Story of a warrior

It has now been 5 years since the assassins have taken us in. Adin was now 16 years old, and I was 13 years old. I always looked up to Adin as an older brother, and I did the same to Felix. He was 25 and knew much more than we did. He taught Adin how to use his sword and taught me how to use knives since I didn’t get my sword yet. Felix also taught us horse riding. My horse was a strong stallion, all black and had a white streak on his right eye, just like me. I named him Czar. Adin had a white mare and named her Eclipse. We’d always go horse riding together, especially in the woods. Part-time favourite, even until now. But there was one ride that changed it all. Our relationship.

It was summer and we had ridden to a lake close by. It was ankle deep, which was a relief. There was one single lone oak tree that stood a few meters from the riverbank where we leaned against. Or more specifically, where I leaned against. Adin was practising his sword skills. He looked like a praying mantis or a lizard ready to do some weird fighting. It was more like dancing, but it wasn’t. After a good 20 minutes or so, he came to where I was and laid down, resting his head on my legs. I smirked.

“Tired?”

“Very. Gosh, who knew that dancing with the sword while fighting was hard. My shoulders ache,” he complained. I rolled my eyes. Nerd. He smiled at my reaction and opened his mouth before closing it and looking away. I noticed and knew he had something to tell me.

“Come on. What is it?” He looked at me confused.

“What do you mean?”

“You were going to tell me something but didn’t.”

“I um… wanted to tell you how… um… nice the sky er looks,” he stammered. I arched an eyebrow at him. He sighed, knowing he wasn’t going to get out of this and sat up.

“I like you, Annaliese,” he started. I looked at him and laughed.

“I know you do. I’m your best friend ever.”

“No, Annaliese. I like LIKE you…” he said, staring at me. I gave him a quizzical look before gasping.

“Ohhh, I know what you mean.”

“You do?” Adin sat up and had a sense of happiness on his face. I nodded.

“Mhm. You like me as a family now. As your sister, right?” I said joyfully. Adin’s expression dropped a little, but he smiled and nodded.

“Yes, Annalise.” I smiled and clapped my hands. I now have a FAMILY. Adin considered me as his younger sister, therefore he was my brother now. Little did I know that was far beyond what Adin mentioned.

****

There will now be a change in the context of writing. It shall now be both me and Adin’s life in the story as the following events lead to a much more important event later in my life and how my life is right now and how I am not perfect.

*****

I didn’t mention anything else about my liking Annaliese. She’s too innocent to realize anyways. But her elegancy doesn’t help with the billion butterflies that swarm inside of me. Once we reached the camp, we wandered off in different directions. Annaliese went with the women to talk to her about girl stuff and I went on a manhunt for Felix. Fortunately for me, he was in his place alone. He must have heard me because he looked up and gave me a big smile.

“Adin, my man. How’ve you been?” he asked. I shrugged and sat down next to him.

“Next so great…” I started. Felix looked at me concerned.

“What happened?”

“Annaliese happened. That’s what.” Felix looked at me and smirked.

“You like her, don’t you?” I looked up at him and nodded. His face softened and he rubbed my back.

“Why not tell big brother Felix what happened with Annalise, hm?” I knew I could trust Felix, so I took a deep breath and launched straight to it.

“Annaliese, she’s just so perfect. She’s pretty, charismatic, trustworthy and the most amazing girl I have ever met or known in my whole life. Whenever I see her, I have such the urge to just hug her and tell her how I feel but, she just won’t understand. She’s too innocent to know. I told or tried to tell her today on our horse riding, but she thought I meant as family, like a sister. But I don’t. Annaliese is everything to me. I don’t know what I will do without her. She has the keys to my heart and my life, and I love her so much. I’ll do anything for her. I only wish she can just see and understand the feelings I have for her and how much she means to me. To me, Annalise isn’t just another girl, she’s the most important person in the whole world. It’s because of her I can go forward every day to see that beautiful smile and face of hers, hear her laughter and experience and cherish each moment we make together, but I’m scared that if I tell her about my true feelings for her and how much I love her, she wouldn’t want to talk to me. But if she ignores me, if she leaves, I will never forget her and I will go find her and tell her everything.”

I looked at Felix. He sat there in silence and was nodding. I sighed and leaned down. Felix looked at me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him, tears forming in my eyes.

“Adin, love makes people do things and experience things you’ve never thought of before. Love is just another emotion that you will experience. You shouldn’t be ashamed or embarrassed that you love Annaliese. I love one of the girls. Lilliana. She’s gorgeous and kind. I told her about my feelings for her and over time, she too came to love me. We got married before we found you and Annaliese. My advice is to not be ashamed or scared to tell Annaliese because, over time, she too will fall in love with you as well.”

I nodded, the tears falling down my face. Felix pulled me closer and gave me a comforting hug, while I cried my lovesick heart out.

*****

While Adin was confessing his feelings for me, I was busy answering a thousand and one questions about me and Adin.

“How long have you met Adin?”

“Do you like Adin more than a friend?”

“Are you planning on marrying him in the future?”

That question had done it for me. And so did it as well for Lilliana. She stood up and gave everyone a stern but scowling look.

“That’s enough girls. This isn’t what we discussed. Annaliese, we need to tell you about something very important,” she said, looking at me gently. I nodded at her so she could continue, and also to let her know that she had my attention.

“You’re growing older now, Annaliese. 13 to be in fact, and well, this is the time that your body is going to change.”

“Like the blood on my undergarment?” I asked her innocently. They all gasped and started squealing and giggling.

“What’s so funny?” I questioned confused. One of the girls, Delancy, spoke up.

“You finally got the most crucial thing ever. It’s called…” she bent down a little to whisper it in my ear. I giggled.

“That’s a silly name to call it.” Everyone giggled as well. Lilliana cleared her throat.

“But that isn’t the only thing that’s going to happen…” Lilliana then launched into a full essay with long adult words, which then turned into a biology lesson. I began wondering whether I should be taking notes, but Lilliana snapped me back into reality.

“... and Adin will start to show more feelings towards you.”

“Excuse me?”

Lilliana sighed and signalled for everyone to leave, leaving me and her there by ourselves. She then turned and looked at me.

“Annaliese, you and Adin have known each other since childhood. You’ve grown up together as well and have been very close together. Both of you are changing, in all areas of life. Adin is 16, soon 17 and, of course, is starting to wonder what he wants to do with his life, and who to marry as well. He may show interest in marrying you since you both have grown up together your whole life. He may think you are the one destined for him.” I looked up at her and then looked down, forming a perfect “o” shape.

“I think he may have tried to tell me that he likes me more than a friend, but I may have friend-zoned him and asked if he meant as a sister. Not,” I told her. Lilliana patted my back and stood up and walked away.

“It’s in your hands, figure out a way to solve the issue.”

That… is bigger than the problem itself.

*****

After listening to what Felix had told me, I decided to find Annaliese later in the night. The minutes felt like hours, and the hours felt like days, but nightfall did eventually cover us all. I waited until I was sure everyone was asleep and ventured out. It was a peaceful night, the sky twinkling bright with stars. I could look at this all night, and nearly did when I heard noises behind me, then a familiar voice.

“Shush, Czar… you’re gonna get us caught.” Annaliese? I knew it was Annaliese, but what was she doing? Riding in the middle of the night? Something was not right. I hid as Annaliese pulled Czar out into the light. She had a saddle bag strapped on Czar’s saddle and her purple cloak covering her. I stepped on a twig and she turned around and looked at me.

Caught.