efore the w

g sunlight walk through naturally and cool wind blows g

ghts sparred beneath fluttering crimson banners while young squires ran across the training grounds carrying shields far too heavy for

r was its soul. Everyone born within its wal

a, his black training cloak swaying with every movement, a wooden practice sword rest

ga

ped aside before the blow had finished forming. The second thrust toward his ribs; he twisted,

're

hout looking, sweeping the practice blade low, a

gged at the older man's lips as he circled, wary now in

s... you've g

espite the exertion smilling teasingly he

diers. The captain placed a hand over his

ined you

bow with genuine r

ways be grat

- he demanded excellence of himself before he demanded it o

cross the arena, still catch

High

th offered to him and wiped th

t is

his breath The

s being prepared. You

ed toward the sun, stil

ghness, even riding hard. The king wishes you to arrive with ti

solemn. Two weeks on the road. Then a wedding to a woman he had never met, in

ated, shifting hi

.. one mo

n loo

vent co

ide the eastern gates. They wi

ssed Lucien's face - genuine, un

keep them

' shoulders waving small crimson flags. Shopkeepers leaned out of their windows. Old veterans

d, the crowd erup

ve Princ

ce bless

aiting for

and, and the crow

wly said wh

serve such

he front laughed, leani

you've earned

out a small bundle wrapped in linen. Lucien accepted it

id. "He insisted a prince shoul

ened in a way that had n

hall treas

t from behind her skir

es really e

pooling around him in the dust. "Especially on

t up like he'd been

drian pushed through the guards with a

is why yo

eyebrow. "I was

collecti

're a

re bis

can be

h exaggerated disappointm

of Vareth... def

nto his satchel with care a

er never ignore

fake offend

your e

ed teasingl

excellent

ars of practice - but Adrian's smile faded first, and the

t have to

ast the gates, past the hills, toward a kingdom h

d

peace doe

'll keep

arriage asks t

ent, long enough that Adri

fice is a small price,

of others never have to

e he was looking for a crack in it. "

every repor

ed. "Of cour

listens before she speaks. That she visits orphanages without announcing herself fir

king toward the horizon where Elaria lay beyond the mountains,

n the highest watchtower, unnoticed by anyone below. Aro

on old stone. He removed the message, read it once, and burned i

ords had be

move begi

the morning wind, indis

mbed into the carriage that would carry him toward a wedding, a stranger, and