The Heir of Depths

Day after day, she kept training as hard as she could, better than the day before since she had known Merrick wanted her as part of the Order of Huntresses. Every wound earned and every soreness on her muscles was a welcomed learning experience.

Two months had passed since Arline had started practicing and her improvement was quick, focusing her attention on the small details, making her moves almost perfect. And Merrick was taking this opportunity to guide her through the terrains of the kingdom and let her study the displayed map on the War Room, teaching her strategy and deduction.

Winter was close to start. The weather worsened by each passing day, making the mornings grey, dark and cold and through the day, the Sun only provided light. One particular morning Merrick requested Arline’s presence, amongst Lara Estro, Head of the Order.

“Thank you for coming Lara” he greeted the woman standing in front of him with her head held up right and her braided light brown hair cascading through her back.

“Please Merrick” Lara began “Don’t get my hopes up” she said looking at Arline with her green eyes, and the excitement that emanated from them was telling.

“I want you to take her on the trip today and test her, don’t go easy on her” Arline seemed confused and felt her stomach drop with nerves “Then you inform me about it when you come back”

“As your Highness wishes” she responded controlling her joyful mood and left the room, with a light stomp.

“Before you fight me, I need you to trust me” he said to Arline when they were left alone.

“What do you think it’s going to happen?” Arline had grown used to asking him this question every time he intended to test her. Really, Arline was just very nervous to go on this trip.

“Every time you question my testing methods, you end up excelling” he looked at her from his desk, she was looking at the map again.

It was the first time Merrick really payed attention to how she looked. Her body had changed in the past weeks, her muscles were toned but elongated thanks to the endless hours of excruciating training, but he noticed the way she stood had changed. She didn’t seem shy anymore, her posture denoted confidence and strength. Even the way she held her head up right gave her the essence of a queen, she just needed a crown.

“I’m not questioning your decisions, I’m just curious” Arline fought back “And awfully scared” she admitted lowering her head.

“I need you to become a Huntress, if Lara thinks you have what it takes, then you will be part of it” he went in front of her, on the map “I need you as my ally”

“Really?” She asked him with a cheeky smile, almost mocking.

“Don’t look so happy” he scolded her with a side smile “Not everyone get this treatment from me”

“What? Your nice and merciful side?” Since she had started to spend more time in the training camp rather than on the castle, her relationship with Merrick grew closer, they left behind any kind of disagreement and worked together to improve as allies. For that to work, they had spend more time together, which meant that Larsin was furious with his brother.

“Don’t ruin my reputation Arline” he advised her “And please do well today” Merrick challenged her.

“Nothing less than perfect, your Highness” she bowed her head and left the War Room to meet the rest of the Order at the stables.

Thin and freezing rain was pouring over the woods, making a deafening noise as it hit the trees. The group of women were riding through the uneven grounds.

“Excuse me, Lara, I have a question” Arline interrupted the silence from the back of the group.

“Spit it miss” Lara shouted with an almost singing voice “I was getting bored”

“What’s the point on doing trips of this sort?” Arline asked.

“Check the terrain, make sure there are no intruders lurking around, we protect the land and make errands for the Royal Family if they ask” Lara explained “Like today, we must mark a pack of does to hunt them later this week for the Anniversary Ball”

“I completely forgot about it” Arline confessed out loud, getting Michaela to laugh.

The Anniversary Ball was the event that commemorated the day the King and Queen united as a pair. It was celebrated every year with a crowded feast, followed by dancing. It lasted all night and every Royal House from across the Earth attended with their respective representatives.

“I can’t believe you” Michaela mocked her friend “You are friends with the Princes and literally live in that castle”

“Well, I’m sorry, other things have been taking over my time lately” Arline went closer to Michaela.

“I just wished we could’ve have you sooner” Lara’s voice had a regretful tone “Merrick was hesitant to let you come”

“That doesn’t sound like him” Arline was shocked to hear that but she didn’t want to know why so she stopped asking. If Merrick doubted her abilities, she should work harder. It was as simple as that.

“Let’s focus ladies and try to find these does” Lara assigned them.

Hours passed by and the more they mixed with the trees, the heavier it rained. Arline, as well as the rest, not only was soaking on her clothes, but her bones were chilled and her legs started to feel like they weighted a ton on the leather boots.

They decided to rest, stretch their bodies and get their energy back up. As the group was dismounting the gigantic Percheron horses, they heard a crackling sound coming from deeper inside the trees.

“Could it be?” Michaela asked, looking around hopeful.

It could be anything. They didn’t hesitate and adventured into the dense trees as if they were untouchable, camouflaging with their environment. Swiftly, a group of white animals crossed their paths and the women hid deeper, intertwining their silhouettes with the leaves hanging from the branches. They pulled their cloaks up and took advantage of the noise the rain made.

For Arline’s surprise, those snow-colored animals with almost transparent eyes were the deers they were searching for. The contrast between the dark trees, their white fur and the grey sky, made Arline almost hypnotized by the scene. She wasn’t only mesmerized by the animals beauty but also for the precision the Huntresses had to search and find everything they looked for.

To wake her up and focus, Lara yanked Arline’s arm when she saw the enormous grey stag among the females, who were grazing, unbothered by what surrounded them.

“Shoot it” Lara whispered in her ear.

“I thought it was the does” she questioned Lara in an almost inaudible whisper.

“This is your test” Lara ordered her.

For a second, she got scared but silently looked for her bow and arrow and aimed at the stag. The Huntresses were expectant at the result and weren’t moving a muscle. Arline’s full attention was on the animal with the biggest horns she had ever seen, and tried focusing on her breathing and put every thought away from her mind.

With a calculating determination, she took her shot and the arrow penetrated directly on its neck. The does jumped, leaving the stag bleeding out on the soaked soil. She sighed in relief and the rest started approaching the agonizing animal, congratulating the youngling on her first task.

“Great aim” Lara patted her shoulder and Arline just had to thank Michaela for that “Let’s get it back” she passed her a rope and started tying the animal, to return to where the horses were.

Arline helped Lara get the stag to the butcher once they were back on the palace “I’ll let him know” Lara told her “You’ll be an incredible Huntress, Arline” she smiled at her with her perfect teeth and left.

Arline felt light on her feet and a sense of joy that overtook her head and body. She decided to go straight through the kitchen instead of the front door, she really didn’t want to bump into Larsin and have to explain to him why was she was soaking wet from head to toe. Once in, she came across Pauline cooking dinner for that night, with the help of an army of people multitasking through the stone kitchens.

“It smells great” Arline sneaked behind her and Pauline jumped, letting out a slight squeak.

“You really should not be sneaking around the corners, young lady” she smiled at her “You are soaked!” She sounded worried once she lifted her eyes from the stew.

“It’s fine, it’s just water” she tried calming her down but the old lady had already put the kettle on to serve her a warm cup of tea. Arline just sat on the table near her and started talking about everything but her trip today. She liked chatting with Pauline, that woman emanated calmness out of every corner of her body, which helped Arline calm down.

The door bursted open, showing an agitated young maid. She came over to Pauline and whispered something on her ear. Then looked over to see Arline, bowed her head to her and left. Arline found this behavior more than strange and decided she’d tell Merrick when he saw him that night.

“The Queen is waiting for you in your room” Pauline transmitted the message and took the empty cup from her. Arline simply nodded and went straight up to where she was needed.

“Finally you are here” the Queen said once she came through the door. But she was more surprised to see Merrick next to her mother, with a discreet grin on his face. Lara must’ve break the news to him already.

“Get on the stool dear please” a middle aged lady with long fingers and almost lavender skin said with a melodic voice.

“S-sure” she hesitated, trying not to stare at those elongated fingers that almost looked like needles and to the pointy nose in the middle of her face.

“It will fit perfectly, your Majesty” the tailor assured the Queen just by twirling Arline around.

“I’m very sorry to sound clueless, but what will fit perfectly?” Arline was nervously playing with her nails, a little bit embarrassed for the question.

“Your dress for the Ball” Merrick mentioned.

“So I’m really going?” She had a surprised tone on her voice as if she didn’t expect it.

“Of course the newest addition to the Order has to attend” the Queen sounded not only proud but delighted with their guest. Arline knew why. Queen Merlina had been a Huntress herself before she got engaged to King Cadel.

The tailor guided Arline behind a set of panels that played the role of a changing room and started helping her getting changed into the dress. When she took a look in the mirror, she could tell the resemblance it had with an armor. It had leaf-shape shoulder plates, dipped in gold and beaded with crystals and a golden belt. It was made of silk in a soft shade of light blue, with a cape of the same color but made of wool for the cold weather.

“Perfect” Merrick winked an eye at her “Worthy of a Huntress” she smiled at him, a little blushed by his comment, but she didn’t know which.

The tailor made some minimal modifications to the dress and left the room.

“I will leave now, you two need to talk and I need to finish arranging the Ball” the Queen said, leaving the room.

Arline was still watching her figure in the dress. It hugged her, enhancing her muscles and making her look like a dream despite having her hair slightly damp.

“Congratulations on the stag” Merrick said making her look away from the mirror.

“Did I do well then?” She teased him, getting down the stool.

“I didn’t expect less from you” he said to her “That is exactly why you will be part of my guard” he noted.

“You are putting a lot of trust on me” she was dozing off.

“Well… I trust you and your abilities” he shrugged, like protecting him was a piece of cake and didn’t matter on the slightest.

She just hummed. She was letting her head ramble all over the place. Arline was thinking about the stag, her new position, the Ball to come, how the people around her had being acting. All at the same time.

“Something is bothering you” he said to her.

“Stop looking inside my head Merrick” she reprimanded him.

“I’m not, I’m looking at you” he started to get closer to her “And I can tell its about Larsin”.

“He’s been acting weird lately” she cleared her throat “Actually, everyone’s been acting weird with me”

“Regarding Larsin, he’s jealous” he quickly said “After we came back, you haven’t have time for him” he mocked his brother and rolled his eyes “And who is everyone?” He sounded confused.

“Today a maid bowed her head at me” she sounded embarrassed.

“They think of you as part of royalty, Arline” he explained “Water guardians are considered that” The news about her powers had expanded quicker that desired by the sailors that had accompanied them on the voyage.

“I don’t like the two trees that accompany your brother all the time” she brushed off such comment he just made to redirect his attention to the real problem.

“Do you mean Silas and Alastair?” Merrick asked her “I don’t like them either, those two are the worst part of the army but I can’t kick them out”

“Why?”

“Long line of soldiers” he said leaning on her desk “Anyways, keep an eye open” He then went behind her and gently lifted her hair “I think you should have your hair up for the Ball” he suggested.

“Do you think?” She grinned.

“I was thinking you should wear the necklace” Merrick referred to the gifted necklace from Tessenisit.

“A little bit braggy” she hesitated.

“Not at all” he looked at her though the mirror, her face was a still a little bit red because of the cold air from the woods, making her face glow “It shows on what side you are on” he moved a little bit away from her.

“Is everything political to you?” she made fun of him.

“I am the Crown Prince, Arline” he mentioned as if she didn’t know “I need to see the political side of everything”

She was heading back behind the panels to get off the dress.

“So…” she began saying “Are we training tonight?” She was hopeful he would consider taking a day off, almost as a treat for doing well that day.

“Just because you became a Huntress and look abnormally beautiful in that dress, it doesn’t mean I will let you skip training”

“Really?” She mumbled under her breath.

“Don’t act surprised that I consider you beautiful” she just really didn’t expect that compliment from Merrick and let out a giggle. The Prince was just as skillful as his younger brother to get women, the difference was he never tried to do it.

After dinner, Merrick was waiting for Arline by the fireplace when Larsin approached him with a heavy stomp.

“What are you doing?” His words came out very bitter.

“Waiting for her” Merrick responded indifferent.

“Why?”

“I’m taking her to bless her weapons” Merrick was lying straight to his face.

“Don’t tell me you made her part of the Order” Larsin had a funny giggle on his voice, like he couldn’t believe Arline could make it that far.

“Ask her, she’s coming”

Arline looked a little shocked and nervous to see him there, even a little afraid but did her best to compose herself “Hey” she hugged him a little too stiffly.

“When were you going to tell me?” His entire voice changed into the sweet and caressing tone he used with her, and hugged her by her waist.

“Oh” she almost sounded relieved “I just found out, I thought you might’ve know by now” she was also lying with such grace it was almost as if she had rehearsed it.

“No, but congratulations…Huntress” Larsin hesitated to call her by the title she had earned on her own, with the push of his brother.

“We need to go Arline” Merrick noticed how uncomfortable she was in that situation and was trying to save her from it.

“Sure, good night Larsin” the Young Prince brought her closer to him and kissed her neck but was indeed looking at his brother, that was his way of asserting dominance.

Men she thought, and got extremely angry and embarrassed. Merrick did as well and left when his brother stopped playing like he was the alpha in that room.

“What the hell does he think he’s going to get from that?” Arline spat once they were far enough from the castle.

“He thinks we have been too close lately, he told that to our mother” Arline furrowed her eyebrows “Fine, I was eavesdropping, I’m not proud of myself either Arline”

“I told you he was acting up”

“And I told you to not entirely trust him” he reminded her, to which she could just sigh “Still, don’t change your demeanor with him or he will notice that you are suspecting something” she nodded and looked front, without realizing they directed to the stables.

“I thought we were going to the woods”

“Considering you have advanced so much in so little time…” he saw the hope building on her eyes at the thought of not having to train “I will train you in something different”

“What?” Any kind of hope dissipated from her eyes, and began worrying about what was about to come.

“What’s the fun if I ruin the surprise” he laughed at her and hopped on the horses.

They bordered the island’s shore, through the sand until they were far enough from any kind of civilization. As always, Zeroun was already there but was accompanied by Lara and some dozing animals.

They got down from the horses to their encounter. When she approached Lara, Arline could dimension the animals’ size. They were enormous for a normal animal and had exuberant claws that curved out of their paws. The only thing that eased her down was the fact they were almost asleep.

“You said this would be fun Merrick” she whispered.

“It will” he said in a normal tone “You see that mountain?” She nodded confused and her anxiety growing each second “We will give you a one minute advantage then we release the hounds”

“You’ve got to be kidding me” she sounded exasperated “Why? That’s everything I’m going to ask you because I know I won’t be able to walk out of it”

“Stamina, make it to the top before they catch you and I call them off” she narrowed her eyes as if she didn’t trust him and deep down hated that he always had an answer for her questions.

“Promise me” she asked him, she more like begged him, and looked at him with those sad eyes he couldn’t look directly at.

“What?” He didn’t understand her request.

“That you’ll call them off and won’t make this a two-way lesson” she was getting ready when he pulled her aside, away from Zeroun and Lara who were getting the Hellhounds’ leashes.

“I don’t want you dead before I get to see you in that dress” he brushed a thin strand of hair from her face.

“Does that mean you’ll kill me afterwards, your Highness?” She was looking at him again, this time he didn’t look nor pull away.

“It’ll be a sin to do such thing” he thought for himself but promised her.

“Ugh fine” she rolled her eyes indistinctly but inside, the nerves were overtaking her senses, she started to feel the beat of her heart on her ears, and how her limbs weakened at the sound of the beasts growling behind her. Arline took a deep breath and shook her arms and legs.

“Ready?” Lara said from behind her, she could barely nod “Off you go!”

Arline slightly sprinted up the hill, avoiding giant rocks and watching her steps, she was trying to keep her energy for the real incoming threat. She realized how high the mountain was, when her head started spinning for the lack of oxygen and a light headache began building on her temple. It must have been longer than a minute by now, but she didn’t hear anything and continued her way up.

Arline made the wrong choice of looking down and an overwhelming sense of vertigo made her stomach drop and that’s when she heard the dogs. The quick footsteps of those diabolical animals hitting the rocks, going after her.

She stepped up her pace, but the air was lacking. Dark spots started to invade her vision, but she wasn’t going to stop there. The Hellhounds were getting closer each second. She was feeling weaker but there wasn’t much path left to reach the top.

The new Huntress pushed through the stinging pain on her side. When she reached the top, the creatures were very close behind her. Instinctively, her legs and body begged her to stop running when she saw her teachers on the top too.

Right when her knees hit the ground, one of the beasts tackled her. It growled over her, showing its sharp teeth. Arline grabbed it by its neck and tried sucking out the air from its lungs, her mind being overtaking with violent thoughts.

Arline was furious at Merrick once again. He made a promise but was just standing there, looking at her, without moving a muscle.

The poor disgrace of an animal started crying for help and sounded more like a dog. The other two were violently barking at her, not daring to approach.

“Enough” Merrick slid across the Hellhounds and grabbed Arline’s wrist, but she wasn’t giving up the force.

“Let her finish” Lara recommended with a funny tone.

“No” Merrick pulled her harder away “Arline enough” the monstrous creature slipped from her grip and got held by his shadows, far away from its attacker.

“That’s not what you were supposed to do” Merrick was mad, but at the worry that have been following him since she made her first killing.

“You said you’d call them off once I reached the top Merrick” she pushed him away and settled near the edge of the cliff.

“You are angry” he stepped in front of her.

“Of course I’m angry” she looked at him like he was an idiot, for the first time since she had met him.

“I can fix that” he said.

And within a second, he pushed Arline to the sea beneath her. As she fell, she screamed as if that could save her from the rocks that started becoming clearer to her view. When her body was about to take the full impact of the rocks, a familiar figure passed its body and caught her just in time.

The same dragon that had saved her from Pelagius’ mermaids came to rescue her once again and took her back to the top of the mountain, where Merrick was comfortably sitting on a rock with a cocky smile on his face.

She jumped off the dragon’s back and with still shaky legs but a determined step, she walked up to him.

“I’m going to erase that stupid smug from your face, Merrick” she was absolutely enraged with him and didn’t care she just gave the Future King a threat.

“Considering you are here, alive and well, and your dragon came to you, I can say it was a successful training session” he didn’t mind the threat.

“Was it worth it??”

“Very” he said with no doubts “I knew the outcome”.

“I hate you”.

“When are you going to understand I won’t let anything bad happen to you?”

“I don’t know” she drew closer to him “Maybe when you don’t throw me off a cliff, I will consider it” she argued with him, but that accomplishment overtook him “Good night” she said and headed down, Merrick followed from behind.

It was a long way down and Arline chose to give him the silent treatment. His excitement had passed and started wondering if he had gone too far this time. Indeed he did.

“Arline” Merrick called for her, going to her side but she didn’t respond “Arline, please stop” She did stop and looked at him, with her chin up and her arms folded in front of her.

“I’m sorry” he apologized “I went too far this time”.

She didn’t soften and just shrugged her shoulders and continued going down the mountain. He didn’t mind her attitude this time, because she was right. He had messed up and Arline wasn’t going to forgive him that easily like the last time.