I woke in luxury surroundings, feeling weak, my head foggy. I tried to think about what had happened. I remembered the orchard being a blaze and defeating Dumah. I had won, but the orchard was still alight when I passed out, had I failed?

I slowly looked around at the fine furnishings, there were paintings of beautiful scenery, golden plated wardrobes, tables made from the highest quality of wood, all carved with vines; the walls painted purple, Tigra’s favourite colour.

I saw Gual standing like a statue by the door and Tigra sat next to the bed reading. She looked up from her book and smiled. There was no signs of the tears I had seen before the attack.

“You’re awake.” She put the book down, giving me her full attention. “I heard from the knights what you did.” She paused looking away slightly. “How you fought off a flaming beast and used Larana’s power to suffocate the fire.” She looked back at me. “You saved the orchard, some of the trees are burnt, but still alive, they’ll recover in no time. Thank you.”

I slowly sat up, only just realising I was actually laying on Tigra’s bed, why the heck had she brought me here of all places? “You’re welcome.” I wanted to act cool, not surprised I was in her room.

“But that was dangerous,” she wacked my arm, then gave me a hug. I gulped not the hugging, my heart pounded at a million beats per second, about to explode. “Don’t do that again.”

“Ow.” I rubbed my arm as she pulled away, realising she had been worried about me. “Sorry,” I smiled.

“Princess Tigra.” Gual stepped forward. Tigra glanced back at him. “His majesty approaches.”

There was a knock at the door and in walked King Alton with Dumah on his left and dad on his right. Tigra stood up nervous at Dumah’s presence.

“The young hero is awake,” smiled King Alton.

“Your majesty.” I lowered my head.

“Your efforts saved the majority of the orchard,” he glanced at Tigra. “I ignored my daughter’s pleas, while you sprung to action. The knights reported to me of your fight against a vile creature and the power you portrayed, skill over a powerful wind talisman.”

“Now do you see Alton.” Dad spoke up. “I don’t understand why they didn’t just put my son under the tutelage of Master Lance, instead of remaining in the basic class.”

“I am uncertain.” King Alton rubbed his head. “I will have that matter investigated, to prevent future warriors of similar skills from getting the same treatment.”

“You should have words with your so called masters,” I said. “There has been more than me kept behind, almost like you want us to fail.”

“Father.” Tigra was shocked.

“That can’t be true.” He shook his head in disbelief, did he really have no idea?

“We have simply raised the difficulty to reveal the best,” responded Dumah calmly. It was all his fault to begin with, him and the darkness.

“Yeah right!” I shouted. “Even Ibiki was kept back, and he was more skilled than me.”

“Ibiki,” repeated dad. “Seriously.” He looked at the king.

“I’ll have this issue investigated at once.” King Alton gulped then moved the subject on. Somehow I didn’t believe him, as long as he had Dumah standing next to him, nothing would be done about it. “After a long discussion with your dad and Dumah I have decided you will be placed at the rank of knight-in-training.” I stared at him. “You will be trained with the best of our knights.”

“No special training,” I spoke up. “I’d like to stay with Master Lance.”

“I understand, he was the first to see your potential,” nodded King Alton. I stood up as he continued. “You will also receive jobs.”

“Jobs?” I repeated.

“Yes, specific knights travel outside of Cathopia on errands or recon,” explained dad. “You will be one of those knights.”

“Cool.” I was getting excited. “Can I take anyone with me, even those from the academy?”

“Of course,” nodded King Alton.

“Shall we get down to business,” said Dumah. “Your first job for us.”

“Sure,” I shrugged.

“Tigra, if you wouldn’t mind leaving,” said King Alton.

She was about to stand up when I stopped her. “Princess Tigra stays, she will be accompanying me.” Tigra glanced at me surprised.

“But…” Dumah snarled.

“You did say anyone, your majesty.” I looked at the king, seeing a smirk on dad’s face.

“Of course,” he seemed to accepted faster than I thought he would.

“Right then, what is this job?” I encouraged.

“Many travelling caravans heading through our lands around Cathopia have been attacked recently,” informed King Alton. “I want you to investigate them Fang.”

I bowed before replying. “As you wish your majesty.”

“Gual will sort your uniform and weapons. You will set out tomorrow morning.” He glanced at Dumah. “Come we still have much to do.” He looked at Tigra. “When you return, we shall discuss your betrothal to Dumah.” Tigra turned away, saying nothing. “We cannot keep putting this off.”

I felt a little distressed hearing about this betrothal stuff again. How could he want his daughter anywhere near that monster? I wanted to speak up, tell them all he was to blame, but the lives of my friends and family would be at risk if I did.

“Alton. Tigra is still young, I think it is way too early to be talking about who she will be betrothed to.” Dad looked at us. “You weren’t even thinking about anything like that when you were her age.”

King Alton sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“You know I am.” Dad patted his friend on the back.

I looked at dad then Dumah, it almost looked like two personalities were trying to rule every decision the king made. I was hoping dad would win as he was the closest to what King Alton was really like. I didn’t like what King Alton became when he listened to Dumah.

“You are,” smiled King Alton. “I’ll decide when she starts looking at boys,” then his face changed. “No one will touch my little princess.”

“Dad,” cried Tigra embarrassed.

“I thought you wanted me dating Tigra.” I remembered the numerous times he seemed to joke about it to dad. I caught a glimpse of Tigra shocked expression, I hope she knew I was joking, but a part of me wanted it not to be.

“You!” Snarled Dumah, he seemed to take offence.

King Alton laughed. “Just like you Yamato.” He patted dad on the back. Calming himself down King Alton glanced at Dumah, then dad. “Come, we have much to sort out.”

“Right,” nodded Dad.

“Gual, sort young Fang out for me,” requested King Alton.

“Of course.” Gual bowed as the three of them left the room.

“I’ll meet you at your place,” said Tigra.

“Alright, see you then.” I smiled at her as I left with Gual.

I followed him to the armoury where I was given a high quality knight’s sword capable of being a conduit for a talisman’s power. I couldn’t wait to test it out, but I had this feeling it wasn’t quite the right fit for me. Next was the knight-in-training uniform. A blue T-shirt with black detailing, plain trousers with small leg guards.

The uniform also came with a single shoulder pad, this one was bronze meaning a was a knight-in-training, just starting out. Silver was for full-fledged knights, gold for high ranking knights and a mix of gold and silver for those who served closest to the royal family.

“This is the smallest one, so it may be a little big on you, but I am sure you will grow into it,” informed Gual.

“Great a uniform,” I sighed.

“You are one more step to becoming Tigra’s Guardian,” said Gual. “She is strong, spirited and wild, quite a special princess.”

“Yeah.” I agreed, my heart pounding at the thought of her.

“One last thing, here are the reports on the attacks, please read before tomorrow.” I nodded accepting them. “Now, you best head home and get some rest, it will be a big day for you tomorrow.”

“Right.” I nodded again. I left him and headed home to the bakery, wondering if dad had already told mum about me actually becoming a knight-in-training.

Mum was closing up for the day when I arrived. “There’s my boy,” she smiled.

“Hi mum, look.” I held up my new uniform with the biggest smile on my face. “I am a knight-in-training.”

“Amazing.” She rushed over to give me a hug. “A year younger than your father too.” I was happy to hear that, but I continued to be trouble by these emotions which had been growing for Tigra. What were they? “Alex’ what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, thinking it over. “It all started when I raced Tigra the other day.”

“Let’s head inside.” Mum led me inside, where we sat down to talk. “Tell me what’s going on it that little head of yours.”

“When Tigra and I raced the other day, she pounced at me because I was winning. I ended up on top of her.” I paused as I remembered how beautiful she looked. I looked away. “I don’t know, I felt flustered, I never realised how beautiful she was, I’ve even started to look at her differently and then I heard she was betrothed to Dumah and I felt so angry.”

Dad walked in as I finished. “Everything alright?”

“It seems our son has feelings for Tigra,” smiled mum.

“Is that so?” Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Feelings?” I repeated.

Mum’s attention returned to me. “It sounds like you love her Alex.”

“Love her? What?” I couldn’t quite understand what she was going on about.

“When you see her, do you feel as if your chest is tight, that your heart is about to explode out of your chest,” she smiled gently.

“Yes,” I nodded.

“Do you feel you would do anything in your power to protect her?” Dad chimed in with a question.

“Yes.” I answered remembering how I fought to save the orchard.

“Then you love her,” said dad.

“But she’s betrothed to Dumah and a princess,” I spluttered out, still uncertain how to process this information along with my feelings.

“Rubbish,” spat Dad. “Dumah has no right to the crown and never will.”

“What your father means is, if you two are meant to be together then none of that will matter.” Mum gave me a hug. “You will find out in time, that no one can truly decide on what the heart desires.”

“She’ll only ever see me as a best friend.” I stood up, holding up the report Gual had given me. “I have a report to study.”

“Alex.” I looked at dad. “Sometimes it takes time for such feelings to come to light, patience.” He glanced at mum.

“Sure.” I headed to my room, where I began to study the report.

I settled down preparing for my very first mission tomorrow, I was worried about it, but at least I was finally getting somewhere, away from the academy the place that slowed down my accent to becoming Tigra’s Guardian, back on track I wouldn’t let her down.

According to the report there had been six attacks to Ursus caravans in the last few months. They had been on there way to ask King Alton for permission to set up camp nearby as their own villages had been destroyed by a flying beast, apparently it held dark power.

I looked at the marks marked on the map, each one had happened in locations around Cathopia, why here I wasn’t sure, perhaps seeing the sites would fill in more of the missing pieces, and maybe if we were lucky there might even be more survivors like Athena out there.

“Congratulations.” Athena came into my room. “Your mum told me the news.”

“Thanks.” I managed a smile, my head a mix of thoughts of Tigra and the mission ahead.

“I heard you’ll be investigating the caravan attacks.” Athena went quiet.

“That’s right,” I nodded.

“I know I’ve only known you for a short time, but could you please look for my friend,” pleaded Athena.

“Of course, I will,” I replied, looking down at the map. “One was attacked quite recently, maybe he’ll be there.”

“Thank you.” I saw tears well up in her eyes.

“What’s their name?” I asked.

“Brendan,” answered Athena.

“Got it,” I nodded. “I promise I’ll search every site for you.”

“Thank you,” she gratefully said it again.

“Well, I have to get some more research done before tomorrow,” I informed.

“Right. Good night.”

“Night.” I smiled as she left my room. I got back to reading through the report. By the time I went to sleep it was tomorrow.