#chiyosso

It was December 12th. Only a few more days till Christmas and Jay was counting down the days. She really wanted to get a gift for you. The woman had a crush on you, and she decided she should confess on Christmas. It was perfect she could just give you a gift with her confession in it. She was too nervous to tell you in person since she didn’t know how you would react, and she wanted to avoid conflict. She saw the whole Christmas confession thing in a movie once it was painfully cheesy but also incredibly romantic. Jay took Chiyo to the Winter Village and there she learned about a Secret Santa that was taking place. While Chiyo played with penguins and deer Jay listened as a Capran standing under a giant Christmas tree explained the Secret Santa. This secret Santa had a small twist people could choose who they wanted to give a gift to. Jay wasn’t interested in signing up until she saw your name in the list. Your name was among others, and it was unclaimed. Jay blushed as she changed her mind, and she signed up. she could use this as an excuse to give you a gift and if she chickened out of her confession, she could just leave the gift with your name on it and without her confession under the tree and you would never know it was her. she claimed your name and she went to look for Chiyo. She spent the days leading up to Christmas looking for the perfect gift for you. At first, she struggled with finding something for you. Jay couldn’t find anything that would match your style or your horse’s. when she asked Sabine for advice on a gift the woman said to just buy some fuzzy socks or candy and call it quits. Jay didn’t like that so she went to Katja who said the same thing and added that whoever Jay got for a secret Santa would most likely not care too much for the gift so just getting fuzzy socks would be good. The woman couldn’t find anything, and her teammates were no help so she decided she would buy some fuzzy socks and candy three days before Christmas and call it quits. Since Jay was saving the gift for later, she focused on her letter for you. In her letter she wrote her feelings for you, and she added sweet things about you into it things that were really cheesy just like the movie she watched. When her letter was done, and she was sure it was good she put it away in a green gift box she bought days ago for when she got you a gift. The letter sat in the box…Jay didn’t know it, but something was missing from the letter. Three days before Christmas she was on babysitting duty again, so she took Chiyo with her to the store. While she looked at fuzzy socks Chiyo looked around nearby aisles for a better gift. When she found something, she came running back to Jay “I found something!” she whisper yelled “it’s better than boring old socks come on!” Jay followed Chiyo to the aisle she found the gift in, and she went wide eyed. Chiyo was right the gift she found was better than some boring socks and it looked like it matched your style perfectly. The woman looked down at Chiyo “thank you Chiyo” she smiled at the girl and Chiyo smiled back. Jay bought the gift and some stuff Chiyo asked for before going back to the rig with the girl. When Christmas day hit Jay was extremely nervous. She was in the stables of the rig getting her horse. Sands told his generals to take Chiyo out to the winter village again for Christmas even though none of them celebrated it and to enjoy the small time of peace while it lasted. Jay let out a shaky sigh in her hands she held your gift was she ready to give it to you? She was unsure she thought she was ready but now she was having second thoughts. Sabine led Khaan by his reins out of the stable when she heard Jay sigh she looked to the other woman. Sabine stopped walking and Khaan neighed at Arcebus receiving a neigh back. “Nervous?” Sabine asked and Jay shook her head she was lying, and Sabine knew it the woman rolled her eyes “I’m sure the person you got for the trade will love the gift you got them.” Sabine felt she was being too nice, so she added “twenty five percent sure at least”

she nudged Jay with her hip laughing when Jay gave her an annoyed look “come on book brain Chiyo is getting impatient.” Jay scoffed and smiled at what Sabine called her and she opened Arcebus’ stall door grabbing the horse’s reins with one hand and her other held the gift. The woman led her Marwari out of his stall. Sabine and Jay walked out of the stables meeting up with a very impatient Chiyo and a tired Katja. the four dark riders and the three horses took a ship to Moorland’s beach and then they traveled to the winter village. Once there the horses went to eat some hay left out by the Caprans and Chiyo ran around enjoying the snow and the festivities. Sabine kept an eye on the girl and Katja went along with them leaving Jay all alone. She closed her eyes she sighed she was ready she could do this! She opened her eyes, and she walked going to search for you. She spent a while looking for you and while she looked for you, she rehearsed what she was going to say to you. Jay didn’t want to just go up to you and make things up as she went so, she practiced what she was going to say. This would be so much easier if you two weren’t enemies. When she found you sitting near a campfire she blushed, and she cleared her throat getting ready to speak. You looked upset really upset and Jay wondered if she should talk to you…what if you became aggressive with her? You had never done so before, but you seemed like you were in a bad mood, so she worried. Right as she was about to open her mouth to speak to you, she heard one of your friend’s call you to them. Jay watched as you stood up and you walked over to Alex who had called you over to her and she saw the rest of your friends standing with the woman. Then Jay saw Katja and Mortifa and then Sabine who was leading Khaan and Chiyo who led Arcebus. Alex and Katja yelled things Jay couldn’t hear at each other and right as a fight was about to start you stepped in between them. Katja backed up because she didn’t want to fight but Alex didn’t back up, she really, really wanted to fight Katja. that’s when Sabine stepped in and told Katja it was time to go. Sabine, Chiyo and Katja walked away with the horses. The three found Jay standing near the campfire where you were sitting before, and Sabine told Jay what had happened. Jay frowned when Sabine told her they had to leave since they weren’t welcome which wasn’t surprising but still it hurt that Jay wasn’t going to be able to give you the gift. The woman placed it down where you were sitting, and she walked away with her teammates leaving the gift there for you to hopefully find.

Alex groaned “can you believe it? Dark riders showing up here?!” she shook her head “I bet they were coming to ruin Christmas.” The angry woman kicked up a bunch of snow “assholes!” Linda backed up when Alex kicked the snow managing to save herself from it being kicked onto her “I’m glad we caught them before they could do anything.” Lisa backed up as well sighing relieved as she managed to dodge the snow “we should keep an eye out just in case they decide to come back.” Anne nodded she stood next to Alex “I agree with Lisa we can still celebrate of course but as we do we have to pay more attention to our surroundings.” You walked back to your seat as your friends talked and you sighed sadly. Today had been awful you slipped on ice and fell on your bum, your horse rolled in muddy snow and to top it all off everyone who did the secret Santa got a gift except you. When you made it back to your seat you saw a dark green giftbox and you felt like crying. You closed your eyes and breathed in trying not to cry. You picked the giftbox up looking for a name tag. You turned it to the left then to the right and then you saw the tag hidden in the ribbon of the gift box. You took it out careful not to undo the ribbon and you gasped when you realized the tag had your name on it! You flipped the tag looking for the name of whoever left this here for you to find. There was no name, so you undid the ribbon opening the giftbox hoping to find a clue of whoever gave you this gift. When you opened it, you gasped again the gift in the box was something you had wanted for a long time! Who got you this? You took the gift out of the box, and you laughed you were so happy. Your horse who had been eating hay by the campfire neighed and walked over to you wanting to see what you had. They lowered their head sniffing the box your horse found something in it and they grabbed it. Your horse snorted getting your attention and they moved their head up and down showing you what they had in their mouth. You put your gift back in the box and you gently took what your horse had in their mouth. It was a piece of folded paper. You opened the paper and you saw your name and then you sat down to read. The letter had beautiful cursive writing and your eyes got glossy you felt your face get hot as you read the letter. The paper contained the most beautiful love letter you had ever seen and as you read it you felt your heartbeat get faster. Whoever wrote this letter really liked you and your cheeks and ears turned redder as you thought about someone having a crush on you. you couldn’t wait to get to the end of the letter and find out who wrote this for you. when you got to the end you frowned, and you flipped the paper and then you grabbed the giftbox digging through it. Your day had gotten better and just as fast as it had gotten better it got worse. You put the note down in the giftbox and you sobbed you covered your face as you cried, and your horse pressed their nose against your shoulder to try and comfort you. Your friends heard you crying, and they walked over to you going to comfort you. they all asked you what was wrong, and you told them about the gift and the letter crying harder as you told them that…

The letter wasn’t signed. Jay forgot to sign the letter.

You were laying down on a beach towel letting out a happy sigh as you felt your body relax. You had a busy day today. you did chores, you did some riding, you met up with your friends to do Soul Rider stuff and then you got into a fight with the Dark Riders. You got into a fight with them over an opened rift that they did not want closed. While your friends worked on closing the rift you slowly and very stealthily slipped away from the fight. Your friends did not notice you had done so until all the Dark Riders were also gone leaving the rift alone and leaving many Panda rays that came through the rift to take care of. Your friends worried where had you gone? did the Dark Riders kidnap you? did you somehow slip through the rift? You of course explained to them over the phone that you were fine, and you just had a stable emergency. You didn’t tell them that your “emergency” was actually a secret hang out with your other friends…the Dark Riders. You were in Moorland’s beach not able to go to Fort Pinta’s since your friends would quickly be recognized there. You listened to your horse who had a happy Chiyo on their back run down the beach with Khaan while Mortifa and Arcebus napped. The Akhal and Marwari had raced with your horse and Khaan and got tired after racing back and forth so they were now napping next to you. You looked to your right seeing Katja who was also laying down on a towel. She had a sunhat covering her face and you smiled gently nudging her which made her grumble “don’t fall asleep” you told her nudging her again. This time Katja moved the Sunhat so she could see you and you moved it back down making her say “fuck you” which you laughed at. “You promised you would look for shells with me!” you told her “Please don’t fall asleep!” you begged her, and she groaned moving the hat back up “I’m not sleeping” she yawned and set the hat down on the towel. The woman sat up and she stretched “I was just resting my eyes.” You huffed and sat up as well “you said that last time and then you fell asleep” Katja smiled, and she looked at the water “I’m up now” she looked back at you “come on let’s go look for your stupid shells so you’ll stop whining at me” she stood up and you stood up with her. You both walked down the beach looking for shells and Chiyo joined you when your horse and Khaan were about to race past you both. Katja looked at the sand not seeing any shells and she hummed “what do you want shells for?” she looked at you and you looked at her. You thought about it for a moment before replying with “just for fun.” Katja huffed “for fun?” she rolled her eyes “what’s fun about some stupid shells?” this time Chiyo replied to Katja’s questions “they’re pretty” she was looking at the sand trying to find shells “ that’s what makes them fun I guess” she looked up at Katja smiling at the woman who still didn’t see anything fun about seashells. You saw the dock of the beach ahead and you saw Sabine and Jay who were throwing something into the water. the two headed to the dock when you and Katja laid down to rest for a while. They had too much energy to burn off and didn’t want to wait for you and Katja to finish resting. “What are you doing?” you asked them receiving an answer from Jay who was watching Sabine throw something “trying to see who can make a rock bounce all the way to the other shore.” You let out a short laugh surprised by what they were doing, and you watched them as they kept trying to bounce stones all the way to the shore. When the rocks they had ran out Sabine looked to you “what are you doing?” she copied your question. The woman was bored she needed something to do, and she hoped you had something. You would have answered her, but Chiyo beat you to it “looking for shells!” she walked over to Sabine and Jay gently tugging on their arms “wanna help us?” you, Katja and Chiyo walked down the beach now joined by Sabine and Jay in your search for shells. When you walked by the towels you were laying on before your search you saw your horse and Khaan now sleeping with Mortifa and Arcebus.

You and Jay checked on the horses making sure they were comfortable before continuing to walk down the beach. no one found any shells, but Sabine found something better. The woman called out to everyone saying she found something and Chiyo enjoyed the find the most. Sabine found a little crab making its way down the beach and Chiyo happily followed it as it walked. She kept a good distance away from it as she followed it. you watched her follow it with Sabine while Jay and Katja sat near the water enjoying watching the waves push water onto shore. “How did you spot the little guy?” you looked to Sabine, and she looked to you “they were holding onto a leaf” she smiled “they still are actually” she let out a soft laugh and you looked at the crab seeing that they did indeed have a leaf in one of their claws. They had their claws raised as they walked which made the crab look like they were trying to fly a little kite. You let out a happy sigh today was fun it was afternoon now the sun was setting, and it gave the water a beautiful glow. You frowned at the thought of going home soon and Sabine asked you about the frown “everything ok?” she worried for you. You looked to her telling her what was on your mind “I don’t want to go home” you gently kicked up some sand “I’m really enjoying being with you all and-“ you huffed “when will we get a hang out like this again? When will I see you guys again?” Sabine smiled and she nudged you trying to cheer you up “you see us almost every day when we have to stop you from ruining our damn machines” she laughed “keep destroying them and you’ll keep seeing us.” You groaned “I know but I mean…when will I see you guys again without having to destroy anything or close any rifts?” it was hard having friends who were supposed to be your enemies. The woman frowned she was just as sad as you were about the fact that hanging out was rare due to the fact that you were a soul rider and her a Dark Rider. She nudged you again when you looked like you were about to cry and you held her hand. You loved your friends and having to be away from them and pretend you hated them really, really hurt. “We will see each other again” Sabine told you and she gave your hand a comforting squeeze “it might take long but you can be patient right?” she gave you a sad smile and you sighed nodding. “I can be patient” you both went back to watching Chiyo who had found more crabs and you held back tears at the thought of having to wait ages before being able to experience this again.

The month before your wedding passed by quick. You enjoyed all the planning for it you thought planning the wedding would be slow and extremely boring but with Sabine at your side it was quick, fun and easy. You talked with every tailor of the kingdom looking for the perfect wedding outfit. You spent some time in the castle kitchen tasting every cake the bakers came up with so you could choose the one you liked the most. But your favorite part was seeing the decorations of the ballroom and the flowers that would be prepared the day of the wedding. You spent every night of the month excited for your wedding. You dreamt of it and how both you and your fiancée would look and how perfect your wedding would be. And now you stood in front of your mirror dressed in all white you looked wonderful. You let out a happy sigh twirling a bit to get a full look at your outfit. Your father was in the room with you, and you saw him smile from the mirror. The king walked behind you and he held your shoulders looking over one at his and your reflections in the mirror. “What do you think? Good?” he was asking about the outfit you shook your head it wasn’t just good no it was “perfect” you looked to him. you kissed your father’s cheek thanking him for helping you pick out this gorgeous outfit. Avalon sighed this moment was bittersweet “it feels like just yesterday I was holding your hand while you were learning to walk and now-“ he paused clearing his throat. “I’m going to walk you down the aisle” he laughed softly shaking his head “where has the time gone.” You looked back at the mirror studying your father’s reflection you raised your hand to your left shoulder holding his hand. “don’t be sad father ” you looked back at him not wanting him to be sad if he cried you would too the man nodded “I’ll try not to my dear.” The king backed up and you turned around “ready?” your father asked, and you took a deep breath you were terrified but yes…”I’m ready.”

Your father walked you all the way to where the wedding would take place. As you walked the both of you talked about random memories and once you were in front of the doors of the room where the wedding would be you frowned. The king was about to knock lightly so the guard’s who stood on the other side of the doors would open them, but he noticed the look on your face. The man nudged you “what’s wrong?” he wondered what made you upset. You looked at him wiping your hands on your clothes they were sweaty. “I’m nervous” you confessed “this is such a big day and I’m so nervous” you had acted like you didn’t have any fear about the wedding but in truth you were terrified. Avalon raised an eyebrow “are you having second thoughts?” you quickly shook your head “no! no!” you raised your voice a bit out of panic which you quickly apologized for before you said. “I’m just terrified about how big all of this is” you sighed “I didn’t expect to have so many people here today and all those eyes will be on me and Sabine it’s terrifying to think of.” Your father smiled knowingly he understood your stage fright and he spoke about it “I understand I was the same too” he looked back at the doors “years ago I was in this room too all of the kingdom staring at me and my soon to be spouse” he looked back at you. You smiled nervously he kind of made it worse saying that all of the people stared at him back then too. When he noticed he spoke again “but as soon as I saw my spouse walking down the aisle to me nothing else mattered.” Avalon looked back at the doors again “focus on what matters my dear it might help your stage fright.” You took the advice and nodded wiping your palms again you knew what your father was talking about. You felt it in the arena with Sabine in that moment it felt like no one else existed just you and her. Your father gave you a few seconds to think before he said “ready?” you shook your head you weren’t saying no you were just shaking the nervousness away “ready.”

Sabine stood at the altar in the giant white and gold decorated room waiting for you. The wedding officiant got his things ready setting them up on a little podium while everyone waited for you to come into the room. Jay stood next to the knight at her right side and Katja to her left. Chiyo stood at the doors she would be flower girl. The squire wasn’t too happy about it, but Katja promised her some money for it. Sabine didn’t know how to feel about this moment she felt nervous, excited and scared. Fear came from her thinking about ‘what if’s’ the one that scared her the most was what if you bailed on her? You wouldn’t do that though…right? She bit her lip and Katja spoke noticing Sabine’s nervousness “quit biting your lip you’ll make it bleed” she whispered to the knight. Sabine looked to Katja when the woman pat her bicep the advisor decided to comfort the knight “whatever it is you’re thinking quit it.” Sabine groaned quietly “wonderful advice thank you Katja” the woman smirked, and she looked at Sabine’s outfit looking for any imperfection. “The wedding will go perfectly I know you’re nervous I don’t know about what but quit it everything will be fine Sabine.” The knight allowed Katja to smooth out an imperfection in her outfit. She smiled at the woman seriously thankful for 1) doing what she does best which is give some advice and 2) for catching the wrinkle in the outfit. Katja gave Sabine a few more words of comfort before the doors of the room squeaked and everyone looked to them. The guards on the doors held onto the handle of the door they stood at, and they opened them. Sabine felt her eyes get teary as she saw you walk in with your father. Chiyo walked in front of you both spreading flowers down the aisle. You looked to Sabine smiling and all her fear melted away and it was replaced with pure joy. She could hear people congratulate you when you walked down the aisle. Even the lord who Sabine invited to rub it into his face that she won, and he didn’t congratulated you and wished you happiness. Your father walked you all the way to the altar and once you both got there the king nodded at Sabine in respect and the knight did the same. Chiyo stood next to Katja, and she nudged her the advisor pointed to Jay and the general huffed handing Chiyo the money promised to her. The king took his seat next to his brother and King Sands and once he was seated the wedding officiant started speaking. You smiled at your soon-to-be wife holding out your hands you whispered “you look gorgeous” to her and she held your hands whispering “you look beautiful” back to you. The wedding took a while both you and Sabine listened to the officiant as he spoke and once he asked if Sabine took you as her spouse she nodded “I do.” The officiant smiled and he looked to Sabine “you may kiss your spouse.”

Sabine cupped your cheek, and she kissed you. The ballroom cheered raising their cups “cheers!” some said before lowering them and taking a drink. You were now celebrating your union in the ballroom. You both stood at the steps overlooking the room and everyone else danced and drank below the steps celebrating with you both. When she broke the kiss, you laughed you were so happy there were no words to describe the insane amounts of happiness you felt. The woman laughed with you she was just as happy as you were. You took her hand off your cheek so you could kiss her palm “want to dance?” you hadn’t had your first dance yet and you felt like having it now. Your wife nodded and she took her hand away from you so she could place it on your waist, and you placed your right on her shoulder. She held your left with hers and she kissed your forehead “you know how to dance right?” she was playing with you. You huffed “of course I know” you played along “do you?” Sabine shook her head, but she was still playing. You weren’t sure if the last part was a joke but when she started to lead your question was answered. You danced with her resting your head on her shoulder you let out a happy sigh and she smiled happy to hear you were happy as well. “I can’t believe I’m married to you” you closed your eyes letting her lead you. You put all your trust in Sabine, and she did not disappoint. The knight held you close to her, and she spoke “I can’t believe it either” she let out a hum she was thinking. “It feels like a dream” she kissed your temple and you nodded “like a fairytale I used to read as a child” you said. You opened your eyes looking to her “knight and heir cliché” she let out a quiet laugh and she nodded this was very cliché. “Well…I guess we are a little original” you closed your eyes again and she asked you how to which you answered, “no knight in my childhood fairytales rode a drake or had a plan as good as yours.” Sabine pats your side and you opened your eyes when you did, she backed up and you understood what she wanted. You backed up as well and spun around then you went back to how you were both dancing originally. “You thought my plan was good?” she asked you and you nodded “the greatest” you kissed her cheek. “For a plan that was badly and quickly drafted it turned out very good” your wife scoffed trying her hardest not to smile she mouthed ‘fuck you’ making you laugh. She was just playing with you and hearing you laugh made her smile she failed at pretending to be angry. You pat her shoulder, and you kissed her cheek again “thank you” you said to her, and she hummed “for what?” You answered her question “for your plan.” You looked down at the ballroom seeing the lord of the northern druids dance with a lady from his home “had you not come up with it I would have probably been up here unhappily married and dancing with him.” You looked back at her “thank you for all you did for me it truly does mean so much to me Sabine” you stopped dancing, and she stopped too wondering why you stopped. She watched as tears started to stream down your cheeks, she moved the hand on your shoulder to your face wiping your tears. Her care for you just made you cry harder you hugged her, and she hugged you back letting you cry. You then said something that made her want to cry too. In a shaky voice you said “I love you” to her. Sabine rubbed your back comforting you as you cried, and she couldn’t help but cry too. You wiped your tears, but it was no use they kept on coming you apologized for making her cry and she shook her head. She told you it was fine that she wasn’t crying because she was sad but because she was overjoyed. She kissed you and you kissed her back cupping her face with your hands and when she broke the kiss she said, “I love you.”

The End. ❤️

*end credits roll* *holding out for a hero cover by frou frou plays*

Sabine swore to protect you. Three years ago she knelt before your father in front of all the kingdom. She swore to him that she would protect you from all harm. And protect you she did she kept you away from all evil she stuck by you, and you stuck to her trusting her. You put all your trust in her and Sabine did not disappoint. You built a close bond with her in the past years, and she felt more like a close friend than a bodyguard. You knew she would keep you safe you put all trust in her and you walked down the streets of your kingdom confident no harm would come to you. But now you were not sure she could help you. Sabine was with you in the castle library when she noticed that you had a troubled expression on your face, she asked you about it. You opened up to her no longer able to hold back your troubles and tears you told her about how a lord from the house of the Northern Druids had asked for your hand. The man made the offer to your father and your father told the lord to compete in the upcoming kingdom games for your hand if he won you would have to marry him. You were terrified you did not know this man you did not want this it was not fair. You knew who you wanted to marry she stood in front of you comforting you. Even though you were too shy to confess you knew Sabine was the one not some stranger from a home far from yours. You knew Sabine well and she knew you and you loved her she made you feel safe and happy you wanted to be with her. Sabine comforted you as best as she could she felt bad for you, but she also felt jealousy. Sabine knew she should not feel this way but still felt jealous and angry she could not help but feel hatred for the lord who asked for your hand. She loved you it hurt and angered her to think of you with another person. Sabine’s thoughts of jealousy went away and were replaced with pure sadness when you begged her to help you and you looked at her with teary eyes, she knew she had to do something. Sabine stood in the stables of the kingdom in front of the stall that held her mount the creature snorted, and she looked up at him. She had been looking at the floor the whole time she was deep in thought and her mount broke her out of it. She walked away then returned with a piece of dried jerky the woman held it out and a drake with black scales walked out of the darkness of the stall sniffing the treat. The creature took it from his rider, and he ate it in one bite looking back to his rider he snorted again wanting more. Instead he got a pat which wasn’t bad, but it was not jerky he snorted again getting another pat and a “that’s enough Khaan” from his rider. The drake huffed angry he shook his head almost hitting his horns against the walls of his stall he sat down watching his rider. Sabine looked worried so Khaan poked his head out of his stall pressing his snout against his rider’s chest plate trying to comfort her he snorted at the feel of the cool metal on his scales. Sabine raised her hand to the drake’s ear scratching the back of his ear. Khaan rumbled he enjoyed the coldness of Sabine’s glove it sounded like purring and Sabine was about to say something about it, but she heard a “Hi Sabine!” so she didn’t speak she turned to the stable doors seeing Chiyo. The squire walked to the knight and behind her followed Jay the woman was general but today she was general AND babysitter but now it was Sabine’s turn. Jay huffed “I looked all over the damn kingdom for you” she watched as Sabine’s drake retreated into his stall not wanting to deal with her anger. “I had to take care of Chiyo all by myself Katja was busy gossiping with the king and you’re here playing with Khaan” Jay took her helmet off shaking her head to fix her hair “I had shit to do too you know? Even my clones could not keep up with Chiyo!” Sabine huffed and narrowed her eyes at Jay “I’ll take her off your han-“ the knight stopped talking…she had an idea she knew how she could help you.

The rest of the matches were terrifying for you since both men who asked for your hand were winning and the knight on the drake was taking competition down easily. The mystery knight took down two other knights and he made it look so easy. You did not know who was under the helmet he did not show his face not even once. When water was offered to him, he didn’t take it which was surprising since it was a hot summer day he must be burning up under that armor. You were afraid that he didn’t show his face for a reason maybe he was an enemy of your home? While you were thinking about who the mystery knight was Sabine was not the only one acting weird…Katja kept looking towards Sabine and then to Jay and occasionally clearing her throat. Jay kept looking at Sabine as well and when a match was halfway done Jay randomly panicked. the general went wide eyed she cursed, everyone looked to her she was looking at Sabine you turned to look at your knight, but Chiyo stopped you. “Look down there!” Chiyo grabbed your face making you look down and everyone who had looked at Jay was now looking at the arena. You saw the mystery knight knocking down a guy off his Pegasus. That match was long the knight on the Pegasus was hard to knock off it took the knight of your home three tries and four was the lucky number. While you watched the knight get his Pegasus you heard Jay apologize to everyone saying that she saw a spider and got scared. Soon only the lord and the mystery knight were left you took a deep shaky breath your uncle heard you and he comforted you. “I’m sure both men are good people.” he handed you a cup of grape juice “try and calm down everything will be alright I am sure of it! No man would fight this hard if he had evil intention, would he?” your uncle’s words did comfort you a bit you nodded “yes I suppose he wouldn’t thank you uncle” you took a drink and your uncle smiled. “If he does turn out evil, I’ll beat him up for you!” you laughed and thanked your uncle then you both looked back down at the arena. Your father stood up he congratulated the knight and the lord for making it this far and he told them that this was the last match and whoever won would get your hand as promised. “May the best man win!” your father shouted, and he remained standing he guessed the match would be short and he had a better view standing up anyway. The lord got himself ready his horse neighed loudly she was ready to run she reared, and the knight’s drake roared copying the mare both mounts were ready and eager to run. the announcer raised his hand up high in the air “ready!” the lord gathered his reins and his mare snorted. “Set!” the mystery knight pet his drake and he lowered his head to the drake’s ear you guessed he was telling his mount something. “Go!” The lord was the first to ride down the arena his mare sprinted, and she neighed loudly. the knight pat his drake one last time and then the beast ran down the arena. you closed your eyes as the lord and knight were about to collide. The crowd went silent as they watched the match then you heard a loud thud…but no metal…you heard the people of the arena cheer loudly and when you opened your eyes the knight was still on his drake the beast roared loudly and it reared. The knight was surprised by the rear, but they stayed on and they rode their drake around the arena enjoying the cheers of the people. the lord got up and he dusted himself off he walked to his mare he pats her and then he looks to you he looks disappointed. The lord waved and bowed before he walked out of the arena, he was saying goodbye. Your father clapped and the people of the arena joined him then King Sands stood up joining your father he stood at the man’s side, but he did not clap. Your father spoke “you win the games and my heir’s hand!” he watched as the knight rode their drake to be in front of the balcony and he dismounted.

“Take your helmet off so my heir may meet their future spouse!” everyone watched as the knight raised his hands to his helmet stopping for a second before finally lifting their helmet off their head. Everyone went quiet your father was surprised but Sands was not, and neither were the girls of his home. Your uncle laughed and he cheered “would you look at that!” you were at the edge of your chair wide eyed you dropped your cup from the shock you were too surprised to get up. You eventually did stand when your uncle pat you hard on the back getting you over your surprise. You hurried over to the railing of the balcony looking down at the knight unveiled and you opened your mouth to speak.

“Sabine?!” the woman looked to the person who said her name and Jay who stood behind them gave her a ‘I hope you know what you’re doing’ look. Katja yawned too tired to say anything she stood next to Jay watching Sabine get yelled at. “Katja has told me you want to compete in the games? Why?” Sabine had gathered Jay and Katja telling them of her plan she managed to get them on board. Jay joined in because she owed Sabine a favor and Katja joined because she knew how good this would be regarding the houses and Sands army. Chiyo joined in just because she wanted to help Sabine but so far she didn’t have anything interesting to do in the plan. now all Sabine needed was Sands and here he was. While the knight got her things and her drake ready for tomorrow’s game Katja and Jay went to tell Sands and the king did not like the idea, so he walked all the way to the stables to find his knight. Sabine felt nervous judging by Sands reaction she knew he was most likely going to say no to allowing her in the games. She looked down at the stable floor it was now or never “I want to compete for the hand of Avalon’s heir.” Sands blinked confused and then he shook his head “are you mad? What for?” Sabine was in Khaan’s stall she walked out of it, and she walked to Sands. “A lord has asked for their hand, and they do not want to marry him I have to help them I’m their knight it’s my duty to protect them” Sabine watched as Sands expression went from confused to knowing “seems to me it’s more than just helping.” Sands knew of Sabine’s little crush on the heir she was protecting, and he knew the feeling was mutual the man had a good eye, he noticed everything. The king watched as Sabine’s face went red the woman groaned “yes damn you old man you caught me it is more than just helping.” Sabine was embarrassed she hated how good Sands was at catching shit “I want to compete in the games for their hand, but the list is full I need someone to shove me in someone of high power.” No one was going to say no to Sands adding a late competitor he knew this of course but what he did not know is why he should allow this. “Sabine this is something beyond you” the man huffed he was tired from walking all the way here he was old he should not be dealing with this. “You cannot help the heir each time they are in trouble that is something you have to understand” the king turned to leave “my answer is n-“ the king was cut short by Katja. “Sorry for interrupting but a lot of good can come from Sabine winning” the woman smiled when Sands looked to her and he made a ‘go on gesture.’ “Our houses will have a stronger alliance since Sabine is originally from your home” the advisor walked to the knight, and she stood in front of Sabine. “I’m sure Avalon would start looking more to our home and who knows…maybe he will finally agree to send some drakes our way” Katja had Sands hooked now it was time to reel him in. “imagine our armies with the power of dragons and drakes we would be unstoppable” Katja waited for Sands to fully turn and face her and when he did she looked to Khaan. “You have seen what the mount they gave Sabine as a gift can do it would be unwise to pass up on letting Sabine compete” all the girls watched as Sands looked to the floor of the stables…he was thinking. After what felt like a really long minute he looked up at Sabine “I’ll see you in the morning come with your drake and your armor” he turned to walk away but he stopped at the door to yell “and don’t be late!” Sabine sighed thankful Sands changed his mind.

Katja looked up at Sabine “you owe me” the advisor shook her head “without me your little dream wouldn’t be possible so make whatever you’re going to repay me good.” Katja nudged Sabine earning a “thank you Katja” from the knight. The advisor smiled and let out a pleased hum before she walked out of the stables following Sands. Jay looked to Sabine “I’ll use my magic to create a clone for you, but my magic isn’t as powerful as Katja’s it has limits” the general’s brows furrowed in thought “we need someone to distract Avalon’s family just in case my magic starts to drain.” Sabine looked at the stall beside Khaan’s it was full of hay for the horses who were also in the stable and on a bale of hay slept Chiyo. The knight smiled at the sight of the squire, and she gestured to her making Jay look at her the general smiled “perfect.”

Friday morning Sabine was up early she spent most of her time in the stables with Katja and a very sleepy Chiyo. Sabine explained the plan to Chiyo who was falling asleep standing up. While the knight explained the plan, she put Khaan’s tack on him and Katja used her magic to disguise the drake. When Chiyo knew of her part in the plan and Khaan was ready Sabine walked with her drake to the arena to meet up with Sands. Chiyo and Katja walked to the castle where Jay waited for them with Sabine’s clone. Once at the arena Sands explained to his knight that because she was a late and strong entry she would be put in the last few matches. The people at sign-ups said that they were “saving the best for last” so Sabine would have to wait before she could compete. Before Sands left, he told the the woman that he did not give a name at sign up’s just in case Sabine lost. The king did not want to be embarrassed. He told his knight to do her best he wished her luck and then he left going to the balcony. Now Sabine was stuck in the holding area of the arena watching match after match. She watched as lords and knights walked past her defeated and when the lord who asked for your hand passed by her, she smiled at him. Sabine could not wait to knock his ass off his horse. Her smile wasn’t from her being friendly but from her thinking of how great it would be to beat him. She had to wait a little longer in the holding area with the lord and then an announcer asked for Sands competitor. the knight put her helmet on then she got on Khaan she took a moment to collect herself she was nervous. She grabbed Khaan’s reins, and she rode out of the holding area. As soon as she was out of the area another announcer introduced her into the arena. Khaan rode around the arena Sabine was letting him get some of his energy out and giving herself some time to adjust to the sunlight. The holding area was dark her eyes needed time to adjust to the light. Once her eyes were adjusted, she looked to the balcony seeing you. Your uncle was saying something she could not hear and then she saw her clone. It was freaky seeing herself and she felt bad when you spoke to her clone and it didn’t reply to you. At least Chiyo did she hoped the girl was a good distraction. The knight rode her drake in front of the balcony stopping him there she held onto Khaan’s reins with one hand and her other was free. Your father asked for her name she thought about it, and she decided to not give it to him. She wanted to compete under the cover of mystery she wanted to make this a surprise for you. She raised her hand pointing right at you then she looked at Khaan’s saddlebag she opened It looking for the ring she brought with her. Once she found it, she held it up to your father listening as Katja spoke to your father. The knight smiled when the advisor worked her magic, and she convinced your father to say yes to the mystery knight’s proposal. Once in the matches Sabine put all of her strength into them, she knocked lords and knights off of their horses, Pegasus, and drakes. None of her wins in these matches were satisfying though because none of those competitors were the one, she hated. Sabine occasionally glanced at you she could see how nervous you were. She wished her stupid clone could say something to you, but it just stood there and watched. Each time you spoke to it, and it just stood there she felt awful. When she was near her last match she had to put in a little more energy into it since the knight she was up against just wouldn’t quit. She had already struck him three times and he managed to stay on each time she thought she had him on the third time, but he regained his balance quickly. Sabine rode back to her starting spot panting she was getting tired of this the knight rode back to his starting spot he was slow, so he gave Sabine a little time to rest.

Khaan growled he was getting impatient too. The drake shook his head when his rider told him to be calm and while Sabine and Khaan got ready to ride down the arena again Sabine heard Jay yell “shit!” the knight looked to the balcony seeing her clone start to fade. The woman panicked too, and she made Khaan run down the arena earlier than the knight. The man made his Pegasus run as well and Sabine knew she needed to provide a distraction to keep all eyes off of her clone so when she heard Chiyo yell “look over there!” she struck the knight as hard as she could the man fell off and the crowd cheered. The mystery knight finally managed to win the match. Sabine competed in one last match against a lord before she was pulled out of the arena and replaced with the lord of the Northern Druids. She was offered water, but she did not take it because you were watching her, she did not want to take her helmet off and spoil the surprise. While Sabine and Khaan rested in the holding area The lord won his match and then it was just him and her. The woman rode Khaan back into the arena stopping him at her starting line she watched the lord on the other side she was nervous this was her last match this one was the one that truly mattered. Excitement was bigger than her fear though she was finally getting the chance to knock the lord off his horse. The knight and the lord both looked at the balcony as the king congratulated them on making it this far. When the king was done with his speech and he said, “may the best man win!” Sabine let out a huff she shook her head she was so fucking nervous, and she felt awful it was really fucking hot. She was starting to think maybe being mysterious wasn’t all that great. She watched as the lord’s horse reared and neighed. Khaan copied the mare he reared and roared the drake was mocking the horse and Sabine allowed it. She held onto Khaan’s reins as she heard an announcer yell “ready!” she took a deep breath in. “set!” she let it go she lowered her head to Khaan’s ear “this is it Khaan” she pat the drakes shoulder his reins still in her hand “let’s knock the fucker off his horse” the woman smiled when Khaan snorted and he clawed at the dirt of the arena. “Go!” Sabine pat Khaan one last time and the drake ran down the arena after the lord. Sabine struck first and she struck fast the man did not even know what hit him. All he saw was a flash of red and black his gut hurt and then his back as he hit the floor his mare continued running leaving him behind. The crowd cheered loudly for Sabine she laughed at the sight of the lord on the floor she had been waiting for this all day and it was super fucking sweet. Khaan stopped and he reared surprising his rider, but the woman stayed on his back she pats his shoulder thanking him for all he did for her. The woman decided to feed her ego and she rode Khaan around the arena loving the cheers of the people while the lord sadly walked himself and his mare out of the arena. The knight rode one last lap around the arena before she stopped her mount in front of the balcony. She heard your father congratulate her for not only winning the games but your hand as well. Sabine got off Khaan and she looked up at your father hearing him ask for her to remove her helmet. Sands who stood next to Avalon made a ‘go on’ gesture. Sabine listened to Avalon she raised her hands up to her helmet she hesitated for a bit then she took it off she shook her head fixing her hair. The crowd and Avalon went silent but your uncle was talking and laughing. Sabine felt gross staying covered the whole games was hard she was sweaty and hot she panted a bit as she looked up at you. She watched as you sat at the edge of your chair mouth agape and you looked down at her with wide glossy eyes. The woman backed up as you dropped your cup and juice poured down from the balcony. She smiled up at you as you ran over to the balcony, and you burst into tears of joy “Sabine?”