In the royal sparring chambers, Thessa clashed swords with her trainer, Sir Hart.
The edges of their blades kissing multiple times as she closed in on him. She drew her feet back and swung her blade from over her head. In an instant he lunged for her neck.
Sensing defeat, she withdrew her attack, but her move left no room for defense. Thinking quickly, she dropped to her knees.
His fast movement prevented him from stopping, he tripped over her, crashing into the floor.
Thessa grinned as she placed the tip of her blade against his neck. "I win!"
"Excellent thinking, Princess. You felled me brilliantly." He said as she pulled him up.
A slow, deliberate clap echoed across the chamber.
"Well done sister," said Prince Edric as he entered the chamber.
"Edric," Thessa said, turning with a smile. "Why don't you come join us?" She swung her blade in the air before sheathing it. "You might learn a thing or two."
"Ha-ha!" He laughed, rolling his eyes. "I've learnt enough." Giving her a cold gaze.
"I think you're rusty," she teased him, kicking a sword toward him with her foot. "I mean you haven't picked up a blade since you returned from Eldoria."
Edric stepping forward, knelt down and glanced at the blade, his expression grim and dark. "That's because I held one for too long," He picked himself up and forced a smile.
Thessa's smile faded. She stepped closer to her brother, concern in her eyes. "You didn't have to go, you could have said no to Father." she said in an attempt to brighten his spirit.
"No…" He shook his head. "I'm glad I went, my eyes are open now. I understand how this world works."
Thessa turned to her trainer who sharpened the blades in a corner. "Excuse us, Hart."she said flicking her hand.
As he left the room, they were now the only ones present. She lowered her voice. "If you know how this world works, then you should know fighting the Talorans is our only choice." She placed her hand on his shoulder drawing him closer.
He sighed, and took her hand in his. "I know you mean well…but you couldn't be more far from the truth. I've seen this before. It's not worth the suffering and death." His eyes darkened by his memories of battle.
She pulled her arms from his in annoyance. "You and dad may be scared, but I'm not."
Edric scoffed. "Our decision is based off experience. Yours is based on ignorance."
"Our?" Thessa echoed raising a brow to him. "You just repeat what he says because you're scared of him."
Edric clenched his fist and drew his gaze away from her, holding back impulsive thoughts. He sighed, calming his mind. "I'm not scared of him."
Thessa stood her ground. "Then what do you really think?"
He planted his foot on the ground, taking a step closer. "I think you're more concerned about being right than actually making the right decision." He continued. "If only you'd let go of your ego you'd see things from our perspective."
Thessa bit her lip, sparking. "I am right! You're just mad cause you couldn't handle being on a battle field."
Edric gasped, as he touched the scar beneath his eye. It started from his cheek bone but went all the way behind his head. He wore long hanging bangs to cover the scar.
Thessa bent her head in shame, her face softened. "I…I didn't mean it like that."
Suddenly he began to laugh, startling her.
His joyful expression soon melted into a cold and lifeless stare. "War doesn't make heroes…" narrowing his eyes to hers, anger stirred in his gaze "…only victims and monsters." He muttered in a low tone.
Thessa who was left speechless, and a bit afraid by her brother's remark tilted her head in curiosity. "Which one are you?"
Edric smirked, turned from her as if to hide his true nature. "As long there is no battle…I'm just a victim."
Thessa starring him up to down, trying to gauge his strength said. "It's a good thing we're not fighting the Talorans then." She kicked the air playfully, but her eyes sparked with an unrelenting fire, one that could not be quenched easily.
"Yes, your speech on the council was quite inspiring…" He added. "…but heart and passion don't always win."
"It will this time." She narrowed her gaze towards him and garnered a serious look on her face.
Edric leaned forward, tilting his head in suspicion. "What do you mean by that?"
Before she could answer the sharp crash of metal against marble rang through the halls.
"We will continue this later," Edric said, as they rushed for the entrance, to see what had made the ruckus.
Thessa's heart pounded, sweat slid across her brow. "So it begins," she said to herself. She knew more than she let on.
The two thrust the door open, running through the marble corridors, their boots clicking with urgency. The noise had come from the east wing, just outside the council hall.
As they turned the corner, they saw a couple of royal guards running past them. They all moved in haste not batting an eye to the royal siblings who ran up to them.
Edric grabbed one by the hand. "What's going on?"
The knight, about to shove his hand away, stopped as soon as he saw who held him. "Your highnesses, It's the king. He's called for a man hunt for Sir Landor."
"Sir Landor?" Edric repeated. "Why would the knight who was sent to deliver a message to the Talorans be hunted down?"
"I don't know, the specifics but he attacked the men at the gate," the man said, and immediately ran off, giving Edric no time for further questions.
Thessa sighed heavily. "Let's go see father."
Edric starred at his sister, curiously. He could see the tenseness in her body. His mind stuck on her previous statement. "What did she mean by 'it will this time'?"
"Edric!"
She called out to him from a few feet away, she had already reached the stairs to the throne room before realizing her brother was not beside her.
He shrugged his head, and pushed forward. Navigating through a flurry of incoming guards, who also tried their best to avoid hitting the next heir to kindrea.
At the entrance to the throne room, Sir Barnabas stood, biting his fingers worrisomely. He did so unconsciously.
Edric and Thessa arrived at the scene frantically.
The entrance remained shut. The huge wooden door loomed over them. Like an authoritative figure. A character in its own sense.
Edric walked up to him calmly, he could see Barnabas was distressed. Which left a bitter taste in his mind. Something worse was brewing. "Barnabas, we need to speak to the King. Why is the door locked?" he gestured his hands at it.
Barnabas fiddling his thumbs together. "His Highness is quiet mad at General Arnold."
Edric leaned in. "Why?"
Sir Barnabas, honed a troubled look in his eyes. "I'm afraid the man who passed through our gates was never, confirmed to be Sir Landor."
The siblings gasped, their eyes widened in unison.
"What!?" Thessa exclaimed, speaking for the first time. "Then why was it opened for him."
Sir Barnabas stroking his beard. "They say he wore the ceremonial armor."
Edric placed his hand on Barnabas's shoulder, tilting his head. "And now he's missing…"
Suddenly the doors burst open.
"All of you! Come in!"
King Edwards's thunderous voice rippled through the hall way.