Ruins And Royalty

The Reminded Memory

The corridor was brightly lit by the morning sun, almost stinging my skin as I walked fast paced. The white tunic with gold lining swayed side to side in perfect motion. Half shoulder with a red vest complimented by gold accessories- a single chain dropped earring on the opposite side of where the gold leaf bracelet hugged my upper arm.

This attire meant business. I would usually dress in combat attire; join the family for a quick breakfast, then disappear for my daily duties. I would start with combat training followed by sword fighting and such. But not on this morning, no, this morning held another routine.

I came to a stop in front of a large, elegantly engraved rosewood door.

“My prince.” A man in armour stated, bowing his head and then opened the door. I proceeded through with no response, nor any distinctive facial expression.

“Father, Mother.” I greeted. They stood at their designated chairs at a large rosewood table packed with food for the Gods. It started simple – all kind of fruits, grapes, figs, apples. Then it slowly built up to eggs, perfectly sliced bread and cheese platters. Followed by jugs of wine and fresh spring water.

“Aaron.” My father greeted firmly holding an old yet strong face high. My mother followed his lead and greeted just as cold. I was the first of my siblings to enter the dining hall and I stood at the back of my chair awaiting their arrival before getting seated.

Shortly after, the eldest entered the room; Dayron, twenty-three years of age. Long light brown hair tied back, revealing a mature face with sharp features and a scar horizontally over the bridge of his nose, a battle scar he wore proudly; after all, it was a battle he has won.

Next was the second eldest; Saurora, twenty of age. Straight long hair, black as night with striking blue eyes that could pierce through marble walls. A spitting image of my mother with no fail to being my sister as we both looked just like her.

She stood at the chair next to me, awaiting the rest, who was all younger than me. We each held a specific spot at the table always, each appropriate to their ages.

I was third in line, eighteen, but did not care for entering third as was expected of me. I preferred to enter first.

Next was Kalmin, sixteen of age, short curly hazel hair and matching hues of eyes. For once the boy did not enter late, which came to a surprise for me. Kalmin was more interested in the maidens down at the rock pool bathing, than he was of his duties and responsibilities as a young prince.

Next were Mayrin and Markus, twins and thirteen of age. Truly identical and in the perfect image of my father.

Mayrin had light hazel hair, almost blonde, rosy cheeks and soft facial features. Markus had a darker shade of hair to his sister, but shared the same innocent face as her.

“You may be seated.” My father finally said plainly and we all harmonized; pulling back the chairs where we stood, sat down and pull ourselves towards the table.

A servant boy rang a tiny bell in the back of the room, announcing that breakfast has begun.

My mother spoke first. “I assume you all know why we are here, summoned by your father and dressed properly.”

Her voice did not break the chewing of food and the gulping of wine and water. We all knew why father has called for us, our usual duties postponed for the day, for it was only 3 years prior the Game of the Gods.

“The time is almost upon us. Ships will dock at the harbour and men on horses will arrive in a months’ time.” He explained. He was fully aware that this was not news to us, but he continued anyway.

“This year, the land of Emperos will host the start of the games. Young men and woman from all over Pandora will train here for the next 3 years leading up to the Game of the Gods. I expect everyone to be at their best behaviour and to welcome our guests accordingly.”

He continued eating, eying his wife who now redid herself to speak.

“Where you once trained separately with your guiders, you will now be trained by the best of warriors who has experienced the Game of the Gods first hand. You will do so in groups.”

The chewing and drinking stopped. Clearly no one seated at the table was very keen on the idea.

“Is this really necessary, Mother?” Saurora asked proper, but I could see on her face that she would decline if training with others was but a suggestion.

“How will you compete against others if you do not know their strength and weaknesses, my Daughter?” Our Father added rhetorical.

“Will we be able to train on our own afterwards?” I asked from across the table. I was not keen on the idea of training with others either, but knew our Father was right. We had to see for ourselves what the other men and women were capable of.

“If that is what you wish, just make sure you attend the group training first.” He replied, gesturing with his right hand to a maiden to pour him more wine.

“Will we be able to enter the games?” A young voice crept up from the silence. An innocent face peeked through the mountains of food across from me. She gestured to her and her twin.

“If the Gods see you worthy.” My Mother replied not even looking at her.

They would be fifteen by then and I doubt they would be a good fit; both would still be too young in the eyes of the Gods.

The Gods were specific and only approved the strong and mighty. Those who wish to enter must throw a piece of embellishment personal to their own into a fire on a full moon under the full watch of the stars.

A golden bowl of fire that never stopped burning was situated in each Kingdom that represented the watchful eye of the Gods. The first trial in the Game of the Gods was a huge gathering of the greatest warriors in the attire that represented both their Kingdom and their family name. A lavish festival took place and at exactly midnight, the people would gather in an open temple under the stars where the golden bowl was situated in the middle, surrounded by tall standing pillars that reached for the skies.

The fire burns red but turns blue when worthy.

“Will the princesses of Yarrow be joining as well?” A question flew across the table. It broke me out of thought and I turned my head towards my smiling brother’s face next to me.

Of course it was him asking, I should not be surprised. The Kingdom of Yarrow was known for not only their breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, but their beautiful people as well. Kingdoms far and wide will send expensive gifts, showering them with diamonds, jewels and gold in hopes to impress the Princes and Princesses of Yarrow to be married off to theirs.

“They are not coming for your entertainment, Kalmin. Do not get distracted.” My Mother replied disgraced.

“The women here are plentiful. Don’t chase our soon to be guests away with your dirty manners.” A deep loud voice now entered the atmosphere.

“Besides, haven’t you been rejected enough?” He continued teasingly with a side grin, taking a bite out of a red lush apple.

“Have you ever been with a woman, Dayron?” Kalmin bit back leaning over the table to see his older brother, hoping to see the insult on his face. Dayron however was as calm as the summer breeze that occasionally entered through the dining hall.

“Brother, I am reserved for the Princess of Yarrow, Panthea, who has been promised to me.” He stated with a calm low voice. Kalmin was about to strike back, but my Father cleared his throat loudly. Everyone at the table turned their attentions towards him.

He regarded us for a moment, then spoke.

“House of Windane will arrive first as the land of Yarrow is closest to ours. In about two weeks’ time we will welcome King Osran and Queen Evangeline with their Sons and Daughters. Know their names and don’t embarrass me…”

He was silent and we waited patiently for him to announce their names, but that moment never came and our Mother spoke instead.

“The eldest son, Prince Torin. The eldest daughter, Princes Panthea, second eldest daughter…”

I tried to listen intently, but my mind drifted elsewhere. The only name I cared about was the eldest, Torin. We were quite good friends back then. I remembered fondly; we would run up and down the corridors chasing each other, play fight with wooden swords in the olive fields and kick water at each other on the beach… good memories.

The Windane family was close to ours; my father and King Osran have been friends since they were boys. He would tell stories of them skipping stones and climbing trees, now all they did was get drunk, laugh uncontrollably and exchange war stories.

“And their youngest son, Prince Zander…”

The name snapped me back to reality. Zander? In that moment memories flooded my consciousness. I remember a timid and weak boy always clinging to his mother’s dress, never leaving her side. I remembered his thin faded blonde hair and the dark circles around his eyes. Chapped lips and pale face and faded eyes. He was ill, I remembered my mother explaining.

I once tried to talk to him, even invited him to play, but he always shook his head and never spoke. One time, out in the court yard near the oak trees, the boy sat drawing circles with a stick in the sand; a nobleman’s child teased him to a point he might have cried. That’s when I showed up, stepping between them. Rude words were exchanged, but the boy eventually left and I tried to talk to the pale blonde once more.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” I remembered asking kindly.

“N-no… thank you.” He replied and even managed a smile. I can’t really remember what happened afterwards and a year after, rumours filled the palace walls that boy grew even weaker and sicker; he might even die…

I glanced at everyone else at the table, wondering if they had remembered the boy, but they sat straight faced just listening.

After a while and small talk, a tiny bell rang and breakfast was over. We were all excused and I wasted no time heading back to my courters to get changed, but before I could do so I was stopped by Saurora.

“Where do you think you’re going?” She asked serious with one eyebrow raised.

“Does it matter?” I scoffed, but she was having none of it.

“You think Father asked us to dress this proper just for breakfast?” She asked, but before I could give her an answer, she spoke again. “We are all to gather in the throne room to welcome guests…”

“Guests?” I asked with a quizzical expression.

“We are to welcome Sir Damos, first of the many fine warriors here to train us.”

This was news to me, but I did not waiver as I was frequently drifting off as my father and mother spoke at breakfast.

“The Counsel will arrive shortly as well.” Saurora stated lastly and headed off. I followed knowing that this was going to be one busy day. If we were to welcome Sir Damon and the counsel in one day, surely our mother and father would make us all participate. They went great lengths to decorate the Palace and Palace grounds to perfection. Image was everything and presenting such rich and beautiful appearance would impress the counsel in particular.