The Princess's Hidden Power

I nod.
"That's the gist of it, yeah."
Thankfully, it looks like I was right about her keeping a cool head. That's good. In fact, that's very good. I don't want to know what would've happened if she didn't believe me and freaked out.

I take a few moments to think it over.
"I don't know...it's a tough call. You had me beat, no doubt about that, but you did pass out pretty fast. I guess I'd say it's...more of a draw, really.
I tilt my head slightly and rub my chin.
"What does that mean for our little bet? If it's a draw then did we both win or did we both lose?"
I don't know what to think about this. I kinda want to call off our bet, but I kinda don't. I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea of giving away my identity but it'd be great to have Celest as a sparring partner. Would Celest think of me differently if she knew the truth? Would Lucius lecture me until my ears bleed if he knew I was even considering this? But I can't help thinking that it might just be worth it if we can have more duels like tonight. I can't make up my mind, so I just shrug.
"What do you think? Should we just call it off or say that we both won?"
I give her a wry smile.
"I guess the real question is, how badly do you want to hear my secret?"

 

I smile widely, but wait for her to finish before saying anything.

I let out a small but confident laugh, still smiling.
"You said something about another sparring match, right? That sounds a lot like a rematch to me."
I stand up out of my chair and bow politely.
"I shall graciously accept your offer for a rematch, milady. The gauntlet has been thrown and now the gauntlet shall be picked up again."
I extend my hand towards her, smiling wryly.
"I'm guessing we're gonna go into it with the same deal on the line, is that right? It sure did make things interesting the first time. So, what do you say? Not tonight, obviously, but how about we have our rematch sometime soon?"
I know she didn't say for sure that the she wanted another duel, but I'm hoping I can talk her into it.

 

Zyxll seemed to not care about what was happening to the people trying to apprehend him, he was holding back laughter. He saw in front of him a man on a mission, someone who just wanted honey.

"I'm sorry if they won't give you honey, Friend. Here follow me."

He turned from Yhir knowing that he would follow him, he assumed after giving him the honey he would undo what he had done to the soldiers, didn't matter much to him. He walked near his room but down a little further, finally he took a right and wound up in his own personal garden, with flowers, herbs, fungus, and all other type of goodies for healing.

Zyxll sat down next to a patch of flowers and extracted the pollen through magic and slowly turned it into honey, it was as big a glob he could get Yhir. Even hardened it for him and carefully placed it somewhere Yhir could grab onto it if need be.

"Right, So. Yhir, I am Zyxll. What brings another mage to the castle? It's rare we see some of the same types of people so I just have to ask." Zyxll had a tone of excitement he knew that Yhir was a powerful mage. He could sense it.

"Take your time to respond though, Yhir. And enjoy your honey."

 

Yhir grinned like a child as he took the honey and lapped it up, greedily. Back in the corridor, the soldiers were released from their bindings, able to move freely again.
"Zyxll, ayee... looking for mages. You're a mage. You're in the castle. So, I come to the castle." This was said between slurps of honey.

 

Hmm...I kinda like that idea! But we've already got a pretty high-stakes game going, I wonder what we could do to make it even more interesting? I'll have to think that one over for a little while.

I smile wryly at her, chuckling a little.
"There's something you need to know about me, Celest. Say what you want about me but I don't do things halfway."
Honestly, it's not that bad of an idea but there's just something I don't like about it. "Settle with partials" sounds a lot like "let's not bother with a rematch" and I don't want to start going down that road if I can still get a rematch out of this. Besides, I'm not really sure how that would work. I can't reveal half my identity and I don't want a training partner who's only half committed.

"You said something about raising the stakes, right? Let's see what we can do with that idea."
I fold my arms, still thinking it over. Wait...it's a long shot, but maybe...
"This might sound kind of random, but bear with me. Do you know any of the schools of magic? I've been practicing a little on my own and I'd like to learn a thing or two from someone who actually knows what they're doing. If you don't know any, forget I asked."

 

OOT: No problem, it works fine for me.


I laugh awkwardly.
"Well...kind of, I'm still working on it. I've been trying to learn how to use Lightning magic, that's all I've got so far."
I open up my palm and close my eyes, focusing my power into my right hand. It won't be anything too spectacular, but I should at least have enough for a little demonstration. Focus...just like the tome said...imagine the mana flowing through me like blood flowing through my veins and focus it onto a single point.
"It goes a little something...like this..."
A few sparks form around my hand. Then they start showing up more frequently. All of a sudden, a small sphere of electrical energy has formed in my hand. I can't help but smile as it hums and buzzes with energy. A few moments later, just as quickly as it appeared, the sphere fades away and the sparks stop completely.

I lean back in the chair and look up to Celest again, feeling just a little bit proud of what I've done. I know it's nothing too great, but hey, that turned out better than it usually does for me.
"So, there you go. If I actually knew what I was doing, I could've made that happen a lot faster, but hey...everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?"
I let out a small sigh.
"If my brother was doing it, he probably could've cast it in half the time while casting three other spells. Okay, that might be a stretch but you get the idea. I've always admired how good he is at using magic, even though mages never get the kind of respect that they should around here."
I smile and wave my hand dismissively.
"Don't mind me, I'm just rambling at this point."

 

Aww, she's so cute when she's completely flustered. I can't help smirking a little.

"Man, talk about polar opposites."
I point to myself.
"Lots of brothers. It's amazing I can keep track of them all, seriously."
I laugh a little and continue.
"I'm not close with a lot of them, though. I mostly spend time with my older brother and my younger sister-- my only sister, actually. You'd think she would've turned out to be kind of a tomboy with that kind of upbringing, right? But somehow, she turned out to be quite the proper lady."
I smile, thinking back on some fond memories. Simpler times. Now...well, I'll worry about that when it comes. Today's enough for today.

Just then, I raise an eyebrow as something occurs to me.
"Hey, wait a second...I'm still supposed to be keeping my identity a secret and now I'm giving out all these details about my younger days? Hmm...I think it's only fair that you tell me a little something about yourself now."
I smile wryly.
"Go on, fire away. Whatever pops in your mind first."

 

I blink a few times. Well...she's got me there. That wasn't exactly a shining moment for me, was it? With a quiet "ughhh," I hang my head low and mutter my thoughts out loud.
"See, this is why I should never get into espionage."

Hold on...this sounds kind of familiar. I try to think back to an earlier talk we had.

"Oh, right..."
My expression turns somber as I remember what she told me.
"You said you lost them in a war, right? That's gotta be tough. I can't even imagine that..."
Even though my father is the lord of the clan and we're constantly in danger from demons, rival kingdoms and whatever else comes up, I don't really think about the idea that either of them could be killed like that. It's just not the kind of thing I like to think about. But not only did she lose her parents, she lost them when she was just ten? It's just not right.

Man...let's change the subject before this gets to heavy. I try to lighten the mood with the first thing that comes to mind.
"Well, uh, say we do end up raising the stakes in our next match. Well, that's assuming we have another match, but I think we're already on the same page about that, right?"
I give her a wry smile and continue.
"What did you have in mind when you mentioned adding something else to the bet?"

 

"I am truly honored to be accepted as an apprentice to you, Yhir. I would quite enjoy learning under your wing, I must ask however what schools of magic do you teach, I am only well versed in restoration, I know vague details of other schools. The honey trick I learned while screwing around with incantations."

Zyxll looked up to the sky, it was the firest time he smiled that day, as he had no right to the throne and he was just happy that he was able to meet another mage, one who appreciated his abilities as they were currently. Though few words were exchanged he was content with their conversation thus far.

"So, Yhir, when do you want to start teaching me? I will be dividing my schedule up each hour. For sword training, and your teachings. I am very eager to learn.

 

"We start now," Yhir said distractedly, making sure he made the most of his honey lump. "Great threat coming. Need to make sure you're ready to protect, ayeee..."
SLURP!
Yhir finished the honey lump. Then he twirled his fingers, muttering, and the air around Zxyll turned to glass, trapping him completely in a glass shroud. "Escape," Yhir said simply, and wandered off to find more honey.

 

I tilt my head to the side and rub my chin for a while, thinking it over. You know...that doesn't sound too bad, actually. Lucius always says I should try to find a hobby, so why not give it another shot? Whatever happens, it can't turn out as bad as it did last time.

Then I remember. I'm supposed to be thinking about what happens if I win.

Well, the only thing that really comes to mind is...
"...How about swordplay lessons?"
I lean in a little bit, looking at her intently.
"I know we'd already be sparring partners, but this is a little different, go with me for a second. Your fighting style...even when you're rusty, it was still quite a sight to behold! I'd like to learn how you got that good if you're willing to teach me. I want to learn every last skill, every little secret, anything at all that you can teach me. If I could somehow combine your technique with mine, I think I'd be pretty close to invincible with a blade."
I just realized that I'm really getting into this. I back up a little to give her some space.
"Uh...was that a bit much? I could think of something else if you don't like the idea.

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The guards, now free from the mysterious mages' spells, regrouped themselves and made their way to where Zyxll went. Unlike last time, they didn't suddenly barge in. They knew better this time. That mage was not someone to be trifled with.

Bertram and his men slowly approached the door. They leaned in slowly, trying to look inside the room while being careful not to be seen. They saw Zyxll alone, trapped in some kind of glass prison.
"Lord Zyxll!"
The guards stormed the room, looking deeply concerned for the prince's safety. Bertram called out to Zyxll.
"What did that accursed creature do to you?! Not to worry, my lord! We will have you out of there momentarily!"
He turned to the magic-wielding guard.
"Prepare your dispel magic immediately!"
The guard began chanting in a language known only to his fellow mages.

 

Man, I just can't help laughing loudly when I hear that!
"What, more than teaching me gardening? I can't tell if that's a jab at my sword skills or if I didn't make it clear enough how much I screwed up the last time I tried taking care of plants."
I close my eyes and nod a few times with my arms crossed as if I'm deep in thought. Although it doesn't really help that I'm still grinning like an idiot.
"Truly, the greatest test a warrior could face...would be to teach me how not to kill anything green that I get my hands on. If you can manage that, you will become a legend among all gardeners."
I look back up at Celest.
"But if you think you're up to the challenge, then I think we have a deal. What do you say?"