"Be a man ,Yuto!!!!" the commander shouted at me
The rained poured down heavily upon me. I could hardly breathe as my entire body was aching. Sweat mixed with blood and rain I could hardly tell what was what. I could hardly see a figure across me shifting slightly for the next attack.
'I can do this' I reminded myself , then I grabbed my sword tightly and stood up ready for defense.But the figure was so fast to strike,that I felt a sharp pain on the back of my neck and darkness greeted me.
I woke up from the faint whispers of probably two people but I didn't bother to open my eyes.
"Yuto has to get stronger, I don't care what method you use but he needs to be strong" a female voice whispered
"Might I remind you that Yuto is female though you raised her as a boy. Men have greater muscle mass meaning in physical combact Yuto can lose sometimes, it's natural" the male voice retorted harshly.
The female voice I assumed was my mother said back"Stop saying Yuto is a girl, the walls have ears."
I knew where this was going so I groaned lightly so as to show them I had awaken.My mother as expected rushed to my side and slowly I opened my eyes
"Are you okay sweetheart " my mother said worriedly"Can you sit?"
I nodded and slowly sat up and I could feel a dull pain in my ribs.
"I'm fine. No need to worry, I will get back to training as soon as possible." I replied nonchalantly. The lines on my mother's face straightened and a small smile tugged on her lips.
"That's why I named you Yuto, the brave one. You have to honor your name and keep pushing. Do you understand?" I nodded and she touched my hair lovingly.
"This is for us, your father has to realize your worth so we can have a better life. Pain is growth alright."
Her smile dropped and she stopped caressing my hair and her face became expressionless. She faced the direction opposite to me. I knew what was coming was not good news.
"Yuto, you will go to the Kingdom of Valdoria as a representative of our kingdom, to offer King Kaelith an alliance. Your Father the king fears an impending northern invasion."
My heart started beating very fast. King Kaelith of Valdoria whose wrath travels faster than the winds across the land. Villages have vanished overnight for defying him. Diplomats tremble at mere mention of his name. King Kalieth's magic was just way too strong .He even managed to overpower his father at just the age of nineteen.Knowing all this my mother is still willing to send me there and even disregarding the fact that I'm female. The negotiations with Valdoria are as dangerous as battle itself , one misstep and I could end up dead in a foreign land. Gathering my wits I looked up to the woman I call mother, who currently was facing me with a stern face.
"I can't, too much is at stake. I cannot do it. Please consider sending Fenric" I said showing a solemn expression. While on the other hand my mother looked disappointed and annoyed at the same time.
"This is your chance to show that you are better than your elder brother and maybe your father can make you his heir. Are you gonna let this slid? This an opportunity we have been waiting for. If you can pull this off then nothing can stop us."
I laughed sarcastically"So this is all about succession. I don't want to be ruler, I want to live a life without politics."
My mother really was enraged now, I could see her trying to control her anger. She looked at her servant who had been quiet this whole time
"Hugo, Out! "she shouted. Hugo bowed slightly and left the room just as quietly and closed the door softly. My mother faced me once again.
"Do you know how much I have sacrificed for you? I had to lie that you were a boy so I can save my head and yours, and here we are, you trying to defy me. If you rule ,no-one can question you therefore the decision has been made, you leave at dawn tomorrow. Do you understand?"
"Too much is at risk , if my gender is reviewed then..."
My mother cut me off before I could finish my sentence "Then you better be extra careful."She turned and started walking towards the door then she turned one last time
"and you better rest because tomorrow is gonna be a long day."
She exited the room and slammed the door. I laid back on the bed facing the plain ceiling. I could feel an incoming headache. My thoughts were running wild. A lot could happen but something had to be done about the invasion.King Kalieth was pretty powerful, even the aura surrounding him could make seasoned warriors pause, and when angry his eye colour would change.
'Maybe I could make this work' I thought and sighed heavily but I couldn't help but feel that something was gonna happen. But for the sake of mother and the people I was gonna try my best. My eyes began to feel heavy and I fell into a deep sleep.
I was in my room and then the next moment I was in a forest sitting near a very clear lake with my toes gently splashing the water. I felt happy and laughed as a cool breeze brushed against my hair. My blue eyes were bright and radiating warmth. A hand gently touched my shoulder
"Yuri" a male voice called out gently.
His voice was a low vibration that just didn't meet my ears, it slipped beneath my skin, settling in the hollow of my throat. For a moment I forgot to breathe. When I wanted to turn my head, my eyes snapped open and there I was in my bed left wondering once again 'Yuri?'