Kingdom of the Nine: The Princes (II)

Chapter 1

Pinecrest, Planet Naurus, Year 16, Second Era

I watch as the carriages leave the village walls. The Celestrian Army riding in their wagons, taking my brother Kylen with them. He always talked about joining up, far before Mother and Father had passed. He raised us, my sister, and I for the past three years. He said now that we were sixteen, we wouldn't need him anymore.

He said it was time for him to move on from here and learn what it is we want to do with our lives. Truth is I haven't gotten a clue. Ever since Father died, we've been looking after the forge. Kylen knew most of Father's techniques and secrets so it wasn't too difficult for him to keep up with the work and to pass the knowledge along to me. Alyse, my twin, never cared much for it though.

As far as I'm concerned I'll live my entire life in this village, I'll run this forge and continue to support the Celestrian Empire's Army. Maybe I'll earn the attention of Empress Stormcrown with the perfection of my smithing abilities... maybe... I suppose I can dream.

I see him just barely out of view now atop the carriage. He waves back as he watches my eyes linger on him. A final goodbye for now, I know he'll be back in only a few years but, learning to manage without him is a scary thought.

I hear Alyse's footsteps behind me. "Come on Red, you just gonna sit there gawking the rest of the evening?"

What a toolbag. Never a quiet enough moment with her presence. I swear she gets on my nerves more than anyone. Far more than those damn chickens Fulrick, our neighbor, owns. It can be the middle of the night and she's yapping, at least the chickens wait till morning.

"Can't you just let me grieve for one second?" I ask.

"I would but knowing you, you're mind will go drifting away for hours and next thing you know it'll be tomorrow morning and you'll still be sitting there staring out into the road, waiting for him to come back and say he forgot something. Hate to break it to you, but he's not coming back."

Damnit Alyse I love you but you really do know me too well, it's so damn annoying. Mainly cuz I'd love to argue right now but she's right and I'd just look like a fool. She's got some sort of twinstinc, always has. It's like she reads my mind almost.

"I'm aware of my ability to lose track of time, but thank you for reminding me."

I turn around and start to walk toward the house, locking eyes with her as she stands in the doorway. I smirk as I walk past her and into the living room.

The front door creaks as I push it closed behind her, the hinges groaning in protest. It's a modest house, built from sturdy timber with a thatched roof that looks a bit worse for wear, but it's ours.

Inside, the air carries the scent of baked bread and herbs, remnants of meals shared and laughter that echoed through these walls just yesterday. The main room is cozy, albeit cluttered. A large wooden table dominates the center, scarred from years of use, surrounded by mismatched chairs that bear the marks of countless family dinners. Sunlight filters through the small, grimy window, illuminating the dust motes that dance lazily in the air.

To the right, the kitchen is an open space filled with simple utensils hanging from nails, and pots that swing slightly over the hearth, where a fireplace sits with remnants of last night's fire still smoldering. There's a warmth in the way the light flickers across the walls, reminding me of quiet evenings spent talking with Kylen while the flames crackle softly.

A narrow staircase leads to the loft where Alyse and I sleep, the wood creaking underfoot as I ascend. The loft is small, just enough room for two beds, and the walls are lined with the remnants of our childhood: drawings we made, hastily scrawled notes, and trinkets we collected over the years. Alyse's bed is neatly made, a stark contrast to my own, which usually resembles a battlefield of sheets and blankets.