Take Me Away

Chapter 3

  "Prince Austeyn, you need to focus.  How do you expect to take over as King if you can't even wield your sword, Morsul.  During battle your enemies won't go easy on you because of your age.  You are a man, and the Prince, it is your death to whomever gets their hands on you.  You need to be ready.  This is why I am here to teach you, to get you ready."

  Wiping the sweat out of my pale blue eyes, and pushing aside my shaggy brown hair, I stand back up sighing in response.  Never has anyone made anything easy on me.  From the time my older brother, Moleyn, was killed in battle, everything surrounding me has become drastically different.  I'm not just the second Prince, the younger brother.  I am crown Prince now, next in line for the throne.  If something were to happen to my father, King Ranlyn, I would be crowned King whether I am properly trained or not.  My people's very lives would depend on me.  I have to be strong for them and accept my future.

  Getting back into fighting stance, my teacher and guardian, Hane, rushes at me without a second thought.  I block blow after blow, parrying when I can, but mostly staying on guard.  Hane is a practiced swordsman, he's been alive for many centuries and has had time to hone his craft.  This makes it easy for him to sweep my legs out from under me, putting me into the dirt on my back. 

  Hane reaches down, giving me his hand, and pulling me up.  "That was better.  We'd best get you back or Queen Vorana will have my head."

  Mere mention of my mother makes me gasp, "A! I completely forgot I had promised to meet her before dinner!"

  "Better hurry.  Best not keep your lady mother waiting, lad."

  Taking off running, I quickly make my way to her chambers.  Briefly I knock before throwing the door open in haste.  My younger sister, Onora, is sitting before my mother on a stool, her blonde hair being subdued into one large braid. 

  "I apologize for my lateness, mother.  I completely lost track of time."  Nervously I looked up from my feet.

  She never looked at me.  Her fingers quickly pleated my sister's hair, as she sat there giggling and staring at me with large blue eyes.  I knew I was in deep water and so did she.  Before long she was done.  With that my sister hopped up from her stool and made for the door. 

  My sister was young still.  A gem in every way to those who knew her.  Everyone loved her merry eyes, infectious laugh, and true beauty inside and out.  Unfortunately, she took Moleyn's death the hardest.  She hasn't spoken a word since his passing.  We've done everything we can think of but nothing has been able to pull her from the darkness she is trapped in. 

  Walking over to my mother I lean down and affectionately kiss her cheek.  Finally, she smiles at me.  "So you do remember that you have a mother."

  "I could never forget you."

  "I know my son.  How is your training coming along?"

  "Very well, thank you.  Hane is very knowledgeable in the art of fighting.  I'm spending all my free time observing father.  He's teaching me all he can."

  She nods.  "Don't worry my son, you have plenty of time to learn all you need to become a fitting ruler.  But that's not why I summoned you to me.  We need to discuss your future.  You know you're of the age where men of royalty need to find a bride, the future mother of their children, and in your case a future queen.  It is time for you to choose."