Even though I didn't know
Kushana that well in the beginning, I soon did.
As the days went on, I saw
Kushana around more often. I probably didn't recognize her before, but ever
since I saw her in the manor, I remembered her face. She was still a low
ranked Knight, she probably was a squire by now. And even though I wasn't
that much higher than her, I had a commanding position (be it a very minor one).
She was a very chatty type of
person at the time. She liked to talk on the guild line a lot. And even though, it was about boring technical things like weapon skills, and gaining
experience from battles. Not the most interesting thing of course. But, I
would interject with my own thoughts.
In amazement to me, I began
to like her more and more. I wondered why. Her, of all people? The one I
refused to marry? I was foolish novice back then, still fresh in the Knights.
But, like a lot of people, I couldn't hold down my feelings. I had to admit
that I was a bit intrigued by her. Probably because I wasn't see Ree that much anymore, I had found someone else. Hey, can't blame me, can ya?
Two memories of her in my mind I remember dearly. One, was her acknowledging one of my jokes and even
giving a positive comment to it. I take whatever I can get, and it made me
feel good.
The other memory happened a
bit afterward. A lot of time had passed. I was still stuck in my minor
commanding position. However, Kushana, she had more of a work ethic then I
ever would. She really gave her all, and while I was being lazy, she was
working her up through the ranks. She was now above me in rank. I saw her as
a little minor Knight before, but now she could tell me what to do.
I was happy for her, but I
thought it was a bit of overkill. Well, everyone to their own. I was
wondering how she got up so fast. She told me about Harrke, a place where she
able to get enough experience to rise up quickly. Kushana even took me along
one of her trips. I tried to fight along with her, but I quickly realized I wasn't in the same league with her. And even though I wasn't big help to her,
she helped me a lot. She even told me about bedrolls, which I didn't know
until she told me.
I wandered around a bit after
then. Just waiting for her to appear. I don't remember exactly how it
happened, but I must have (or someone else) told her about my wish to get to
married to her. By this time, I was very much in love, the feelings had
grown over time.
But, unfortunately, she was
really hooked onto Knight noble titles. I didn't care too much for them. I
ripped the ears off and everything, but my goal wasn't to make Prince, just
to stay alive another day. I wonder in amazement even to this day, why
Kushana would care about noble titles so much.
Kushana said if I wanted to
marry her, I would have to become a Prince. Needless to say, I was a bit
worried and shocked. I thought about just forgetting it right there. Getting
to Prince? That would take a bit of time.....And I wasn't a patient person.
But, I held my disagreement inside and just nodded. I told her I would get to
Prince for her.
She smiled at me. Probably
the last smile I would see for awhile. So, I did, I worked and worked, got
more guild points for her. I eventually made it to Baron. She came back. I
hadn't seen her for awhile, but it was nice to find her.
Even if the real reason was
just to check out the tattoo parlor in the Scythe. So, I rested in the den
for awhile. Kushana came unexpectedly in, and I just stood there in shock.
She noticed my tattoo of her, and then just gave me a high-five. Then, she
ran out. I still didn't know what happened. But I felt good.
I wouldn't feel good for
long. After then, I never saw her again. I wandered around again, but this
time without a purpose. The only thing that kept me going was getting to
Prince so I could marry Kushana. But, I had less heart in my battles. I didn't care as much.
The last time I saw her...I
was at the Tantallon crossroads. It was crowded. I just stood in the center.
And I saw her...Kushana. Going with the crowd. I tried to reach her, but she
quickly disappeared into the crowd. Then the crowd dispersed.
And she wasn't there. Where
did she go? I would never find out. After a long amount of time, the Knights
guild decided to do something. They declared her Missing In Action. I just
stood there in sadness when I was that poster go up. I stared at it for a long time, wondering what had happened. I hung my head in shame.
My heart was broken. The
person I was working so hard for was gone. It was like I had no reason, no
goals anymore. My loneliness had reached extreme highs. If there was no
Kushana, there was nobody. They said that Kushana had been ambushed by an
orcish raiding party and captured. I shudder to think of had happened to her.
Eventually I moved on. But, I
never forgot about Kushana. I still fought the orcs, but with more heart now. I cut the ears off and turned them into Albert. I rose in rank and nobility too. Baron Knightrc, Count Knightrc, Earl Knightrc. Marquis Knightrc and Duke Knightrc.
I finally did it for her. I gave Albert my haul of orc ears. He smiled and counted them up. Then he told me I had enough for Prince. I didn't waste anytime. I dropped everything and
ran for the King's room.
King Drin sat on his throne. I didn't care for a regal ceremony. I just wanted to get it over with. I kneeled before him. And he gave me the title of Prince.
Some Knights came over and gave me congrats, but I only wanted to see one thing. Kushana's face.
But she still wasn't there. What was the point? I reached Princehood for her, but she wasn't around. My goal was finished, but I did not get the prize.
My heart continually ached. I went on thinking, what had I missed? Could I have changed it? Would she be back?
I sat in the booth a bit a longer. Back to reality. No more complaining. Besides, the orcs could be back. I got up and headed out of the booth.
I hear some motion by the racks. There was someone there. The figure looked familiar. Almost like Kushana....Could it be?
