Code of Shadows

Second Third (Part 36)

"I don't think I classify as a commoner," I growled.

He pulled back, and tried to cover his mistake. "Don't you see what I mean though?" he asked. "Look at every group." he pointed to the group next to us. "Commoners," Then another one. "Commoners," the list went on. "Royals, commoners, commoners, royals, royals, commoners, commoners, commoners, commoners, commoners, royals." I was boiling inside, but he kept talking. "They stick together. I was even approached by a royalty group to join what they called their ranks."

I was mad now. "You should have," I spat. "You shouldn't be mixing with a commoner like me. Like you said, commoners and royals don't mix. Just stay away, I might running your reputation, Prince Dylan." 

I picked up my half finished breakfast and left the table. I had never gotten angry at Dylan before. I wouldn't lie, it hurt. It felt like another sword was stabbing me in the gut. I put away my breakfast and sped down the Grianan hallway. I ran up the stairs to the trainee floor. I pulled out my card and ran to my room, or tried to. When I turned into the green hallway I ran straight into a group of royals. Two girls dressed in a fancy grey dresses stepped to the front of the group. They were twins.

The royals scowled at me.

"Look here. It's the girl from recruitment." The first royal snickered.

I glared at them levelly.

"How worthless," a girl hissed.

"I couldn't agree more. You make a show of your skills, which add up to nothing. We learned to mend a broken twig when we were three without showing the card. We could have done it in half the time that you did," the first girl hissed.

"Jumping in front of that mag to save her was so worthless. Maybe she's even more worthless than you," I growled at the second royals words. "Oh maybe not, at least she knows her place here," she hissed. My emotions were boiling hot. If I didn't step out of this situation coolly there would be a huge problem on my hands.

"Excuse me," I said. I tried to push past the group. They didn't let me. They only shoved me back.

"Stay in your place commoner," she hissed. "Don't cause any trouble, and we might let you go with only a scolding." The other girls snickered.

I felt the emotional gauge hit a all time record high.

I took a deep breath and kept my calm appearance.

"Sorry, this will have to wait for another time, I need to get past you."

The two twin royals were enraged.

"I did not give you permission to talk to me! Learn you place. You are just a commoner!" This is when all of my anger evaporated. I laughed. I was not just a commoner, I was Belle. "You have no skill compared to a royal and don't even pretend you do," she continued. This caused me to laugh harder, letting out a little snort to the outside world. 

The royal group was completely baffled, but then they rained in their emotions. "You will always be a commoner. You should never be friends with a royal. Prince Dylan shouldn't waste his time with you. You are his subject, and he is your ruler. You are to bow to him."

I laughed out loud. "Were do you think I am from? I am not a subject." The group looked flabbergasted. Then they brought their emotions under control.

"A rebellious one we have here. Doesn't believe she is ruled. The fact is sweetheart. If you are not royalty, you have to kneel before someone. I think we might as well start this now. Why don't you start by kneeling to my sister and I."

I chuckled. "Not a chance."

The twins scowled together, a mirror reflection of the other.

The first twin nodded to the girls around her. "Make her kneel before us!" She ordered. The girls filled out around me to create a circle. There were 6 total in the group including the twins. Three swords, a bow, and spear appeared in the hands of the royals. 

I kept the calm expression, but the question was how long could I hold it.

Before I knew what was happening, A royal lunged at me. I dodged. She struck again and this time she came close enough to embrace. I felt Belle's experience wash over me. I took her arm and put my full weigh into the next motion. I was surprised by the movements success. The girl landed on her back with a huge groan. She didn't move for a few seconds. Then she slowly got up. I sighed in relief.

"Is that all that you have?" the second royal asked.

I didn't answer. She glared at me, then turned her head to the girl next to her.

"This one is for you."

The girl came at me bare handed, her bow slung over her shoulder. I cursed. I had absolutely no experience with hand combat. This is where I was going to fail.

I took a step backwards.

The royals smirked, knowing that they had won. "What are you scared of now?" they asked.

I didn't answer again. Instead I focused on the girl in front of me. She was expressionless. I couldn't read her like I read the other girl. Her eyes didn't dart to were she was going to hit right before she attacked. Her hands didn't twitch. She was completely unreadable. I waited for her to make a move.

Nothing happened for several seconds, then she darted forward and struck at me stomach. I slashed downward, and hit her arm right before it hit me. She was still too quick for me. Her hand hit my side with full force and I doubled over. Before I knew what was happening the girl was behind me. Then the next second I was on the ground as her leg wacked the back of my knees and I crumpled to the ground.

My knees hit hard, but I managed to stay upright. I tried to sit down on my heels. Before I could even start to move, the girl was next to me holding my hands behind my back. She quickly tied them with a rope, then grabbed my hair. I couldn't move.

"Better, but not quiet there," the second twin snarled.

The girl next to me got the hint. She swung and hit my head hard. I inevitably swayed forward and fell towards the ground. My head hit first. The world swayed before me.

I heard a voice come in and out of focus. "Much better... know your place... if you know... best for you... fail the next... tie her... put her... closet..."

That was when the world finally stopped spinning, and the pain stopped suddenly. Everything was black.