Medieval welfare: AGE OF WAR!

ASSASIN & QUEST

Garlin finishes.

Prince Altair stands up holding his stomach in pain as he attempts to catch his breath. He turns around to meet with Princess Anita and a few other students who have gathered around to witness the battle. 

“Princess Anita, did you see what happened?” A boy with blonde hair asked her.

“Yeah I saw, he kicked the instructor right in the balls, I couldn't even believe that,” Anita said smiling. “He's really strong”

“I thought he had to be stronger” Another student commented.

“I can handle myself, it wasn't that difficult” Prince Altair replied walking towards them.

 “Do you guys want to learn anything from me?” he asks earning nods from the group. “Come, let's begin”

———————————————————-

Two hours later, everyone in the courtyard was tired. “Good work today guys” Garlin spoke in a proud tone of voice. 

Everyone cheered for themselves including the princess who was still panting from exhaustion. “Let's go” she mumbles dragging herself away from the field of battle.

Princess Anita walked along the hallway of the palace until she found her way to her room.  She went inside closed the door behind her and slumped down onto her bed.

She was exhausted and worn from her training, it has been three months since her father ordered her to train with the knights. Ever since she became a knight in training she hasn't been sleeping well; she often has nightmares that always leave her crying her heart out.

‘This isn't the time to cry’ she thought as she looked around the large bedroom trying to find something that would calm her mind. Her eyes fell on the picture book lying beside the bed. ‘My brother was a great writer’ she thought while pulling out the book from the pile.

She held the book in her arms feeling a bit nostalgic, “He would tell stories about his adventures, the dragons...the princess, and everything else…” she began reading from the book, “The princess is so beautiful...she's not a common princess, no, her beauty is unique...but what I admire about her most is her compassion. Even when she's angry, sad, or sad about something that happens in her life it never changes her expression, not one bit.”

Princess Anita pauses for a moment, “I wonder if she's the same as her brother?” she asks aloud placing the book back in its place and going over to her closet. Then suddenly she's distracted by a sound emerging from behind the curtain. She stands to her feet slowly

moving towards the sound as she peeks through the small gap to observe who was there.

It seemed to be someone wearing a blue velvet robe, “I must admit that I am quite curious about this person” she says staring at the person from afar. She knew that whoever it was could be dangerous, so she decides to take a look.

After a couple of minutes of observing she realized the intruder wasn't doing anything, ‘perhaps they were asleep? Maybe I should sneak past them unnoticed?’ She thought. She continued walking toward the intruder slowly. As soon as she approached the intruder pulled her closer pointing a small dagger at her throat. “If you shout I will slit your throat open,” the assassin with the black cloak says in a threatening manner.

“Who are you?” Princess Anita asked her voice shaking, she noticed the dagger, but she wanted to know more about the mysterious intruder.

The stranger took a glance at her. “I'm sorry, I come in peace” the princess stylishly steps on the assassin's foot throwing a fist but the assassin dodges it easily.

“Are you alright?” The assassin inquires concerned.

The princess nodded “Fine, why are you here? Why are you hiding behind the curtain?”

“I Just needed someplace,” he says releasing the princess as he leaps through the window and disappears.

————————————————————

The princess gasps rushing to look outside to see the assassin leaping on a cottage roof. She watches him leap incredibly high above the ground and drop to the other side landing like a cat on all fours.  As the princess watched, the assassin rose and dashed to the forest leaving a trail of leaves which the wind blew away from the spot where he stood.

“Was he an animal? An animal that jumps and moves? It doesn't make sense” Princess Anita thought bewildered. 

At the palace King Daman and Queen Felicia summoned the princess and prince   into an adjacent room. The king addressed the princess first. “We need to discuss something important”

“What is it, Father?” Princess Anita responded nervously.

“Your mother and I have heard that you're training to be a knight” the king told the girl.

 “In fact I've already sent word to Lord Rastin, who has requested you to join his ranks immediately”

The queen smiled and clapped her hands. “That's wonderful!”

“I'm afraid I and your mother are going to Journey to the Age Kingdom, while we are gone for days, You shall be in a position of Authority” the king announces.

“Father, I can't possibly accept such honor” Anita states firmly refusing to bow her head.

“No, Your Majesty, may I ask why Anita should be the leader of the position? meanwhile, I'm the eldest I should be the one in authority my lord” Prince Altair says raising his hand

  “I fear your lack of control over your rage l, that is why I appoint your sister, princess Anita,” King Damien says addressing Princess Anita.

“You mean that I'm responsible for leading the knights and the kingdom now, Father?” Anita asks astonished

“You are indeed Anita, you are our future monarch” King Damien informs her

“I have to agree with Father” Princess Anita agrees, “I do feel that I am the best choice for this”

“Very well then, we will set sail tomorrow,” King Damien announced. “But rest assured your sister will take care of the kingdom during my absence”

     Altair growls with his face filled with jealousy at his sister's words. “I am no longer interested in being king. I'll just serve my people” he turns around, ready to march out of the room

“You are going to follow us in your position, young man,” King Damien said in his firm voice. “And I expect nothing less than excellence from my daughter”

“I will show no sign of weakness and only fight against those of equal strength” Altair proclaimed his last words, he storms towards the exit before stopping abruptly at the threshold, his fist clenched tight “And don't you ever forget that I am the rightful heir” he mutters under his breath turning back to exit the room. 

Gifec the advisor to the king watches the scene before him with a smirk on his face, “Maybe if I try hypnotizing Prince Damien then maybe my goal in conquering the kingdom will be faster ” he thinks to himself