Am I the Hero?

Chapter 3

My heart was beating out of my chest. My lungs tried desperately to take in deep breaths with little success. I slowed my pace nearing the gate of the castle. I don't know how late I was but I know Addam is going to be mad. I have made that two and a half mile trek up here for training but each of those times I was well rested, fed, and on time. Now that I am inside the wall surrounding the castle, I slowed down to a brisk jog as I made my way around to the back of the castle. I don't know what Addam is going to say. What if he thought I bailed on him and he went home? I hope he is still here. Turning the corner by the stables I saw a figure sitting on a bale of hay reading a book. When I get closer I realize that it's Addam and I stop. What is he doing out here? Should I interrupt him reading? I took one nice deep breath, cleared my throat and said, "Sorry. I know I am probably super late. I didn't mean to..."

"It's cool."

"What?"

"It's cool, you are only a half an hour late. It gave me some time to get some reading in. If you don't mind me asking, why were you late? Mercel did tell you to be here at nine today right?"

"Yeah, it's sort of a long story."

"I am in no rush."

"Ok so, my sister busted in my room at five this morning screaming about how she got us invitations to the royal ball."

"The royal ball that is being held here tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"And she just told you today?"

"Yes."

"Wow, that is interesting."

"She gets on my nerves sometimes. Anyway she got the invitations because she made the royal family's clothes. She says she only told me today so that she could convince me to go."

"Did it work?"

"Yes. She had everything planned out. I mean she made me a dress. Most of this morning was spent getting the dress fitted to me and then we had another argument about how she thinks I am the missing princess.."

"Wait! What!?"

"I'm not, believe me."

"What does she say about the age difference?"

"Mother guessed wrong."

"Hair color?"

"Biology and 'the sun'"

"Eyes?"

"Magic"

"Yeah right."

"I know but by the time that conversation fizzled out it just struck nine so I ran the two and a half miles here on an empty stomach. Any chance the kitchen has some food that they can part with?"

"Doubt it, they are all focused on the food for tomorrow. Everything must be perfect. But I don't think Sadie would mind if you took one of her apples, she just went out for her morning trot." Addam stood up and walked over to Sady's stable. Leaning in, he grabbed out a bright red apple and tossed it to me.

"Thanks."

"Now let's head inside and get some training in today. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you." I followed him through the maze of servant quarters, this place was definitely alive with people running to and fro getting the castle ready.

I was too busy practicing my archery skills to realize that someone had walked into the training area behind me.

"Addam!" A voice said, catching me off guard. I accidentally let go too early and my arrow went into the red instead of the gold on the target.