The city lay in silence as night fell, the next morning bringing the festival of welcome for me and my friends who have traveled long and far to get back to our home in Lishengure our dragons being welcomed into the castle courtyard for the time being until something else could be aranged for them.
As the sun rose the people jumped from their beds. the townspeople hung up their aprons and work tools letting their livestock out into the fields and going out to join the crowds. Food and drink was passed around with the taverns doors wide open music and singing filled the streets as I sat on my balcony the others still working on waking and dressing.
"Well aren't you an early bird" said Katiline as she gently stepped over and joined me where I sat.
"yes I suppose I am up a bit early for a prince I should still be in bed sleeping" I chuckled "I do miss my squire perhaps you could find him?" I questioned as I looked at Katiline.
"I will see what I can do my lord but I do believe he has left Lishengure" she said.
"That is a shame I did like having him about" I said as I got up and left the room grabbing my long flowing black cloak and wrapping it around myself the guards bowing slightly as I passed the Knights of Lishengure falling in step with me.
"sire there is much to be done today your father has requested we make an appearance at the festival in the lower town" Said one of the Knights.
"Is that so Mazeri" I said continuing to walk to the stables where my horse waited fully geared and ready to go along with their steeds the Knights numbering at about twelve.
"well come on mount and lets get on with it" I said as we trotted off into the lower town people bowing and moving out of the way as we went to the jousting grounds a large fenced off area with a dry sanded ground filled with hoof marks from past tournaments.
"lets tie the horses here" I said as I dismounted a group of squires running over one face standing out to me as he walked over taking my horses lead.
"my lord Trystan tis' a pleasure to see your home safe" he said with a smile.
"likewise Cydian" I said to my loyal servant that had been with me since he came to our little kingdom many moons ago.
"My lord if I may?" he started "I would like to serve for you once more after you left I didn't know what else to do with myself so I began to find work else where" he said pleading to me almost falling to his knees.
"as you wish Cydian but don't disappoint me" I said with a grin that could not be hidden "come tie the horses" I commanded walking off.
Cydian nodded and got to work before coming to follow me like a dog but not so close that I needed to snap at him. I took my place by my father my friends enjoying other parts of the festival doing as they pleased for their father was not the king their families were from the lower town though we were still friends.
"I see you have found your little dog again Trystan" My father said as he sat beside me.
"He is not a dog father he has always been more than that and you know it" I said softly a hint of irritation in my voice as I responded to his words.
"Very well if his is not a dog then he is a pest" My father said which started to raise a sort of anger in me.
"father you know not what you speak of" my voice harsh and a bit dark as I spoke.
"nor do you" he said before standing the crowd around us falling silent.
"On this day we hold a great joust to honor your prince's return Knights come forth!" he yelled to the crowd their cheers filling the silence afterwards the knights of the rhelm entering on their steeds with armor their colors as if a rainbow had formed upon the sand below.
"great knights may you listen well for this joust is for the prize of gold and of course as custom of my royal court a feast for your winnings" he said to the riders below who in turn were dismissed leaving us and going to their tents before the first match there was no telling who would win the joust nor was there any certainty that no one would get injured or suffer a death.
"Father who rides first?" I asked not having seen the list's bored.
"I believe it is Sir Anthorius and Sir Zellniok" he said as the Knights were called to the lists going to their sides their squires handing them up first the helmet which the knights put on then the lance the knights putting down their visors closing their helmets and lifting their lances to show they were ready the squire with the flag putting the flag down looking to the King.
With a small gesture the joust began the flag being raised the horses rearing up with surprise and charging the knights getting their lances in the cradle awaiting the blow of the others lance as they passed, in seconds Sir Zellniok was struck Sir anthorius's lance shattering into splinters a deafening sound racing through the arena people cheering as their knight remained on his horse or threw his broken lance onto the sand.
During the second pass Sir Zellniok was unhorsed by Sir Anthorius and the first joust was over the day having been half over I stood and left Cydian following me the knights getting onto their horses as Cydian untied them handing us the reins one by one "I'll meet you back Cydian" I said as I guided my horse back to the castle though he already knew where to go wanting to get back to his hay and water.
Once we were back we left our horses to the stable boy's heading inside of the castle to enjoy lunch Cydian walking in a while after and being taken care of getting changed into the royal serving cloths that were provided for him and he took his stance doing what I asked of him which was not much just what I needed him to do most such as clean my armor and my cloths along with other things.
"Cydian come here boy" I said as I walked into my room seeing him finishing my armor "Yes my lord?" he said walking over.
"why don't you go and see if the royal physician needs your services I can finish up here" I said looking at him being slightly taller.
"As you wish my lord" he said with a bow and he hurried out to do what I asked of him as I took over the shining of my armor making it look how I wanted it to.
In removing my tunic I laid down in bed covering myself up and falling asleep the days festivities wearing me out being a prince was not easy not that anyone would understand any of it but I did what I could though being the crown prince was not the best thing in the world it had it's moments where it wasn't all that bad.
YOU ARE READING
Druids Rise
ContoFour teenagers are starting their freshman year of highschool they think they are going to have a normal year but what they find is a bit more than they expected, when they find a hidden space to call their own their world gets a little strange. Wil...
