13 13 A visitor from Tron

"My lady, you have a visitor from Tron" one of the new maids said and quickly walked away. I hardly ever spoke to them.

I thanked God I finally had a distraction so I would not have to answer Torren's question. I quickly got up "I have to see who is there" I said trying to make my way out but Torren blocked my way and grabbed me on my shoulders. "What do you believe Diana" he asked staring right into my eyes.

"Torren I have a guest, I really should be going" I tried to pull out of Torren's grip but it was quite difficult to wriggle out of his hold.

"No guest to be in the palace at this time so they can wait. Now answer me wife, do you believe I killed them all?" Torren looked scary as he asked me that question, he squeezed my shoulder so much that it started to hurt. "You're hurting me Torren, let me go" I cried as I kept struggling to pull out myself. "Answer me Diana" he shouted in anger. I have never seen Torren this mad at me before now. I was scared right now "I I I don't know. Okay, I don't know what I believe, I don't know what you could do before I met you and then their skulls are all over your palace, how do you explain it Torren" I answered trying to hide my fear and appear bold.

Torren looked hurt and disappointed "Just when I thought you believed in me" he said letting go off my shoulder. I had nothing else to say, seeing Torren hurt by my words really pierced my heart but it was an honest response. I slowly walked out of his room without any other word. I walked into the palace to see my guest. I entered the throne room and saw I familiar female figure facing the walls. "Hello" I called out her attention, as she turned around and smiled I recognized her "Freya" my best friend, I quickly rushed towards her and hugged her so tightly, I never thought I will ever see Freya again. "What happened to you, where did you go, how have you been, how did you fine me" I had so many questions after I pulled out of her embrace and I couldn't wait to ask all of them.

"One question at a time Diana, I mean queen Diana" Freya teased me and we laughed. "OK OK, first question why are here by this time?" I asked. "Well, it's a long journey to Darca from where I live, I traveled all day, it wasn't quite easy getting into Darca you know" she said smiling. "Can I at least sit down Queen Diana?, my feet are really aching".

Oh yes. I forgot to give her a seat out of excitement. I took her to my chambers and had Kahlan offer her wine. She also took her bath and changed into fresh clothes before we sat down to have a long discussion. "Where have you been Freya?" I started.

"No permanent place, after I was banished I moved to Ondra but they weren't exactly nice to strangers so I moved to Drigo, I had nothing there, I had no one there, I had no friends, no food, nothing at all so I left in search of survival. I've been living in bushes and forests. I've been moving from one kingdom to another, searching for food and survival. When I heard your Step mother married you off to lord Torren of Darca, I was worried about you Diana. That was when I started searching for you" she said and held my hands. I smiled my eyes filled up with tears of joy. I gently squeezed her hands "I didn't stop worrying about you for one day Freya. I consistently wished I would see you again" I said as a tear dropped out of my right eye and I quickly wiped it off. "How's your marriage to lord Torren?" She asked.

"Not as bad as I expected, he's nice to me" I replied smiling. "Why didn't he kill you like he killed the others, is he using you for some sort of sorcery?" She asked concerned.

"No, nothing like that. I think he's in love with me. And I love him too" the smile on my face disappeared when I remembered I hurt him just minutes ago. "I think I owe him an apology" I said with a sad expression. "Apology for what" Freya eagerly asked. I suddenly realized I shouldn't be bothering her with my marriage troubles at this time. "It's nothing. Where was the last place you resided before coming to look for me?" I asked her.

"An elven kingdom, I was able to get refuge there" she responded coldly. I didn't know what to say so I just put a hand on her shoulders. We slept off few moments later and woke up on hearing Kahlan's voice giving out instructions to the maids, that was when I realized it was almost midday. Soon Kahlan walked into my room and opened up my curtains to let sunlight into the room. "Good morning lady Diana" looking at Freya she didn't know how to address her "good morning visitor" she finally said.

I laughed "forgive my manners, I didn't introduce you last night, Kahlan meet Freya my best friend from childhood, Freya meet Kahlan my friend and personal maid, more like a sister here in Darca" Kahlan didn't seem to be comfortable around Freya but she pretended and tried to be nice but them Freya shrugged her off. Maybe she was jealous that I had a new friend.

"Now Diana, will you introduce me to lord Torren?" Freya asked turning towards me. "Of course I will, when you must have had a warm bath and breakfast" .

Soon Freya and I had breakfast and decided to take a walk in the garden. I didn't even care to find out if Torren was okay with Freya living in the palace with us, I was just excited to have my best friend back. "Queen Qarinah killed my father" I said suddenly.

Freya stopped and looked at me "your father is dead? I had no idea, I'm so sorry Diana". "It's okay. I'm over it already"

"I don't like her" Freya said squeezing her face. "Me neither, she's evil" I concurred. "Then why is she by your side?" Freya asked with a serious gaze. At this time I knew it wasn't my step mother we were talking about. "Freya, are we still talking about Queen Qarinah?" I asked as Freya laughs gently "no, your maid, Kahlan" she pointed at Kahlan who was standing far away from the garden. I couldn't make out what she was doing.

"Kahlan is a good person. You'll like her soon enough" I assured her. She smiled.

"How's your mother? Have you heard from her since your banishment?" I asked her but her expression turned sad "no, she is dead" I was hurt to hear it. I didn't even realize it since I was locked up and finally sold out. She suddenly looked and felt uncomfortable "permit me to your chambers, I will be back soon" she hurriedly left without even waiting for the permission. As soon as she was out of sight, Kahlan approached me.

"My lady, I hope you do know what you are doing" I was surprised at Kahlan's words, I didn't reply and she continued "Freya cannot be trusted, no one who steps into Darca now can. I think she's here on a mission"

I laughed not being able to make sense out of everything Kahlan has just said. "Don't worry Kahlan, I trust her. I have known her my whole life and I can tell what she's capable of" I assured.

"My lady, you have been seperated for years now, people change in days" she emphasized. I didn't want to have that conversation with Kahlan so I brought up Torren. "I have not set my eyes on Torren today, where is he?"

"He left very early my lady" she responded. Typical Torren.

"Permit me to ask my lady, did you have a fight with him? He seemed quite unhappy today and quite unlike him, he didn't leave any message for you about his destination"

I didn't really know how to respond to that, Kahlan continued "he also took out the skulls in the palace" I was shocked at this. "He did? He took out the skulls of his bride?" I asked in awe.

"Brides?" Kahlan was surprised "my lady those are not his brides, those are the skulls of people who gave up their lives for Darca. He put them there to honour their memories"

I felt really horrible at this point. 'I hurt him Kahlan, I hurt Torren. I think he left so he can avoid me all day" I sobbed. " what do I do?".

Kahlan sighed and put her hands on my shoulders to reassure me before Freya got back. "Did I miss something my day?" Her voice interrupted. Kahlan bowed and glared at me be careful before she finally left. "It's nothing Freya, come I'll take you to my battle ground"

"I would also love to practice with you, I have missed those days"

"Have you gotten much stronger?" I asked her excitedly.

"Oh trust me you can't even take me down now"

We got to the battle ground and fought till sunset. "You've really got some nice moves princess, I mean Queen" Freya teased.

"You weren't bad yourself"

"Stop Diana, you really are much stronger than I can imagine".

We laughed if off. "Hey, when is Lord Torren coming back?" Freya asked as she dropped her sword. I didn't know the answer to that question and I really was worried about him.