Trial Three: Kingdom of Sushti

Constantine isn't known for much but his charisma and charm. His swordsmanship and hand to hand combat are fair to say the least. His friend Richard was better at those then him and a lot prettier too. Glancing at said person, he wondered if they were never paired off during training all those years ago, would they be as good of friends as they are now.

Movement against his arms made him glance to the source.

Lynn Harlow, daughter of the notorious knight. She definitely came far, hasn't she?

From the shy sad child that did not want to fight to the warrior who had defeated not one of the kingdoms best, but two. Running his hand up her cheek to finger through her hair, he stared her.

What was she dreaming that had her groaning softly? What was she thinking about that had her fingers clenching and unclenching against his armored chest.

"Hey pretty girl," he whispered as he leaned down, "we're almost to the next kingdom."

There was a noise and Lynn turned against his chest before her soft voice spoke up.

"Constantine?" she didn't pull back mumbling, "did I fell asleep?"

"Yup," Constantine nodded as his horse continued behind the carriage, "you almost feel off your horse."

Lynn pulled back rubbing her eyes and blinking up at him. Sitting up on his lap, she looked so young.

"You've exhausted yourself," Richard spoke up as he neared them on his horse with Lynn's horse beside his, "you must be careful, beautiful Lynn."

Constantine just watched Lynn nod before she threw her leg over her horse. Steadying herself, she sat straight as if she did not just passed out earlier.

"Here," Constantine reached into his bag and threw a half sandwich at her, which she caught even when she was tired.

"Your lunch?" she blinked at him and he shrugged.

"You have not eaten for a while," he smiled at her, "we knights look out for one another, remember?"

He heard her thanks and her smile.

Glancing away as she ate, Constantine looked at the carriage and frowned. Why choose Lynn? Yes she was a mighty warrior and a great knight, but there were plenty who could represent the kingdom.

Heck! He probably would represent the kingdom if he had known what occurred while he was away.

'Unless they want her to lose,' he thought glancing back at Lynn who had finished the sandwich and was reaching for her water jug.

'Lose so Prince Garret can marry,' he told himself as Lynn poured some power into it and drank.

'Ah, so the rumors were right then,' he hummed and Lynn glanced over tilting her head.

Smiling to her, he moved his horse back to where he was stationed.

'That gem,' Constantine tightened his hold on the reins, 'what are you up to my king?'

Following the path, they came across the beautiful Kingdom of Sushti. Pausing at the gates, the guards opened it quickly to let them in. Bowing as they passed, Lynn looked around and did not see any villagers greeting them or trying to peek into the carriage for a glimpse of her royals. There were no banners or signs around the marketplace nor leading to the duel area.

'Why is that?' she questioned glancing at the fountain littered with coins inside.

As they slowed to a stop beside the castle stairs, Lynn got off her horse along with her fellow knights. A young woman no older than Lynn walked towards the carriage and opened the flaps.

"Your highnesses, welcome to the Kingdom of Sushti, my king and queen are waiting for you all inside," the woman bowed as King Alastir, Queen Celeste, and Prince Garret stepped out of the carriage.

Following behind them, Lynn glanced at Garret to see him straight faced and staring forward. Was it their conversation earlier at the carriage?

[["Do you not know my knight?" Garret turned to her and the corner of his lips softened, "I cannot wait to return to my love."

She felt her cheeks flushed and thanked her armor for blocking it.

"I am sure she will be waiting, my prince," she said as villagers bowed as they passed.

"I do not wish for her to wait anymore," Garret said quietly, "for we have waited long enough, wouldn't you say?"

"But wait you both must do," she said in the same tone, "the trials must be commenced."

"Until she is ready then," he said and opened the flaps.

"Yes," she nodded and offered a smile in which he returned before entering the carriage.]]

Was he giving up? Did he want her to give up? She wasn't sure and although the heat against her gem lessened after her drink, that strange feeling was still rolling around in her stomach.

"Welcome Alastir!" the king walked quickly toward them.

"Ronald," she saw King Alastir put his hand on King Ronald's shoulder.

"Wonderful to see you, old friend," King Ronald laughed also placing his hand on King Alastir's shoulder.

"It had only been a month, my friend," King Alastir laughed and Lynn found her eyebrows lift as her eyes widened.

She had not heard that laugh in years. Glancing at Garret, he was also wearing the same face. He turned and they stared at one another for a brief second before Garret turned back around settling his face.

Ah, that hurts.

She watched King Ronald compliment Queen Celeste and Prince Garret before they were following him. Lynn looked around to see the large painting of the royal family of Sushti: the king, queen, a prince, and three princesses. Looking away, they rounded the large pillar to enter the gardens on the castle.

It was different than the garden in her kingdom. Where her's were filled with blossoms of all sorts in different arrays, the flowers arrangements here were meticulous.

A long row that wrapped around the entire castle were of poppy. A row of lilies lined around the trees. Even the benches were lined with dandelions.

She watched her king, queen, and prince greet the other royals. The princesses were quite young, no more than twelve years for the oldest.

Would King Ronald really marry his daughters when they were so young? Glancing at the prince, he seemed to be around her age, possibly a year older or younger.

"No audience Ronald? I am surprised," King Alastir said as they walked to a clearing in the garden.

"Oh don't be," King Ronald laugh, "this is a royal matter after all."

Lynn took in what was said. He was right. King Ronald only had a few knights with them and she wondered if he felt safe in his castle for there to be such few knights to care for it.

"Do you need a refresher before we began?" King Ronald questioned as he sat down beside his wife.

"We may begin whenever your warrior is ready," King Alastir nodded and looked at his wife and son.

"Very well," King Ronald grinned and glanced over to his son, "go on son."

The prince stood and bowed as he stepped forward a few steps. Lynn found herself staring with the tilt of her head. A prince would battle?

Furrowing her brows, she took her steps forward until she was before the royals.

"There is no need for so many armor, Sir Knight," the prince smiled at her as she bowed.

"My son, Prince David is correct," King Ronald laughed, "it would only be a light duel. Please, lighten your load."

Lynn glanced at her king to see a nod and she bowed. Walking over to her side, she began removing her armor. Once she had removed her armor and is in her linen undergarments once more, she turned to see what weapon she would be using.

Glancing at Prince David to see him hold his sword, Lynn grabbed her own.

"Milady," Prince David bowed to her.

"Prince David," she bowed back and readied herself, "are you sure you do not wish to protect yourself? I fear you may get hurt."

"Do not mind me, beautiful maiden," Prince David smiled and Lynn felt her lips twitch, "let us give them a show, shall we?"

'A show?' Lynn narrowed her eyes, 'Prince David, you are strange.'

"The first to tire loses," King Ronald spoke up as he held his wife's hand.

'That is it?' Lynn wasn't sure if this was some kind of jest.

"Let us begin," Prince David smiled and Lynn felt herself frown. This had to be a jest.

He ran toward her and aimed a slash from his right. Lynn blocked it and he aimed another slash only to have it blocked again. The swings weren't hard either and Lynn didn't know why, but she wanted to laugh.

"You are quite good at this," he complimented with a grin and Lynn smiled back.

"I apologize Prince David," Lynn said as she pushed against his sword, "you must have not been training long on your swordsmanship."

Quickly stepping back, Prince David let out a laugh and Lynn felt herself relax.

She ran forward and raised her sword only to have the price drop his. She blinked at him with her sword still held up.

"I give," Prince David laughed gently and stepped back to push a finger against her sword.

Lynn sheathed her sword as the prince sheathed his. That was too easy, wasn't it?

"Brother! So soon! It was getting good!" one of the princesses called out.

"More! More!" another one shouted.

"That really was quite fast, dear," the queen said running her fingers through the youngest daughter's hair.

"I could not compete with such beauty before me," Prince David sighed with a smile, "strength and beauty. Quite a rare find these days."

He looked at Lynn and she felt her face flush. Bowing her thanks she went to put her armor back on, but a hand held her arm.

"If I may be so bold, milady," Prince David smiled at her, "may I be honored with some of your time?"

Lynn glanced over at Garret who stared blankly at her and she felt a small pang against her heart. Thinning her lips, she looked at her king and queen who nodded their heads.

"The honor is mine, Prince David," she said softly passed the burning she felt in her throat, "please give me a moment as I place my armor."

Lynn walked to her armor pieces and began placing them on. She could hear the kings and queens conversing, even her prince speaking kindly to the young princesses.

Ignoring another pang, she looked over to Constantine and Richard who were walking toward her.

"This was a strange trial," Constantine said as he hooked her chest and back armor in place.

"Yes," Richard nodded as he hooked the other side.

"I guess you can take it like a break of some sort," Constantine shrugged handing her helmet to her.

"I suppose," Lynn sighed and was about to place it on, but Prince David stopped her.

"Milady, please," Prince David said as he walked over, "I would love to see your face."

"Of course," Lynn bowed slightly, thanked her comrades, and walked off with him.

It was a quiet walk as they walked down the road to the marketplace. She could hear voices and chatters as they neared. Where were they before?

"Prince David, if I may ask," Lynn said as the villagers bowed and flushed in the presence of the prince, "where were the villagers when I entered?"

David looked at her and chuckled as he continued to the marketplace towards a small creek. She felt her lips curl up as she remembered their favorite spot.

"Are you wedded yet, milady?" he questioned leaning against a tree.

"I am not," she replied starting at him as her lips straightened.

"I do not mean to question rudely," David placed a hand on his heart, "I apologize."

"It was not rudely, Prince David," Lynn sent him a smile in which he returned, "why do you ask?"

"You are beautiful and strong, I assumed you have many who are courting you," David admitted walking closer to her.

"I do not care for any if they were," she said watching him near, "and you, Prince David? I am sure you have many to choose from."

"Well," he started and Lynn pursed her lips from how close he was to her, "there certainly are many who wishes for my hand so they may become a princess. Yet, I couldn't find it in me to give them a chance. Maybe it is because I am selfish for I heard of a beautiful knight," his eyes were as warm as honey, "strong and loyal," his hair was as bright as the sun, "fearless and brave."

"Have you found this knight, Prince David?" Lynn said softly since he was so close.

"Yes," he let out a laugh and sighed, "but I suppose I am too late."

Lynn was about to ask what he meant, but he touched her hand and lifted it.

"It seems you have already chosen," he whispered and placed the small ring made of flower stems in her palm.

She felt her heart hammer and her eyes water. Their promise.

"He is a lucky man," Prince David stepped back as she continued to stare at her palm, "I hope he treats you well."

She pulled her eyes away from her palm and looked at the prince before her. Letting out a soft laugh, she smiled at him and tied her necklace back in place.

"You are a surprise Prince David," she finally said feeling lighter than previous, "thank you."

"If you ever need assistance, all you need to do is ask, milady," he smiled at her and she returned the smile.

"If it isn't too much trouble, I would like to purchase something," she said looking out to the creek, "to remind my love of our promise."