Tale of Four

Within the training ground, Tristan watched the daily routine of the knights, carrying out their drills, waiting for Mabel to arrive. After sleeping a little from his all-nighter, he awoke to a note dropped off by one of her maids. Usually, Annabell would never allow anyone to get close to him while he slept, awakening him when someone did, but by the dove’s own admission, she saw how tired he was and felt no threat from the maid.

Waiting and swinging his sword, he saw the doors to the training yard open and two king’s guards step out, in the centre of them, Prince Elias. Tristan narrowed his gaze and watched as the prince shot him a passing glance before taking to the yard and warming up, before training against the two knights. The difference between him and Mabel was clear in an instant. Unlike when his sister sparred, the King’s Guard didn’t stay completely defensive, instead making the first move and putting pressure on the Prince.

Elias was skilful, keeping his body as small as possible, his blade pointed ahead, in a defensive posture that allowed for a quick counterattack when the chance arose. The clashing of steel was like a dance that even made the training knights in the distance stop and watch, rarely ever seeing such a beautiful match.

Despite everything, the outcome was soon becoming clear to Tristan. The King’s Guard made a bold move. Luring Elias into an attack on his neck, he ducked underneath it and placed his blunted blade onto the Prince’s throat, making Elias laugh and drop his sword. It was a quick duel, but one that was filled with technique, as each side baited the other, with Elias being the one who fell for it first.

’He’s skilled, but soemthing feels lacking. Not his sword technique, it’s almost perfect.’ Tristan thought about it as he continued his mindless swing into the air. ’Experiance. He had the knowledge, but compared to a man who has fought wars and put his life on the line, he lacks the instincts that can only be forged through that.’

It was something that could easily be made up by the Prince if a war ever occurred. So far, he would have only ever fought in tournaments or training fields that would have guaranteed his life was protected. The instinct forged only on the battlefield was lost. The two began to spar again and again, each time Elias losing, but never by the same mistake, even once, landing a single blow on the guard’s breastplate. Once he did that, the guard stopped, handing the win to Elias.

’To be able to hit a King’s Guard is quite amazing.’ Tristan honestly praised Elias in his mind and watched as he looked over his way, meeting his gaze for a split second before looking away. ’He wants me to approach first.’

With a click of the tongue, Tristan finished up his own training and walked over, standing a respectful distance away from Elias and placing his hand on his chest. Bowing deeper than he did to Mabel, he looked up with a polite smile, ”I greet His Highness the Prince.”

”Rise. I am not so full of myself to make family lower their head to me.” Tristan stood up and glanced at the King’s Guards. ’Ser Flynn Trident and Ser Caleb Hunt.’ Giving the two a respectful nod, he turned to face Elias.

”A lovely match, your highness. It is a rare thing to claim you landed a hit on such brilliant knights.” Pleasantries flowed out of Tristan’s mouth as easily as he breathed, making Elias roll his eyes.

”There is no need. Walk with me.” Tristan nodded and followed a step behind Elias as the two guards moved, flanking Elias, each watching the surroundings, looking at everything, himself included, as a potential threat. ”I have heard about you from my sister, Tristan.”

”I am glad. I do hope she didn’t tell you of my shameful defeat when we sparred, however.” Elias chuckled and shook his head.

”No, and she also failed to mention the sickening amount of humility you show,” Elias said coldly, making Tristan half-smile.

”Should I show anything else to the heir of the Throne, your Highness. After all, I do not wish to overstep my bounds.” Smoothly saying, Tristan looked around as the two walked into a more secluded area of the Palace, leaving the training grounds and entering the rose hedges, a large hedge maze filled with roses.

Although part of him tensed up when he looked up and saw Annabell flying around, not warning him of danger ahead, he relaxed. Added to how he had just spoken to him publicly, Tristan knew he was just creating privacy. Unless Elias was a madman, there was no threat to his life.

”Too much humility is off-putting, Tristan.” Elias replied, snapping Tristan out of his worries, ”A wonder how you became like this.” Walking through the maze with complete clarity, they eventually arrived at the centre where a small canopy sat, inside Mabel quietly sitting, drinking a glass of tea. ”Stand a distance away,” Elias ordered the two guards. They bowed and took their places at the only entrances to the centre of the maze.

Tristan looked up into the sky and saw the white dove that blended in with the clouds. ”Excuse me, Your Highness.” Bowing, he looked back up. ”ANNABELL!” The white dove at the Tristans’ command flew down like a speeding bullet, crashing into his head, messing up his hair.

Elias looked at the bird before looking into the sky, a thin smile curling on his lips. ”How long has she been there?”

”Before you arrived Your...” Elias raised his hand before he could finish.

”Enough with the title, call me Elias. We are family after all.” Leading Tristan underneath the canopy, he took a seat and stared at Tristan, who didn’t follow. With a sigh, he finally gave the order, and Tristan sat down. ”You’re very cautious.”

”It is rude to sit without an invitation.” Elias rolled his eyes again and grabbed the teapot, pouring himself a cup. Looking at Tristan’s mug and remembering what Mabel told him when they planned the meet, he poured him a glass and smiled.

”Please. Drink.” Tristan thinly smiled and watched as Elias didn’t touch his mug. Looking at Mabel, who calmly sipped her own, he sighed and brought it to his lips, pretending to take a sip like the previous. Taking a deep smell, he put the cup down.

”It tastes lovely,” Mabel smirked as Elias leaned forward.

”What’s best about it?” Elias asked, making Tristan smile.

”The apple undertones.” Saying one of the smells he picked up, Elias nodded and took his mug, taking a sip. His eyes never left Tristans as he quietly watched him, trying to get a read. Tristan stared at him, never breaking his perfectly crafted smile.

’He lacks the gaze Mabel had. He can read me, but nothing like her.’ ”Your hig... Elias.” Tristan spoke, correcting himself, ”May I ask why you wished to talk to me?”

Elias put his mug down and shrugged, ”My sister told me of your conversation previously. Now she made some interesting points, but there is one thing I wanted to confirm for myself.” His gaze sharpened in a heartbeat, ”Who are you, Tristan?”

Tristan inertloocked his fingers and lowered his head, breaking the eye contact first, ”Can you elaborate. I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

”Of course. Who are you in relation to the throne?” Tristan supressed is lips from curling any higher. It was a dangerous question, one he had to carefully answer or risk making Elias his enemy, but it was also a sales pitch.

”I am.” Tristan paused and licked his lips, feeling how dry they were. Opening and closing his mouth, he licked his lips and felt they began to crack. Although the tea was enticing, he easily fixed it and refused to sip it. On his head, he felt Annabell get restless, moving around trying to get comfortable, tapping his head with her beak when she couldn’t.

’His summon is around. Or he is using its power to cause this.’ Under the pretext of grabbing Annabell, he touched his forehead and felt sweat. ’It’s getting hotter, yet I can’t feel any heat.’ Letting go of Annabell, he let her fly off to escape the discomfort, the dove shooting up at the first chance.

Elias said nothing and waited. ”I am an observer, Elias.” Tristan fought through his discomfort and answered, ”I watch the court, the people who come and go. Those who sit on the throne and those who advise it. But of course, someone in the audience can never take to the stage.”

Tristan said, his voice growing croakier as he spoke, the heat he couldn’t feel making each breath painful. ”Is that so?” Elias said with a warm smile, ”But as a Princeling, you surely must understand you have responsibilities, besides watching. Marriage, royal duties, enforcing the peace in your king’s name.”

Tristan rubbed his fingers together, ’What is he suspicious about. I know what I said to Mabel bordered on treason, but my first answer should have cleared that. What is he scared of?’ Tristan took a deep breath and, in his peripheral vision, saw Mabel calmly sitting, drinking her tea. ’Marriage. What a strange thing to bring up. Only my parents would care about that. Without them, it’s my choice...’

It clicked, and Tristan shook his head, ’He thinks I want to marry her, or maybe Brandon’s child. What else would the heir to the throne fear, other than another ambitious claimant?’ Tristan smiled and stared into Elias’s eyes. ”Whilst I understand marriage is important, I wish to marry for love, unless the King orders otherwise. As for the other two, I will follow any order his grace demands.”

Elias stared at Tristan before chuckling, ”He really is like that snake.” His words were cold as he turned to Mabel. ”It’s...” He paused and wore a fake smile, looking back at Tristan, ”Unsettling.”