Reclamation

Chapter 1: A Night Gone Wrong

Leo's feet were propped up on the desk in front of him, his fingers flew through the pages in his book and the tip of his shoe threatened to knock over a pot of ink. The back two legs of his chair creaked as it supported and balanced his weight. The owner of the shop would be back any moment, so when the door creaked open, the man didn't bat an eye. "Glad you're back, sir, I've almost gone mad waiting for more training."

"Are you Sir Kelod?" A light voice rang, almost like a bell. He looked up from his book and saw a pale, freckled face peeking through the door frame, a lock of white hair falling out from under her hood and in front of her light green eyes. "I need to speak with him urgently."

"Your Highness!" The man quickly lost his balance and toppled backwards, finally tipping over the ink, and spilling it all over the desk. The woman gasped and asked if he was alright. He hopped up, dusted himself off, and promptly bowed. "Princess Adrianne, it is an honor. My name is Leonidas. Kelod is the one who owns the store, I'm just a student of his."

"Oh," she hesitated. "Well, then, you might still be able to help me." She meekly walked into the store and looked around. "Sir Kelod has accumulated quite a bit of things, hasn't he?" Her eyes widened as she looked at a giant stone lion statue hanging from the wall, its eyes glowing green and water flowing from its mouth into a basin below. She was easily overwhelmed with how many things were inside the shop.

Leonidas looked around at the many shelves that were stocked to the brim. "I guess so." He cleared his throat and recomposed himself. "So, Your Highness, what is it that you need help with?"

"Forgive me if I overstep, but are the rumors true? That Sir Kelod dabbles in the..." she hesitated, like if she were to say the words, she'd be scolded viciously. "Art of magic?"

Leonidas chuckled lightly. "Who's asking?"

The princess' eyes widened. "N-no, I mean-"

He held out a hand. "I must apologize, Your Highness, I didn't mean to freak you out. We tend to give each other hard times around the shop." He took a quick glance at the princess, then waved his hand over the ink. The princess watched in awe as the ink rose off the desk and smoothly went back into its pot. "What magic are you in need of?"

"O-oh. I didn't realize you could do magic as well."

Leonidas shrugged. "Anyone can do it, really. Just depends on how much you practice. I'm sure even you could do it, Your Highness."

Her cheeks glowed red. "I doubt that. Even if I could, there's a law that states that using magic within the castle walls is strictly forbidden. I mean if it really does exist..." She ran her hand across the desk to make sure the ink was really gone. "No one really believes in magic there anyway." She fiddled with the sleeve of her coat before she continued, "I need some way to prove to my parents at our upcoming banquet that I'm ready to take the crown. I fear I can't do that on my own. Plus, my future husband will be there as well, so I really need to make a good impression."

"I hadn't realized that you were engaged, congratulations Your Highness."

"I'm not. I'll have many suitors that will be there. I'm looking for something to help calm my nerves, perhaps?"

"How about port?" Leonidas chuckled.

The princess scoffed. "I hardly think relying on spirits to help me get through the night is appropriate."

"I tease, Your Highness." He turned to the shelf behind him and after some searching, he plucked a small vial filled with red liquid. "Maybe a boost in charisma would help. Just put a drop of this in everyone's drink, and they'll eat up every word that comes out of your mouth. They'll be completely entranced."