The Mirror Princess

CHAPTER I

The soft light of the early morning found a young man of dark blond hair kneeling before a pristine altar. He was in the main chapel of Averon Castle, dressed in a vesture of pure white and robed in a crimson red and invoking the grace of greater powers in prayer. Before him on the altar rested a sword and shield, each made of the finest materials and were of great craftsmanship. Emblazoned on the shield was the image of a fearsome two-headed dragon, its scales colored a deep bronze. During the night as he knelt before the altar in performing his vigil, the young man often stole a glance at the shield and sword.

For years he had been waiting for this day to come, and now it was only a matter of minutes before his actual knighting ceremony would begin.

The Grand Mage entered the chapel, though it was not his first time doing so. He had checked in on the young man a few time during the long night, observing the vigil momentarily before leaving as quietly as he had entered. The Grand Mage, whose name was Carthan, was of a quiet desposition and was King Brannoc's oldest advisor as Carthan was well over two-hundred years old. As the most powerful wizard in the land, as his title would imply, Carthan's job was to protect Averon with his skills in magick and teach the younger generations of wizards. However Carthan had yet to take on a personal apprentice, saying that he had not come across the right person as so far.

Carthan's dark azure ceremonial robes made light sifting sounds and he walked to the altar. As he passed by the young man they briefly met gazes and Carthan gave a small smile. It was brief, but it was there as it left the young man smiling as well and Carthan then began preparing for his part in the upcoming ceremony. Tall candles of dark blue, blood red, crystal white and sheer black were lit with a simple wave of the Grand Mage's hand and Carthan intoned the greater powers in his own way. These spells were muttered under his breath as he had no need to shout them like a younger wizard would, for Carthan was confident in his subtle mastery over his craft.

He was still casting as the nobility soon trickled into the chapel, taking their places among the pews and looked between the young man as he knelt before the altar and Carthan as he invited goodwill into the chapel. Lord, Ladies, and the children who managed to keep themselves in good behavior, were dressed in their finest. Fabrics made of silk and jewelery embedded with gems of intricate cuts were seen throughout the building. Knighthood was an important event in a squire's life, but it wasn't everyday that a prince of the kingdom was knighted.

This young man was Prince Alexios, firstborn son of King Brannoc IV, recently returned from the fiefdom of Amere after being sent there at the age of four, his father intending him for knighthood. Today he would be recognized for seven years a page to Lady Gwendolyn Amere, learning proper behavior and kindness, and for the last seven years spent under Lord Xaiver Amere as his squire, learning the virtues of chivalry and training in weaponry and strategy. Now eighteen, he was his father's pride and by far among the youngest to ever to have been worthy of knighthood.

The people grew quiet as a solitary figure, accompanied by two of the royal guard a few paces behind, made his entrance into the chapel. King Brannoc IV made an impressive figure, standing over six feet tall and, despite his age that showed in a greying beard and hair, he was built like any knight in the Order of the Bronze Dragon. Even though Alexios was raised away from Averon Castle, the Lord and Lady Amere did travel to the castle for celebrations and would bring him along. It was at those times he was able to interact with his father, and Alexios was confident in the strong familial bond he had with him.

King Brannoc made his way to the altar to stand by Carthan, who lowered his head and bowed slightly in respect to his lord. The king passed by his son without hesitation unlike Carthan's actions earlier, but Alexios knew that his father had to keep up appearances before his people. Alexios had the feeling that a more private celebration would happen with just the two of them later in the evening. King Brannoc then gave a nod to Carthan, and the Grand Mage began the ceremony proper with a single raised hand.