The Realms Of Exentra

Chapter8: The Way To The Academy

Cloud awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and sunlight flooding into the room through the open window beside the door. Cloud didn't know who had opened the window but didn't really care. He was too excited to worry about anything. Today he would start knightly training, his dream come true. He was prince so technically he could do what he pleased most of the time. Even if wasn't a great knight he would probably still be knighted. Cloud knew he couldn't take advantage of the title though. It was disrespectful and it would cause negative feelings towards the royal family.

Another excitement was joining his friends at the school. Even though he wasn't on their rank for any of his classes, he would still see his friends more than usual. Cloud greatly appreciated his friends. They would always support him and didn't care about his title.

He threw back his blanket and jumped out of bed. He pulled open his oak wardrobe and grabbed his academy robes that were hanging on brass hooks. The design of the robes was pretty simple. They were made of a soft black material with the crest of Meridan in the upper left. A small red clasp held the two sides in place. He stuffed the robe into a leather bag. Cloud took a quick warm shower then put on his armor deciding he would change out of his armor and into the robes near the academy .

The armor was constructed from silver with a well designed pattern around the edge of the chestplate. Thin vines with leaves attached was the pattern on the armor. He clothed his feet with tanned leather ranger boots. Ranger boots make much less noise and are lightweight. He then threw on a light traveling cloak to conceal the armor.

His day finally began with a trip to the stables. The stables were rows and rows of sheltered, fenced area, one square for each horse. The finest horses, used by the highest ranked knights, were place in the center stables, which were more comfortable with fresh hay each day and a bed of straw on the soft dirt. The expensive horses were also branded with a symbol that told the stable worker to treat it with care.

Approximately a quarter of the kingdoms staff worked in the stables. Passing all the stables he discovered only a portion of the people enjoyed their jobs. Cloud thought about how much of a privilege it was to live in the castle under a warm room each night, all the food he wanted. Being king was still a tough job in Cloud's opinion. All the politics and worry of a country engaging war. At least he didn't have to worry about where his next meal was coming from.

It took Cloud almost half an hour to navigate the maze of stables to the center. Cloud's horse had flawless white fur, soft from constant grooming, and a black mane that stood out against the holy white. The worker taking care of Prince Cloud's horse was a young man with tanned skin. A nice little hat sat on his head. He wore overalls so he wouldn't get too dirty."Hello sire. What can I do for you" he asked kindly.

Cloud told him he wanted to withdraw my horse so he could ride it to the Academy and should return by before supper that night. The servant naturally allowed him to. There was little in the kingdom that he wasn't allowed to do. He couldn't commit a major crime, but if he just caused some mischief he probably wouldn't get in trouble. Just shamed, which was a punishment of its own. He could go where he pleased as long as the area wasn't in lockdown. As another bonus he could buy any product that was for sale. It wasn't an advantage of his title but his royal wealth.

The stableman opened the old wooden gate. The gate creaked as it was pulled open. Cloud slipped on a pair of old leather boots over his own expensive boots so he wouldn't get them dirty. As he stepped into the pen he noticed how hot the weather was today. He almost gagged as he smelt the air. The pungent odor smelt of manure and dirt with a hint of hay, the heat did not help the stench. As Cloud petted his horse he descried how much the staff of the castle cared for the animals. It was either that or his stableman was of a consummate skill at what he did. The horses fur was coarse on the top but underneath it was as soft as a kitten's. This is because Cloud's horse was a special breed that was exclusive to the prairie and foothill areas of the  continent of Prasamaine.