Shield of Fire
Trap behind a smile

The deafening metal sound echoed again in the almost empty room. Crini opened her eyes reluctantly, cursing under her breath for not being able to stay a bit more. The night was quite chilly and the thin cover provided was not enough to keep her warm, so he had folded into a tight cocoon.

Lifting her head up and reaching for it, closing it down, she collapsed back into the bed. She had a terrible headache and every muscle in her body was hurting like she’s been working in her sleep. It’s the third day of her training to be able to stand as a guard for Queen Tesfira’s son, Tadal.

Crini didn’t want to take part in this tournament. It was doom or forever fame. She bet her salary, and Tadal wants fame. He never gets bored of it and always seeks more. As being the prince of one of the kingdoms is not enough. Well, since they are all under the command of general Neo, their title is mostly ceremonial. So being the winner of such a tournament is a title no one can take away from him.

Crini remembered the story they told her one night when she was still in the orphanage.

When General Neo took over control of Ethnos by force, all four kingdoms had to bow to his will. Over a hundred years ago, an ancient demon attacked Ethnos. The four kingdoms set aside their differences and united against the evil that returned stronger. Yes, it was not the first time Ethnos had faced the demon’s threat. General Neo – consumed by the desire to rule – formed a pact with the demon in pursuit of power and immortality. The demon possessed the general – taking advantage of his body and skills – and led his minions into victorious battles that caused many Ethnians to perish.

The war ended after many months and even more battles that left each kingdom with a devastating number of survivors. The general forced the royal families in all four kingdoms to surrender under his rule or taste his blade. In order to stop putting an end to the bloodbath, they surrendered, managing to keep their kingdoms and their places, but every decision made was a result of the wishes of general Neo and the demon that still resides inside him.

However, Crini couldn’t ignore the fact that everyone’s attention was turning to the winner of the tournament and never anyone wondered where are the rest of the contestants. Upon that thought, Crini felt a swirl of fear in her stomach.

After completing her morning routine, she walked out of her room and headed toward the training ground.

General Kra’ko was already there waiting for her, his hands placed behind his back and his right foot tapping fast on the ground. She was late, again. His piercing grey eyes were shining silver in the morning light.

“Punctuality is a trait you have yet to conquer Crini.” He points ironically. But he’s the only one that doesn’t put her status title before the name. All the others – Queen included – that are not employed in the palace call her ‘servant Crini’. He, on the other hand, is only referring to her just by her name. And she likes it. It was long ago since he heard only her name.

“I’m very sorry sir,” she replies keeping her head down. “I’ll try my best to master it.”

“Then, you can master it by running. Three laps are good for a start.” General Kra’ko states without looking at her, while he heads to a wooden chest placed further away from him.

Crini starts running around the training ground until her laps are over. She got back to the centre to do her usual exercise routine for the past three days, fifty push-ups and some stretching. The general approached her holding one long sword in one hand and a spear in the other. He tosses the spear to her and stands still with the sword just hanging on his side.

“Today, you’ll practice in combat, one-to-one. The purpose is to succeed in disarming me.” He states, and Crini could swear under those grey eyes there’s a smirk. He doesn’t think she can do it.

Rage rises inside her at that thought and her grip on the spear tightens. She hands the spear parallel to the ground and launches forward. General Kra’ko manages to dodge easily, shifting his body to the side. Crini plants the spear down to stop her momentum and turns around to try again. This time, with a swift move of his sword he blocks her attack, pushing her to the side. Crini lands hard on the ground; the spear drops from her grasp.

“Don’t lose your grip.” General Kra’ko shouts sternly. “Keep your feet steady on the ground. Don’t lose your balance.”

Before she could manage to stand up, the general runs toward her, sword in attack position. Crini crept to reach for the spear and rolled on her back just in time to block his attack. The general crashes the sword violently at her and she manages to hold up the spear with both hands to stop him.

But he doesn’t give up.

General Kra’ko keeps pushing his sword, the tip of the blade pointing towards her. Pain strikes her muscles as she keeps pushing the spear up against him. Damn, he’s strong. Crini’s teeth clench as she pushes more, but he leans more on her. She lowered her hold to allow him to come forward a bit more. Surprisingly, he took the bait. Maybe he underestimated her so much that he didn’t pay attention to her scheme. When he was almost over her, Crini pushed her legs straight up, kicking general Kra’ko in the stomach.

He lets a loud groan and falls back, landing on the ground with a thud. This gives Crini enough time to get up and take her defence position, holding the spear firmly between her hands. The general gives her an intense look that holds it for several moments. The awkward silence between them makes the dread within her grow and the grip around the spear made her knuckles turn white.

Crini stared at him surprised when he lets his sword down and applauds. He’s smirking. General Kra’ko – the stiff man that she thought was born without the ability to laugh – sits opposite her, smiling.

“Very good. For a beginner.” He remarks. “Now, do it again.” He adds grabbing his weapon at hand.

By the time Crini is back, the sun has already set. Darkness fills the vast area of the palace which now is filled with small lamps lighting the stone paths outside and around the majestic building. She enters from the servants’ entrance – which leads to their common room - and replaces them all sitting at the large round table, eating. Tronstad’s silvery blue eyes fall on her.

“You found the way back?” she mocks her pointing with the fork at hand to seat next to her and join them for dinner.

“You don’t want to know,” Crini gave her a sharp look and grabbed an apple from a large fruit plate. She took a large bite and greeting everyone, she headed out of the kitchen.

The cold air of her room hits her in the face as she opens the door. It makes her shiver, but it’s refreshing. Putting the apple on the bed, she jumped immediately into the shower, leaving her uniform laying on the bathroom floor.

The water falls on her like a balm – despite its coldness – taking away the dirt of the training with it. As she kept rubbing herself with the soap, she noticed several spots that started already to appear on her body and soon will spread into purple-blue bruises.

When she finished her night routine, she hung the uniform in the usual place and sat on the bed with the apple at hand. She brought herself upwards, putting her back against the cold wall, enjoying her meal in silence.

Various thoughts swirled in her mind. She remembered what general Kra’ko had told her about the tournament all these days that she’s been training with him. The tournament begins in three days.

“Only one will win, and you need to make sure Tadal is the one.”

The queen didn’t only want me to protect her son, but also make sure that he is the one to walk the finish line.

Crini’s mouth dropped open as she gasped at the realization.

“Queen Tesfira sentenced me to death!” she whispers.