Tales of Reaver 11

Morning had arrived. The first sunrays entered through the window, and Dainara was still awake. Since her encounter with Lucious, she hadn’t been able to go back to sleep.

A mixture of feelings fluttered inside her body. He loved her, and most importantly, she had realized that she loved him too and they had shared the sweetest kiss, her first kiss. But he was gone…and even though she knew he wouldn’t break his promise of coming back, she was afraid: what if something bad happened to him? What if he…died? He was a pirate after all, and pirate life was so dangerous.

Oakleaf jumped on her bed and meowed as if she had realized what Dainara was thinking. Dainara sat down on her bed and held her little cat.

- He’s gone, Oakleaf- she said while caressing her fluffy head- And I have nowhere to go now…Sandwood Lake, the only place where I felt safe and happy, is full of memories of him. What will I do now?

Oakleaf rubbed her head against Dainara as if she was hugging her.

- I suppose I’ll have to find someplace else. Maybe you could come with me for a change.

Dainara got up, got dressed and held Oakleaf again.

- Let’s go for a walk, little friend.

The palace was as busy as usual, nothing had changed and she wished she could believe that, she wished she could go to Sandwood Lake again and find him waiting for her on the shore or observing her from the branch of a tree….but none of this things would happen, and if she went to the lake she would find herself alone, remembering the moments she shared with him there and longing for him.

She entered the kitchen, where Nana always was.

- Good morning, Nana- she said.

- Good morning, my dear- she approached her with a smile- Today you got up early, do you have anything to do?

- No, I just couldn’t sleep- Dainara realized that Nana’s expression had changed- It’s almost summer, it’s really hot.

- I’ll change your sheets for thinner ones later- she replied- And you should leave your window open.

- Yes, I will- Dainara didn’t dare to look at Nana’s eyes just in case she could see her sadness- Well, I’m going to the lake.

- Wait! Let me fix you some breakfast.

- No, it’s ok, I’m not very hungry…

Nana frowned.

- You’re not leaving this room without your breakfast, young lady!

Nana approached a table and wrapped some food for Dainara.

- Thank you- said Dainara taking it- I’ll come back at lunch time. Oh, and I’m taking Oakleaf with me.

She quickly made her way towards the door.

- Dainara…are you alright, child?

She turned around and looked at Nana. She looked really worried.

Dainara faked a smile.

- I’m fine.

She opened the door and left the palace.

It had been a while since she had walked around the streets of Oakvale. It was still quite early, but the streets were busy: merchants selling their wares, children going to school, people going to the market to buy their food as fresh as possible…

The town was very much alive and colorful and the gardens of the houses left a delightful smell of flowers in the air.

She had lived in Oakvale all her life, but just now she realized how beautiful it was.
A group of children played outside the school, waiting for their teacher to arrive.
Looking at them, Dainara felt some jealousy: she had been home-schooled by the best tutors of the region. Her father thought that going to school was too dangerous for a young noble, but he never realized how lonely she felt. Sometimes, the daughters of other nobles would come to her palace to play with her, but Dainara had always found them way too snobbish and never really enjoyed their company.

Suddenly, the shouts of a man startled her. She looked around and was relieved when she realized that the shouts were of joy.

- I can’t believe it! It’s over! We are the owners again!- the man hugged his wife while he was holding a piece of paper- Do you think the Mayor came to his senses and gave us the deed of the house back?

- I don’t know, dear. I found it on the floor early this morning. Someone had slipped it under the door, but I doubt it was the Mayor- his wife replied.

Dainara smiled and went on walking. She looked back: Oakleaf followed her cheerfully.

- Let’s go to the harbor.

The harbor was as busy as the rest of the town. A lot of people loaded and unloaded ships. Dainara approached a man who seemed to be controlling all the activity.

- Excuse me, sir. Did you see by any chance a ship leaving early today? Even before sunrise.

- No ship leaves this harbor before sunrise, lass- the man replied.

Dainara couldn’t hide her disappointment.

- Thank you, sir.

She turned around and was ready to leave the harbor when the man spoke again:

- There was one ship that set sail just before sunrise, but not from this harbor- he pointed at some hills- It must have been anchored behind those hills.

Dainara approached the man.

- Could you tell me what direction it went?-a sparkle of hope shone in Dainara’s eyes.

- They went west. But they were pirates, they change direction on a whim.

- Thank you- Dainara felt happier now at least she had a hint of his whereabouts.

- Let’s go home, Oakleaf. We’ll see in a map the possible locations for pirates going west.

As soon as she arrived to the palace, she ran towards the library. Before she even had time to open the door, a voice stopped her.

- Dainara!- Nana approached her- I’m so glad you are here. You have visitors.

Dainara turned around surprised.

- Visitors? Who are they?

Nana smiled.

- I think it’s better if you see them for yourself. Just go to your room and wear something nice.

Dainara had no idea who could they be. She ran upstairs and changed into an elegant dress. She went downstairs again, where Nana was waiting for her.

- They await you in the tea room.

Dainara was really curious.

They crossed the wide hall and Nana opened the door.

Two elegant men sat down on the armchairs drinking tea. One of them was a middle-aged bearded man who looked like a noble, maybe even higher than her father.
The other guest was a young man who must have been around her age. He was quite handsome: his blond hair was perfectly combed and his eyes were as blue as the summer sky.

There was something familiar about them, but Dainara couldn’t really remember why.

Nana seemed really happy to have such guests.

- My dear Dainara, I don’t know if you remember them, but you have two honorable visitors today: the Duke of Shalefields, a great friend of your late father, and Alastor, his charming son.

Suddenly, Dainara remembered.

- I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you earlier, Your Grace- she curtsied- It’s been a long time.

The Duke smiled.

- A very long time, indeed! I suppose you remember my son.

- Of course I do. I’m so happy to see you, Alastor.

When the Duke visited her father, he would take his son along and he and Dainara would play in the gardens. She had fond memories of him, he had always been kind to her.

- I’m glad to see you too, Dainara- he vowed to her- And I must say that you’ve grown more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Dainara blushed.

- Thank you.

They all sat down around the table and drank tea while they reminisced about old times.

Suddenly, Dainara realized that they couldn’t have just come to visit her after all this time. She got scared: could it be that they had come to ask for her help in an upcoming war? She wasn’t sure she would be able to handle it.

- So, to what do I owe this lovely visit?- she said trying to sound as natural as possible- Do you need my help or support for something?

The Duke put his cup away and smiled at her.

- I thought you knew it already, my dear. Didn’t your father tell you before he died?

Dainara was confused.

- Tell me what? I don’t recall him telling me anything about you, Your Grace.

- When you were eight years old, your father and I made an arrangement which would come true when you were eighteen years of age. My son has known about it since he was ten; I’m surprised your father didn’t tell you anything.

Dainara looked at Alastor trying to understand anything. He looked at her happily.

- What does your son have to do with it?

The Duke laughed.

- My dear, you’re marrying him in two months!

Dainara dropped her cup of tea, which broke into a million pieces against the floor, just like her heart did as soon as she heard the Duke’s words.