The Kingdom of Vanora

Princess of Vespera

7 Lepus of the year 12964(198 Years since Korbin's Birth)

Avalon's Pov

Standing on the balcony of the court's drawing-room father stares down at the citadel. Colt is there leading the recruits in warm-up drills. I was just there. A few have a natural ability with a sword. Others not so much. But they had more potential than other recruits.

One recruit who has a natural ability is a young lord by the name of Arthur. He's young but not that young. His father held him back several decades. He really should have tried out 70 years ago. When he was 21. Even now he stands out in the pack.

High General Peirce grabbed my attention and sent me up to Father. Now I am loitering in the door. He looks at peace on the balcony. It's nice. Rather than seeing him stressed. "I can hear you breathing Avalon."

Oops.

"You can come in." I do as he says and close the door.

"You sent for me?"

"I did." He motions for me to stand with him. "In seven days Patrea will be arriving."

"My cousin?"

"One in the same."

Oh. What changed Uncle Havard's mind? Unless Patrea wanted to come. She always said she wanted to visit one of these days. "I was under the impression Uncle Havard was sending his oldest?"

"He was supposed to but Birsley decided she was going to be a brat." Father heavily sighs. I don't blame him.

"At least El isn't like that." I snort. We all know of Brisley's legendary snootiness.

Father smiles into the back of his hand. "Good thing."
_____

"Arthur!" I holler at the tall blonde male chopping wood. "Got a minute?"

He looks up and wipes his brow. "Sure,"

"Why do you always offer to chop wood?"

"What?"

"It's a simple question," Arthur doesn't look convinced. Why would he? He knows how people are in court. "Why do you always offer to chop wood?"

"Why not? It's easy and a good way to gain muscle." Fair. But not what I was looking for. Aveyard does something similar. Only he carries children above his head or bags of flour or wheat.

"Are you trying to gain extra credit with Colt?"

"No... I like chopping wood." Okay.

"Why did your father hold you back seven decades?"

"I...I don't see how that's relevant?"

"I think your father decided you would be better as a lord of a court instead of fighting alongside your fellow knights. I've seen how you are in King Atlas' court. You have been well trained."

"Thank you."

Arthur's shoulders sag. He looks conflicted. What is he hiding?

"It's true. My father thought me better at court dealings rather than using my height and strength as a knight or spirits forbid guard of the citadel. He valued mind over strength."

"You don't. You demonstrated you value both equally."

"I do." Arthur stares down at me. A neutral look set on his face. How passive. Like the well-trained lord that he is.

"Good," I turn on my heel. "I'll leave you to your stack."
_____

14 Lepus of the year 12964

We wait for Patrea to arrive at the crack of dawn. On the steps leading up to the castle doors, Father has my siblings and I line up. Father stands to my right. Like the dutiful wife she is, Mother stands with Father.