Evergreen [Book 1 of the Hierarchy Series]-Revising

Chapter 1

 The swordmaster was a large man, always armor-clad, beardless, and wore scars over every exposed part of his body. His hands were covered in scars, jagged and burned. Part of his ear was missing, but that didn't stop him from calculating every attack. He was a man of skill, but also the biggest teddy anyone could meet.

Her father required him to train her and her siblings in different forms of combat, defense, weaponry, hunting, dueling, and warfare. Even the girls in the family endured grueling days of practice. He fought exceptionally hard to improve Cassia's skills, even though she could best all of her siblings in anything. She seldom beat their trainers, but she persevered. She bested all of the skilled swordsmen and knights that her father invited to battle her but still she could not best her trainer.

Even with all this training, she was never expected to use it. As a princess guards watched her every move. She didn't see the point of learning if she was heavily defended, but Cassia relished her training just as much as she loved to read. Anything to get away from squatting on the throne and deceiving her people. It disgusted her. She wanted to help her people and associate with them personally, but she would never know them.

Her seven remaining siblings scattered across the field, practicing their favored fighting techniques. With their eldest brother gone, each one of them worked hard to prove their worth to the throne. Cassia worried about him, wondering if he was still out there, or if he was killed in the midst of another country. The young ones missed him profoundly, especially Kalia. He was a father to her, the king consumed by the kingdom. Cassia, Jayce, and Olivia looked after the younger ones while continuing their training, education, and responsibilities to become the new rulers. Their elder brother would as well, but he refused the throne, preparing to become general of their army.

"Cassia. Where is your head? Tralis is waiting for you by the gate," Aberin, her elder brother grabbed her attention. She shook away the fog, turning to him. He gazed from down the hill, his eyes gleaming with concern. She turned back to the dense woody forest below the mountain, the city and villages speckling the landscape. She turned toward the gate, locating Tralis on the other side, unobtrusively waiting. Her betrothed, a despicable man whose sole duty was to her father. She grumbled, rose and progressed.

She walked right past him, assuming his attention. He followed without indictment, his face contorted in objection to her disinterest. Tralis was just like her, humorous and energetic but also a bit hot-headed. She disliked him because he dictated dominance in the relationship. Like most of her sisters, she refused any insolation.

"What do you want this time," she returned her gaze to him, settling as they accessed the garden and disappeared under a rose trellis overhang. He nearly collided with her, his mind elsewhere. She could see his eyes roam and his ears flush, painting his face. She glared as they stood inches apart.

"Urm, your father wanted you to accompany me into the city tomorrow. He wanted you to have a chance to see the city, meet the lords and ladies of your country, and...well you know about the festival."

Stunned, she gazed into his grey gaze, examining every waver of his glance. His stillness told her his truth, but his half-hearted expression made her suspicious. "I don't want to attract attention, but I'm assured my father previously considered disguises."

Tralis nodded. "Radu will be along as well. Everything is already procured," He shifted slightly, anticipating something. Radu, the only person she trusted entirely. He was promised to Olivia. Radu was a tall man, lean but muscular. He could shed any suspicions and woo many. Even with a cunning tongue, his best asset was his unmeasurably kind heart and ability to cut down any man with a single stroke of a sword.