for training. They groaned in protest, but he ignored them, moved the bed to the side in Valaria’s room because it was significantly larger and had them sparring each other before breakfast.
Arion listened to everything he was told. He was still a bit clumsy and the movements felt awkward to him, but he tried hard and by the time Taneth told them break and get ready for the day, Arion could see improvements in his own skills and felt pride in his progress, until he tripped over the threshold and tumbled into his room.
His face reddened as Valaria stood behind him laughing. Picking himself up, he scowled at her as he shut the door.
Arion took his time getting ready for the day not wanting to face Valaria again after she laughed at him. Besides, he had real work to do and didn’t have time to play sword fighting with her anyway.
While he knew Taneth and Valaria were eating breakfast at the tavern, Arion snuck out the side door and walked around town. He stopped and talked to people on the street.
“Excuse me, but have you seen any of the unicorns in this area?” he asked each person he met and each time the answer was, “No.”
Frustrated he headed to the edge of the village. The unicorns never came into the village or up to the castle back home. The closest they ever came to civilization was the Hall of Magic to visit Arion. He deducted that therefore the unicorns wouldn’t be in the town of Kilrest, but perhaps in the countryside surrounding it.
He started to head out on his own, but he knew Valaria would be furious if he ditched her. Reluctantly he walked back to the inn first. As he peeked his head in the door he saw her sitting there surrounded by locals and looking quite irritated.
“Where have you been?” she demanded when she caught sight of him at the door.
“Went for a walk to do some scouting,” he admitted with a shrug.
“I thought we were having breakfast first.”
“Wasn’t hungry,” he tried to say but his stomach rumbled loudly giving away the lie.
“Sit and eat,” she said harshly.
Arion had never been on the receiving end of the princess in her royal persona. He didn’t care for it one bit. Instincts told him not to argue with her though, so he sat and ate quickly.
She sent Taneth to fetch their things and settle the bill with the innkeeper before taking the seat next to Arion. Her temper had burned out and this time when she spoke to him, he felt even more gutted before he knew she was truly hurt by him leaving her behind.
“You were just going to leave without me?” she whispered.
