Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Nerve wrecking tension filled the room as everyone kept their eyes on Sharaina. Each wondering what she could have possibly done to get the king’s attention. Sharaina couldn’t muster the courage to look at any of them, so she kept her gaze on the floor.

Akirexer muffled something underneath her breath that no one understood. She walked back and forth in panic. She looked at Sharaina, bit her finger, and then pulled her hair. Sharumez placed his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. Akirexer went to Sharaina and forced her to look into her eyes. Sharaina furrowed at the tears forming in Akirexer’s eyes.

“I need you to tell me the truth now.” Akirexer placed her hand on Sharaina’s cheek. “Did you do something wrong?”

“No, I did nothing wrong, mama.” Sharaina held Akirexer’s hand on her cheek.

Akirexer shook her head, doubtful. “Try to remember. You spent three days and three nights away from home. Where did you go and did you do something bad there?” Akirexer’s tears fell.

Sharaina’s heart dropped at the sight of her mother’s tears. She wiped them off her face without even thinking. She held her mother’s hand with both her hands and painfully looked into her teary eyes.

“Mama, please don’t cry.” Sharaina kissed Akirexer’s hand.

“Sharaina, I am your mother and I will always love you, no matter what you do. Please, just tell me the truth.” Akirexer begged.

“I am telling you the truth, mama I swear. I spent the three days in Mayla’s village with her and Liss. There was a wedding at Mayla’s home, so she invited. I returned after the wedding and went straight to Bayin’s bar with Liss.” Sharaina explained. She felt a little relief when she saw that the explanation calmed Akirexer down.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this, but everything happens so fast when I’m dru...” Sharaina choked on the word drunk when she caught Sharumez glaring at her.

Akirexer relaxed her face and shoulders. Her eyes looked hopeful, but still not at peace. She placed her hand on her chest and took a step closer to Sharaina.

“Is that all that happened? Are you telling me everything, Sharaina?” She rephrased her question in order to further emphasize her concern.

Sharaina nodded her head, “Yes, that’s what happened.”

Sharumez sat back down and looked sternly at Sharaina. “I suspend your allowance for three weeks. Don’t you ever leave home without our consent again. Do you understand?” His voice was firm and authoritative.

“Yes, papa.” Sharaina accepted her punishment. She wasn’t the type to argue with her father.

Naian got off his seat and walked to Akirexer and Sharaina. “But then, why would King Raglan want to see papa because of you, Sharaina?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Sharaina replied as she slowly shook her head, confused.

“It should be because of that kremis you took down yesterday.” Sharumez voiced his suspicions, and all heads turned to him. “What other explanation can be given? Everyone was talking about it today, so I’m not even the slightest bit surprised that the news has reached King Raglan. He probably wants her to enroll at the academy.”

Akirexer covered her mouth and gasped. “But she isn’t of age!” She argued. This time, the fear in her voice was eminent.

“With what Sharaina did yesterday, nothing will change King Raglan’s mind.” Sharumez insisted on his suspicions, to Akirexer’s dismay.

“No, not my baby.” Her lips twitched, and her tears formed again.

Akirexer felt weak in her knees and Naian took notice of this. He walked her to the nearest couch and helped her sit down. Naian sat on the armrest and cradled Akirexer’s shoulders to comfort her.

“She is only 80 years old. She is too young to join the army.” Akirexer covered her mouth and sobbed.

Sharaina sat at her feet and held Akirexer’s hands. “Mama, why are you crying again? We don’t even know for sure why King Raglan wants to see papa.”

“Yes mama, calm down. You know your tears upset us.” Naian added and Sharaina nodded her head in agreement.

“Why didn’t the troops come quickly and take down the kremis themselves? Now because of their incompetence, my child will have to leave home for who knows how long.” Akirexer bitterly complained. There was a hint of anger in her tone of voice.

“Please don’t say such things, mama. Was I wrong to step in and fight the kremis? Tell me, what was I to do?” Sharaina felt her tears coming.

“You were not wrong, child. If it wasn’t for you, your mother wouldn’t have been with us today. Never should you feel bad for what you did.” Sharumez said. This time, his voice was gentle and warm.

Sharumez turned to Akirexer and shook his head in disapproval. “Pull yourself together, woman. We don’t know what King Raglan wants and until we find out, it’s best we remained calm.” He sternly said to her.

Akirexer got up and wiped her tears. “You are right.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry for overreacting.” Her shame was palpable. Without another word, she went back into the kitchen.

****

The Next Morning

Sharumez loaded his horse with everything he would need on his three-day trip to Cherilisia. Akirexer took care to make sure that he forgot nothing for the journey. She was handing him a bag of food when Jenu arrived on his loaded horse.

Sharumez looked at Naian. “You are the man of the house while I’m gone. I trust you will take care of your mother and sisters.” Sharumez grinned.

“Yes, I will.” Naian grinned back.

Sharumez averted his eyes to Sharaina, who was yawning on the porch. “Be sure to stay out of trouble Sharaina.” He pointed at her.

With a laugh, Sharaina replied. “Would I let you down papa?”

“That’s what I am afraid of.” Sharumez sighed. Sharumez turned back to Akirexer. “I will write to you when I get to Mobay.” He pecked her on the lips and got on his horse.

Sharumez was about to ride away when he saw the sad look on Alainara’s face. She held onto Akirexer’s hand and kept her eyes on Sharumez.

“Alainara, don’t be sad. I will return soon.” He assured her, but his words didn’t lift her spirit. “What would you like for me to bring for you from the city?” He asked, and Alainara’s face brightened.

“I want a new doll papa.” She gladly answered with a girlish twinkle in her eyes.

“I will bring you one, my dear.” Sharumez said.

He waved goodbye to his family and rode away with Jenu. When they were out of sight, Sharaina stretched herself and went to her room. She picked up a book on her headboard and threw herself on her bed. She only read a few pages when she heard a pebble hit her window seal. Sharaina slowly went to her window and looked down below. She smiled at Liss and Mayla.

Liss was a silver-haired warrior darkas god. Her silver hair flowed halfway through her exposed pale back. Her face was lovely, with soft features. She had a slim figure, with lovely legs and a well-formed bottom. The short red dress she wore exposed her dragon mark on her leg.

Mayla had short brown hair. She was thicker than Sharaina and Liss. Her caramel skin went well with her naturally brown lips. She had a gap in between her teeth that beautified her smile even more. Her dragon mark was coiled around her ankle.

Liss frantically waved her hands up and down to Sharaina as a way of telling her to open her window. Mayla, on the other hand, just pulled out a cigarette from her black shorts and lit it. Sharaina turned to close her bedroom door and ran back to her window.

“What are you two doing here?” Sharaina asked them.

“There’s going to be a huge party in Vanimaq. Nelex and Geren said that we should go there.” Liss whispered loudly.

Nelex was her boyfriend, whereas Geren was Mayla’s.

Sharaina smiled mischievously. “Hold on, let me change.” She said and closed her window.

****

Light nervously walked to Sharaina’s gate. The memory of how Akirexer humiliated him and Sharaina kept flashing before his eyes. Akirexer’s angry words rang in his ears, but his feet kept moving. He spent all night debating on whether to go to Sharaina’s house. When morning came, he mustered the courage to do so. Sharaina smote him, so he couldn’t resist the desire to see her again.

Akirexer was hanging clothes on the wire when she saw Light anxiously standing outside the gate. She smiled warmly at Light, and this puzzled him. She gestured for him to go in and Light slowly opened the gate.

‘She seems to be in a good mood.’ Light internally commented.

Light stood away from Akirexer and respectfully put his hands together. “Good morning ma.” He greeted her.

“Good morning, dear. How are you doing?” She greeted him back ever so kindly that it bedazzled Light.

‘Is this the woman that almost killed me yesterday?’ Light asked himself. ‘This could be a trap’

Light nervously cleared his throat. “Is Sharaina home?” He cleared his throat again.

Light braced himself for another humiliating scolding from Akirexer. When he saw Akirexer put her hands on her waist, he backed away. His instincts told him to run, but his heart forbade him. When Akirexer’s lips curled into another smile, he gaped astonished.

“Of course she is home.” Akirexer politely answered Light, and he raised his eyebrows. Akirexer turned to Alainara who was eating fruit on the lawn. “Call Sharaina. Tell her Light is here to see her.”

‘She even remembers my name?’

Alainara just stood up to do what was asked of her when Sharaina walked out of the house in a knee short flared purple dress. With her brown flat boot, she kicked Alainara’s ball out of her way. Her beauty completely blindsided Light. It was like she trapped him in a trance that he couldn’t get out of. He watched her approach him in all her glory. Light almost swore that he saw a bright light around her with wind blowing her golden hair.

It surprised Sharaina to see him there, but she was glad that he was. Sharaina ran to Light and smiled at him with so much excitement. Light didn’t smile back. He just blushed.

Akirexer tilted her head in surprise. She wondered where Sharaina planned on going so early in the morning. When the thought of her going to another drinking spree crossed her mind, Akirexer folded her arms and suspiciously eyed Sharaina.

“Light, it is so good that you are here. I was just about to come to your house.” Sharaina blurted out.

“You were?” Light asked, perplexed. His eyes darted from Sharaina and Akirexer.

“Remember, you asked me to show you around the village today.” Sharaina thumped his shoulder. “Mama, I’ll see you later.” Sharaina said and pulled Light away before Akirexer could say anything. Akirexer remained with her eyes narrowed at them suspiciously.

Sharaina took Light three houses away from their homes. Liss and Mayla were waiting for Sharaina by their carriage. It delighted them that Sharaina made it. When they saw Light, they exchanged baffled looks and giggled. Liss strutted to them and asked, “Sharaina, who is this? You didn’t tell us you have a new boyfriend.” Liss waved her eyebrows up and down, and Mayla laughed.

“He isn’t my boyfriend, Liss. He is my neighbor, Light.” Sharaina clarified. Liss’s antics clearly irritated her.

Liss drew closer to Light and ran her finger down his chest. “So does it mean that he is up for grabs?” Liss winked at Light.

“Stop it Liss. Remember, you already have Nelex.” Sharaina remarked, and Liss laughed softly.

“It’s funny how I forget that when I am around handsome men.” Liss blew Light a kiss and hopped into the carriage.

“Is he coming with us?” Mayla asked lazily.

Sharaina pulled Light aside. “Light, I used you to get away from my mother in one piece. We are going to a party in Vanimaq. You are welcome to come with us.” She explained to him.

“It will be fun!” Mayla yelled from behind.

“Well, will you come with us?” Sharaina asked Light with hopeful eyes.

Light paused in thought. Truly, when he had decided to see Sharaina, he assumed it would be a brief visit. But now the chance to spend the day with her presented itself.

“Okay, I will join you.” He accepted and smiled as he watched Sharaina’s face beam with excitement.

“He is coming too,” Sharaina announced.

“Okay get in you two.” Liss impatiently said to Light and Sharaina. “Mayla it is your turn to lead the horses.” She reminded her.

“Fine, whatever. Let’s just get out of here before some nosy neighbor sees us.” Mayla lazily replied.