Rising from the Ashes
Chapter 35

Elenora had tried to mentally prepare for Charlotte leaving without her being right there with her but there was no way to truly prepare herself for it. The worst scenarios are all she can think about. Everything that might go wrong. There is no possible way to communicate with Charlotte in the kingdom. She could send a letter but unless something goes wrong a reply would take a few days as they are constantly moving.

Elenora had skipped the usual training with Jasiel because she cannot possibly focus on anything else, much less learning to work with her fire abilities. It is Jasiel that finds her first. He does not insist that she should be training. He merely sits beside her and crosses one leg over the other, the robes he wears flooding out around him. If it were anybody else she might laugh at the look of him but Jasiel could wear a jester suit and she still could not find herself to laugh or even smile at the humorous wear. Something about his face, strict and worn by age and the life he had been given, “I do not think it necessary to continue our lessons, Princess Muriel.” Elenora does not make the mistake of assuming it is because he thinks she is ready. It is most likely the opposite. She is not ready to learn anything else.

“You do not think I am ready.” Elenora states, not at all offended.

Jasiel nods, eyes still on the land before them. Elenora had gone to the garden made just for the royal family. Queen Stavros built it herself in hopes of giving them some semblance of privacy and a quiet place to go. Elenora was told only a few people are given access to the garden and it is nice to know Jasiel is one of those few. “Your main focus should be on healing Princess Muriel. That pain you put off because you do not have time to deal with it, take the time. Whatever reason you have for hating your wolf, try to forgive it. Let go and in doing so you will find not only peace but that weight you carry will become significantly lighter. Find me when you have done so.” Jasiel Flint is gone long before Elenora realizes just how easy she must be to read. That or Jasiel is good at reading people.

Also how dare he? How dare he act as if it were that easy? How dare he act as if he knows her and what she carries? How dare that no good arrogant wise-ass piece of crap come up to her and tell her to forgive. He knows nothing! “Jasiel tends to have that effect on people.” It is the king that joins her. Great, she really is easy to read. Elenora works to straighten the scowl on her face and tries to appear as if she does not care. The king merely laughs before shaking his head and sitting down beside her. He rolls up his sleeves to reveal black ink trailing up both arms. Elenora has heard of people marking their skin but she has never really seen it done. It is for the rich anyways. Something expensive. Usually a lot less is done though. “He means well I think but I still wish I would have gotten a different teacher myself.”

“A different teacher? How old is he?” Elenora blurts out. It earns another easy laugh.

“Only my father really knows. I believe over a hundred. My personal guess is around his late hundred-twenties but I am probably off by a decade or two. Either way he looks much younger than he is.” Elenora was thinking late sixties at most. Jasiel is old. “It is probably best that he does not need to train you at this very moment with the whole Stonebridge issue he has to deal with.” The king must have seen her confusion because once again he smiles. It is not mocking but curious instead “I thought you might have put it together. Does the name Flint sound-”

“Benjamin Flint? They are related.” Elenora states, only slightly surprised. It is normally something she would have caught but her main focus has been Charlotte. Not the family lines.

“Great grandson I think. Or is it a great great grandson? Jasiel tends to keep his family away from court. Something about wanting them to make something of themselves without the help of his position and money. I think they are more than happy to oblige personally. He is harder on his family than he is on the people he trains or so I hear.” All of the information circles through her head before Elenora turns to face him completely.

“Do you need something K-” Elenora pauses as she sees the emotions flicker across his face before he settles on the same stoic mask he must use in court. It is unfair to both him and the queen to call them by title when she does not want something only to call them father and or mother when she does need something. Elenora imagines it hurts quite a bit, “father.”

It takes him a moment to answer. Instead he pulls at the flowers growing right next to the bench before he has an entire bouquet. “No. No I do not, I was just hoping to talk to you for a few moments before court.” He stands and hands her the flowers he had picked. A nice arrangement that Elenora nods her thanks for. He makes it to the archway before Elenora stands.

“I have a week where I am going to need some distraction from Charlotte. Perhaps we can...” Elenora trails off. What is it that royals do? Most of what she has been doing in the castle is training and talking to Charlotte, Lydia, and on occasion Prince Ardon.

“We can go to the market.” The king suggests. Elenora offers a fragile smile and nods her agreement. When he turns around Elenora watches him walk straight into the stone archway. He grips onto it for a good moment, his neck red “When did that get here?” He mutters to himself before rushing away. Elenora vaguely remembers doing almost the exact same thing in front of Nakoa. It appears she had gotten her clumsiness from the king.

The princess finds her next “You would not believe the good mood father is in.” Princess Lydia plops down beside her “He said I could skip on attending court today -oh do not give me that judgmental look. Sometimes it is a plea for the king’s help finding a kidnapped girl. Most times it is some lord wanting another lord dead for sleeping with his mate even though he did not meet his mate until that very week.”

“It is not boring to them Princess, to them it means everything.” Elenora repeats for the sake of teasing. Princess Lydia groans before elbowing her and redirecting the conversation entirely

“Remember the fight with Dennis? Can you teach me to fight like that? They do not teach me to fight like the two of you do. They teach me to fight clean. Honorably. But the dishonorable never fight with honor. They fight to win.”

“The way I fight cannot be taught in a week, Lydia. It took me years to learn and it is not training I would recommend to-”

“It is harsh but you’ll be the best.” Prince Ardon joins and squeezes on the bench that is originally meant for two “Since when do you want to learn to fight Lydia? I offered two years ago and you looked horrified at the prospect of learning to fight. I had a hard time convincing you to do the ground trick.” With a wave of her hand Lydia uses the vines in the garden to create a makeshift addition to the bench so prince Ardon can scoot over some. After some adjusting it is much more comfortable and Elenora nods her thanks to Lydia who smiles.

“It is March and I have already been kidnapped five times this year, four if you don’t count Muriel.”

“I count.”

“She counts.” For a moment Elenora stares at Prince Ardon before they both grin and turn back to Princess Lydia.

“Oh god. There really are two now.” She mutters before pulling them back to the original conversation. “I need to be the best Ardon. Five times this year. That is more than it has been since I was a child and they even went for you a couple of times. It is getting dangerous and I am pretty sure it is all related. Charlotte too.” The statement is enough to silence all three of them for a moment. It is likely another attempt will happen, most likely on Elenora as she will be the next to leave the Kingdom. Perhaps the queen was right to be wary. It is dangerous and they should try to avoid travel until the threat is gone.

“You will not be the one handling Stonebridge right?” Elenora turns towards the prince. In the short time she has come to know the prince she has found she likes him. He is usually a joy to be around though Elenora wouldn’t dare tell him that.

“It is my duty, Muriel. I can handle myself.” Elenora lets it go for now and so does Lydia. Would it be wrong to go straight to Queen Stavros. With a glance towards Lydia, Elenora can practically see the gears turning in her head now. Their eyes meet before they both decide on the same thing or at least Elenora thinks they both decide on the same thing.

“You are my twin.” Prince Ardon grumbles “Shouldn’t I be the one you scheme silently with? Stay out of it. Both of you.”

“Yes, your highness. Anything you say, your highness.” Elenora bows. Princess Lydia laughs and Elenora forgets to worry. Instead she focuses on teaming up with Lydia to mess with Ardon and then she teases Lydia about the many crushes she has on several different warriors. She definitely has a type. Fighters.

Two chapters for taking so long. I got back from my vocation a week ago but the week was a busy one. I'm back though and better than ever with a fresh tan and a memory of the beach that will last a life time. Also, to anybody not scared of heights I recommend parasailing.

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