Castle on the Hill

Chapter 1

Several Years Later

The first beams of sun poked above the horizon, bringing with them a new day. The rays of light glowed through the window on the wall and directly into Skeppy's eyes. He rolled over and tried to ignore the new warmth that hit his face, but he knew that he needed to get up. With a groan, Skeppy rolled out of bed and stepped out of the reach of the sunlight, letting the warmth fade into the cool air of the stone room around him.

Skeppy put on his day clothes and walked out into the hallway, stopping for a moment to look at the painted portrait of him and his family that hung on the wall before continuing his way to the dining table where a large breakfast awaited him. Skeppy nodded to one of the masked servants who stood beside the table, hardly any of them spoke unless directly spoken to. "Good morning," Skeppy greeted the man as he sat at the empty table.

"Good morning, your highness," the servant responded, not moving from his rigid position at the wall. "Can I get you anything?"

Skeppy looked at the food on the table and shook his head. "No, thank you though." Most royals treated their servants poorly, that was something Skeppy knew from his limited time visiting other castles in neighboring kingdoms. He felt they deserved respect too, even if they weren't as highly valued as members of the royal family. Taking a bite of one of the pancakes that laid on a plate in front of him, Skeppy thought about the other castles he had been to.

There were four kingdoms that bordered his own, three of which had good relations with his family and the people of the kingdom, willing to trade and keep peace. He had been to two of their castles. Meetings between his father and other rulers were usually attended by him at his father's side. The Kingdom of Royami bordered them in the north, settled at the base of a mountain. They had emerald mines and were willing to trade with other kingdoms for other resources using those emeralds. At the time he had visited, the royal family had no children, so he observed the adults silently. They demanded things of their servants without so much as a "please" or "thank you," Skeppy didn't want to be like them.

Albaya was the kingdom to the east, bordering the sea; they were traders of fish and tropical fruits. Skeppy always looked back on his trip to Albaya fondly, as he had spent a day at the beach and was given many free snacks and meals as he spent the day with their royal family. He had been much younger then, hardly old enough to be told about the importance of their trip. Skeppy mainly remembered spending time with the princess of that kingdom, who was around the same age as Skeppy himself. Her name was Lya, and though they didn't meet often, anytime either of them visited the other's town, they were sure to pay each other a visit. He knew Lya was respectful to her servants, but her parents weren't so lenient.

The third kingdom, Alinashi, to the south, was a town that Skeppy had not visited and knew very little about. Their main trade was cloth, usually wool or cotton, and they tended to keep to themselves. Very little news ever came from the southern border, but as long as they didn't pose a threat to Katini, Skeppy's kingdom, they didn't bother him.

The western border was shrouded by forest and the kingdom that laid within the forest, Belansoa, was even more mysterious than Alinashi. No trade came from that kingdom, despite the possibility of making great lumber trades. Skeppy had never met the royal family of the forest, nobody had. The most they had ever heard was rumor and speculation. None of the kingdoms had ever been allies of Belansoa. Skeppy was reasonably curious about them, but as long as they never bothered-

"Skeppy! Skeppy, are you listening?" The shout jerked him from his thoughts. It was his father standing beside him in the place that the masked servant had stood moments before.

"Yes father, what is it?" Skeppy asked, looking up at the king.

"I said, we have business to take care of today," his father said impatiently. "We'll be traveling to the other kingdoms in the next few days to renew trade deals."

"Ah, right, of course. When do we leave?" Skeppy asked, remembering the trip he had been told about several days prior.

"Sunhigh, so hurry and get ready. Meet me at the stables once you've finished eating."

"Will do," Skeppy said, taking his final bite of orange slices in front of him. His father disappeared into the corridors of the castle, leaving Skeppy and the servant alone once more. "Do you know who made this?" He asked the servant, gesturing to the meal.

"Yes, one of the chefs did, your highness," the servant bowed his head.

"Which one? I'd like you to thank them for me."

"I will send your regards," he replied, nodding at Skeppy.

"Oh, and you... you're new around here, aren't you?" Skeppy asked.

"Yes, I am new here," he sounded slightly nervous. "Your highness," he added on hastily.

"No need for "your highness," you can just call me Skeppy. What's your name?"

The servant looked over at the other few servants that were standing silently against the other walls of the room. "It's Ranboo," he whispered, as if afraid to be caught talking so casually to the prince.

"Ranboo, right... I'd like you to come with me today. Do you have any experience with a sword?"