Since that day, Ive tried to be stricter with Anna: Ive told her off more and indulged her less. I sigh every time Irina teases me for having turned grumpy and cranky. I dont enjoy lecturing my sister but I dont have much choice.
She continues staring at the stone floor, sheepishly fidgeting with the long sleeve of her crimson dress and black corset. I refuse to be swayed by that innocent pose.
Anna!
Sister, she answers obediently, lifting up her sky-blue eyes to me. But as soon as she realizes her charms arent working, she drops all pretense. Come on, you know Im not cut out for this! Its not that I dont try! Ive memorized every evil spirit and how to kill it!
I know but
Its when it comes to weapons I just cant! Im not as strong as you. Id love to be but I cant!
You know very well I dont have any special talent. Its the result of regular training and hard work.
Anna falls silent, she has nothing to say to that. And its not the first time weve had this talk either. I take in a deep breath and let it out, trying not to give in to anger. It works. I take my sister by the shoulders and make her look me in the eye.
Anna, I love you and I know you. If I could, I would send you home right now, I would spare you this fate. But I cant
The corners of her mouth turn down. She knows it but cant accept it. Shes still clinging to a childish hope that I can somehow save her from this life. But I cant, no one can.
Other sisters see I cant keep you in check. I am sure it wont be long till they re-assign your training to someone else. Do you really want that?
I dont.
Then you will go change and come back for training. I nod.
Okay. Sorry, it wont happen again.
How many times have I heard that?
You promise?
I promise, she mumbles and gives me a hug.
I hug her back, stroking her back and a wave of her jet-black hair. Suddenly, I take a step back.
Anna, where did you get this dress?
She looks agitated and I dont like it. I hold her by the shoulders and she tries to escape my grip but Im stronger, so she yields.
Anna, I repeat sternly.
Ive bought it, she says uncertainly.
We dont have this kind of money! What is that? Serat silk? I gasp feeling her sleeve. It must have cost a fortune!
She seizes the opportunity and breaks free. She runs a few feet and turns back to me.
Dont be mad, Agatha. Its just a gift. She tries on that sheepish grin of hers again but I know better. This is too big.
Who is rich enough to give you such a gift? I ask her.
It it doesnt matter
Yes, it does! I run up to her and grasp her elbow so that she cant escape again. Shes still shorter and thinner than me but she runs faster. Its a pity she does it in all the wrong situations.
Was it a man?
She bites her lower lip and this childish habit gives her away.
You didnt! He How How could you I struggle to get the words out, incredulous, unable to calm myself this time.
I look around to make sure there are no witnesses and drag her into the nearest room. She doesnt resist and obediently shuffles behind me, lifting the skirt of her dress, which tangles around her feet. I double check the room is empty and lock it from the inside. The place is dark and dusty but I couldnt care less. I put my hands on my hips and turn to Anna, cutting her off from the door too, just in case.
Who is he?!
Anna refuses to look at me again and dusts off her sleeve instead.
His name is Arian, hes the Prince of Serat.
The breath I was unconsciously holding escapes in an exasperated sigh.
Anna, you know it will never lead to anything! And a prince
I know Ill have no husband! she snaps suddenly.
I am speechless for a moment. Its the first time she has dared to speak to me like that. I didnt even know she could. She notices my confusion and her boldness is gone. Her shoulders sink and she lowers her head again.
I know, she repeats, but why is it so wrong that I want a little bit of love? Its not forbidden, is it?
Its not that, Anna. Hes a prince. The path of politics is paved with razor-sharp knives. If someone learns about you, you could be in danger. If the king decides, for instance, that a Mara is not worthy of his son and your affair is tarnishing the Crown
I suddenly feel exhausted and sink into a wooden chair. Its beautifully carved, but blanketed in dust. Anna comes up to me and I take her hands in mine.
Im only nineteen, sister. I can try to protect you from evil spirits lurking in the woods and under the water, but I cant protect you from political intrigues, let alone a broken heart. And if you love him, your heart will break. It will break the moment youll have to part. Does he love you?
Yes, she says with a serious expression on still a childs face.
And do you?
I love him, too.
Oh, Anna
She smiles at me and starts stroking my hair, not as shiny as hers but just as black.
Dont worry about me, Agatha. I have never been so happy! If you could just see his smile its so charming. And his hair is like gold, and when you feel it, its even softer than Serat silk! Ive never seen anyone so handsome
A dreamy smile is playing on her lips, but my smile is rueful. I dont know what Im feeling anymore. Im angry with her and I worry like crazy, but maybe Im also jealous. Everything seems to just fall into her lap. She will even know love, however fleeting, and Ive only been loved by my parents and have already forgotten how it feels.
Alright, sister, so be it. I wont interfere with your happiness or try to talk you out of this madness. Its beyond my powers.
Anna is beside herself with joy. If I wasnt holding her hands, she would start twirling. But I give her hands a squeeze to get her attention back.
But I want you to introduce me to him.
You wont go threatening him or anything, will you?
Maybe just a little, I say with a straight face and she believes me and shoots me a frightened look. I let out a laugh but then put on a serious expression again.
Theres one more condition.
Oh no she moans.
Ill keep silent and wont tell the sisters anything as long as you start working hard. I want you to get really serious about your training.
She knows its a trap. Shes breathing noisily and tries to find a way out. But theres none, so I try not to look too smug.
Okay, okay, I promise, she finally gives up.
He must be really handsome. I laugh and dodge when her hand lashes out at me.
7
Yarat has sprawled.
It is my first thought when we climb the hill and the city stretches out before us. Yarat sits on a plain on the north-west of Araken. But the city is growing and I catch myself thinking that in a few decades it will probably swallow the gulf port too. The heavy clouds are blocking sunrays and the city seems gloomy. High spires of temples and the gilded roof of the royal palace look duller. We are still far away and all the houses are tiny, like childrens toys, with the palace standing out against them. It has several storeys and its longer than it is wide. However, it takes up a huge area and the adjacent square looks enormous even from where we are standing.
I am used to the life of an isolated temple, so Ive never liked big cities, let alone capitals. Ive only been to the capital of Serat once. But even then, I didnt have time for sightseeing, I dashed through the city and the only thing I had time to take note of was a somber palace faced in grey marble. Ive visited Yarat a few times, and it leaves me unimpressed. But Im sure this trip will be especially unpleasant.
I turn my gaze to the Quiet Gulf in the distance. Its waters are always calm thanks to the three islands in the bay that break any ocean waves.
Its beautiful, isnt it? Daniel trots up to me on his steed. Morok falls back, but only by a few feet.
They still dont trust me. And they are right, of course. Moreover, I prefer Moroks silent company to that of Captain Dariy, who snaps at me every few minutes or so because I am not being respectful enough towards His Highness.