Ebony | Ivory

꧁CHAPTER TWO꧂

Rupert the Sunshine’s Son.

That is what the kingdom calls him. 

Even after his brother shut the gates, the royal family hiding in the shadowy corners for two years after the king’s death. Even when terrible bandits threatened to overrun their borders, he was their ray, the beam of light in the darkness.

If Reupert was the Sun, then Ascian was the Moon.

Ascian was quiet and calm, well kept while the tides of his kingdom obeyed his law, a wave of subjects at his command, to live… or to perish.

The Moon Monarch, king of water and grief, and The Sunshine’s Son, prince of the fields and laugher, how different the two were. 

Becca always wondered how the two boy-royalty did it, living in perfect harmony with each other, never apart, and she envied it.

She envied their perfect family, always getting enough to eat, always together in their nice large castle, forever looming over the kingdom, in sight of everyone. She never wanted to see its glory again.

And yet here she was, entering into the stone palace of her esteemed enemies.

She clung close to her Father as they strode down the hallways, footsteps echoing dauntingly, she felt small. 

“Father?” She glanced up at the large armorclad man, his stoic expression fixed firmly ahead and his red beard tied back in a braid. His hard face softened as he looked down at his daughter. 

“Yes, Becca?” His deep voice rumbled. 

“Why are we here again? Why am I here?” She said softly.

Her Father looked forward again, his back straightening. “That’ll have to wait my dear. We have arrived.”

Becca clutched her father’s cloak as they entered the large double doors. She glanced around as they made their way to a large round table, an enormous map unfurled on top. Men and women were huddled around it, talking in low voices. A hush fell over the group when they saw the two enter, they backed away from the table as Becca and her Father drew near.

Becca glanced down at the map, scrawled in fine ink as what Becca could make out as the borders of their kingdom, the Kingdom of  Scintillation, and the Kingdom of Frore. Red crosses marked small valleys. What was this?

“Ah, General Erik, welcome.” A young voice spoke from across the table. 

Becca looked up from studying the map, on the far side of the table was a boy, tall with long curly hair tied back in a ponytail, onyx turned violet in the light, his olive skin was dusted with freckles and his hazel eyes glinted like twin jewels and a simple gold and silver crown nestled in between his long hair. Besides the crown, he was dressed in simple clothes, not unlike something you would see churchgoers on Sunday wearing simple yet fine clothing.

Beside him was a much taller man, just out of boyhood, with blonde hair cut at his chin, A sword strapped to his back and his lithe body clad with light armor. His bright green eyes met Becca’s and she quickly looked away. There was something… eerie about his gaze, it scared her.

 She leaned in closer to her father, wishing to disappear into the folds of his large cloak of bear fur, away from these strange people in this luxuriously strange place. 

“Aye, Your Highness, thank yee.” Becca’s Father huffed, kneeling down. He grabbed Becca’s shoulder and pushed her gently to kneel to the boy.

To the boy? This crowned simply dressed boy was the King? She knew King Asciam was young, but she expected someone more… royal looking. 

“Please, arise sir.” The boy king said, striding around the table to help the bear-like man stand up, “And who is this?” Ascian asked, looking down at Becca. 

Becca’s Father put a large hand on his daughter’s shoulder, “This is my daughter, Rebecca, I thought it might be time to show her my work.” Becca raised a brow, was that it? A tour? Erik’s mouth twitched, “And I know Reuben finds you a handful with training, I thought Becca could give some tips to the royal three.”

“Oh.” Ascian’s eyes widened a bit and he glanced at his tall knight, “Is that okay?” He whispered to him.

The knight stared at Becca again, green stare hard and all seeing, his eyes softened but a frown still stuck to his face. “I suppose so.”

“Great.” The young king nodded, “Then we begin at dawn.”

Oh Cato- what have I gotten myself into? Becca thought to herself, looking at her father worridley, No , what have you gotten me into? She narrowed her eyes, I never agreed to this.

Her father smiled apologetically, then edged closer to the table, looking at the map. “I assume the Ashes are back at it again?”

Becca looked down at the marks, the Ashes was a swarm of rebels- terrorists if you will who would scream of equality and bring people together, but instead of peacefully pursuing a common goal, they chose to riot, burn, and even kill. Becca glanced at the young monarch, his father had been murdered by the same movement two years ago. What is  going through his mind as he follows in his father’s footsteps and fights to bring this threat to its knees?

She looked back up at her own father, strong and capable of holding off enemies, and taming giant beasts of old, impossible to kill, or so Becca thinks. Do all children look up at their parents and think that? What do the children of late King Cole feel after their father’s death? His strength stripped away so quickly to leave a pale cold body in a coffin, sleeping forever in a wooden bed. She had been there that day, in the back watching the young heirs alone in the front, she pitied them.

“Yes.” Reuben said, stroking his chin, peach fuzz dusted his face. “They have awakened again, but I'm sure we can smother this flame once again. The real problem is their base.” He reached out and tapped a red cross. 

“The Kingdom of Frore won’t take kindly to us bringing soldiers so close to their border.” Said the boy king, his brows furrowing to make him look decades older than sixteen.

Becca nodded slightly, the icy kingdom of Frore, the rocky mountains and ice prairies of the south spread far and wide, caves and floe canyons aplenty made good secret bases for terrorists. And the hostile manner of Frorians meant that even if  King Ascian and his soldiers came with an understandable motive, Frorians would still retaliate. 

“Perhaps we should send a stealth team? A recon mission would be wise.” A woman captain mused, her long hair all the way down to her waist.

“Or send a peaceful meeting to the Queen of Frore? She may be a brute but she’ll understand our situation.” Said a lieutenant with an eyepatch.

“No, she won't.” Everyone turned to look at the wiry paladin, Reuben had a distant look in his feline-like eyes. “I remember when King Cole and I went to a peaceful gathering between the five grand and illustrious dynasties. Queen Arnaaluk almost started a world war right there, she always hated outsiders, and when the king of Althaia suggested a money-making trade route along the mid-borders… she doesn’t listen to reason.” Reuben clenched his fists, clearly frustrated. 

“I think Captain Alsie has a point.” Becca’s father said, scratching his large beard. Becca was having trouble following along, she wondered how all these people could catch every word. “A stealth mission, to learn of their whereabouts, we’d be in and out. Perhaps a small team of five…”

Becca stared at him, how he was talking… was he planning on going? On leaving her… leaving her where? “Father?” She said warily, clutching his cloak in her small pale hands. 

Erik the stoic looked down at his young daughter, Becca was small and skinny for a fourteen year-old, her straight blonde hair had started to fade to brown, and her blue eyes sparked concern as she stared up at him. How could he leave her? The large man looked at the young king, barely older than his Becca. He couldn’t leave this orphaned ruler alone, but he couldn’t leave his daughter either… 

“For the better of the country, and the safety of you my little magpie.” He rested a bear-like hand atop her head, “I must protect and serve the kingdom. I trust you in the care and protection of the royal family.”

==========

Erron leaned closer to the door, trying to listen in, Ascian always told her eavesdropping was wrong, but she was never caught, and she disliked being told the washed down version that Reuben always ended up telling her.

Reuben, the young paladin, possibly in his early 20’s, but he always looked the same so she couldn’t tell, but at the ripe age of eight how was she supposed to tell? 

She tried peeping through the keyhole, but someone was standing in front of it so she couldn’t see. People were talking, but their voices were muffled. She caught snatches of conversations, but nothing in context, making everything harder.

The person in the way of the hole moved, revealing two figures moving quickly to the door. Panicking, Erron jumped away, scrambling around the corner and out of sight.

The door creaked open, and then shut itself again. She heard voices, a young feminine one, and a husky masculine one, both distressed.

“Y-you can’t just leave! What about me? You’ll leave, just like mother!” The girl whispered loudly.

The man sighed, “I’m sorry Becca, my little magpie… but I must, you’ll be safe here.” 

“Father! I don’t trust these people! I-.”

“Hush now!” The man scolded his daughter. “The royal family of scintillation is kind and caring, do not assume their traits based only on status.” 

Erron’s eyes widened, why leave? This Father would leave his daughter? With them? Being orphaned at six, she knew the importance of family, and the need to stick close. But coming out to defend the daughter would mean revealing what she was doing, and she hated to be revealed. 

She heard the door open again, and a familiar voice echoed through, “General Erik, if you’d follow me.” Reuben said, his footsteps echoing away.

Erron dared to peep, watching as a hulk of a man followed Reuben in the opposite direction, the man-she assumed was General Erik- was even taller than her paladin, she watched them disappear, Reuben’s close cropped hair had grown out, grazing his pointed chin. 

“Erron?”

Erron jumped, surprised that she had been caught off guard, she meekly looked over at her brother. Even more surprisingly, it wasn’t Ascian, but Rupert. The middle child and youngest prince had his trademark grin, even at the age of eleven he was starting to grow into a looker, with his hair shaved on the side and long in the front, by sixteen the dames of the kingdom would be begging at his feet. 

The tomcat prince was leaning against the wall, his dark green tunic wrinkled, his pants scuffed, and his hunting boots caked in mud. Rupert had indeed been romping in the forest, exploring the forest that made up the kingdom, and possibly eating bugs.

“Hey Rupe.” Erron said as innocently as she could, a sweet smile beaming on her freckled face. 

Rupert smirked and raised an eyebrow, he was no seer, but he obviously knew what Erron had been doing, “The jig is up sis, what did ya learn?” Her older brother had the same taste for secrets, probably more than Erron- who didn’t like it, but always ended up finding out the gossip.

“Some kid is under our protection- and her dad is leaving for a mission, Roo is helping him.” She shrugged, peering out to see Ascian standing beside the girl, who had long dirty blonde hair. They were awkwardly quiet, avoiding eye contact. 

“What? Lemme see!” Rupert pushed past his sister.

“Shush! They’ll hear! And then we’ll both be in trouble.” She scolded quietly, trying to look over. “But we should probably reveal our-.” She stopped when she heard the girl start to speak.

“Do you have a courtyard? We’ll begin our first lesson there. Grab you siblings.” She huffed, her nose curled, she blinked a lot- as if trying to get rid of the tears she was obviously fighting.

“How can she talk to our brother like that?! You can get killed for doing that.” Rupert whispered. Erron nodded, the girl was annoying her.

But her brother, bless his heart, was a forgiving person by nature, and simply nodded. “Yes, come with me, I’ll gather them up.” He paused, looking at the girl, “I said we begin at dawn. Why now?” 

“I need to distract myself, and besides, I’d rather meet my students now then later.” She rolled her eyes, starting to go to the corner Erron and Rupert were on.

“Psst! Run!” Rupert grabbed his sister and sped walked down the hallway.

==========

Becca looked down at the line of young royalty. 

Ascian, the young king had changed into slacks and a sleeveless shirt, he stood at attention. Becca made a note that he did in fact work out and wasn’t a lazy slob, she also noted to not make a habit to look at his biceps. 

Rupert was slightly shorter than his sixteen year-old brother, equally fit but extremely skinny, he also had cuts and bruises, she wondered if that was inflicted by himself or others- or if he was just a clutz. 

Erron’s eyes were flitting everywhere, she gave off the impression of an owl, large eyes always watching. She wasn’t as fit, she still had a soft baby face, but Becca was sure she could run and fight given the chance. Becca's conscience didn’t sit right teaching an eight year old girl to fight, so she decided to have Erron sit out.

“Ascian, I assume you have had basic training?” She dared to ask.

“Yes, Sir Reuben has made sure we know how to protect ourselves if he’s not there.” Ascian scratched at his hand, which Becca just noticed- had gloves on. 

“Would you like to spar with me?” She asked, strutting over to the long wooden table at the end of the field. 

The courtyard sparring area was a surrounded by large stone walls, even at the late time of day it was buzzing with knights and sword smiths. The soft sand below provided a soft landing for the losers, and good footing for their opponents. She looked down at the table, swords of all sizes lined the long table. 

“What’s your preferred sword?” Ascian came up beside her, leaning against the table.

“I would say the broadsword, heavy and rash. But fluent and deadly in the right hand.” Becca answered honestly. “Yours?”

“I prefer rapiers,” he reached over to run a gloved hand over the golden hilt of an ornant rapier. “They are thin and light, beautiful. I’m more of an archer I must admit.” He shrugged.

“Well today you are a swordsman, grab a soldier’s basic and key in the circle.” Becca said roughly, snatching a basic and going into a circle of stones. 

A basic was a short sword, not light but not too weighty, good for up close battles and quick killing moves. The stone circle provided a border, the rivals would bow then begin to fight, pushing to either get their opponent to yield or get them out of the circle to win.

“Woo! Go Ash! Beat blondie!” Rupert whooped and hollered like he was watching a gladiator game. Ascian shot a scolding look at his brother before entering the ring of rocks.

Becca slowly bowed, her eyes looking down at the trampled ground, counting down to five before jumping into a quick fighting stance, she studied Ascian- who seemed to be calm, even bored, his sword arm at his side, loosely holding the basic as if it might slip out of his grasp. He was taller, and possibly stronger than her, but she was faster.

Becca suppressed a smile, this should be easy, perhaps she had judged him wrong, instead of a lazy slob he seemed to be an ignorant fool. 

She rushed him, holding her sword up at arm's length in front of her, she feigned right then jumped left, bringing the broadside of her sword to push him away. I don’t want to injure him too badly… she thought, a panicky thought came to her of treason. 

She gasped as he blocked the blow, he was at attention, it was a ruse! Ascian’s brown eyes glinted dangerously as he pushed her back, closer and closer to the stones… she ducked down, bringing her sword to her side, hilt up and jabbed it as hard as she could into the taller boy’s middle. 

Ascian grunted, stumbling back and bringing his sword up in a defensive play, his foot was getting closer to the stones. Becca didn’t give him a chance to recover, she whirled her sword around in an overhead sweep, one that would’ve taken off his head if he hadn’t blocked it. The force was strong, and the sword fell from his arm. 

“Hah!” Becca yelled strainously, raising her leg to kick the larger opponent out of the circle, gravity took its toll and the prince tumbled to the ground.

“Ah!” He yelped, his sword clattering to the ground shortly after him. He stayed laying there, panting hard. “ah.” He said in a softer yell.

“You good?” Becca asked, she honestly didn’t care, but the lurking thought of treason still echoed in her head. When the boy king didn’t move she dropped her sword and rushed over to kneel beside him, she leaned over him and looked down at his sweating freckled face. “Your Highness?”

“Ascian…” He murmured, “Just Ascian… Master Rebecca.” His eyelashes fluttered, and his brown eyes sparking gold as he squinted up at her.

Becca jerked back, she’d never been that close to the opposite gender before, “J-just Rebecca is fine.” Becca was too personal for someone she would call her rival, or someone she despised. 

Ascian propped himself up on an elbow, still breathing heavily. “Guess… I’m not as… fit as I… thought…” he said in between breaths. 

Becca smirked, a shadow of a smile, “You did ok.” She got to her feet, dusted herself off, and held out her hand. “Just need to be more offensive, nothing wrong with a defense, but you left yourself too tense and open even then.” 

She pulled him up, he was much taller than her, yet she had taken him out. Her father had taught her at a young age how to take care of herself, he never had a son, but he had her. His little Magpie.

It just takes one to be dangerous.