38 Training

"Thought I'd find you here," Alex commented from the side leaning on a pillar nearby.

"Why were you looking for me in the first place?" Diana asked without stopping her training.

"Emma wants Crystal, Maddy, Hunter and Kylo as well as you and I to join her and my parents for breakfast. You can say no of course," Alex explained and after a moment Diana sheathed her sword.

"Let's go then," Diana replied as Alex fell into step beside her they walked in a peaceful silence towards the door and when they reached it they both reached out their hands to open the door . Their hands hitting against each others before they both quickly withdrew their hands. "Sorry," she apologised a slight blush crossing her face.

"No it's my fault," Alex replied turning his head away as a hint of scarlet painted his cheeks.

After a moment Alex opened the door "After you,"

"What a gentlemen?" Diana said in a teasing tone which caused Alex to grin.

"Yay! Big sister come sit here," Emma cheered patting the seat to her left. Diana obliged with her wishes receiving a hug as she sat down.

Alex sat down on the right between Emma and thier farther and he two was then hugged by Emma.

"Thank you all for joining us," Queen Valeria began "now then let's eat."

"Diana?" Crystal called over.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to train with us after this?" Maddy asked questionably.

"Sure," she replied nonchalant as she continued eating her chocolate chip pancakes.

"Wait, really?" Kylo blurted in disbelief earnimg a slap on his arm from Hunter.

"I already said I would," Diana replied ignoring their antics.

"Big sister, what happened to you and big brother?" Emma asked causing everyone to fall silent.

"What do you mean?" Alex asked.

"When you got kidnapped I didn't get to ask yesterday but you came back all beaten up," Emma explained.

"Well Alex and I were kidnapped by some men who were sent here to spy by my parents. However, they became greedy and wanted more so they tried to take me back but they didn't expect Alex there." Diana explained as briefly as possible with as few details as possible.

"But they never considered our strength," Alex continued "So Diana and I escaped and defeated them easily." Alex finished in away that wouldn't frighten her he still try's to give Emma the reminisce of what others her age are protected from. thins such as gory details.

"Wait, your parents sent them?" Hunter asked in disbelief.

"Well of course, it's not that surprising. Honestly I'm more amazed that they didn't do something sooner," Diana explained causing the others to stare at her in astonishment "What?" she asked.

"Your not even fazed that they sent them after you?" King Brian asked.

"Well they weren't sent after me that would just be a bonus for my parents they were actually sent to spy on Fortis. You'll also find that they did the same in Dolus and Noblis that's my suspicion anyway. They might also not have been the only ones sent here." She explained to them as she finished of her pancakes. "They were probably sent here before I even came to Malum."

"Only you would say that like it's no big deal," Queen Valeria sighed.

"Well it might be in the future but I think they'll be alright for now besides we can't do much at the moment," Diana explained taking a sip of her tea.

"What do you mean by that?" King Brian questioned.

"Nothing in particular," she replied staring out of one of the windows as she began during her fingernails against her tea cup.

"You really like confusing us, don't you?" Maddy moaned.

"No, I just think it's not something to worry about at the moment. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go train," before any of them could continue she walked out of the dining hall and down the corridor heading into the training area. She quickly began to train and a few minutes later Alex was sparring with her.

"What are we suppose to do now?" Kylo asked.

"Why you asking me?" Maddy moaned back.

"Why don't you four try sparring with each other?" Diana suggested while blocking Alex' attack. Without another word they left Kylo against Crystal and Hunter against Maddy.

"Your going to find those spies anyway aren't you?" Alex asked while they sparred.

"Yes, but I won't attack until I have to after all they could be of use to us in the future," she explained before lunging at Alex causing him to swiftly block.

"You have a point there," he agreed swiping at Dianas left arm. Jumping up into the air she missed the point of his sword by mere inches. However, he did a 360° turn swiping at her in the air causing her to turn her body mid jump making her landing slightly unbalanced.

Just as she was about to attack Diana heard the wind change and quickly closed the distance between her and Alex throwing her sword to the side and jumping at him. Catching him off guard she successfully pushed Alex out of the way causing everyone to stop and look over at them.

"Are you alright?" Diana asked getting of Alex and offering him a hand up.

He took it while asking "Want to explain what that was for?" Alex asked dusting himself off.

"Take a look for yourself," she replied pointing behind her everyone's eyes darted to where she's pointing and protruding from the ground is a sleek wooden arrow. A sky blue ribbon tied to it blowing on the gentle breeze.

"Did someone try to assassinate the crown prince?" someone asked before the other four came over.

"Are you alright?" Maddy asked.

"We're fine," Alex replied as she walked over to the arrow and bent down. Grabbing the ribbon attached Diana saw writing etched across it in black.

"Been awhile, let's meet in the forest clearing at sunset, and come alone." Diana read the ribbon allowed under her breath "Damn you," she hissed after reading it.

"Everything ok?" Hunter asked as he and the others walked over to where Diana's kneeling.

"What does the ribbon say?" Maddy asked.

"Nothing important," Diana said pulling the arrow from the ground before any of them could see but Alex scanned the message without Diana noticing.

"You sure?" Crystal asked.

"Yes," Diana replied shortly before looking at the sky. Scanning the surroundings 'So he already took off no surprise there,'she thought. Checking the position of the sun Diana determined that she has two hours.

She stood up arrow in hand and began to walk inside "Where are you going?" Kylo called after her.

"To get something, ask the stable to saddle Luna up for me," Diana replied.

"Why? Where are you going?" Alex called after her flatly a hint of both interest and understanding in his voice.

"To deal with an annoyance," she answered nonchalantly, heading back inside before anyone could say another word.

'You just had to pull one of your stunts didn't you Liam?' she sighed thinking of this as she entered her room grabbing her bow and arrow from the fake bottom of her desk and then heading to the stables. When she arrived Luna was saddled and waiting.

"Let's go girl, we need to sought this out before he causes any more trouble." Diana said after mounting Luna she kicked her side causing Luna to gallop towards the clearing Liams arrow tucked away with the other arrows. By the time she reached the clearing there was only a few minutes until the meeting time.

"Wasn't sure if you'd show or not,"an all too familiar voice commented as Liam walked out bow in hand. His spiky hazel hair like jagged rocks protruding his head, his emerald eyes shinning in the dimming sun.

"Well after the stunt you pulled I knew you wanted to meet, after all it couldn't possibly be that you're that recluse." Before he could continue a twig snapped behind them "Come out whoever you are!" Diana called hand on her swords hilt. Out came Maddy, Crystal, Kylo, Hunter and Alex.

"I thought I told you to come alowne," Liam hissed.

"It's not my fault they followed me," Diana retorted nonchalantly.

"As if you didn't know they were following you, I know you better then that." Liam argued and before she could reply Hunter cut in.

"So he's the guy who shot the arrow at Alex?" Hunter asked.

"Yes, but it wasn't actually aimed at Alex," Diana explained.

"Wait, what!?!?" Maddy shrieked

"He was trying to show of and went too far," Diana replied shooting a glare at Liam.

"So what? It's not like he's injured or anything." Liam defended.

"Not the point, you can't just shoot an arrow at the crown prince of another kingdom; you can't be stupid enough not to have figured that out." Diana berated.

"Oh, so he's the crown prince," Liam muled "wait, why are you hanging around with him?"

"That's not important what is, is why your here,"

"Right so I persuaded my parents to let me go on a mission but then came looking for you as you ran away."

"How did you find out that I'm here in Fortis?"

"I didnt, I guessed," he laughed.

"Who is he?" Alex asked behind her.

"This is Crown Prince Liam Gaudim Ludus Obfucia of Dolus," Diana explained to the others "but he's not a threat and hates how his parents rule and Liam this is Crown Prince Alexander Audax Fides Ferox of Fortis. As well as, my other friends Maddy, Kylo, Crystal and Hunter."

"I'm still confused why you're hanging around with royalty," Liam sighed.

"Because I serve as Personal Knight to Alex," Diana replied nonchalantly.

"Wait!!! What?!?! Why?!?! Your-" anticipating his next words Diana jumped off, of Luna and kicked him in the side sending him flying into a tree. Everyone except Alex looked shocked.

"Ow, that hurt," Liam moaned brushing himself off.

"How many times do I have to tell you to think before you speak?" Diana asked glaring at him with a look that was colder then a thousand blizzards.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. You know how I am it just slips out, I have no control over it. You don't need to get so worked up about it. Your so mean."