Engimatic Fantasies - The Seabound Journal

>>>~~~~<<<

            The storm never seemed to end. Harsh waves slammed against the rocky shoreline while heavy rain pelted everything in sight. Derrick wondered if he’d ever see a blue sky again. His memories of sunny days had already begun to fade into dust. Who knows what else would follow? Regardless, he held up his trusty harpoon as he descended down the rocks to check the fishing net. That is, if it was still here in this torrent.

            Thankfully, he would not go hungry today, as a modest cluster of fish had trapped themselves in his net. The aging man grabbed at his next meal and dragged the whole bunch back up to his home. Along the way, he couldn’t help but notice an odd sound rattling the net. Something that wasn’t a fish had also become trapped in the net. Afraid a loose rock had gotten tangled in the lot and was smashing up his next meal, he quickly dug into the net only to feel something soft and leathery.

            “A book?” He muttered aloud.

\~_________~/

            Derrick’s home was an odd place. At one point, it may have been a lighthouse, but it had collapsed long before Derrick was born. Someone else had rebuilt the remanents into a modestly sized one-floor home with a small loft. Whoever that was had fled maybe a year or so before Derrick arrived. At least, that was his best guess based on the upkeep of the place.

            After shoving his catch into an icebox, Derrick took a moment to observe his new discovery. The leather-bound book was an unusual find among his daily catches. Empty glass bottles, old boots, and other junk were one thing—the kind of trash you’d expect to find at sea—but not such a well-preserved book.

            Despite the cover being a little wet, the pages were barely soaked. At first, Derrick was mystified by how it wasn’t ruined, but then he realized the pages weren’t paper. They looked like paper, but a cursory touch confirmed they didn’t feel the same.

            “The cover is unmarked, but the interior…a journal of some sort?” Derrick noted. Whoever it belonged to, they either hadn’t written down their name, or it was on one of the few pages that were lost. The first three or so pages were ripped or ruined by something that clearly wasn’t water. Out of curiosity, Derrick turned to the first legible page and began reading.

            “August 12th: The first week has ended well,” it read. “Finds include: Three statuettes, seven gems of various sizes, two scrolls, and the first of many gold bars. The crew is satisfied with the findings.”

            “An expedition journal, then?” Derrick theorized as he turned the page.

            “August 19th: The second week has proven better than the first,” the next page continued. “Finds include: Four more statuettes, thirteen gems of incredible sizes, five scrolls, a half dozen gold bars, and the scepter from one of the inner circle. The scepter is missing the large gem meant to be set into the head, but Simmons is looking for it now. It did not fall far.”

            “Quite the successful journey to have found so much in only two weeks,” Derrick commented. “Yet, since the journal ended up in the sea, I assume something must have gone wrong eventually.”

            “August 26th: The third week has been riddled with misfortune,” the journal revealed. “Simmons never returned, and neither did Joseph when he went looking for him a day later. Spoils have been sparse and not worth mentioning, and in addition, the scepter and four gems have gone missing. There is a traitor among us. But whether they have always been or have let greed get the better of them, I cannot say yet.”

            “Alas, it seems I was right,” Derrick sighed as he turned the page.

            “August 29th: Early report, we have found both men, but not alive,” was on the next page. “Strangely, in the position we found them, it appeared Joseph slayed Simmons by choking him to death. However, we have no evidence of what killed Joseph. Thankfully, it seems Simmons had initially succeeded in his mission and found the missing gem. The scepter is mine at last, but I must be wary. I had thought both men were loyal and trustworthy before, but now I cannot say what had come over them. I can only assume one gave into their greed and attacked the other, with Joseph as the winner, but who was the guilty party? And more importantly, what killed Joseph?”

            A boom of thunder started Derrick from his reading. The storm had grown worse outside. The aging man sighed, put down the journal, and reinforced the barricades on his doors and windows. “I should get started on dinner, but one more entry, this has grown interesting.”

            “September 2nd: The fourth week has ended without further incident, but no more discoveries. I believe it is time we left, I’ve gotten what I came for, and we have more than enough treasure to divide among the remaining crew. Only five of us remain, and I’m already sensing the rising tension. That traitor is still among us, and we all know it.”

            “September 4th: Our attempts to leave have been stifled. We reached the natural harbor, but a terrible storm came in. Alexander was on the boat when the storm rushed in from nowhere, and he was still on there when it capsized moments later, along with half of our treasure. We have been forced to take shelter back inside the caves. One might hope that Alexander was the traitor and we’d have no further problems. Alas, I doubt we’d be so blessed. My only comfort now is this journal to collect my thoughts. Especially since our spare rations were on that boat. We only have enough to last to the end of the week, just barely.”

            “September 5th: Blast it all! Scott was the traitor all along! He ran off with our remaining food and treasure in the night. Now, only three of us remain, with maybe a day or two before we are without hope. But it does not matter. I still have the scepter. He will know my wrath.”

            “September 6th: Now we’ve lost Maximillion as well. He almost had the bastard Scott before the traitor knocked him into the sea. Even if the storm wasn’t so awful, I doubt he’d have lived, I only caught a glimpse of it, but something dragged him under the water. However, Scott will soon no longer be a problem. The scepter proved its power, and he’ll perish if he does not return to me.”

            “September 7th: The traitor came crawling back. The curse worked, and now, within a day, he is but a husk of his former self. We will be able to eat for several more days as soon as he reveals his hiding place. I was also eager to send the backstabber into the deep myself, but we may require an extra pair of hands. It looks like the storm will subside soon, and then we can construct a new boat or hopefully find whatever vessels the inner circle had used to come here.”

            “September 8th: I am a fool. Scott was not the traitor after all. He was just self-interested. He had only half the missing food and none of the treasure. I had never wanted to think this, but the real traitor was right beside me the whole time, feeding me lies and pushing me along. Derrick, you bastard, you may have taken the scepter, but you’ll never know how to use it!”

            Derrick dropped the book as another crack of thunder shook his home. Hours passed, and he had never gotten started on dinner, and now he had lost his appetite. “It’s just a coincidence, right?”

            “September 9th: I am the victor, for whatever it’s worth. I could not retrieve the scepter before Scott wasted away, but I managed to overpower Derrick. The fool waved the scepter like a toy but did not know what I did. I snatched the scepter from his hands and sent him hurdling into the ocean with its power. Alas, I do not know what spell I used upon him in my anger. I just wanted him to suffer. But that shall be my only comfort in these remaining days. Food shall soon run out, and I alone will not be able to return to the mainland. I could continue to collect my thoughts as I pass from this world, but what is the point? Maybe I shall hurl this journal into the sea. It was my first creation upon learning the inner circle’s secrets, and it should be more than capable of surviving. Maybe someone will find it and learn of our folly? As for the scepter, I shall keep it for myself. While its powers cannot save me, it is best they die with me. If I am lucky, I might learn to undo the storm before I perish. I’ve long since determined it was not a natural occurrence. It seems the inner circle got the last laugh after all…”

            Derrick closed the journal, which contained no further entries. He tried to think back to the days when the sky was blue and the sun shined down on the world. Alas, those memories and everything else about his past had faded. He tried his best not to think about the last miserable hundred years he’d spent hiding from the storm in this home.

>>>~~~~<<<

Your mistakes can always come back to haunt you, it doesn't matter where or when.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.

Maid In Fantasy: Chapter XXII - Horsing Around Part 2

 Story Hub: [link]

\\~~~\\       I       //~~~//

Maia 7^th 758

            “Now, now, break it up,” Lady Aphros moved in between Bellero and Orion. “Young Lord Bellero, you know you cannot issue formal challenges to workers. Especially not to a servant of the royal family.”

            ‘That didn’t stop Lady Aré,’ Serena mentally noted.

            “Ah, but according to the Rules of Courtly Romance 3rd Edition, written and edited by yourself, Lady Aphros, matters of love trump titles, both noble and royal,” Bellero countered.

            “Aha, but to issue such a challenge, three other members of the royal court must act as witnesses,” Aphros recalled. “Since the Princess is a target of your affection, she does not count for that number.”

            “Less you forget, members of the Diane family count towards that number,” Bellero stated, “specifically when they attend to a royal family member. So, the maid counts as my third witness.”

            ‘Great, I thought he was just an idiot, but he’s actually an idiot savant,’ Serena rolled her eyes. ‘Still, it’s kind of amusing to see Aphros get screwed over by her own words. I should probably intervene before he traps Orion in some kind of duel to the death.’

            “But that only applies to Diane servants who’ve completed at least one year in their position,” Aphros rebutted. “And Serena has yet to complete her first year.”

            ‘Don’t remind me,’ Serena groaned at the reminder that all the insanity in her life had occurred in less than a year. ‘How many times have I almost died since last fall? At least four or five. Depends on if you count the giant cow or not.’

            “Very well. My apologies, let’s start over,” Bellero changed tactics. “How about a friendly competition with no stakes?”

            ‘It’s a trap, it’s a trap, it’s a trap!’ Serena tried to signal Orion, but he wasn’t looking toward her. The butler was more drawn into his confusion about suddenly being at the center of this nonsense.

            “Um, Ok-AAAAAEEE?!” Orion almost agreed without thinking before Atlanta yanked him back with a chokehold while Aphros cupped a hand over his mouth.

            “Shush,” Atlanta muttered in his ear.

            “You know what? You’re right, Atlanta. Let’s call the training off for the day,” Aphros declared. “Sorry for wasting your time, Young Lord Bellero. Let’s continue this conversation never.” The noble quickly moved to help Atlanta carry Orion back to the hovercraft before Bellero could get another word in.

            ‘Good to see Aphros nip it in the bud for once,’ Serena breathed a sigh of relief. “Let’s go home, Princess Irene,” the maid took her charge’s hand.

            “Aw, I wanted to see the romantic duel thingy,” Irene huffed but acquiesced.

            “Worry not, young Princess,” Bellero assured, “love does not falter so easily.” Bellero struck a scheming pose as if a camera was zoomed in on him.

            ‘Let me guess, this is not the last we’ll see of him?’ Serena rolled her eyes.

            “This is not the last that servant boy will see of me,” Bellero declared, much to Serena’s chagrin.

\\~~~\\       II       //~~~//

Maia 8^th 758

 

            Bellero was a man of his word, and barely a day later, Orion was sent a letter of challenge by arrow. A big arrow. So big, in fact, that it smashed one of the new decorative boulders in the palace gardens while Princess Atlanta was being shown the rapid progress on the repairs to the ruined area. Naturally, Atlanta shredded the letter before Orion could read it. On another note, the repairs to the gardens were set back another week.

            Serena beheld this scenario while she retrieved Irene, who had taken to climbing the interior walls of the courtyard for fun. The maid had a sinking feeling this whole week was about to get terrible. After all, if this was Bellero’s opening volley (literally), Lord knows how he’d ramp it up from here.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

Maia 9^th 758

            The next day, Bellero took the next logical step and attacked Orion in a drive-by Pegasus attack. It had started as a peaceful day, and Orion was meant to shuttle Princess Atlanta via a small hovercraft to a minor event in the city. Alas, they had taken maybe four steps onto the palace’s grand driveway before Bellero descended from the sky.

            “Servant boy, I challenge you to a friendly duel with no stakes,” Bellero shouted, “unless you agree to fight for the Princess’s hand in marriage. That works, too!” Orion was so busy processing the first half of Bellero’s statement that he almost didn’t avoid Bellero’s lance. Thankfully, it was made of wood, but it still might have killed him.

            “Bellero, have you lost your mind!” Atlanta screamed back at the noble.

            “My mind has never been clearer! It’s all for you, my love!” Bellero yelled back while doing loops in the air with his steed.

            “Great, he’s a showoff and a psychopath,” Atlanta grumbled. Guards, shoot him out of the sky!”

            “I apologize, Princess Atlanta, we do not carry firearms,” one of the nearby guards sheepishly admitted.

            “Hmm?” Atlanta looked back at him with a frustrated grimace. “Orion, shoot him out of the sky!”

            “I apologize, Princess, but I do not carry a firearm either, nor can I shoot laser from my hands,” Orion exclaimed.

            “Lady Aphros didn’t teach you that yet?” Atlanta fumed. “Whatever, just hit him when he comes back down.”

            “Yes, my Princess,” Orion sprang into action, drawing his sword. Now, as one might imagine, a lone man on foot vs one mounted is not the most even fight. There’s the obvious difference in heights, speed, and inertia. Still, one might argue a foot soldier has superior maneuverability to someone on horseback, or they could simply strike the horse and dismount their foe. That’s true, but in this scenario, that would be little comfort to Orion for three reasons. One, Orion does not have a spear or pike. Two, in this case, Bellero had the greater range with his lance. Three, the previous hypotheticals did not take into account the fact that Bellero’s steed could fly.

            “Gah!” Orion was sent flying by Pegasus’s headbutt.

            “That’s my boy, Alexander,” Bellero pet his steed before making a victory loop in the air.

            “Orion, I change my mind. Retreat,” Atlanta grabbed the prone butler and dragged him back inside. By the way, they did not make it to the event.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

            Later that day, Orion accompanied Atlanta to the shooting range, where the Princess intended to blow off steam. Serena and Irene were also there, the former keeping the latter out of the gun vault. Just when Atlanta was about to unlock the case for her favorite shotgun, guess who appeared from the sky?

            “Servant boy, I’ve returned to complete our challenge!” Bellero dive-bombed Orion again. Like before, Orion could do little to defend himself against a flying opponent. Even one who showboated as much as Bellero.

            “He’s still at it?” Serena sighed in resignation.

            “Serena,” Atlanta pointed at the maid, “you have my permission to interfere with Bellero’s challenge by any means. If he so much as breathes a word of retribution, he can answer to me!”

            “Whoa,” Serena was shocked by the blank check she was just handed. “Well, I can’t reject an order from the royalty. I will act at once, Princess Atlanta.” The maid immediately looked around, tempted by the collection of firearms and projectile weapons surrounding her. ‘Best not shoot him out of the sky. That might get me in real trouble.’ Instead, her eyes were drawn to a halberd on the wall. Part of a collection of weapons labeled ‘Ze’s throwing knives.’ Serena did her best to not process that name and retrieved her weapon of choice.

            As Bellero came around for his third swing at the helpless Orion, Serena jumped into action. Bellero might have been an idiot, but he was not suicidal. Seeing someone brandish a polearm in his direction forced him to take evasive maneuvers. In his mad scramble, he was finally left vulnerable, and Serena took the chance to use her halberd like a pole vault and fly into the air. She knocked the noble for a loop with a furious kick and sent him into a spiral.

            Serena landed on her feet, while Bellero, surprisingly enough, didn’t crash into a wall. Instead, he righted himself at the last moment, did a barrel roll, and landed his mount with ease. The noble quickly spun his steed around and charged over to where Serena landed.

            “What is the meaning of this maid?” He demanded an explanation.

            “My apologies,” Serena curtsied, “I was practicing my pole vault, and we collided in the air.”

            “Oh...well, be more careful in the future then,” Bellero bought the blatant lie. “It seems I will have to put off my challenge until tomorrow, though, Alexander is a little tired.” He pulled the reins and flew off to wherever he came from.

            “Well, this is going to take longer than I hoped,” Serena sighed. Then, she noticed something alarming in the corner of her eye. “Irene, no, stay away from the machine guns!”

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

Maia 10^th 758

            Serena thought this may become a pattern. Bellero attacks, Orion is taken off guard, and she jumps in to help Orion. Unfortunately, she underestimated Bellero’s ability to adapt. It was only the second attack of the next day, and the noble was already dodging her attacks as effortlessly as Orion’s.

            “My my, you’re a playful one, maid,” Bellero hummed as he effortlessly avoided the thrust of Serena’s halberd. “I apologize. It seems I’ve raised your hopes too much with my directness. Alas, my heart belongs to Princess Atlanta.”

            ‘This jackwagon thinks I’m flirting with him?’ Serena was stunned. ‘Did his parents drop him on his head when he was little? Or has Atlanta hit him so many times he thinks that’s how girls flirt?’

            Serena followed up with a series of strikes from her weapon, but Bellero nimbly steered around them all. Soon, he was back to tormenting Orion completely unimpeded.

            “Gah,” Orion narrowly avoided a lance to the back.

            “Maybe I should have taken one of those guns,” Serena lamented as she chased after the mad melee. Despite her best efforts, Bellero only got better and better at avoiding her. He even made a game of how close he’d cut his dodges to her strikes. It infuriated Serena as much as it inflated Bellero’s ego.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

            Sometime later, Princess Atlanta found herself alone on the palace balconies, overlooking the still destroyed gardens. The silver-lilac-haired girl sighed; it had been nearly an hour since she last saw Orion or Bellero, the latter having chased the former off in a random direction. She briefly contemplated if Bellero had finally gone too far and, if that was the case, how many guards she’d send to have him hauled off in chains. Thankfully, her questions were partially answered when Serena plunged from the sky.

            The maid hit a nearby portion of the roof and tumbled down the side. Her crash was stopped only by an invisible force that slowly levitated her to the ground. Despite reaching the ground safely, Serena didn’t feel like getting up just yet.

            “Nice trick,” Serena coughed as she looked up to see the glow of magic on Atlanta’s hand. “That man is a psychopath.”

            “I’m well aware,” Atlanta sighed. “If you’re well, then I assume Orion is unharmed, as well?”

            “Traumatized for life, maybe, but he’s alright,” Serena sat up. “He’s hid himself in a belltower in the east wing. He’ll make his way back before long. I had the misfortune of being caught in Prince Charming’s saddle. I sent him spiraling off west, he dropped me ten stories.”

            “You are very lucky to have fallen where you did,” Atlanta pointed out.

            “Lucky is not a word I’d used to describe my situation,” Serena stood up and dusted herself off. “Princess Atlanta, if you don’t mind me asking…”

            “Go ahead,” Atlanta nodded.

            “What the duck is his problem!?” Serena exclaimed.

            “That is a question for the philosophers,” Atlanta shrugged. “He insists his parents had him tested, and he’s not insane. I believe that assertion remains to be proven.”

            “I can see why you broke off the engagement,” Serena groaned.

            “Gah, is he still telling people that nonsense?” The Princess spat.

            “Oh, so he’s a showoff, a psychopath, and a liar,” Serena said without filter. “What a winning combination.”

            “You don’t know the half of it,” Atlanta muttered. “Expel whatever drivel he fed you from your mind. I will tell you what really happened. It all started nearly seven years ago, on my 9th birthday.”

            “Not ten years ago?” Serena commented.

            “He’s been saying ten years ago for the past three years,” Atlanta revealed.

\\~~~\\       III       //~~~//

Heré 30^th 751

            As I said, it was the day of my 9th birthday, and I was taken to a Pegasus race as part of the festivities. I do love the animals, but it turned out to be a rather tepid race. In hindsight, I’m almost certain someone greased palms to get whichever random horse I was rooted for to win. Alas, children are fickle and quickly grow bored of something once they’re given things they want. What I really desired was to see the animals up close, which we were scheduled to do after the race, but I was impatient.

            So yes, I did sneak into the Pegasus stables to get a closer look at the animals, and that’s where he and I met. It was a simple meeting. He showed me around the stables, introduced me to his Pegasus, Phon, and let me pet a few of them. And yes, his steed’s name was Phon. He changed it to Alexander later. It’s the same name as the King’s horse, just another way he’s trying to impress me.

            Despite what he may claim, we had no romantic love-at-first-sight meeting. He was undoubtedly a little smitten with me, but no more than any boy does when he meets a girl he’s attracted to. Still, we kindled a friendship that day.

            I know it sounds almost nonsensical considering how I treat him now, but there was a time when I unquestionably considered him one of my closest friends. He was the only young noble who treated me like just another kid, albeit one he was quickly developing a crush on. It was refreshing to meet another child who would approach me normally and not be intimidated by my status, bend over backwards to appease me or treat me like I’m some pretentious elitist. Even more when compared to all the adults who treated me, and still do, as nothing more than a foolish child. I admit I may have rashly dived into the friendship as part of my rebellious phase.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

            ‘Phase?’ Serena did not say, but the word was written all over her expression.

            “Don’t think me daft. I know what that look means,” Atlanta huffed. “I didn’t have a lot of friends back then, okay. It wouldn’t be the only stupid thing I did without thinking.”

            ‘Back then?’ Serena struggled to maintain a stoic expression.

            “Okay, so I don’t have a lot of friends now either,” Atlanta admitted, “none outside my mother’s court, at least.”

            ‘Well, I shouldn’t judge,’ Serena realized. ‘My friends consist of Orion, Penelo (kind of) and... that’s it. Well, maybe Caenia, but she’s more of that drunk family member who gives you a mixture of good and bad advice.’

            “Where was I? Oh yes…” Atlanta continued.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

            We were friends, that much was true. While the adults around us viewed us as a “cute couple,” it was nothing more than that. A pair of children that got along well. Our “engagement” he so patently talks about was nothing more than childish make-believe. We were basically playing house, but in that way where children take it just a little bit more seriously. However, something changed in him that day, and it was around then that his more delusional acts started to crop up.

            Despite the fact neither set of parents openly acknowledged our pretend engagement, Bellero convinced himself it was real. It started with him acting as though it was true, but I thought he was just being charming. Then, he became more insistent and tried harder and harder to impress me. While it’s true I had once dreamed of going on a long Pegasus ride into the night with someone close to me (what girl hasn’t?), Bellero was not the one I wished to do it with. He interpreted that sentiment as a challenge. It didn’t help that his parents never dissuaded him of his delusions. However, I fear they considered him a lost cause long ago.

            No matter what he insists, we were never in love. At least I wasn’t in love with him the same way he is with me. I was affectionate towards him and enjoyed his company, but he mistook that for infatuation. Like I said, I befriended him because he treated me differently than the other children, at least at first. But once he fell in love with me…No, once he fell in love with the idea of falling in love with me, he became like so many others. Making a grand fool of himself, bending over backwards and every other way just to earn my favor. It’s infuriating.

\\~~~\\       IV       //~~~//

Maia 10^th 758

            “Two years ago, I finally grew so fed up with his antics I reminded him of the truth,” Atlanta explained. “For once, the message managed to pierce his thick skull, but of course, he misinterpreted it,” the Princess sighed. “In his mind, I broke off our ‘engagement’ because I had fallen in love with someone else. Or, on his more egotistical days, he convinces himself that I think I’m not worthy of him. Can you believe the sheer audacity of that madman?”

            “So, this has been going on for two years then?” Serena inquired.

            “On and off,” Atlanta clarified. “Orion isn’t the first butler he’s tormented, nor will he be the last person. Bellero begins his usual song and dance whenever he perceives me close to anyone. Then, whenever he’s finally chased off his latest target, I’d be more than a little harsh in my reaction. That would usually scare him off until he drummed up his next hair-brained scheme.”

            “Yet, Aphros was convinced you’re still best friends?” Serena pointed out.

            “You know how Lady Aphros lives in her own little world sometimes,” Atlanta shrugged. “But truthfully, she was likely oblivious to how bad it was. Despite her eccentricities, she is a busy woman and doesn’t have the time to know every detail of my life. She probably thought he and I were still friends. Needless to say, I find it hard to refer to him as such these days.”

            “Well, that still leaves us with a problem,” Serena brought the conversation full circle. “He may be an egotistical fool, but his skills are genuine. I can’t surprise him anymore. My attempts to defend Orion are part of the challenge to him now. He thinks I’m flirting with him!”

            “Sounds about right,” Atlanta agreed, “but remember this. He may be a master in the air and on horseback, but without it, he’s nothing special.”

            “Great, now I just need to separate him from his Pegasus,” Serena rolled her eyes. “He’s only literally attached to it by the hip.”

            “True, but he’s also a total moron,” Atlanta reminded, “that should provide you some help.”

            “Well, I do have experience in dealing with dangerous morons,” Serena smiled, “but I’m starting to think his attacks aren’t quite as random as I first thought.”

            “Oh?” Atlanta’s interest was piqued.

            “Have you ever noticed how Aphros and the like are never around when he attacks?” Serena pointed out. “And how he disappears as quickly as he comes?”

            “You don’t mean...? No, that maniac could never attempt something so clever,” Atlanta’s eyes widened in realization.

            “He’s already demonstrated Pegasus riding isn’t his only area of expertise,” Serena recalled. “What’s to say he doesn’t have another narrow specialty?”

            “If that’s true, then I know when he’s going to attack next,” Atlanta showed that same glint in her eyes that Irene did when she was up to mischief.

\\~~~\\       V       //~~~//

Maia 11^th 758

            Orion made his way across the palace’s sports fields. Like any good, overstuffed royal palace, the Celene’s had their own set of fields for various sports. While they didn’t have a full-sized sports stadium (in the palace), they had more than enough space to have three different professional sports played simultaneously. That’s without counting the dozen tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts or the skate park. It goes without saying that someone in the council was a huge sports nut.

            Despite this, it was around lunchtime, so most of the fields were sparsely populated. The nobles could play sports anytime, and the workers had their mandatory lunch hours, so recreation could wait while they filled their stomachs. Yet, Orion found himself out on the sports fields alone, very tense for obvious reasons. Just when he thought he would make it through unscathed, Bellero arrived right on cue.

            “Servant boy, etc, etc. You know the drill by now!” Bellero didn’t bother with his introduction and came charging down from the heavens, lance raised, and Pegasus in mid-gallop.

            “Why must it always come to violence,” Orion exclaimed as he rolled out of the way.

            “Fear not, servant boy,” Bellero did a U-turn in mid-air after his miss, “I have nothing against you personally, but you stand in the way of me and my destined love. Please understand, I mean no offense by my actions!”

            “You’ve nearly killed me a half-dozen times this week,” Orion pointed out. “I do not understand how I could not be offended.”

            “I do not intend to slay you,” Bellero assured, “I mean, you may perish if you don’t receive medical attention when I’m done with you. But that is a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

            “That does not make me feel better,” Orion shouted back as he dodged yet another strike from Bellero. Alas, it was a much closer shave. It was an arduous and exhausting process to avoid the noble’s strikes, and it would only be a matter of time before Orion slipped up. Thankfully, the butler knew he wouldn’t have to take that chance.

            “BELLERO!” Princess Atlanta shouted from a megaphone. She and Serena had been hiding nearby. “Cease this nonsense immediately, or we will take extreme action to stop you!”

            “My love, my darling,” Bellero proclaimed while he did another loop in the air, “This is a battle of honor between two souls who wish to win your heart. You need not involve yourself.”

            “Gah, for the love of-!” Atlanta exclaimed in fury.

            “Yes, exactly, for the love of you,” Bellero cut her off.

            “Let me finish talking,” Atlanta shouted back through the megaphone. “Seems our threat has fallen on deaf ears,” Atlanta turned back to Serena, “not that I’m surprised.”

            “Well, at least you were right about when he would attack next,” Serena tried to assure her. It just so happened that the Queen, Lady Aphros, and Lady Aré were all out of the palace for individual reasons and would be so for the next hour or so. The same was true for Lady Ze and Herme, the former was still on her journey to find herself while the latter was with Lady Aphros.

            A similar story was true in the previous days. Bellero only attacked when most of the nobles were away or busy and hightailed it whenever they may have become privy to his shenanigans. If Lady Ze or Aré were around, this whole scenario would never have happened, and it seemed Bellero was well aware. Despite this, the two figured he’d be so convinced he was safe to attack that he wouldn’t notice Orion acting as the obvious bait.

            “Diplomacy has failed,” Serena ran to Orion’s side. “Just like we discussed, he’s only scary when he’s with his Pegasus. Now, how do we separate them?”

            “Hmm,” Orion watched as Bellero did a barrel roll through the air before flipping around to take another swing at him. “I think,” his eyes focused closer on Bellero. “Maybe,” he muttered as his vision drifted further down.

            “Orion?” Serena glanced at her friend.

            “Has he already?” Atlanta followed her attendant’s line of sight. “Oh, you are a smart one,” she smiled in pride.

            “Serena, I’m going to attempt something foolish,” Orion admitted, “I request you distract him for a moment so I may do what needs to be done and perhaps catch me afterward.”

            “Orion, what are you up to?” Serena looked at him in concern.

            “Please trust me,” Orion looked back.

            “Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” Serena nodded.

            “Here I come!” Bellero shouted as he beelined for Orion again.

            “Bellero, your fly is undone!” Serena exclaimed as she ran to one side.

            “N-no it isn’t,” Bellero checked his pants and quickly remembered his jockey leggings did not have a zipper. However, that one moment of distraction was all Orion needed, and he raced to meet Bellero head-on. He jumped over the lance and landed right on Bellero.

            “Ack, unhand me, servant boy,” Bellero exclaimed as he struggled to force Orion off.

            “Young Lord Bellero, with all due respect, we are the same age,” Orion countered as he grabbed Bellero’s collar with one hand and reached past him with the other. The noble was too busy panicking to really notice what Orion was doing.

            “Get off! Alexander is only fitted to accommodate one sir and one madam at a time!” Bellero began to flail at Orion, and the two got into a real scrap. Bellero had the height and size advantage, although Orion was clearly more fit and stronger. Alas, Bellero was strapped into his position, and Orion was not, which made quite the difference when you fought atop a mount. Eventually, Orion was forced from his position and slipped down the horse’s side. He still held on for dear life as they rapidly ascended. “Away with thee!” Bellero kicked at the worker, but Orion had stopped fighting back. He was too busy with something else.

            “Serena!” Orion shouted as he let go and allowed himself to fall. Serena wasted no time and rushed to his aid. She leaped in the air and caught him. She intended to brace his fall with her own body, but before they could hit the ground, they were stopped by an invisible force and gently set on the ground.

            “There’s no need to be a martyr, Serena,” Atlanta sighed as she dispelled her magic.

            “Well, you tried, Orion,” Serena sighed.

            “No, Serena, this is finally over,” Orion shook his head and gestured for Serena to watch. The servants and the princess looked up to see Bellero had regained control of his mount and, as usual, prepared to do another trick before he continued his attack.

            “Twas a noble effort, servant boy, but I-!” Bellero exclaimed as he did his loop, but he was interrupted by a startling question. ‘Why was he falling, and why was his Pegasus getting further away?’ “What? Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”

            “Oh, the temptation,” Atlanta resisted her darker impulses and reactivated her magic. Before Bellero could go splat on the ground, Atlanta’s levitation spell stopped him in mid-air. Instead of being let down gently, Atlanta dispelled her magic early and allowed the noble to fall harmlessly on his face.

            “I get it now,” Serena looked down at the thoroughly embarrassed Bellero, who still had his feet in the spurs of the saddle. “You unlatched his saddle. I thought it was weird that he beat you in a fight, but you were never trying to fight him.”

            “Of course,” Atlanta glared at her ex-friend, “it wouldn’t have mattered if it were not for your insistent need to showboat.” The princess turned away. “It’s over, Bellero, you’ve lost. Serena, please remove him from the premises.”

            “As you wish,” Serena curtsied and grabbed the noble by the back of his neck. “Say goodbye, Young Lord Bellero.”

            “Goodbyeeeeee…” Bellero muttered as she dragged him away.

\\~~~\\              //~~~//

            “Request fulfilled, Princess Atlanta,” Serena bowed as she returned.

            “I take it you deposited him somewhere safe and out of the way?” Atlanta inquired.

            “Certainly,” Serena half-lied as her mind turned to the dumpsters and trash piles on the outer rim of the palace where she left Bellero. “Shall I go retrieve the Pegasus as well?”

            “No, Alexander is a well-trained steed (more so than his master),” Atlanta answered. “He shall seek out Bellero on his own before long. Now that he has been thoroughly defeated, I’m sure Bellero will think twice about returning anytime soon…” The buzz of a cell phone interrupted the Princess’s line of thought.

            “Whose…?” Serena looked around. It wasn’t her phone, as she had left that in her room while she worked.

            “Oh no,” Atlanta pulled out her phone and answered, putting the device on speakerphone.

            “I may have been bested today, but I shall return,” Bellero’s voice came through the speakers. “Maybe not tomorrow or the day after, but soon. Perhaps it is time to make regular visits to the palace again. Until next time, Princess Atlanta, my darling, my love, the apple of-” Atlanta terminated the call.

            ‘I can feel the headaches forming already,’ Serena grumbled. “Well, now that he has been dealt with, I must return to Princess Irene. I can only leave her in Dusa’s care so often.” The maid curtsied and made her way back to the main palace.

            ‘I don’t blame her for booking it, it’s been a hell of a week,’ Atlanta admitted. ‘I can’t believe there was a time when I enjoyed being with Bellero. But time changes us all, I guess.’

            “Shall we be off as well, Princess?” Orion turned to his charge and offered his hand.

            “Oh?” Atlanta was shaken from her thoughts by the gesture. She observed her attendant for a moment, recalling his actions today. “Yes, let us be off. I’ve grown famished, Orion. Take me somewhere where we can both eat in peace.”

            “Both, Princess?” Orion was surprised.

            “It was your trial that has been overcome today, Orion,” Atlanta explained. “I think you’re overdue for a reward.”

            “Thank you most graciously, Princess,” Orion bowed. The two joined hands, and the butler led the Princess off somewhere they could be alone.

May This Fantasy Continue A Little Longer…

Next Time: Chapter XXIII: Spears and Rapiers and Halberds, Oh My!

>>>~~~~<<<

The key to any solid relationship is clear and open communication, less you find yourself devolving into petty squabbles, pointless arguments and avoidable fights.

Author's Note: This was a fun little pair of chapters, I have too much fun writing troublemakers. In the last several chapters, Princess Atlanta has been relegated to the background for the most part, she hasn't had a prominent role since the first arc, so I decided to create these chapters to highlight some of her baggage. Plus, Bellero makes a great foil for Orion (in a different way from Jace). Atlanta will have a bit more to do in the next volume, so I think it's important to reestablish where she is as a character, while also nudging forward her present relationships. In our more immediate future, we have two more chapters left in volume 3, both stand alones. It's time to check back on some other characters who we haven't seen in a bit.


Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.