Warriors of Kagolania

The rain has finally stopped late in the evening.

Samin took Kalena to the dining room. Galaspiael followed the old habit of bringing a meal to the chamber so he didn't have to stop working.

He focused all the attention on restoring the damaged dynamite recipe. First, he rewrote what he already had on blank parchment, then tied to read blurred and stained sentences. Work absorbed him so much that he lost track of time. He didn't feel tired at all, and he took the first break only when he heard the laughter of Kalena and Kirni, who had met during dinner. And managed to get along well since they came back together.

Galaspiael pursed his lips and looked at the closed door realizing that he wants this boy to go away and leave her alone. There was no need to be jealous. Kirni could never compare himself to the prince. He shook his head and tried to get back to his work, but now he couldn't concentrate.

What exactly happened in the courtyard? He thought back about Kalena's tender words and suddenly realized how much he desires to have her only to himself. He wanted to awake the confidence in her, take care of her and help free her from painful memories. If Kalena trusted him a little more, he could get her.

Laughter outside the door grew louder, then faded again.

Galaspiael didn't even consider that the girl might not want him. He has never experienced heartbreak or the bitterness of rejection. He left several broken hearts on his path because due to his position, he did not have to solicit women's favors. Of course, he should explain to Kalena that they would never be able to reveal their relationship. But she would certainly understand that she will never become a queen.

At this moment, Kalena was telling Kirni about life in Yagn-Sho.

The boy was in the quarters only once, during the entrance ceremony, so he listened to her every word carefully. The disease that kept him permanently in the palace caused him to lose control over his body. Once in a while, he fell on the floor, completely unconscious, however quickly rose as if nothing special was happening. The girl witnessed one of these attacks and thought they looked terrifyingly painful, but Kirni assured that he did not feel anything at all, only sometimes her back hurt if she falls straight on them.

"I was afraid that Master Samin would send me home after he discovered it," said Kirni. "For several weeks I told him that I was only tripping. I tried to lean on something stable all the time, and to sit on the floor, whenever I could. Finally, he noticed that something was wrong with me. Where I come from, people said I was possessed. No big deal, if not for the fact that my family suffered too. That's why I left."

"It's probably not so dangerous that you can't live with us in Yagn-Sho?"

"This is not a deadly disease, and the medicine that Master Samin gives me begins to work. Only... there would be no training possible. A girl who is too weak to fight is no big deal, but a boy? They would laugh at me. Besides, I have to be careful not to hit my head on anything."

Kalena wanted to tell him that a girl who was too weak to fight certainly is a "big deal" in Yagn-Sho, but in the end, she just rolled her eyes ostentatiously. Kirni had a strange charm that made it impossible to resent him.

*

At night Kalena once again was not able to sleep peacefully.

As usual, she also awakened Galaspiael with her scream. When she saw him standing in the doorway and yawning, she murmured a casual apology and asked him to go back to sleep.

"I won't leave you," he replied firmly. "Kalena, I will understand if you refuse, but could you tell me a little about your nightmares?"

The girl turned pale, hearing his request. She rolled the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed.

"What would you like to know?"

- Anything you want to share. I want to understand it and at least try to help you somehow. I feel guilty when you suffer almost every night and I don't do anything about it. Since when do you have those nightmares? What are they about?" He suggested as she wondered where to begin.

"I've had them for a long time." She replied quietly and curled up. "When I was a little girl some strange people visited my lord. I told you about it before. I could hardly remember any details, except that one of them was named Igari. In the evening my Lord told me to go to their room and serve dinner. But when I wanted to leave, they blocked my way, and..." She closed her eyes. "You can probably guess the rest, right? Do I have to tell you what happened?"

"There's no need." Galaspiael gently took her hands. "And this is what you dream about? That they're coming back?"

She shook her head. Her throat tightened as she wanted to speak. She was silent for a long time.

"No. In these nightmares, there are only hands. I feel terribly cold hands all over my body. They are everywhere and they are constantly coming. They are choking me. When I feel them, I know it's one of those dreams, but I can't wake up. When I scream, it's not because..." Kalena started crying. "It's not because I'm scared, but because I can't wake up. I am afraid that someday this dream will draw me in and I will never wake up from it."

She heard him sigh softly.

"I would like to hug you now, but I don't know if I should."

"You're disgusted with me, I know," she snapped. "I'm disgusted with myself too."

"Of course I'm not!" Without hesitation, he embraced the girl. "I don't know how yet, but I swear I'll find a way to make these nightmares disappear!"

They sat in absolute silence for a while, then Kalena said she wanted to walk around the palace. Alone. The prince concealed his surprise but allowed her to do so and only asked to take care of herself and return soon.

However, finding the way back to the bedroom, turned out to be quite a problem. The palace was like a maze.

Kalena has quickly regretted that she had put on a nightgown in the evening. It was amazingly comfortable, but if she slept in her clothes, she wouldn't have to worry about her appearance now. And she looked really funny, running with loose hair, in a flowing dress, looking around the huge corridors. She snorted in irritation, cursing herself for not remembering how Galaspiael had led her the day before. She quickly regretted her idea of a walk.

Finally, Kalena realized that she was neither on the right floor nor in the right place. Nobody went through that part of the palace. She didn't even hear any conversations. The floor, although well-kept, was covered with a thin, but noticeable layer of dust. It seemed like no one has walked on it for a very long time.

With each second, the girl became more and more convinced that she should not be there. Further away, the corridor became different. The beauty of the decorations became cold, the warm red color of the walls was more and more reminiscent of a shade of freshly dried blood. At the very end, there was a passage to a completely dark room. Kalena decided to enter, promising herself that after that, she would focus on looking the way back to the prince's chamber.

The strange room was a landfill for things that didn't seem valuable at first glance. It reminded her a little of the underground library at Galaspiael's house. Only that in the library everything was neatly arranged and here it was just stuffed chaotically.

Kalena froze when suddenly she noticed someone's face at the corner. She took a few steps back, finally realizing that the person standing there had already noticed her and was probably slowly approaching the door now to see who had discovered them.

"I can fight. Better or worse, but I will definitely defend myself." She said to herself and clenched her fists back in there, ready to start with her opponent. Looking a little closer, she realized that she didn't have to be afraid of him. It wasn't an enemy. He wasn't even a living man. She got scared of the picture.

The man looking at her from the portrait reminiscent Galaspiael. At least from a distance, because the closer the girl came, the more differences she began to notice. The painted prince seemed older than the living one. He also had sharper face features and longer, neat hair. His dark eyes showed royal pride and contempt for the rest of the world. He was a completely different person and although physically almost identical to the original, his personality got reflected in his appearance.

When Kalena pushed back the black fabric covering most of the picture, she noticed that the broken frame and the canvas cut through with something sharp. Who hated Galaspiael so much as to destroy his portrait?

The floor behind the girl creaked softly. She quickly turned around, giving a deafening punch, but she got blocked. Kalena moaned quietly as the opponent twisted her hand.

"What are you doing here?" it was Samin. "Forgive me, I didn't recognize you in this... outfit."

When he released her wrist, she began to massage it vigorously.

"I got lost," she replied, smiling apologetically. "I apologize for this attack master."

"You really got lost! Your room is in a completely different part of the palace. Do you like this picture?" He asked, glancing at her briefly.

"It's beautiful, but very..." Kalena paused, searching for the most appropriate word. "Unrealistic. Galaspiael doesn't look like this."

"Ah," Samin nodded. "It's not the Galaspiael you think about. This man is Galaspiael the third, the one who is responsible for the outbreak of war. And our prince is sixth of his name. This king ruled a truly powerful, well-developed country, even larger than Madegald. But it wasn't large enough for him. He didn't want any other man to have power equal to his. That's why he attacked the Madegaldish emperor."

"And the war he lost broke out," she finished.

"And then he was killed in his sleep. There is even a legend that says his concubine did it to save him from shameful execution. But I don't think that's true." Samin paused for a moment. "You've probably noticed that our prince Galaspiael doesn't like much when he is being reminded of his origin. Probably when you met him, he asked you not to title him in any way, right? Do you understand now why? He is ashamed of his ancestors and does everything he can to pay off the debt of his dynasty."

Kalena clenched her fists angrily.

"He didn't choose his family! Anyone who demands from him that debt repayment is disgusting! If I meet someone like that... I will break all his bones!"

"Your blow was quite decent, so I will take this threat seriously. But fortunately, there are only a few such people. The history of the Namanya dynasty is tangled up. That is why I am asking you not to tell anyone about it. Under no circumstances, you shouldn't share with anyone what you have learned here."

Kalena put her right hand on her heart and nodded.

"I'll keep it a secret."

"Good. Come with me, you don't want to miss breakfast."

*

When she finally returned, Galaspiael suggested that she may take a bath before breakfast. He also gave her a special oil with a very intense smell which was supposed to have relaxing properties.

The girl splashed in the water for a long time, inhaling a pleasant herbal scent Finally a maid who introduced herself as Ilea came in and said the breakfast is almost ready. All the time she called Kalena "miss", which the girl found amusing.

"His Highness wishes to see you in this," she said, handing over a small package that contained the clothes for today. Himi - a special tunic that was worn directly on the body, blue Fukigo the outer garment, and dark green very long and wide belt.

"What?" Kalena swam closer. "He's crazy, I won't put it on. I do not know how! I will be afraid to move in this."

"I'll help you, miss. Don't worry, Fukigo is very comfortable and this..." She stroked the silk sleeve "you won't even feel anything on your body".

Kalena wiped herself with a towel and allowed Ilea to put on Himi.

"I can go like that," she said, watching her reflection in the mirror. A simple, well-cut robe lay perfectly on her.

"You would be a sensation, miss! You might as well go naked. Any self-respecting lady does not allow a strange man to see her Himi, or parts hidden under it."

"Ah yes." Kalena tried hard not to show how much these words had hurt her. "I hope it won't be too warm today. Two layers of material! I'll drown in my sweat!"

"This outfit only looks heavy, however, it's airy. You look really good miss."

To not destroy Fukigo, Kalena had to wear high platform shoes. At first, she could not take a step in them, also, tightly wrapped material significantly limited her movements. But every time they passed the mirror, the girl couldn't help but look at herself. For the first time in her life, she could admit that she looked pretty.

Galaspiael was sitting in the dining room with Lin-Si and her maid, who, as usual, stood behind her. All the time she was staring at the princess expectantly as if the sense of her life was to obey orders. She did not sit down, she did not even move. As if she was made of stone.

When the prince saw Kalena, he greeted her with a slight smile and encouraged her to sit next to him.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, "this outfit is made just for you."

"And how comfortable it is!" She hissed maliciously. "You could dress two people with the belt alone. I used to think that the more material is used to sew a garment, the more comfortable it is, but now I see it's not like that at all."

"Because it isn't. Help yourself. What do you wish to eat today?"

Kalena glanced at the table. There was so much food that all the students from Yagn-Sho could eat it for a week. She was afraid to take anything into her hand, not wanting to soil the refined, golden tableware. Finally, she reached for the nearest bowl filled with apples. She chose three and set down. Lin-Si laughed loudly, and Galaspiael gave the girl a surprised look.

"Is that enough for you?"

"Maybe you would teach her how to use cutlery first?" The princess smiled maliciously. "You hang out with the peasants and don't know anything about them anyway. She won't take anything else because she has no idea how to eat it."

Kalena felt her cheeks begin to burn. She didn't have to see her face to know that she blushed with shame. Galaspiael may disguise her as a lady, but he couldn't hide her lack of etiquette.

"I will teach her, don't worry about it," he responded venomously, "even you still have some problems with it."

"How dare you!"

"You shouldn't gossip in the company unless you are a street vendor. Besides," the boy did not pay attention to Lin-Si's outrage "some dishes taste better when you eat them with your fingers. Pancakes for example. Do you want some Kalena?" He put two on her plate without waiting for an answer. "For some unknown reason, there was a time when I used to eat only pancakes. I couldn't get enough of them for six months."

"And then you started throwing knives at people," Lin-Si interjected.

"Not at people, but in their direction. Funny, but some are afraid of it. They undermine my abilities."

"You never hurt anyone?" Kalena asked.

"Only on purpose. But most often all accidents are the fault of the other person. When they move, it's harder for me to avoid them." He paused briefly. "Maybe you want to try?"

A sinister flash suddenly appeared in Lin-Si's eyes. She smiled mysteriously, but not a single word came from her mouth. The red-haired girl only sighed quietly, with relief that this time it was not her chosen for the macabre fun.

"No, I don't want to," Kalena replied and leaned over breakfast.

"My dear," the prince looked at her. "You don't trust me?"

"I want to finish my food," she murmured, hoping that after the meal she would somehow get out of it. She didn't like this idea. Galaspiael behaved differently than usual and she didn't know what to think about it. He was in his palace, and Kalena was just a guest here. That's why he could dress her up as he wanted and get her into this game. He had control over her.

When she finished, she raised her head a little too abruptly. An unnamed force, like a wind, pushed her aside. At the last moment, she felt someone stop her from hitting her head on the table.

"Where did you get drunk so early?" Lin-Si asked and began to laugh loudly. "My dear, you had a good idea to bring her here, I haven't seen such a silly person in a long time."

"You've been overworking yourself lately and so are the effects." He said dryly.

With the last of her strength, Kalena refrained from pushing him away. If they were alone, she would throw something in his face. She did not want to be a fool for his fiancée, and everything seemed to indicate that she involuntarily became.

"I want to leave," she said.

"Okay, we'll leave right now. Together. It's rude to go while others are still eating. Do you want milk? You also stay Lin, we need to talk." He added, seeing that his fiancée was lazily rising from her seat.

"Am I allowed to stretch my legs?" She snapped at him. "There aren't any interesting places here anyway. Relax, I won't run away from you. I want to see how you present your skills."

Galaspiael did not answer. The rest of the breakfast was relatively peaceful, though Kalena was irritated by the presence of Lin-Si and the fact that the princess laughed at almost everything.

Then Galaspiael asked again if she would serve as a living target. She didn't feel like it at all, but eventually, she gave in to him. Several times he repeated that there was nothing to be afraid of, that it was only fun and it was not intended to harm the girl in any way.

He set Kalena against one of the walls, which seemed more modestly decorated than all the others. When the girl came closer, she saw several small holes, probably made earlier. The wall was intended for this game.

"It's difficult, but try not to move. If this view scares you, just close your eyes. I will throw combat knives, not those from the table, so calm down."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What is this for? I don't understand what your purpose is"

"None," he cut. "It's a game, like Kajrengo. You also have no purpose when you play it, you just want to entertain yourself. We'll try it once, and if you don't like it, I won't ask you again. Kalena, you take everything too much to yourself." Galaspiael stroked her cheek and smiled slightly. "I wouldn't ask for it someone I don't trust."

He took a few steps back. The girl watched his movement carefully. The prince took a small leather case out of his pocket. Four combat knives. The boy took one out and turned it in his fingers. Then he looked straight at his apprentice and smiled. She closed her eyes and almost a second later she heard a whistling sound right next to her ear. Immediately afterward another blade cut through the air and was dangerously close to her neck. If she started... better not to think about it.

"Put your hand to the wall," he advised. "And spread your fingers."

Only then did Kalena dare to look. She straightened her hand and touched the strange structure which, although the palace was built of stone, certainly wasn't it.

"You realize that if you hit her, she won't be able to write or fight, right?" Lin-Si leaned on the table, almost sitting on it.

The prince laughed merrily and flipped one knife to his left hand. He threw two of them at once.

One got stuck between Kalena's thumb and forefinger, and the other between the middle and ring finger.

"I told you I won't hit her."