The Princess and The Captain

Part 12 - The Garden

Perfect summer days weren't hard to come by in Celeia. A young Emory was grateful for this fact. She sat under the large, barren fruit tree contently as she leafed through yet another book. This one was of the war in Xem. How it started, how it ended, and predictions for the future of what was once the greatest kingdom in the realm. The story fascinated Emory. There wasn't any clear catalyst for the civil war there. Some scholars claim there were growing tensions for years, others claim that the Xemite royalty went mad with power, but an odd bunch claimed the kingdom had been cursed with unrest and violence.

The girl had been ignoring the sharp rustling of the leaves above her but sighed in defeat as a few of those leaves fell over her pages and obstructed her view. Closing the book, she tilted her head upward and squinted her eyes to see through the canopy.

"You'll hurt yourself up there, you know." She warned in a level voice. The girl was used to her warnings being ignored by the princess above her.

Aspen continued her pursuit to the crown of the tree, "You worry too much!" she called down, "I'm almost there." More leaves fell as the girl struggled.

Emory smiled in amusement as she watched the princess awkwardly fight against her dress as she arranged her limbs around branches, "Not exactly in climbing attire, are we?" She teased.

After an exhausted huff, Aspen glared down at the smug girl, "Don't you have a book you should be reading?"

"Watching whatever you're attempting is much more entertaining, to be fair." Emory grinned, but Aspen only rolled her eyes and continued her ascent, "If you hurt yourself, my father will have my head."

The princess hummed, "You'd better catch me if I fall then."

Emory opened her mouth to respond, but a loud voice from a distance stopped her, "What are you two doing?" Captain Marino Pierce bellowed as he made his way across the broad field.

The man was tall and visibly muscular. As he stalked across the field, the golden captain pin on his tunic glimmered. His skin was only a shade darker than Emory's, but his eyes were a dark brown. The beard on his face was black and scruffy, but like the hair on his head was peppered with gray spots, making him look older than he actually was.

Golden eyes looked up into the tree, then back at the captain in a panic, "We- I-..."

As her father got closer, Emory was at a loss for words. He didn't look too happy with her as he towered over her frame, "Why...is the princess...in a tree?" He questioned his daughter slowly.

"She was bored." Emory's quiet response was paired with a sheepish shrug, "And she wanted to."

Aspen's head popped down beside Marino's as she hung on the lowest branch by her knees, "I can assure you she did everything she could to dissuade me, Captain." She smiled innocently.

With a sigh, Marino lifted the girl out of the tree and placed her gently onto the grassy terrain, "The entire castle has been looking for you. The king and queen eagerly await your presence for your midday meal, princess." He fixed both girls with a disapproving gaze, "Go on then. Don't keep them waiting any longer."

Aspen ran a hand over her now wild mane of hair, "Surely they can manage." She replied flippantly before fixing her gaze on Emory, "I had fun today. Shall we meet again tomorrow?" Her tone was hopeful.

Marino answered for his daughter, "I don't think that's wise, princess. Emory has more training to do, and I'm sure you have royal duties of your own."

Disappointment shone in both Aspen's and Emory's eyes, but the princess didn't protest. She nodded her head in understanding, "Well... I suppose I will see you in passing Emory."