As they reach the entrance to their home, Amalya notices that Elra’s soon-to-be family has already settled in. She peers in the door, watching Elra dote all over Lancel, who doesn’t look the least bit interested in being there. His father converses with Horace over by the fireplace while his mother helps set the table. Amalya coils back and looks at Arthur, “I wish we didn’t have to go in there.” Arthur smirks in amusement, “You can punch the teeth out of Gallin can’t you? You can handle a little dinner with Elra.”

He opens the door. Heads turn at their arrival.

“Hello there.” Arthur politely exclaims as they enter the home. Their company greets them both warmly; even Elra gives them each a kiss on the cheek. Arthur retreats into his room to change and Amalya is left to converse with their soon to be extended family. Lancel’s mother summons her over to help her prepare the food, “You’re looking well today Amalya. Feeling better?”

Lancel’s comes from a very old respectable family in the City of Rau. They were quite wealthy and definitely not ones to associate themselves with a retired farmhand like their grandfather. They were very polite which is not a word commonly used to describe the wealthy. When they first heard Lancel was courting a farmhands granddaughter, it caused quite a stir amongst their circle, but because their father was a lieutenant of the Kings Dragon Guard the uproar did not last long. Gallantry does not fall short for the common man. The Dragon Guard was a well-respected and prestigious military branch of the kingdom. Any association with the guard, no matter how poor their family may be, was not something to be overlooked and most were granted higher status amongst the classes. Plus all of their father’s earnings went right to the family. It allowed their grandfather to retire without having to worry about how he would put food on the table.

Lancel’s mother always seemed to think Amalya was on her death bed. It just did not register that her condition is in no way life threatening. Amalya did not mind, she was always treated kindly and in a way she enjoyed the motherly attention. It was a welcomed change in her secluded life. They conversed politely as she helps her with the food, which was nearly ready to eat. Amalya could not help but feel brooding eyes boring into the back of her head. She glances behind her to see if it was just her imagination. Lancel was watching her. Seeing that she caught his gaze, he quickly looks away. Several times she caught him looking at her. It was a bit odd; he’s never taken this much notice of her before. Lancel, though destined for greatness, was not in the least as considerate as his mother. Though never rude, he always seemed to have skirted over Amalya’s existence; she was just the little sister of his soon to be wife. The respect was there but there was no attempt at establishing a relationship.

Arthur walks into the room donning a normal set of clothes. The small family convenes at the table as Lancel’s mother; Amalya and Elra begin to serve the food. The conversation was light and cheery, but Amalya kept catching Lancel’s unrelenting stare. She tries not to let it bother her but it was becoming impossible. Horace notices Amalya’s uncomfortable movements, “You alright dear?” Amalya quickly focuses, nodding her head in reply.

“So Amalya,” Lancel’s father emits, “You’ve had quite the day today haven’t you?”

His address catches her off guard. She clears his throat, “Yes, quite a day.” Lancel’s mother shakes her head in dismay, “You poor girl, getting picked on by those rotten boys. Someone should take a switch to their backsides, whip some sense into them.”

“She held her own pretty well mother.” Lancel looks at Amalya, “I saw her throw one of those boys clear over her shoulders. Flat on the ground he fell, splayed out like a dead frog.”

Amalya cracks a smile but quickly retreats it at the sight of her sister’s gaze.

“Nothing proper about it. You should have gotten a guard Amalya.”

Amalya swallows the food in her mouth and addresses her sister’s comment; “It was foolish of me though I do not regret defending myself.”

“Didn’t know you had it in you,” Lancel adds with enthusiasm. Amalya looks down at her plate. She has never felt quite so uncomfortable, almost as if she had done something wrong to garner such attention from him. She did not want to ruin this night for Elra; surely she has had enough aggravation for one day.

“You weren’t harmed, that’s the important thing.” Lancel’s mother takes a drink from her glass, “Were you reprimanded for the outburst Arthur?” He shook his head, “I was confronted by Ser Gaston but no actions have followed suit so far ma’am.”

“Well let’s hope nothing does. He’s the one who should be punished for raising those boys without an ounce of decency.”

“Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way Ma,” Lancel’s father manages to stagger out through mouthfuls of food, “You best be on good behavior if you want your brother to get a post girl.”

Amalya nods her head, “Yes sir. I would want nothing more.”

The night carries on without incident. As their plates clear, the pies are added to the table. Horace holds up an empty jug from the table. He hands it to Amalya, “get some more water from the well would you?” 

Amalya takes the jug and heads outside towards the well. The night shines in the dark sky, faintly illuminating the small fenced outcrop beside the house. Amalya takes off her hood with a sigh of relief. It’s the only time of day she does not need to fear Sol’s morning light. This a time of rest, and even though he still stands in the sky, his light was quiet and serene. It was a time where the true face of Sol could be seen and admired. She stands by the well, looking up towards the sky. Time seems to stop as the day’s events begin to leave her mind. It was surely a day she would not soon forget but was glad it was finally over. She would be glad when it was time to lie down and rest for tomorrow. A light footstep interrupts her silence. She cautiously turns around to see Lancel approaching her.

“Need any help out here?”

Amalya quickly returns to the well and begins to pump water into the bucket, “I’ll manage,” She did not turn back to face him. It took a few pumps to get the water flowing, and when it did it was nothing but a trickle. “Could this take any longer?” Nerves begin to creep up her spine. Could this be any more unsettling? He was just standing there, looking at her. She wanted to go back inside and as far away from Lancel as possible.

He walks to her, looking up at the moon, “Sol is full tonight.” Amalya follows his gaze towards the giant light in the sky. He glances at her, watching the light reflect off her smooth pale face.

“I saw you today.”

Amalya looks back at him, a little confused at the comment, “ You are seeing me now, as you did before.”

“Well yes but ... I truly saw you.”

He looks as if he doesn’t know what else to say. Amalya continues to pump the water out of the well as quickly as possible, “I don’t know what you mean.” She concentrates on the water flow until the jug was full. As she goes to turn towards the house, Lancel reaches out and grabs her arm. Amalya stops in her tracks. Her stomach begins to turn in knots. Lancel turns her around sharply causing her to drop the jug of water. It shatters at their feet. Amalya tries to pull away, “What are you doing?”

He stares into her face, studying her features as a painter would study his subjects. He reaches his hand up to her face. Before he can touch her, the door to the front of the house opens. Elra stops in her tracks when she see’s them. Lancel quickly releases Amalya and steps away.

“What are you doing out here?”

Lancel gives a nervous smile, “Just seeing if she needed any help is all.” Without a second glance, he makes his way inside. Elra watches him pass behind her and back into the house. She turns to Amalya. Her stare was unrelenting, cold with anger, “Hurry up with that water will you?” She cautiously goes back inside and closes the door. Amalya lets go of her breath. Her heart was racing; what in Marin’s name just happened? Whatever it was, it left a bad taste in her mouth. She knew once Lancel and his family left, she would be facing another onslaught from Elra. Another storm to look forward to; just what she needed. She kicks the broken pieces of shattered jug off her feet. 

The night concluded at as snail’s pace. After all, the food was cleared and the stomachs were full, their guests prepare to leave for the evening. Amalya avoided her sister as much as possible. The air surrounding them was thick with tension. Elra was just waiting for the chance to question Amalya about what had transpired with her and Lancel. Amalya and Lancel’s mother was rinsing off the dinnerware when Elra reaches out to gently pull Amalya over to her, “What were you doing out there?” Amalya had no reason to lie, but Elra would never believe her. She would never look ill on Lancel’s actions, especially against Amalya’s reputation,

“He grabbed me. He was acting strangely.”

“Why would he grab you?”

“I don’t know; why not ask him?”

“If you’re lying to me...”

“I have no reason to lie to you.”

Elra looks over at the family, making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. She continues to rinse the plates as if nothing was out of the ordinary, “This conversation isn’t over.”

Elra finishes up and walks over to Lancel. Amalya watches her sister and annoyingly sticks out her tongue at her. Unfortunately, this caught Lancel’s eye and he humorously smiles back at her. Quick as a whip, Amalya turns away and pretends to seem occupied. She cannot wait for this day to be over. 

The night was growing late and it was time to depart. The family stands by the door, giving their guests a few last goodbyes before they make for home. Lancel’s mother bends down to kiss Amalya’s cheek, “So good to see you!” She reaches Elra and hugs her future daughter, “The big day is almost here!” Elra’s face lights up at the notion. Lancel was the last to leave. He gives both Arthur and Horace a firm handshake. When he reaches Amalya, he takes her hand and kisses it gently. Amalya keeps her nervous eyes away from him,

“Have a good night little sister.”

She nods her head and quickly recoils her hand. Lancel then kisses Elra on the cheek and departs for the evening. The moment the door clicks shut, Elra turns around, glaring at her.

“Do you take me for a fool?”

Arthur and Horace look on dumbfounded. This was an unavoidable confrontation that she was hoping would end as quickly as it started. Amalya looks up at the dull brown ceiling and turns away. This only enraged Elra further as she storms her sister, grabbing her arm, “Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Horace tries to come between Elra and her forked tongue, “What’s all this about now?” Angrily, Elra points an accusing finger at her sister; “She was doing something with Lancel outside.”

Horace snorts with disbelief.

“I saw them outside! It looked like something…”

Arthur grabs a piece of misplaced food and throws it on the table, “Amalya doesn’t even like Lancel.”

Amalya raises her voice in approval, “I don’t even like him!”

Elra sneers at her, “You’re a liar!”

“I already told you, he was acting strangely. I tried to get away and he grabbed my arm. Honestly Elra, what could I possibly gain from stealing your precious Lancel away from you?”

“What could you possibly gain from punching the Captain of the Guards son in the face? You do stupid things just to get attention!”

Horace grunts in disdain, “I’ve had enough hollering for one day.”

He looks at Amalya and gestures towards her room “Go to bed now.”

Elra angrily objects, “No! She’s not leaving until she tells me the truth!”

Amalya walks up to her sister. She was beginning to become fed up with all this, “You want me to lie then?”

“I want the truth!”

“I told you the truth! He grabbed my arm; I don’t know what he wanted. The only thing I’m guilty of is breaking the water jug!”

“ I don’t believe you!”

“Then don’t believe it! You never would believe me anyway.”

Elra’s face turns an unpleasant shade of red. Amalya studies her sister’s reaction, hoping to finally shut her up for one night. She was tired and just wanted this day to be over. It was overwhelming and she understands if Elra does not believe her but she did not want to argue anymore or cause any more unrest than there already was, “Nothing happened Elra!”

Elra reaches up and slaps Amalya in the face. Amalya falls back in shock. It didn’t hurt really, it was more so the fact that it happened at all. Amalya and Elra may have had their fair share of squabbles, but she has never once hit her, not until now.

Horace grabs Elra’s arm and pulls her aside, “That’s enough out of you. Get to bed both of you before I drag you there!” Elra pulls away from their grandfather and glares at Amalya one last time before she storms out of the room. Amalya feels her face throb from the blow. It might have knocked some sense into her but it was uncalled for and in no way necessary. Amalya was trying to be civil but Elra had to take it to where they always stand. There was no middle ground with them, only the high ground where words were like swords to the heart and no warmth could be shared. This entire day has been nothing but left on the very fringes of breaking; left hanging over a cliff with only a small strand of threat keeping all sense from being lost. She was still hanging there just waiting for the thread to snap and for it all to come crashing down.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5: Wedding Day