"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."
― Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever
"Something the matter"? Thaddeus asked as Letitia walked Canary up the stairs. "She's fine just been out in the sun for too long". Letitia said reassuring Thaddeus who sighed with relief. Letitia walked Canary up to her room and sat her down in a chair then ordered a servant for wet clothes and cold water.
"You never should have agreed to watch Ede and Eamon play, they could go for hours, they get that competitive spirit from your father". Letitia said, slipping up. "Really? My father plays sports"? Canary asked, thinking she was talking about Thomas. "Oh"! Letitia laughed nervously. "No, I meant Thaddeus, their father". Canary laughed and nodded. "Uncle Thaddeus does seem like a competitive person even though he spends a lot of time in the books". Canary said.
"Yes he won me over with the very game Ede and Eamon are playing". Letitia smiled. "When we were younger I had been arranged to marry Thaddeus. It was rumored that he was handsome yet mysterious and yet I still was not too keen on marrying him but it was then in the countryside that all the nobles went to a fair that was being held. The young noble men were playing pall mall. It was there where I first saw Thaddeus and I found myself smitten with him". Letitia chuckled, smiling back on the memory. "I don't know whether it was him being upset that he had lost or the victory yell he did when he made a goal and knocked someone else's ball far away but either way It was a true love at first sight". Letita said, dabbing Canary's forehead with the wet cloth the servant had brought her.
"And uncle Thaddeus"? Canary asked. "When did he or when did you feel he fell in love with you"? Canary asked. "Oh I knew right away after his father and mine introduced us right after the game of pall mall ended he simply could not take his eyes off of me and the wedding date was pushed up". Letitia chuckled. There was a silence on Canary's end while Letitia went on and on about her and Thaddeus's great love story (Only in hers and Thaddeus's mind was it a great love story for she was blinded with love).
"Aunt Letitia". Canary called out her name. Though it pained Letitie to be called aunt she answered Canary. "Whats is it"? Letitia answered. "I fear I may be in love also". Canary said. "Fear"? Letitia said, confused. "What is to fear about love"? "Wait don't tell me it is with Duke Abarca didn't you break off that engagement"? Letitia said, panicking. Canary shook her head, calming Letitia down. "No". She answered. "Then who? Who have you been around lately-". Her words trailed off as she began to remember it was Shayan she had been around as of lately. Then she remembered the look of terror on Canary's face when the boys were playing pall mall.
"The crown prince-". "Shh"! Canary said, covering Letitia's mouth. "The walls have ears". Canary said nervously. Letitia removed Canary's hand with a huge grin on her face. "Why isn't this a good thing"? Letitia said. "Hasn't he said he will marry you also"? Letitia said. "Shayan merely jokes". Canary said. "He jokes a lot. "How do you know if he is joking about this"? Letitia said. "What else could it be if he isn't joking". Canary said with a sad expression on her face. "I fear the words of Agustin Abarca haunt you my dear". (For Canary had told Letitia of the words Agustin had told her). Letitia lifted up Canary's head and smiled at her.
"Who is Agustin Abarca to tell you he is the only one willing to marry you"? Letitia said, holding Canary's face in her hands. "Only a man". Letitia said. "Don't let his title nor his prestige scare you into thinking that only a man like him will marry you". "Nor think that someone will only marry you for what you have". Letitia said.
"Think about it". Letitia said. "You will never know if the prince is truly serious about marrying you or not if you don't ask". Letitia hugged Canary tightly. "Remember this my dear even if he doesn't love you you have others that love you". Letitia said and Canary hugged her back tightly. "I hear the prince is leaving in three days". Letitia said, pulling back and smirking at Canary. "Take advantage of those three days". She said, flicking Canary's nose.
The days went on and the five of them never strayed far from each other and the time for Canary to reveal herself in the end never presented itself. For in the end Canary found herself a coward and falling more and more for Shayan. The day for Shayan and Numa to go back to Lyikar came and Letitia who was waiting and encouraging Canary to tell Shayan about her feelings and ask him about his ran anxiously to Canary. "Today is the last day". Letitia said, pulling out a dress from her closet. "What are you doing"? Canary said as the servants rushed in after her and began dressing her.
"It's now or never Canary for I fear a great love story will escape us". "Every love story isn't going to be a great love story". Canary said as Letitia pushed her out of the room. "It is if you make it one".! Letitia shouted, rushing her down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was Numa,Shayan,Ede, and Eamon waiting for Canary to come down.
"You two are coming as well"? Canary asked. "Yes"! Ede said cheesing. "We wish to see our new friends off". Eamon also smiled but his was awkward and not as enthusiastic as Ede's for he was forced by Ede to come on this trip because of Ede overhearing (Really eavesdropping on Letitia's and Canary's conversation). He then told Eamon that they should come in case Canary's confession(Or lack there of) was denied. Eamon however did not want to come for he thought the confession would be accepted for he saw the way Shayan stole glances at Canary throughout his stay here. Canary was going back to Lyikar anyways, no reason for it to not work out.
But this outing was planned out on purpose for Shayan to have a little time before the boat came. For he had heard Grania capitol was beautiful and wanted to be shown around. The people at the palace would rather he stay in the palace and look at boring flowers and her boring stories from the king. The people at the longwood manor had kept him entertained. The only thing he didn't see was the capitol square.
"So what is there to see in the capital? I heard it was beautiful". Numa asked. "I don't know". Ede said with a goofy smile on his face. Everyone looked at Ede dumbfounded even Eamon who never visited the capitol either but had read the paper about the capitol square. "I read the paper on some things to do in the capitol before we came here". Eamon interjected. "The Trydon market seems to be the place to go". Eamon said. "How do you know this"? Ede said. "Were you not listening"? Eamon said. "I read it in the paper". "Oh I don't read the paper". Ede said, sighing like the paper was too hard for him to read.
"To the Trydon market then". Canary said smiling to ease the awkward tension. Now the Trydon market was started for foreigners like the Tyrdonians when they came to Grania. But when the citizens of Granian had heard of the beauty of Trydon market and soon noble and commoner alike began to visit the Trydon market. Now Trydon market was thee most beautiful part of the capitol. Full of music, bright colors, a variety of smells of food and perfume, and beautiful lights and lanterns.
The five of them were in awe when they stepped out of the capitol it was full of bustling people. "I heard they sell many things here both Granian and foreign". Eamon said in awe. He then held his hand up to Ede who was about to speak. "I read it in a book brother". "Speaking of books, I wish to find one here". Eamon said. "The books in uncle in law's library are kind of dull". Eamon groaned. "There's more to life than books, Eamon". Ede said. "I know that". Eamon said. "For some people they NEED more books in their life". Eamon said, side eyeing him. Ede stopped in his tracks seeing that Eamon was talking about him. "Eamon are you perhaps talking about me" He said following Eamon as he parted ways with the group. "Seems he found his book store". Shayan said.
"Would you like to go there as well"? Shayan asked Canary. But Canary shook her head no. "I have more books than I need". Canary said. "What about you Numa"? Shayan asked. Numa shook his head no. "I want to see if they have a weapon shop. Apparently Trydon steel is the best steel for weapons". Numa said. "What kind of weapon are you wanting"? Shayn said, raising his brow. "I'll see when I get there". Numa smiled. They followed Numa, stopping at the stalls on the way and looking at the goods on the table buying some also. "I found one". Numa said, rushing ahead. They all arrived at the stall with an old man with gray eyes sitting behind it. Behind him was a huge tent, forging items and machines. In front of him on the table were swords,bows, and weapons alike.
Numa stared down in awe at all the weapons. "Wow are any of these swords Trydonian steel". Numa asked. The old man waved his hand and looked to the back and a man came forward who looked to be a younger version of him. "Yes pop". The man said. "Trydon". The old man said in broken Granian. "Ah, are you looking for Trydonian steel"? The man said in perfect Granian. "Ah yes we are". Numa said. "Back here". The man said, opening the curtain behind him that led beyond the front of the tent. They all looked at each other which the man saw. "Don't be afraid Trydonian steel is pretty expensive, that's the only thing you should be afraid of". The man said. The three of them walked to the back with the man and when they reached the back the man turned started lighting the candles in the back.
"Trydonian steel is strong". The man said. "Very strong and very rare so it is expensive, very few are left". The man said. One by one weapons behind revealed themselves in the dark of that room. There were only three swords and a bow that had black wood for its handle. The bow was a dark gray almost as gray as the man's eyes. "Only four". Numa said. "It was five yesterday". The man said. "Are you buying for yourself or someone else"? The man asked. Numa directed his hand towards Shayan. "Me"? Shayan said shocked. "A Trydonaian steel sword is benefiting for a great man". Nina smiled looking at the swords on the wall.
But the man had his eyes glued on Shayan, never moving from the moment he stepped into the tent. "What is your name"? The man asked Shayan. "Me"? Shayan said pointing at himself. The man nodded. "I am Shayan". He answered not telling his last name. The man picked up a sword and handed it to Shayan. "Swing it". He said. "Swing it"? Shayan asked confused.
"Yes swing it". So Shayan swung the sword. "Thrust it like you are hitting your enemy". So Shayan did as he said. "This sword is not suited for you". The man said, taking the sword out of his hand. "Neither are the others on the wall". "What"?! Numa yelled.
"I'll shall ask you a question, Shayan and you answer will decide my next move". "Uh okay". "It is a very simple question". The man said. "When taking up a sword what is the greatest thing you must remember"? The man said. "When and when not to take a life". Shayan answered. "That is your answer"? The man said. "A quiet simple answer when and when not to take a life,when to spare one, when to unsheathed and sheath your sword ,and the greatest reason of all whether you are using that sword for good or not". Shayan answered.
The man nodded and went further into the tent and came out with a black cloth that was holding something. He opened it revealing a sword whose steel was dark and his hilt was green with cravings in it. "A sword befitting a ruler forged in the ancient ways of Trydon where its very birth happened, the purest of trydonian steel". The man said.
"Swing it". The man said, placing it in Shayan's hands. Shayan swung the sword right away he realized his hands were steady and the sword felt light in his hands. Better than any other sword he had held. "Kings held this sword once". The man said. "Now you shall hold it". "What should I be having this if it's that important"? Shayan asked.
"A man like crown prince Shayan should hold this sword". "How do you know-". Shayan did a small bow. "A man like me is proud to receive the royal sword of Trydon from the royal family". Shayan said. "And how do you know him"? Numa said bewildered.
"I cannot take this for free". Shaman said. "I won't take anything for it either". The man said, staring at the sword in awe. "This man's name is Cathal and out there is my father. He is now blind his name is Aodhán. We are the last descendants of the Trydom royal family". Cathal said. "This sword has been passed down from generation to generation. I am unable to have children so me and my father agreed to place it in the hands of a true ruler. Many great things have I heard of you, Shayan Tsosie". Cathal said.
There was a heavy silence of Shayan thanking Cathal for his words. A guilt overflowed him that he was getting such a great sword that had been long rumored to fall with the kingdom of Trydon here it was called Daigh meaning flame in its time when it was forged Daigh the flames forging it burned intensely and hot and a strong sword stronger than any other sword was forged but light as a feather it was.
Now this ancient sword was in Shayans hands. Shayan cracked his head figuring out a way to compensate Cathal for the sword and he placed his eyes on the bow on the wall. He glanced over to Canary who was roaming with Numa about the sword and smiled within himself. "I shall be buying that now also". He said pointing at the bow on the wall.
"Ah Ushtey is what I named that bow". Cathal said, taking the bow down. "How much"? "Fifth gold". "I'll give you fifty one". Shayan said, handing him the money in a leather bag. "What's the one gold for"? Cathal. "The sword". Shayan smiled.