Fala then continued, "And I've seen you with far less clothing before, you forget all those nights when you were so sick, I had to bathe and clothe you myself.”
A mother figure indeed.
I stepped toward the trunk that held my belongings however few. To distract myself from Fala’s disappointing gaze, I hurriedly changed into my training clothes. A few other belongings that remained in the trunk were my intricate fire throwing blades that she had gifted me, I made quick work of strapping them onto my attire. The last of my belongings were my performance hair coverings, they called them “diok’s” in the North, which were always worn outdoors, my hair being concealed was a comfort to my guilty heart, the bright and vibrant colours of the diok’s always caught the attention of the spectators—leaving them in awe and wanting more.
“The façade of the mask you wear every day...” A familiar voice rang in my head.
Fala cleared her throat to catch my attention, she looked as though she was hiding something. She gave me a strainedlook, and then announced, "Dezimus and Elijah caught three cliftolights last night." I concealed the shock on my face as I proceeded to wrap the reddiokaround the outline of my natural hair.
So making sure I was awake for training wasn't the ultimate goal to come visit me I suppose...
"To have caught them, they must have been close to the campsite," I replied back with a neutral expression, hoping Fala could provide answers. But when I looked into Fala's face there seemed to be none.
"They were close..." Fala agreed in a quiet voice but then continued on. "They will be part of the performance three days from now, part of your act in the arena. Do you think you'd be able to handle three of them?" she asked and then looked into my eyes warily. It was odd, seeing the times Fala showed true emotion on her beautiful face.
Why would those dark creatures be so close, knowing that our ulterior motive was to end their species? The fact that they aren't easy to catch makes it harder to comprehend. The only way to catch them is if you are part of their hunt.
HowdidDezimus and Elijah catch them? Three of them for that matter.
I remember how those creatures clawed into my thoughts and spoke to me in dark vengeful ways.I shook off the memory, and nodded with ease.
"They would make an excellent part of the show; I would love the challenge, but I suppose Rosetta would be upset to find out she won't be the highlight of the show?" I asked jokingly but already knew the answer. Rosetta was an arena performer, she hated my entire existence. She got assigned with ballet and acrobatics while I got assigned with knives and fire. Fala looked at me as if she had known I'd say yes to her proposal and yet I sensed some of sadness from her.
She fails to realize that I'd do whatever it was she asked of me. Even if it meant putting my life on the line.
"She would be upset indeed, but she has a different purpose in the arena and it does not include fighting," Fala responded, exiting my tent. I draped a black cloak around my shoulders and followed her out.
It was a busy day in Merlanis, merchants walking past tents of other performers, trying to entice them with beautiful glittered clothes and perfumes. There had always been something missing in the lands we visited. Before the Kingdom of Light had taken over, music used to be played freely but now there were limitations. Only three memorised songs were allowed to be played, any other harmonious songs were considered wild and forbidden. The memorised songs were light and fluttery but after hearing it so often, you begin to forget it’s even being played or worse, you begin to resent music. My soul craved it—needed it, and yet was undeserving of it. Sometimes, I did the forbidden and hummed the songs of stars and shadows.
Lord Dritan's men did their rounds across the camp, they wore the symbol of the silver dragon on their grey cloaks and studied everything, making sure all was going to plan for the upcoming show. There were a few men who were stationed in the middle of the field, putting up a huge green and gold marquee that will tower up to a very high height to make space for the trapeze artists. The tent was absolutely breath-taking, it always managed to put a look of wonder on my face since young, and of course the colours of the marquee were chosen by Fala. Fala's signature green, a colour that felt like home.
The preparations for the oncoming performance had to be a big one. I haven't seen this many lavish decorations or rather this many people helping before, it made me wonder what the occasion was for. I scanned the rest of the crowd and inhaled the scent of a fresh fire which had just been lit. My eyes wanderedtowards the bright sky and the intense rays of the sun shining upon the grass ahead.
"I need you to be on your best behaviour, focus and train. Lord Dritan hasimportantguests coming from other lands to spectate." Fala hushed and glanced toward the men patrolling the grounds. Curiosity nipped at me.
"Do you know who those important guests are?" Which lands were they from and what were their purposes for visiting Merlanis?
Fala whipped her cloak away and said in a rush. "It’s none of your concern for now. Go do as you are told, Morana," she commanded, leaving no room for an answer as she shifted into a crow and with a loud caw, disappeared into the trees.
I'll just have to find out for myself then. I touched the hunting knives that were on my hip unconsciously, debating on eating first or going into the training tent. It would be smart to go to the dining tent, to hear word of the gossip of who might be attending. Moody Miryam, the one and only performance arena's chef, would be whipping up a batch of fluffcakes at this hour. With my mind already set on food, I had taken a step towards the dining tent, until someone grabbed the hood of my cloak and pulled me back. My breath hitched and I spun around, whipping my blade out on instinct, pushing the hand off instantly.
"And where do you think you're going, Morana?" Ezrahkiel Archeirus asked, crossing his muscled arms together with narrowed eyes.
I growled out my response and replied, "To get breakfast of course, but as always, you spoil my appetite. I could have wounded you,youinsolent fool," I said in annoyance as I readjusted my cloak and tucked my blade back in its place, looking into his dark, teasing blue eyes.
Ezrahkiel Archeirus, the notorious and most talented male performer in the arena. A man who always caught the eye of wealthy women who have plenty of times offered to pay a hefty dime for a particular service... to which of course he kindly declined.
Ezrahkiel was not only known as the strongest male warrior but also the manipulator of steel. Ezra had the power to deflect and control any weapon made out of steel or iron, whether it be a sword, a blade, or an arrow. His magical abilities have always fascinated me. I never admitted it, of course. Ezra wouldn't have been able to get it out of his egotistical mind if I had. Only a handful of people in the whole of Terran were blessed with such abilities. A freak of nature and absolutely perfect for the arena.
The goddess blessed.
The type of people that were treated like abnormalities and were not allowed to cross borders without permission or own land. The king had made sure of that. Ezra was brave and the stubbornest ass around here but most of all, he was my best friend. We were both taken in by Fala—orphans, yet with a guardian who genuinelycared.
After all, there were worse places to end up in as an orphan.I thought to myself as two siblings I knew came to mind.
"Breakfast, at this time?” He chuckled. “You're late for practice and you’re stopping for a meal?" he asked in an accusing voice, tying his blond hair behind him, dusting off the dirt from his shirt, his tanned skin gleaming in the light. Ezra, unlike myself, had been training from the looks of it. He had a lean body which was built well enough with muscle.
"Of course Icanjust stop by for a meal," I look longingly at the dining tent.
