-Problem 2

Rall had once been the brother. The younger brother. A boy so small he followed his little sister around everywhere. She was his life, his light, and the only thing that kept him going at the time.

He once was a brother. Now he was a prince.

Lia had done nothing that deemed his anger, this he knew. But she had chosen to undertake training with Al Shir, his master, keeping him from gaining his full potential. If Al Shis had not been preoccupied with her, he would have easily broken through to B class.

His actions, in his eyes, were necessary for him to become stronger. And with his strength increasing, the kingdom's power would increase as well. She had simply gotten in the way of that.

'She has no one to blame for this but herself.'

Rall thought as he continued forward down the north wind hall. He was on his way to meet with his master regarding his training.

If he couldn't get Al Shir to continue to increase his training, then he would simply use force. Now, with Lia possibly scared away, he had a slight chance at achieving his goals.

And this time, he wasn't going to mess it up.

***

The wounds had long since healed thanks to the palace priest, a healer who often fixed Lia up after her training sessions with Al Shir or the palace troops. She, like Al Shir and her uncle, had shown her kindness in many forms.

She didn't look at Lia like some failed experiment or tool to be tossed away, but rather saw her as a small child, who was obviously hurting inside.

It was a warm and welcoming feeling when Nya, the priest, would get upset and throw a fit when Lia showed up heavily injured from overdoing herself in the training hall. However, it was also a feeling that Lia felt foreign to. Afterall, Nya did remind her of her own mother, who abandoned her the minute her public appearance was threatened.

Nya had called forth her summoned creature at the age of eleven and had trained with her most of their lives. The Druid, a rare but also powerful creature that used the powers of the earth to attack its enemies. But what made Nya's summoned creature even more rare, was that it wasn't a fighting creature, but rather a healing one.

Similar to Clara's summoned creature, Nya's had a high rank, which had seen a steady increase in the past thirty years they had been together. But unlike Clara's summons, Nya's only knew how to heal, whereas Clara's had some combat prowess, which made hers exceptional.

"You ought to be more careful Lia. I thought I told you to be wary of others when you're training?"

Lia simply nodded her head to Nya, who was in the midst of treating her, who happened to show up to the infirmary with bruises, cuts, and a number of other things that were swelling and bleeding.

It took all Nya had not to scream at her for being so reckless this time. Afterall, this was by far the worst she had ever been when she was training. Nya could almost see the broken bones on her body with the naked eye.

Even Juka, her summoned druid, was inwardly shaking her head, as she helped Nya treat Lia.

Unbeknownst to them, they had both been fed a lie by Lia, who created an elaborate story about how she coaxed two soldiers into double teaming her, which failed miserably as she was knocked into a weapons rack. Which could explain the many cuts and bruises as many of those weapons were sharp and or heavy.

"I'll try and be more careful."

Replied Lia, who sounded like some dying goat because of her swollen mouth.

Lia would never allow Nya to learn of her run in with Rall, or how he sent his two guards to beat her. Nya cared for Lia like a mother, and in many ways, she was the only mother figure Lia had.

That being said, Lia of all people knew just what Nya would do if she found out about her little predicament. It involved two things. A face and a hand in which to slap it. Most people didn't need an explanation to figure out who was who.

Which was exactly why Lia was afraid of telling Nya. She was worried that in her rage, she would do something she would later regret in the pits of a dungeon cell.

Nya was a friend, and she didn't want that happening to someone she cared for.

Once Nya was finished, Lia quickly fixed her clothes and tried leaving the infirmary, but before she was even a few steps, she found Nya holding onto her shoulders forcing her back down into a bed.

"Now you stay here little girl. I don't care if you're twenty or if you're a hundred, to me, you're still a little girl. And you missy need rest. My healing can only go so far."

Lia wanted to protest, but she never got the chance. Instead, Nya and Juka left immediately, claiming they had to go and deal with other patients.

So there, Lia laid, waiting. She thought back to the moments when the first punch was thrown. It felt like a rock was being thrown at her. And with the metal gauntlets they were wearing, it didn't help Lia's jaw bones, which broke after the second punch.

They had kicked, punched, and even spent precious amounts of time breaking each and everyone of her fingers, which she claimed a war hammer had fallen on. The feeling of pain she experienced then was almost the same as torture. In fact, Lia would bet quite the pretty coin to say that there wasn't much difference.

Eventually, after thinking about it for several minutes, Lia's body began to shake when recalling the pain she felt during those long minutes.

Cleo and Teela took their time, and were careful to damage her, but not to the point where it could be connected back to them. Another reason Lia refused to tell anyone what happened. If Rall claimed that she had simply hurt herself during irresponsible training activities, no one would believe her. And worse, she might be inflicted with more 'education' by Rall.

Soon, she began crying in that bed, as muffled sobs escaped her voice.

All she wanted was love. She just wanted to be loved by her family, and her friends. She had been a good child when she was little, she never hurt anyone, stole from anyone, or treated them like they were lower than her.

So why was she being treated like this?

Tears streamed down her face, and soon, her pillow was soaked. Her muffled sobs were heard by no one, as she was alone. Always alone.

Before she knew it, she was asleep.

***

"Move him here."

"Quickly!"

"What about her?"

"Who cares? Move him!!"

"His injuries are getting worse."

"We need to stabilize him!"

"We're losing him!"

Sound of voices filled her ears as Lia slowly woke up.

From there she could hear the sounds of loud voices as they rang out inside the infirmary. Instantly, from the sounds of it, she could tell that there was an injured patient that needed desperate attention. Life or death, that much she could tell.

But when she opened her eyes, what she saw was horror.

There on the bed next to her, was the mangled corpse of a man who had lost both his legs and one arm. His face was covered in blood, as it constantly poured out from his wounds. Half his stomach was gone, as well as half his face. There were burns all along his body, cuts and even a few arrow heads that hadn't been removed yet.

It was a sight that would make a child cower in terror, a woman fall to her knees in horror, and a man lose his lunch.

But what rooted lia to the spot was not the appearance. Oh, no. If it was simply the appearance then Lia would find herself without this evening's lunch. Instead, it was the sound that stuck her with fear.

His wails cried out like the dying breath of a soldier who had seen horrors unknown. And from the looks of him, Lia had little doubts that this wasn't true.

His cires filled her ears, and shivered down her bones like some form of bad curse that kept her rooted to the spot.

Over three doctors were treating him at the moment. Two were holding down his left and right legs, while the other tried to administer a sleep dosage, or painkillers. Lia couldn't tell which was which as the man continued flailing sound and thrashing, causing unneeded annoyance and frustration with the doctors.

This was especially the doctor who tried to administer the drug, but was constantly stopped by the patient's free arm that thrashed back and forth.

Lia could tell just how much pain the man was in, and in one instinct, she swiftly grabbed his arm, and pinned it down, preventing it from further delaying the doctor.

The doctors surrounding the man barely made notice of her, and instead turned their focus onto the man, who was now pinned. They injected the painkillers and sedatives as quickly as they could.

Eventually, after the sedatives began taking effect, he slowly started to calm down, and the doctors instantly got to work, patching things left and right, smearing gel and other medicines onto the wounds.

One doctor came up to Lia and spoke, taking deep breaths.

"Thank you for your help."

"Of course."

Lia replied, in a shaken up voice. The experience had frightened her, but she chose to remain strong.

Through all her shake downs, from her family, her public shaming, her skirmish with Rall and his guards, to now, coming face to face with a man who was bleeding profusely, and near death.

The doctor didn't stay for long as he quickly moved to stabilize the patient, who, rather than wailing in pain, could now only produce small groans.

"Lia!"

Lia turned to find Nya coming through the front door of the infirmary, in a rushed manner.

As Nya reached her, Lia could hear the sounds of the man's pain grow as it appeared as though the sedatives given to him previously were not enough. Soon his wails began to start back up again, but without the strength behind it like before.

Lia gave a silent prayer for the man, hoping he would either find peace, or come out of this a new man. It was all Lia could wish for at the moment, as she was quickly dragged away by Nya, out the door, and into the hallway.

"What happened? Are you ok?"

Nya quickly checked up and down Lia's arms and face, looking for any scratches that might have been caused by the man's thrashing around.

Thankfully, much to Nya's relief, she found none. But that didn't stop her from worrying about Lia.

"I'm so sorry. I put you in there thinking no one would come. I didn't realize you would be seeing something like that."

Lia's lips curved upward, forming a sympathetic smile on her face. Nya, though shorter than Lia, was still acting like a mother to her. And for that she was grateful.

"You don't need to apologize, Nya. You didn't know."

Nya shook her head, ignoring Lia's words.

"Still, you shouldn't have seen something like that."

Suddenly, her head snapped up, and she quickly turned around, and headed for the door, leading into the infirmary.

"You know what, I'll go speak with those three, and teach them proper patient management."

As Nya called back, she found herself being pulled.

She turned to find Lia holding her by the wrist, preventing her from entering.

"Lia?"

"It's fine Nya."

Nya suddenly found herself against Lia's chest, as she brought her in close for a hug.

"Nya, I'm fine. They were just doing their job alright. Leave them be, for me?"

Lia looked into her eyes as she could see the gears in Nya's mind, twisting and turning.

On one hand, Nya wanted to vent her frustration against the three doctors who didn't bother to pay attention or think about Lia, who was sleeping next to a half dead man. But on the other, she knew Lia was right, and knew she was simply being a worrywort.

Eventually, Nya let out a calm and deep breath.

"Fine, I understand."

Lia breathed a sigh of relief, knowing full well that those doctors would not live to see tomorrow if she had let Nya deal with them. And from where they were standing, she thought it was best they focus on their jobs for right now.

Eventually, after several long minutes of embracing one another, Lia bid Nya goodbye and headed to her room to get some much needed, and much prescribed rest.

On the way, she thought back to the man in the infirmary. The thought never crossed her mind then, but now that she was away from it all, and had a clear mind without worries, she was able to think clearly.

'What was an injured man doing here in the palace?'

Lia of course knew that there were dozens of injured people who came in and out of the infirmary daily. Be it trainee soldiers, guards, or even the occasional maid and or noble who sought treatment for various diseases, illnesses, and overall, stress.

One could say that the infirmary was a hot spot for those who wanted a peace and calming atmosphere where they could quietly be healed.

But even with all these variables being taken into account and consideration, Lia could not shake the curious feeling she had over that man.

Sure, many people got injured within the palace daily, but never to the extent of a patient coming in bleeding so much, with missing limbs. In fact, the most Lia had ever seen or been told, was on the rare occasion that a challenge match or spar went too far, resulting in the occupants to become wounded with deep cuts, or - in rare cases - lost one of their limbs.

But those were rare occurrences, that Lia could count off inside her head. Possibly even more if Nya was the one who helped her out.

So why was a man, so heavily injured as if he came straight from a battlefield or war, laying down here, in the castle's infirmary. She just couldn't shake the thought.

As her mind drifted back to the man, she couldn't stop her body from shuttering. The sight then was a horror she hoped her eyes would never lay sight on again.

Lia just shook her head and tried forgetting about it for now. She needed rest, and if her mind kept drifting back to that moment, she would have nightmares for weeks.

Right now, she needed rest.

***

-Tap -Tap -Tap

The sound of footsteps rang out down the hall, in a calm and well poised manner. There was no sound of rushing, or the sound of hesitation. Instead, there was only the sound of a calming rhythm that made people think.

'Where are they going.'

Or, at least that was what Rall thought.

He didn't want the average person knowing where he was going, as it would no doubt travel back to his father. And if any maid or guard had seen Lia being escorted by his bodyguards, his father would obviously put two and two together.

He knew his father would not punish him for what he did, but he also knew that if word got out about his little fits of anger, then the public would obviously look at him differently. And low public morall was the last thing he needed.

Also, he couldn't have Master Shir learn of what his guards did to Lia. Though she most likely got treated already, he didn't want to take any chances. If the worst case scenario were to happen, he would have to force Al Shir into training him.

But even then, Rall wanted to avoid that at all costs. It would be better if he was trained willingly, since it would provide more opportunities for him to learn Al Shir's secrets, whereas with force, Al Shir might intentionally hide things from him. Things he could use. Things that would make him stronger.

Whether it was a magic scroll or potion, Rall would do anything to become stronger, and stand shoulder to shoulder with his father as King.

As he thought about this, his lips curved upward to form a smile.

Soon, just around the corner, he was finally able to land sight on the northern tower. Its peak rested just higher than the mountain, which was located behind the palace.

In fact, the entire palace was built on a mountain in the center of a field of plains. The founders of the kingdom thought it best for the capital city, making over half of the palace within the mountain.

The north tower was one of the highest towers in the palace, and could practically be seen from any bridge or window in the palace. Even if you were facing any other direction, the shadow casted by the north tower was large enough to be seen.

Rall prepared himself for the conversation he would have with Master Shir. He would first need to explain the issue with Lia, then the issue of where she had gone.

A lie was already forming in his head. He would simply claim that Lia was summoned by him, because he needed her to visit the king in regards to a diplomatic issue. Because she was already twenty and with no husband or lover in sight, the king would have no choice but to use his daughter for a political marriage between the barbarian tribes to the south.

Of course Al Shir would not believe him, or worse, would fly into a fit of rage when he heard this, demanding an explanation from the king.

But this did not dissuade Rall, who knew that his father would be forced to lie for him, covering up his scheme so as to not leave his son vulnerable to harm.

It would definitely explain Lia's absence. And, if he was lucky, Al Shir would not pry too deeply into the lie.

But, as he laid eyes on the large wooden and iron doors that led to the northern tower, the lie already on the tip of his tongue, he felt the sharp piercing of metal against his flesh.

He couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even turn to look at who dared to press a dagger against his back. But his mind did race, and race it did.

'Is it an assassin? A guard? What?'

His mind raced between possibility after possibility. But he never could choose one over the other. And soon, he had to come to the undeniable fact that he knew who this was, but still, his mind refused to believe it.

"Rall, what have you done?"

The cold and emotionless voice belonged to that of Al Shir, who had so effortlessly snuck behind Rall with ease, and gently pressed his dagger against his back.

Normal men would be killed for something so simple as drawing their blade in the presence of the prince, but Al Shir didn't care. If anything, his actions were justified for what he had done.

"Master."

Muttered Rall, who slowly tilted his head, and got a glance at Al Shir, but instantly flinched at the sight of his face.

As of right now his face was twisted and contorted in anger and rage, plainly strewn on his face and eyes. But what made Rall flinch in fear, was the amount of blood pouring down the sides of Al Shir's face.

Instantly, Rall could already guess whose blood that was.

"So you knew?"

Al Shir didn't need to answer, his face, which was filled with rage, and his eyes that were covered in blood, or the presence he gave off screamed that of death. It was clear to any who witnessed this, Al Shir did not need to answer.

"My father will not appreciate this threat you've made. You may be my teacher and I the student, but our social standings are vastly different. A prince's life, is far greater than that of a mere teacher-"

"Be quiet."

Al Shir's voice was not loud, nor did it raise any pitches. It was calm, cold, and decisive. Like a cold steel blade that pressed against your skin till it burned.

His voice was shrouded in danger.

"I will not listen to a mere boy, lecture me on the value of one's life. Considering that I just took two mere moments ago, you could say I'm not one to listen to such lectures with ease."

Now his voice raised, filled with threats that Rall read true to be just as real as the dagger pressed against his skin.

"I spoke with your father not too long ago, after I decided to follow the two guards on their journey. When I discovered what they had done, and that you were behind it, I gave him a choice. 'Calm my anger down with their lives, or your sons?'"

Rall's head snapped around.

"What?"

His voice was filled with anger, his face contorted.

His master, Al Shir, had threatened the king with his son's very own life. For a mere girl, beaten at the hands of his two guards.

"You heard me. Your father, knowing my words to be true, gave me the go ahead. Be thankful that I chose those two guards instead of you."

Now it was Rall's turn to shake with anger. His own father, the king no less, was threatened by his own master at the hands of his son's life, for the deaths of his two bodyguards. Guards that had been with him since he was a child.

They were his favorites, as they had accompanied him many times to sleep once before. And to find out they had been killed by such vulgar means, for enacting orders he had laid out, angered him to no end.

The very idea that his father was threatened, he was threatened, and their entire royal family was mocked by this threat, leading to the deaths of Cleo and Teela. All because of a lesson, he had decided on teaching Lia.

Many could look at this as Rall's mistake, for if he had not let his anger control him, his entire family would not have been mocked in such a way.

But that wasn't how Rall saw it. Instead, his mind was filled with thoughts of anger and hatred. Fear and frustration. And even death. All surrounding one name that came back to his mind. Lia.

'If it wasn't for her, my family wouldn't have been looked down on in such a foolish way.'

Lia. Yes, it was all because of her.

Before he could stop himself, he suddenly mumbled something.

"Was she always better than me?"

It was soft and quiet, but Al Shir heard it clear as day.

Without hesitation, anger controlling him, he responded.

"Yes. She was always better than you. Because unlike you, she knew what the struggle of life held for people like her. People like me, and people like you."

Gradually, the dagger once pressed against Rall's back, fell away, leaving behind a faint drip of blood.

"Life isn't always fair, and for those who are on the wrong side of this world's shadow, they are faced with the world's dark side. She knows what it's like to struggle, so she knows what it's like to work for what she wants, and the goals she has in life. Unlike you."

At his words, Rall's body stiffened, as his eyes widened in hatred. Lia was weak and useless, just as the world had once called her. To be told directly to his face, by his own master, one of the strongest people in the world, that she was better than him, was directly saying that he was lower than dirt.

"So long as she is alive, she will always be better than you."

As Al Shir's last words were spoken, his presence gradually disappeared, and Rall instantly knew he was gone.

But he didn't care. His mind was filled with anger, with dark thoughts that if one were to see, would question his sanity.

Al Shir had thought a good threat would scare Rall away from Lia, keeping him at bay with fear. But Rall was more arrogant than he had predicted. He was not afraid, he was angry.

Al Shir had unknowingly, rather than pour cold water to his flames of rage, had poured oil onto its coals.

Rall's eyes shined with anger, his face showed frustration, and his presence and bloodlust screamed 'danger' to any living creature within sight of him.

All that he could think of was her. The one person he found to blame this all upon.

The one responsible for his family's humiliation. Cleo and Teela's deaths, and his untimely meeting with Al Shir, as he directly threatened and insulted him, calling him lower than dirt. A prince, lower than dirt.

His mind was filled with so many dark thoughts and ideas, but one name continuously spoke out among all of them.

Lia.

And finally…

He snapped.