The smart, the skilled and the BRAVE

Unexpected Heroism

As we went on, Bravery became more comfortable on the horse. I smiled as I contemplated her meeting Midnight.

I suddenly frowned as I realized that she had met Midnight when she had made sure that panther did not kill him.

Of course... now she would be able to look at my horse more closely.

We were far away from Carne by now, heading towards the castle of Polislam. I was excited to see it again. Of course, I was more excited to see what Bravery's reaction would be.

Kinbridge rode near Wilder, and they were ,yet again, in an argument with each other. It seemed that it was very common among them to argue. I got this impression when Skill looked back at me and rolled her eyes and then turned her eyes towards where Wilder and Kinbridge were having their agreement beside Falton.

"What do you think of Falton?" Bravery asked me and I tensed up in surprise. To be honest, since Bravery had been so quiet I had thought that she was asleep.

"I thought that you were asleep!" I said and I felt Bravery stretch her back and rolling her shoulders.

"No. Just quiet... observant. Watching," Bravery said by way of explanation. I nodded, and thought back to her question which it seemed that she was still waiting for an answer.

"I think that Falton cares very deeply about things, and feels like he isn't appreciated that much. I also believes that he wishes that he wasn't king," I said and Bravery sighed.

"Well... that last part makes sense," Bravery said and I tensed up in confusion. So many things were confusing to Bravery, but Falton wishing he wasn't king was simple to her.

"Uh... and why exactly is that?" I asked, trying to turn my head so that I could look Bravery in the eye. I'm pretty sure that I was failing to do so terribly. I stopped doing it, hoping to keep my dignity.

"Our kings are elected. He must have been elected... without his permission or consent," Bravery said with a shrug. I stayed silent for a while, then started laughing.

"What?!" Bravery asked, surprised, turning to look at me which she managed much better than I did. I quelled my laughter and simply smiled at her.

"You are so confused about how to get on a horse, but when it comes to why Falton would not want to be a king you know the answer within a second," I said by way of explanation. Bravery frowned, still looking in my direction, but then she smiled and turned around to face the front.

She relaxed against me, but then tensed up as the castle slowly came into view.

"Welcome to the castle of Polislam," I said quietly and Bravery pushed against the stirrups and leaned forward off the saddle, as if by doing this she would be able to see more.

As the castle came more into view, I felt Bravery tensing up in excitement.

"I've always been able to see it from the top of the prophet's village, but I never knew that it was this big!" Bravery said as we got closer and could make out more detail. The castle plummeted as the light shown behind it, blinding me as the diamond caught the light and threw it in every single direction.

Skill slowed her horse down to make hers trot beside ours.

"The castle is always a beautiful sight. I can't wait for Bravery to see it," Skill said and I felt Bravery tense against me. Sooner or later her sisters would have to recognise her. It was only a matter of time.

"Why do you want Bravery to see it?" I asked, truly curious. Bravery discreetly punched my knee, describing quiet well how she was uncomfortable with the subject matter.