Everything Stays

The bond between a princess and the priest.

I growled to myself as I struggled with the sword’s hilt. Matthias had been stuck all morning, and if it wasn’t for Resturance wanting to see how well it was coming along I probably would have asked Maxie for help. Standing in the back courtyard, where most of the training equipment was, I yelled out loudly in frustration before dropping the sword. Sparks of electricity fell off my arms, startling me as I jumped back with a yelp. I felt a sudden pressure on my back but the scent gave away who it was. “Tori.” I whispered before turning around and smiling.

“You’re up early Shoe.” She said as I went to pick up Matthias again.

“Why is it unusual for me to be up before noon?” I laughed as I brushed loose dirt from the sword’s hilt. It seemed I had scuffed it when I threw it to the ground, making me frown.

“What’d you do, get mad at your poor sword?” Tori poked my cheek. “Maxie told me you were having trouble pulling out Matthias, but you didn’t know he knew so he was gonna wait for you to figure it out himself.” I smacked her hand away.

“TORIIIII! It’s not fair of you to give away all this information! What if one day you just spill out all our secrets to an enemy?” I pointed the back of the sheath to her; poking her stomach. She placed the tip of her finger gently on the sword as she pushed it away, giggling as she smirked. I knew that look, that devilish younger girl.

“Is that a duel? Miss Rivers, you should have just said so!” Tori skipped closer to me, taking Matthias away and throwing him off to the side. “At dusk. And since you can’t use Matthias at the moment a sword will be provided.” I took a step back. As fragile as Tori looked and acted I had never bested her with my sword play. Her father was a lot better then I was and Resturance. The light dragon was the one who was giving me lessons too, but I still couldn’t beat her. I raised my hands. “Or are you going to refuse and chicken out?” She jeered as I clenched my teeth, putting my hands down before they raised any higher. She knows just what buttons to push, doesn’t she?  

“Fine, have it your way, but this time I’m going to win!” I pointed to her before turning back into the house. Frustrated, I slammed the door behind me and stomped into the large mansion. She was just so frustrating sometimes! Everyone in the city assumed she was some sort of court lady but she was actually a kitsune in disguise.

In the midst of my tantrum, I stopped when I heard someone speaking to my father in the throne room.

“Are you sure you're okay with this your highness? Is Shoe really adapted to run this country?” I stopped and frowned, leaning into the door frame before I spoke.

“He really doesn’t have a choice does he? I’ve got his powers.” I really shouldn’t have said anything as my father stood from his chair.

“Shoe, go back to your room. These are matters that don’t concern you.” I winced slightly at the flick of his wrist. Clicking my tongue I waved my hand and left. My anger had probably fueled me earlier but I’d rather not make mom cry again if dad was to start a fight. Though, Tori was always there to stop it. Me and my dad had left our various scars on each other. Considering the temper of the lightning dragon was unstable as the powers transferred. Eventually I would be the one on that throne.

Heading back towards my room, I smiled when I noticed Resturance talking with Tori’s mother; the current head priest of the castle. Even though Resturance himself was the reigning light dragon, he was about twenty five years old and my swordsmanship teacher. I walked between the two to interrupt their conversation.

“Say, Rest, are you coming to my duel tonight?” I chirped as he looked calmly at me. He placed a hand on my head for a moment.

“What duel? Don’t tell me you challenged Tori to another sword fight?” I frowned, looking at Tori’s mother. “Miss Waterbound, surely your husband couldn’t be that good at fighting with the sword. Tori takes more after you then she does him.” I complained as the mistress laughed, a hand on her lips.

“She takes more after him then you think princess. I wish you luck this time.” I stuck my tongue out as I left and headed back towards the front of the house. I was going to ask Maxie to help me practice. He was Tori’s betrothed after all, but he always helped me out and with his thick dragon skin as his shield I should be able to find a way to win. He’d be the perfect candidate for sword play too since I can imagine I’m fighting Tori with him easily! I took in a deep breath, bringing in all the scents around me as well as the scents that still lingered from hours past. Trying to follow his scent, it took me a few minutes, but I finally found him sweeping leaves off the castle steps. I approached him quietly; trying to sneak behind the tree until I jumped out and tackled the taller dragon, clutching onto his shoulders.

“I’ve caught the dark dragon.” I whispered as he laughed, setting the broom off to the side. I finally slid off of him as I looked at the dragon boy’s blue eyes for a reaction.

“What do you need, Shoe? Did Tori tell you about Matthias?” I placed my hands together and bowed.

“Please let me practice against you! Tori wanted a match and I can’t use Matthias - so that also means I can’t use my electricity.” The dark haired male raised an eyebrow for a moment.

“And why would I help you fight my future wife?” I glared up at him.

“Then it’s an order from your princess - spar against me, my shield!” I crossed my arms as he let out a sigh. Moving over to the shed he grabbed one of the swords and cut himself with it. The wound was deep enough to where his skin started to turn black. The blackness crawled over his flesh till it almost covered his entire body, aside from near his eyes were a thick, black scaly-like consistency showed. I hopped up excited at the sight, jumping higher to catch the sword he threw in my direction. Sparring sessions with Maxie were rare, after all, but they were always interesting at best. To be fighting with the one who possessed the dark dragon's blood was exciting.

After what seemed like almost an hour I was on the floor panting, sweat dripping off my head as Maxie approached me. He leaned over me, blocking the low hanging sun as he outstretching his hand, his whole body was void of scratches.

“Sweat isn’t really fitting of a princess, you know.” He noted as I tried to catch my breath before grabbing his hand; pulling me with great strength. I laughed as soon as I was on my feet.

“Well - I have to be able to get stronger so I can protect everyone.” He scoffed at my comment.

“Right, like when you beat Tori.” I made an audible displeased noise. I already got it, Tori was better than me. Yet this time had to be different, I was going to at least hold the young advisor against the floor.

When the sun started to set we had gathered a bit of an audience. Resturance was standing next to Maxie, and of course Tori’s parents were here. The sight of the spectators made me sigh as I tried to calm myself as I stood in front of Tori.

“Ready to get your butt handed to you?” She giggled as I stuck out my tongue - bits of electricity falling off it. When I looked off to the side I could catch a glimpse of my father as well - my mother probably still in the city. I felt my heart jump a little bit with a sense of nervousness. As Tori walked away to the usual five feet between us for the dual. We drew our swords, I lowered my knees; quietly waiting until Resturance called out the signal to start.

I charged straight forward towards the taller girl. She took one step to her right, making me swing to the same direction as she blocked with her blade. She pulled it back, seeking to strike my shoulder; however, I ducked, rolling onto the ground before standing again and slicing into the air. No matter where I moved she would retaliate with a block or move her direction of body so that my sword didn’t hit her. It was always the same, she was so fast it was hard to land a hit. I was only just starting to learn sword play and without Matthias it was difficult not channeling my electricity through a weapon. I narrowed my eyes and breathed, I felt my body fall to the floor, hands to the dirt as I swept my leg in a complete circle around myself. I felt my leg make contact and a loud grunt as Tori hit the floor, it took me a moment to actually realize what I had done. I smiled, and started to laugh as I jumped back to my feet and loomed over her. I didn’t have time to say a word as I was suddenly kicked in my front knee; knocking me backwards. In the same motion as the kick she propelled her body into the air and landed elegantly onto her feet before swiftly pointing her sword at me;slicing through my cheek. My fast reflexes, however, made sure the wound wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been, but moving my head back as I did exposed my throat, regrettably. She pushed her sword near my jugular.

“Your highness - you should never get excited over a small hit. You get so easily distracted.” I blinked and looked at her stern face. “If you want to protect what’s close to you then you need to fight until the battle is done.” With the black blood falling off the side of my cheek I felt my heart pounding against my chest. I couldn’t help but to smile as she offered her hand, pulling me up.

“Right, but, you’ll always be there to support me too.”

Author's Note

A little one shot between two characters of mine. Shoe the lightning dragon and Lady Tori. These versions of themselves are for a fanfiction but this story is original other than the world and setting.

Reviews

[Crow Splat]

This is a good read. As mentioned by others, there were some parts that I had to re-read to make sure I understood who was doing what, but that may have had more to do with me reading this before breakfast than anything.

I'm interested in reading more of this as well as the setting.

[Centipedle]

The first chapter of the story is up called lightning dragon's wish if you are interested ^^

[Daniel Seward]

Good story telling with plenty of gritty action. I think it could be improved by commentary on elements and characters as they are introduced. Cold, stark intros can be confusing even though one does catch on later in the story what those elements are and mean.

[AliciaB]

I really like this! The characters are very cool, although I have to admit I was a bit perplexed with all the names at the beginning. They got sorted out pretty quickly though. :) The names are super cool. "Shoe" and "Resturance" are my favorites. The fight scene is also interesting. I like the interactions between the characters throughout this piece, and while I'm still a bit confused about the whole dragon idea - are they dragons who look like human beings, or something like that? - the story as a whole is well put-together and fun to read. Nice work!

[Centipedle]

I uploaded the first chapter to the official story. But the story behind the dragons is basically they are people with dragon blood granted by dragon gods. Some can have scales like Maxi but they are essentially just special humans with pieces of dragons in them. Shoe has the lungs of a lightning dragon, able to conduct electricity and also her blood is black thicker than most humans.

[S. von Glaubitz]

You have a great sense of story-telling! The characters pop off the page and the pacing is excellent as well. Unfortunately, since this is part of a larger piece and part of a world I'm not familiar with, I was a little confused at first with who was who and what was what. But that's only a problem if you want this to be a stand-alone piece, which it doesn't sound like you do.

The only other thing I would watch is the dialogue. The spoken bits themselves are fine, but the way you break them up within paragraphs can be confusing with who is talking. For example:

“What duel? Don’t tell me you challenged Tori to another sword fight?” I frowned, looking at Tori’s mother. “Miss Waterbound, surely your husband couldn’t be that good at fighting with the sword. Tori takes more after you then she does him.” I complained as the mistress laughed, a hand on her lips.

This is Resturance speaking, but all of the action is Shoe's. Also, I'm not sure why Shoe is complaining when Rest is only complimenting Miss Waterbound. Just little details like that.

But this is great! I'd love to read more of your writing!

[Centipedle]

It's a history piece or rather flashback for a fanfiction me and my friend work on. I was debating posting it here but I don't know how popular fanfiction works would be xD

[S. von Glaubitz]

If it's what you like to write and you're proud of it, I say post it! I'd love to read it!

[LastMonth]

This is nice.
It's well written and intense, like said in the other review.

But it feels like it's part of something bigger.
I'd imagine we'd have to know the background of the characters to get into it.

Still, a nice sample without a doubt.
Thank you.

[Robert Filos]

nice job an easy read with depth thank you

[JBoone]

Really well done. Cute and intense. Very descriptive. Great read. I can't wait to read more.