CASTOR: The Beginning.

~3~

! 5 years later, Current Day !

"Saturday, June 9th
The memory still haunts me as if it'd happened yesterday. Sometimes, I swear I feel his blood on my palms. I haven't acted out like that since Father has made sure to help keep me clean. After that, he decided I needed a change of scenery, so he decided to resign from his position and move out to the countryside. We have a few cows, a handful of chickens, and an asshole rooster named Michael. Plus a few old dogs, Copper and Dusty. I still practice my swordsmanship. Father got the most beautiful sword smithed for me as well. Father suggested I start writing about all of this stuff to keep myself busy."

My writing is cut short when father calls for me downstairs, I throw the crusty leather book down on the end of my bed and head down the stairs.

"A letter came for you, from that Amon boy." He says, handing it to me with a smirk.

"He's married, Father, he has a son of his own. He's probably thanking me for fixing the creak in that damned fence gate of his." I reply, I could have lost my head for doing it too. I did it after curfew, and the rules in this part of Lightfall Valley are taken seriously. It's run by Amon's father, a tyrant in any sense. "Besides, I imagine you'll marry me off to some guy before long anyway."

"I've had a few ask for your hand, Catarina, some of them would be good for you." He laughs and ruffles my hair.

I laugh with him before an idea suddenly hits me, I've spent so long running from my past now, I should seal it.
"Can we change our surname?"

"You don't technically have one that we know of, and mine has lost its meaning a long time ago. What are you thinking?" He asks, setting some dishes in the sink.

"I like the sound of Castor."

"Catarina Castor, huh? I like it." He smiles and says it a few more times, I like the way it rolls off his tongue.

"That's makes you Keith Castor, right?" I playfully punch his shoulder.

"I suppose it does. I'll go into town when I head out for the day and get the paperwork handled to make it official." He sets his glass of coffee down on the counter and makes to grab his jacket. "In the meantime, the king has requested your presence. You'd best see what that old bloke wants."

"It's probably the same old 'Quit breaking curfew before I throw you into prison' rant again." I mutter to myself as I go and grab my jacket as well. I make towards the stables to grab my horse and get on my way as soon as possible. Summons from the king are wastes of daylight. I could be saving someone's life right now, but instead I get bitched out by his royal pain in the ass.
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I arrive in a timely manner to the castle, the guards taking my horse to the visitor stables and escorting me to the throne room I've only been in a thousand times. The tyrant himself sits on his throne with his head leaning on his palm, he was waiting for me.

"Your majesty." I make my best attempt at a courtesy. Admittedly, it was subpar. He stands and makes his way towards me, putting me on my guard. He's never wanted to be less than 15 feet away from me.

"Lady Catarina. I've been expecting you. I sent summons early this morning, yet you're here now. Was my message delayed?" He speaks in a rough voice, one with a clear egotistical mind behind it.

"Your message arrived bright and early. I simply didn't bother to show up until I decided so." Perhaps a poor choice of words. "Forgive me for my casual speech. I simply had things to do to keep the house running while I am here."

"It is quite alright, dear Cat."

"Catarina."

"Right, Catarina. I have an offer for you. One you can not refuse." He seems quite happy with himself, so I humor him.

"What, pray-tell, is that, my lord?" I shift my weight to one leg and cross my arms expectantly.

"My dear brother has shown quite an interest in you. I've arranged a proposition for your father to have the two of you wed as soon as the summer heats rise."

"What." I'm in disbelief, his brother? Perhaps the most disgusting man of power I have ever met? Be my husband? "My father already has suitors lined for me to meet. I quite appreciate your offer but I mustn't."

"I was worried you'd say that." With a snap, two doors off to the side of the room are opened, and a set of guards walk in dragging a man between them. It was him, it was my father, unconscious and heavily bruised.

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Word Count: 830