Desires of the Crown

1 - Muddy Gowns and Lace Trimmings

          Alliar

I tightened my grip on the wooden beam that held my weight. I was holding on for dear life. Although it was only just a short fall from my placement on the wooden fence to the ground below, if I were to so carelessly slip into the muddy ground and cover myself in such a sty Sister Clairea would no sooner cut off my own hand and beat me with it as punishment for running yet another dress that she had hand stitched and sew for me. I knew well that I shouldn't be out here, and in the guard's arena no less but I always struggled not to watch my brother's weekly fights and enjoy as the loser suffered through the week of the teasing and torture that came with the loss.

It was a weekly event that seemed to brighten up my boring week of princess lessons and reading the latest books from the great literaries and poets that I struggled to understand. I couldn't help the smile creep over my face as my brother — Tristan — made his first move, quickly lunging forward, aiming his long sword with the gold and silver hilt at my step brother — Sebastian — stomach. Sebastian wasted no time in putting my brother in his place, quickly interrupting his strike with a block and digging his elbow in Tristan's stomach making him groan and grunt in pain.

I grimaced a little at the sight.

"If you were allowed to beat, which brave knight would earn your favour princess?" A deep voice came from behind me startling me ever so slightly. I recognised the voice immediately and waited for him to join me on the high fence so that I would not risk my life by lessening my grip on the fence to turn and face him. It wasn't long before Arthur joined me, his tall frame allowed him to keep his two feet firmly on the ground as he laced his strong arms over the top beam and watch the fight with a disapproving glare.

Arthur was my father's bastard whom my mother took into her care once they married regardless of the risks and criticisms she received by doing so. Arthur was older than me by almost ten years making him twenty-eight and as the oldest of my father's three children took it upon himself to watch over Tristan and I as the two legitimate heirs, which included teaching us how to fight and act — although my mother never approved of me fighting I did attempt it but the weight of a long sword made me stick to learning the bow and arrow.

"Well my dear brother, you would hold my favour as Tristan is too predictable and I would not dare give my favour to Sebastian." Sebastian was my brother by marriage — that is to say when my mother re-married after the death of my father thirteen years ago, he became family.

"Ah but I'm not a knight."

"You're my knight." I smiled and focused on the fight once more. "May the gods help him, I thought you taught him not fight like he's a headless chicken trying to find its head?"

"Tristan fights one way in training and then when he is in the arena it's like he's learnt nothing." Arthur stated shaking his head disapprovingly at his student and younger brother.

Sebastian was now toying with Tristan, making him dart all over the arena, their brief moments of sword fighting sent the loud sound of clanging steel through the air but was often ended with a shrug. Watching the fight I could almost hear Arthur's words echoing in my mind as I hoped they were in my brother's. Think, don't just act. Remember, watch their hands, their feet and their eyes. Read them like they were but a book in your care.

Narrowing my eyes I watched as Sebastian's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, briefly and his left foot seemed to swiftly position itself behind his right. "He's going to hit him from the left." I told Arthur as I observed Sebastian's shift in weight. I saw Arthur smile at me from the corner of eye as Sebastian made his move, focussing his balance he moved his right foot to the side and threw his entire body into the movement as he threw a lance at Tristan's left side — just as I had predicted. Tristan wasn't expecting the move like I had been, instead he was a little late with the block but his fast reflexes and ability to move like a serpent in the gardens allowed him to block and then duck under the swing on the sword as he knocked Sebastian, throwing him off balance and tripping him.