I watched Zach enter the dining hall, holding the suit of armor’s helmet under his arm. With the stealth of a thief, he swiped a plate of fruit off a passing servant’s tray and replaced it with the helmet. He plucked an orange off the stolen plate and tossed it into the air, then caught it while dodging and grabbing a chunk of sourdough bread from another servant’s tray. He sauntered over to a table, sat by himself, and began to peel the orange.
It seemed strange to me that a young man who had acted so clumsily before, pushing through his comrades and being manhandled by his Commander, moved about with such finesse now. Was it all a facade?
“Yes, I can see that,” I said. “Truthfully, it looks like he just walked in off the streets.”
Weldan took a bite of toasted herb bread dripping with mulberry jelly. He chewed slowly and swallowed. “Actually, he did. He came to us, claiming his birthright as a half prince. He may be uncouth and annoying, but he’s a good man and a loyal friend. Though he’s never respected authority, which doesn’t make it easy on me as his acting Commander.” Weldan rolled his eyes. “But mark my words, Zach is the one you need. He is, in fact, a legendary swordsman. The rumors you have heard of him are all painfully true.”
It had been fun to entertain the idea of a warrior like that with my sisters, but now it was getting ridiculous. I leaned forward, raising a brow. “Oh come on, Prince Weldan, you and I both know that—”
“Excuse me, princess,” Weldan began, “I hate to interrupt, but I just remembered that I must send a carrier bird to report to the Council at Saevall that we made it here safely.”
“Of course.” I motioned to a servant, and the young maid hurried to our table. “Please take the Commander to the aviary and see that he has the rest of his meal sent to his room.”
The servant curtsied, and Weldan thanked me, strolling off after the maid, his long scarlet cloak trailing behind him.
Sighing, I stared at the table, my eyes tracing the intricate swirl designs in the wood. The fact that Weldan had vouched for Zach’s strength was a good sign. However, his insistence that such rumors were true was discreditable.
I was still staring at the wood as a single bright-red strawberry rolled into my view. I looked up.
Zach had taken Weldan’s place with the stealth and silence of a thief, and he was watching me with yet another smile, a plate of fruit in front of him. “You’re right. I’ve never had better,” he said, taking a bite of a strawberry.
“I’m glad you like them.” Sitting so close, I took in details I hadn’t noticed during our introductions. His hair was kept short, not a single strand falling into his hazel eyes, and windswept to the side, the color of the darkest leather saddle. He had the beginnings of a beard, with an odd streak of bare skin along his jaw. I wondered if it was because of a scar.
“So what was my Royal Commander saying about me?” Zach asked, raising an eyebrow.
My mouth almost twitched into a smile. “He told me you are…unorthodox.”
Zach’s grin stretched. “To say the least, princess.”
“But also that you are a legendary swordsman.”
“Did he now?” Zach leaned back and folded his arms, his grin falling slightly.
I realized now I could put all those rumors to bed. After all, their very source sat right before me. Glancing around at the rest of the western Royals, I made sure they were still engaged in their meals and conversations. I wanted to hear this directly from Zach, with no interjections from anyone else. I wanted the truth.
“Prince Zach—”
“Just Zach.”
Having me drop his title was a definite indication he hadn’t been in the Legion for long. His commoner upbringing must be deeply ingrained. “Zach, there are some fairly…amazing rumors about your skills. I was wondering if any of them were true.”
Zach snorted and shook his head. “You’ll have to be more specific. Which rumors?” He bit into another strawberry.
“Did you really take a troll’s lair down by yourself? Absent partner?”
Zach stared at me, chewing slowly. Finally, he swallowed and said, “You’ve heard about me, but I know next to nothing about you.”
“No one’s told you about me?” I asked, too surprised to be annoyed that he evaded a question he’d invited me to ask.
“I didn’t say that.” He placed the strawberry stem back on his plate. “It’s just that I don’t take much stock in rumors. I prefer to get to know the person myself.”
The smirk told me he wasn’t just referring to the rumors about me—but of course now I was curious as to what he’d heard. Was that his way of telling me I shouldn’t believe all the rumors about him?
“Milady, if you don’t finish eating soon you’ll be late for your class.”
I glanced up to see Brom standing next to the table.
“Sacred Sisters,” I muttered. I’d forgotten that I’d swapped a class with Tulia so she could rest after returning from patrol. I stood and gave a short bow to Zach. “Apologies, Pri—Zach. I have a class to teach. I hope to see you at supper.”
Zach smiled and went back to his food. With one last glance at my potential partner, who was now leaning over and swiping a chocolate croissant off an unsuspecting Kendra’s plate, I suppressed a small giggle, and followed Brom out of the dining hall.
…
The moment I entered the classroom I unfastened my cloak and tossed it onto the back of the lecturer’s chair. It wasn’t often that the Legion princesses or princes taught classes, since most of the time we were either training or out on assignment, but the Mages felt it was important for the young recruits to learn from their superiors and establish a bond well before the battlefield.
With a glance at the young princess recruits and their looks of reverence, I found I quite agreed.
“Princess Tulia is resting from her time out on patrol, so she requested I fill in for her.” I scanned the students’ faces as they sat in neat rows behind finely polished wooden desks. The girls in this class were all under ten years old. “Good morning, ladies.”
At once, the princesses stood and curtsied in the same manner I had greeted Zach. “Good morning, Princess Ivy,” they said in unison.
“Let us begin with prayer. Would one brave princess like to lead us?”
A few timid hands rose into the air, and I picked the smallest. The little girl bowed her head and clasped her hands across her stomach. We all copied her prayer stance.
“O Sacred Sisters, daughters of holly and thistle.” Her words started shaky but grew stronger as she continued. “Help us ignite the magic of our brethren and guide us through the darkness with your divine light. It is with your blood that we stand strong. And it is by your blood that we reign.”
“Long live the Royals,” the class said in unison, “the Light against the Darkness.”
“Thank you, princess,” I said to her with a smile. “Everyone may sit.”
Roughly a dozen girls all slid back into their chairs.
I glanced at the lesson plan Tulia had left on the desk. “You’re on History? How long have you been here?” History was something Mages taught. The Legion princesses offered more hands-on lessons, which I intended to do.
A princess with ebony skin raised her hand. “Seven days, Your Highness.”
Tulia hadn’t mentioned that her class would be the newest recruits, and I was surprised I hadn’t recognized any. Then again, a week ago I was on patrol and got hit with the dwarf’s locking curse. It just now occurred to me that I had missed the spring initiation ceremony. It wasn’t so important anymore, though, since a new ceremony was held at the beginning of every season now instead of annually.
I sighed. It had been a long time since I’d taught the basics. “All right. Who wants to recite the story of our founders?”
No one moved. I placed my hands on my hips. “Don’t be shy. Anyone who’s been to chapel knows the story.” Chapels throughout the four kingdoms had beautiful stained glass and paintings of the story of Myriana and Saevalla. Even if the girls had never read a history textbook, our religious teachings made sure they knew of our holy queens’ origins.
The girls exchanged glances before one with short blond hair stood, tugging on the hems of her sleeves.