Royalties edge

chapter 1: meet the royal family.

We begin our story at the kingdom of skanisos on the day of the great Phoenix tournament. A contest in which different opponents from anywhere across the land, fight each other whilst looking for the fleece hidden within the area of battle thus claiming them victory and earning the title, phoenix of the land. The winner also gets to spend a month at the kingdom to stay and interact the royal family.

This year, will be different, for the twin princes of skanisos are now of age to join the tournament.

Hendrix, the older twin is a bit taller and has a much more charming look than that of his brother, seeing as how they aren't identical. He has blond hair that he ties into a bun, with blue eyes that can calm even the most infuriated of men. He is calmer and much more caring, and he loves his brother.

Andreas on the other hand is the exact opposite, he too has dark hair But he cuts his till it's half the size  if his brother's hair, he has black eyes just like his mother, and he does not care much about anyone else but himself, and mistreats all those around him, and he hates his brother.

In the twins bedroom

Andreas is accusing Hendrix of stealing his sword (that he had the royal blacksmith forge just for this occasion) as an act of sabotage towards him in today's tournament, their argument can be heard in the entire kingdom...

Andreas: you bastard! Where is it?

Hendrix: for the last time brother, I didn't take your sword.

Andreas: I left it on the bed and the second you come in, it disappears, are you trying to sabotage me?

Hendrix: If i were to sabotage anyone, it would be because I think of them as a threat, and you aren't one.

Andreas:that's what you think, but I'm far more deadly than you think, brother.

Andreas said drawing a small dagger that dangled from his waists.

Hendrix: not this again

Andreas: you said I'm not a threat, and yet I'm the one with a dagger and ready to strike you down.

Hendrix: we both know who the better fighter is brother.

Andreas: lets see how well you fight with a knife in your chest.

Andreas dashed towards Hendrix, aiming the blade for his chest, though Hendrix being the better fighter quickly dodged the blade. Andreas then struck the blade again but this time Hendrix grabbed him by the shoulder and smacked the blade  off his hand and dropped him to the ground.

Hendrix: had enough?

Andreas without hesitation got to his feet and tried to use his fists this time. He threw a punch that Hendrix avoided but not completely. The fist hit his stomach forcing him down, Andreas took the opportunity and tried to kick Hendrix. But he instead got grabbed by the leg and forced to the groung.

Hendrix then found his way to his brother's neck and began to chock him.

Hendrix: do you yield?

Andreas: aaaaagggghhh..........

Hendrix: do you yield!?

Hendrix asked unaware that Andreas was slowly reaching for the blade on the ground, but it was too late, Andreas stabbed Hendrix in the leg setting himself free. Hendrix was now letting small screams out while lying on the ground with his hands to his legs. Andreas walked closer and pulled out the blade, Hendrix shouted.

Andreas: not a threat, you said, in less than a moment from now, you won't even be alive.

He said raising the blade to stab his brother in the head. His had was stopped however by Isaac, the eldest brother. He was well built like the twins but he was more masculine. He had black hair and blue eyes like Hendrix, but unlike his brother, Isaacs eyes filled his enemies with the fear that makes them tremble.

He was 6 years older than the twins, and very much resembled the king.

Isaac: I don't think father would like his children killing each other,

now why is it that you're arguing?

Andreas: he took my sword and he refuses to admit it.

Isaac: you mean this sword that you left on my bed,

it is quite the sword.

Andreas: you got lucky, for now brother.

Andreas said grabbing the sword from Isaac and storming out of the room, leaving only a wounded Hendrix and a puzzled isaac.

Hendrix: cou-could you pass me the *ugh* cloth and healing potion.

Isaac: no problem

Isaac walked towards a wooden table that was full of bottles, powders and oils of all kinds, it took time but he eventually found the healing potion.

Hendrix: thank you,

What's with the face?

isaac: it's just, why do you have to put up with him, his feeling clearly never change for you ever since you were six and yet you still seem to care.

Hendrix:   I know he hates me but, theirs a good in him and I    won't stop till I find it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to change out of my bloody piece of clothing.

Isaac: but your leg?

Hendrix: he's done worse, remember the day of the lunar dance.

Isaac chuckled clearly remembering the day. He got up, and helped Hendrix get up too and headed for the door, but was stopped by his brother...

Hendrix: brother?

Isaac: yes

Hendrix: are the rumours true?, has father said anyth---

Before he could continue Isaac interrupted, cause he knew where the conversation was going.

Isaac: get dressed, the chariot has already arrived and your brother might leave without you.

He said closing the door behind him.

The king and queens bedroom

The queen appears to be having a nightmare, she's standing at the entrance of the castle, almost as though she was waiting for something, but what?

It feels like forever for her, until suddenly the door opens and in came a hooded figure, it's face was like a pit whose darkness had no end. The figure carried a giant thing wrapped in the cloth that is usually used on the dead. He threw it at her feet. Startled she moved back and fell on her back. She got up only to find the hooded figure gone and whatever it threw beginning to unwrap itself. What she saw scared her. It wasn't a thing, it was hundred and hundreds of bodies, with their hearts missing, and at the top of the pile were her two twins.

She woke up breathing heavily and looking all around the room for her husband, who she found standing on the porch overlooking their gardens.

Queen miranda: you're already awake, did you have trouble sleeping?

King nathan: we both did my queen.

Queen miranda: it was another nightmare.

King nathan: about?

Queen miranda: something that can wait.

The queen has been having nightmares for a long but never tells the king of them, or if she did, she would lie.

She did this because of something that happened in the past that made her terrified of telling her husband or just afraid of him in general.

Queen miranda: is it the rumours that bother you?

King nathan: they are spreading quick throughout the land, and they all are very worrying.

Queen miranda: indeed they are but, can you put them aside just for today, this is their first tournament, and they will try very hard to impress you.

You can worry tomorrow...

King nathan: maybe you're right

Queen miranda: good. Now get ready and come dine with us breakfast.

I'll go see if the twins are doing okay, or if they are still bickering..

The queen chuckled as she headed to the door, and in a few minutes she was in the hallway, thinking about the nightmare, what it meant, why she had it, and if it's something her and her husband should be worried about.

A million questions came but she put them at a halt when she saw her daughter shannon, the youngest of her children and the one with a bigger resemblence to her, except for her brown hair and and the stubborness she has.

Queen miranda: the dress is giving you problems?

shannon: just a little bit, I still don't understand why I have to wear it though.

Queen miranda: because it's tradition, and you never doubt tradition.

And also because I like it too.

Shannon: you're old, you like everything dusty and old.

Queen miranda: don't you?

This makes them both laugh. The queen then helps her with the dress and tells her to go down for breakfast, but she already had her breakfast. So then the only one remaining was Isaac who she found in the hall.

Queen miranda: you got them to stop I see

Isaac: are they really twins or maybe violent chimps?

He chuckled then gave his mother a big good morning hug.

Queen miranda: good morning to you too.

Where are they?

Isaac: they have already left for the area, and so will I as soon as i get the sword I left in the gardens.

Queen miranda: oh, and what about breakfast?

Isaac: I will buy some later at the tournament.

I really need to go mother, I'll see you at the tournament.

He kissed his mother as he rushed past her to the gardens. And off he went, he had also taken Shannon with him because she has always wanted to see how the tournament is prepared and Isaac was her best hope seeing as how he's one of the organizers.

Now the queen all alone went to the large table and  Sat at her seat waiting for her husband who she knew was not coming. The servants had brought the food to her and she was left alone with the one thing she had tried to avoid all morning, her thoughts.