Frayusha was fighting hard with her trainer, Meshna. They had been training buddies since she was very young. Meshna was several years older and a lot stronger. He had dark purple skin and black hair, which was uncommon for a Porpuraian. Frayusha liked it, even though many said his blood was impure. Sweat was running down her brow as Meshna landed the killing blow. They both laughed.
“You are doing well, Frayusha. Your father would be pleased,” Meshna said. She looked at him and smiled.
“As long as you're pleased, then I don’t care what my father thinks,” Frayusha said. This made Meshna scowl.
“You know nothing can happen between us, your father already forbade it,” Meshna said. Frayusha scoffed while putting her sword away.
“When I am leader, I’ll change all that, believe me,” Frayusha said. Meshna put his sword away and came up behind her and hugged her.
“We cannot be; you’ll marry someone worthy of succession and have a pure line. I will not be a part of the downfall of our people. I will just be happy with you until your duty calls you,” Meshna said. Frayusha pushed him off of her.
“I can’t believe that, Meshna. I love you and want to be only with you. Now let’s not speak of this anymore. It’s starting to make me angry,” Frayusha said. Meshna bowed, which irritated her. She gave him a kiss and left. After she left, she heard commotion through the halls of the palace. One servant saw her and ran straight towards her.
“Frayusha, your father is missing; they say he went against the water, and the chosen one said he needs to be brought to justice!” The servant said. Frayusha knew all too well what being brought to justice meant. She knew she needed to get a handle on things. She raced towards the throne room to find Shardoe sitting on the throne.
“Shardoe! Get down from there!” Frayusha yelled. Shardoe looked amused.
“Guards prepare to take Frayusha into custody; her father must have turned her too!” Shardoe said. The guards were walking towards her, and she put her hands up.
“I am not affiliated with my father’s doings. Shardoe, please, you know I follow the waters decrees,” Frayusha said. Shardoe thought for a second.
“You will lead the people to accept me. You will follow my orders. Do I make myself clear?” Shardoe said. Frayusha just realized how much on thin ice she was. Just then, the guards brought in several other guards, all loyal to Narutay.
“Now we’ll see if you can convert,” Shardoe said. The loyal ones were all put on their knees. Swords at their necks. Shardoe looked at them and back at Frayusha. Then gave her a signal to start talking.
“My friends, your leader is no longer the man we thought. Shardoe is our new leader; we must listen to him now. Please surrender your loyalty,” Frayusha pleaded. Artitay looked at her.
“We do not believe that Narutay turned against the water. This is a coup!” He said. Frayusha was afraid for him. He always looked out for her ever since she was a child.
“Please, Narutay has strayed. Believe me!” Frayusha said. She tried to convey in her eyes that she needed a friend, and Artitay seemed to understand. That’s when another guard got up.
“I do not believe it! This is all Shardoe’s doing!” he yelled. Just then, Shardoe put his hand up, and the man was struck down by a water blade. Frayusha was scared; she didn’t want anyone else to die.
“Please, Shardoe, this is not necessary,” Frayusha said. Shardoe looked at her with a look that put shivers down her spine.
“If you cannot convert these men, you are no good to me,” Shardoe said. Frayusha knew that her death was right around the corner if she couldn’t find a way.
“Men listen. The old ways are done. Stand with me, with Shardoe, and we all can go about our day. You must do this,” Frayusha said. They all agreed, and Shardoe seemed very happy.
“Excellent! Now you all will be reassigned, and I'd better not hear anymore about Narutay!” Shardoe said, excusing himself from the room. Artitay came up to Frayusha.
“You need to escape, my dear. Shardoe needs you to keep the people in line, but if you aren’t here, then he’ll have more of a problem, and we can try to overtake him. Find your father and maybe get the Piskal people to help. He was with their king when he made his escape. I’ll play the good soldier but find people to rise against him,” Artitay said. Frayusha nodded and left to go prepare. As she was walking to her room, she ran into Meshna. He looked worried, and his eyes brightened when he saw her.
“Thank god you’re safe!” Meshna said, hugging her. Frayusha didn’t let the hug last long.
“Meshna, I have to get out of here. Please come with me,” Frayusha said. Meshna agreed, and they both decided to go to the farms to escape. Frayusha was packing only the things she needed, and once she was ready, she went to the fields. They were going to escape on the goods transport to the Piskal people, and they were loading up the caravan. Frayusha was getting nervous; Meshna was taking too long. She needed to get on the caravan; they were finishing up. The time had come, and she had to make a choice. She had to leave him behind, and she was angry at him for not being there. She snuck up to the caravan and hid in the vehicle and prayed she wouldn’t be found.