I am Josette first born to the clan of Dun Broch. My father and mother are the King and Queen. Mother and I are barely ever on good terms she wants me to be this perfect girl. They don't hold my younger sister Lizzie to the same standards. My father and I have always been close he taught me how to shoot a bow and taught me how to fight and basically treated me as one of the guys from the beginning. Mom doesn't approve because in her eyes 'a princess shouldn't have weapons'.
After a long day of classes and dinner I stare at my ceiling excited about tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day I get to be free from my princess duties and ride through the woods shooting arrows to my hearts content. I dream of only good things that night.
When I wake up the sun has barely risen over the horizon and I spring out of bed and jump into my dress. My eyes immediately drift to my bow, leaning against my bedpost. My fingers wrap around the smooth wood and walk out of my room. I sneak through the hallways and long corridors till I make it out and the stables are in my sights.
Angus, my horse, waits patiently with his tail flicking wildly side to side. His sheen black coat shines. I put the bridle in his mouth and he whinnies stepping back a few paces. I jump onto his back and he gallops out of the stables and towards the forest.
I knock an arrow once the first target comes into view it flies straight forward hitting it's mark. I feel the breeze cool my scalp and fly through my curly brown strands of hair. Angus huffs as he jumps over a fallen tree. The trees become thicker as the targets become more frequent.
After shooting to my hearts content we stop at a cliff over looking the kingdom. I let Angus take a break as I sit on the edge and take my knife from my belt and carve a symbol into my bow. I stare at the fiery sun glaring down upon me as it will hit sunset soon. I stand up for one last stop for the day then I will ride home.
I climb onto Angus' back and I steer him into the direction I want. There's this legend that says when you go to this waterfall at a certain time of the day the water turns to fire. And if you drink it you will prosper in everything you do. Only the ancient kings have done this so I want to be the first girl to drink it.
I stand before the waterfall in all it's glory. I see a large stone pillar and I begin to climb it to get better access to the water. I almost slipped a few times, but I caught myself and I pushed forward. As I step onto the top the sun hits the water and like the legend says it turns into a fiery red color. I cup my hands and stick them into the water and sip it. I jump in victory as I have done something that not even my father has done.
When I make it back home I grab Lizzie's favorite pastries and sneak them into the dining hall. Mom at one end Dad on the other Lizzie on Dads right side me on his left. I toss my bow onto the table and I sit down in my chair ready to eat.
"Josette, no weapons on the table."
"Mom, it's just my bow."
"A princess should not have weapons in my opinion."
"Oh, Caroline learning to fight is essential man or not." Dad adds then gets back to munching on his plate stacked high of meat.
"Psst." I whisper to Lizzie.
She looks at me and I point to the pastries in front of me and she nods eagerly. I take a glance at Mom and Dad and once they aren't looking I slide them under the table for Lizzie.
"Alaric. They've all accepted."
I look at my parents in confusion cause Dads face turns serious quickly.
"Who's accepted what Mom?"
"Your father has something to discuss with you."
Dad spits out his drink and wipes his face with the back of his hand glancing at the two of us with surprise.
