#FictFBFeb17 Day 2: “First”

“I’m sorry, Captain!”

“There’s no need for apologies, Princess,” came the winded voice of Captain Armin from the ground in front of her. “That’s exactly what I wanted you to do.”

“I know, but… are you hurt?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Princess Clara Winterburn stood grimacing as the captain eased himself off the ground. Somehow, she had thought she would feel more victorious the first time she managed to disarm the Captain.

“You’ve done well, your Highness,” he said, inclining his head towards her. “If you keep progressing at this rate, once your magical abilities have also developed, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Clara knew it was a compliment, but it just felt like one more weight upon her shoulders. She looked away.

“I just don’t want to have to hurt anyone.”

~*~

Don’t worry, Clara, by two thirds of the way through With Memories and Magic, you’ll want to bring all the hurt.

Somewhere in an alternate universe, I didn’t kill off Captain Armin in the opening chapter, and he went on to be Clara’s awesome second-in-command in battle. Still feeling a little bit guilty about his most untimely death. But not too much. Not really.

Fictional Flashback February is hosted by Faith Rivens. It is mostly running on Instagram and Twitter, using the hashtag #FictFBFeb17, but I’m also linking it here. You can join in at any time, in whichever format you prefer! Here are the rest of the prompts: