Heart of the Sea

CHAPTER TWELVE

“How was the visit to the palace, my dear daughters?” Mrs. Haskell asked her two daughters the morning after their short visit to the palace.

“Lovely,” Aeras answered as a blush made its way to her cheeks. Thalassa only laughed in answer which only curious their mother more but the two refused to dwell on it any further.

Thalassa had seen how much closer the two had gotten during that short visit. And she was glad she was there to witness it despite that she spent her time there hiding away. She had fallen in love with the palace’s pond like the first time she saw it. It seemed a little too similar with her falls.

She closed the book she was reading and excused herself out of the library. She made her way out of the house towards the stables where their horses were. She first saw her own horse, Oceana standing next to Aeras’ own named Topia.

She called the two horses forward and they trotted towards her. She took the reins and started to lead the two horses towards the back where a well was placed. She knew that despite the two adored her; they both hated the water so she tied them to the post to make sure they could not run away.

She dropped the tied pail to the well making sure it was full of water before she started pulling it up. The horses neighed when they saw her taking the pail out of the well. With a laugh, she started to wash the horses.

“Now, now, ladies. You need to take a bath,” she spoke as she made sure the horses were fully wet before she took the soap and started scrubbing them one by one. She made talks as to calm the horses down and within minute, the two had calmed down enough that soap and water were not flying anymore.

After taking care of the horses, she had not entered the house but went to the forest surrounding the Haskell’s abode. She removed her hair from its tight bun and let it danced with the wind behind her as she ran through the forest, savoring the peacefulness that welcomed her.

Ten-year-old Thalassa laughed as she finally shook off Penny. She had not understood why her parents were forcing her to play with Penny when they obviously do not get along. There were plenty of things she’d rather do than make friends with someone who does not even like nature.

As she stopped to pet some wandering deer, she heard the scared neigh of some horses coming from the path. As curious as she was, she was quick to run towards the source of the sounds. As she grew nearer, she could also hear the sounds of sword slashing and some men shouting.

She took a peek from the bushes and she saw some bandits mugging an expensive looking carriage. There were three men protecting whoever was inside but the bandits were outnumbering them.

Thalassa had not brought her sword with her for she did not expecting to witness something like that. But- she knew she could just not leave them on their own for they obviously needed help. As she contemplated and looked around for anything she could use as a weapon, the three men guarding the carriage screamed as the bandits managed to subdue them.

“Do not open the door, sire!” one of the guards shouted as one bandit walked towards the close carriage.

The bandits destroyed the door. But- when one entered, he flew back out with a shout and a bleeding stomach. All the bandits raised their swords in answer. Thalassa held her breath as she waited to see who would emerge out of the carriage.

“Sire! Run! Leave us. There are too many of them!” one of his guards shouted but the bandit holding him down suddenly stabbed him. Blood quickly pulled and Thalassa had to stifle her scream from the sight.

The man who came out of the carriage looked about her sister’s age. His hair was a beautiful color of mahogany; just like the one besides her. His eyes- even from her distance, she could see them shining with life and adventure she always sought for herself.

He looked at his dead guard; with the other two still shouting for him to run. He closed his eyes like he was in pain for the lost life and he gripped his sword as he struck down the bandit nearest him. Thalassa watched in awe for the man who refused to run despite being told so.

Thalassa covered her face with her mask before she turned to pick up a couple of stones from the ground. She stood up from the bushes she was hiding from and whistled loudly. All eyes turned to her. She gave a little wave before she threw a rock to the nearest bandit.

It was not strong enough to knock him unconscious but it did cause some bleeding. The irritated man dashed towards her with a growl but she merely threw another rock. The man’s hand quickly flew to his head to cover it but the rock hit his private parts. He doubled-over as he cried in pain.

Half of the bandits turned to her as half remained surrounding the boy. The boy turned to her and shouted for her to leave. But- she merely shook her head as she jumped up the tree trunk and swung around to kick the bandit who reached her. He flew back with a grunt.

“This is not a game little kid,” another growled at her as he jumped towards her.

Thalassa swung a little bit before she let go of the branch and she landed sitting on the bandit’s shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his head and crossing her legs over his neck before she spun around. She twisted in the air as the bandit screamed his pain for having his neck snapped.

She fell back to the ground and as she looked up, she saw a sword coming down her way. She was frozen in place. She knew she should move but- being in a real fight was different than the times she sparred with her father or sister. There was an unknown feeling that suddenly rose up inside of her and she closed her eyes.

Thalassa opened her eyes. The loud sound of the waterfalls was the only thing she could hear. She sat up from the cold rock she was lying at and looked at the waterfalls directly beside her. The strong current of the water would be enough to drag even the greatest swimmer yet she was not the least bit afraid to sleep next to it.

Her hair flowing behind her, Thalassa stood up; raising her arms in the air. She savored the cold air brought by the falls. With a deep breathe, Thalassa ran towards the edge of the falls and jumped down head first. Her hair danced with the wind and her fall made a loud splash that was lost in the sounds of the falls.

She emerged out of the cold water; pushing her hair back from her face. There was nothing more comforting than the feelings of water around her despite the sun of the coming noon. Thalassa swam around; relaxing her mind with thoughts she was alone.

But- she wasn’t. In a position she couldn’t see, a man was staring at her with shock in his face. He couldn’t believe she was seeing her there. The first time he saw her there was during the night. Too dark to make out who he had really saw. But- there under the sun, it was clear as day who she really was.