Kekse
Drifter
Spring had blossomed over the rocky crags and wave-beaten shores of Inglemere practically overnight. Lillies and heather blossoms brightened the sweeping green plains, which stood in stark contrast to the shimmering azure of the ocean below. From the castle parapets one could see the ships coming and going at the port city of Reef to the south and the spires of the university in Briarhaven to the north.
Sir Edelvard Van Melo stood on said southern parapet, watching as the foreign flags fluttered in the sea breeze. He had counted no fewer than six different nation ships sailing around the Valerian Archipelago and into the bay before they disappeared from view. This spring's festival promised to be the best their generation had ever seen, and he could feel the excitement roiling in his belly just thinking about it. With the sheer number of nations sailing in, the offerings of goods should be more exorbitant than anything he had previously experienced.
And with the festival came the tournament. The foreign food and goods were exciting, but the chance to unhorse new and unsuspecting opponents brought a smile to his youthful face. And surely the princess would be at such an important tournament! It was true that such tournaments were plentiful on these shores, but not every day were there new challengers. Perhaps he would even find a true challenge!
The best part? The next full moon was not for a full three weeks. Edelvard's hand went subconsciously to the scar hidden on his shoulder beneath the tunic he wore, his constant reminder of what had happened to him while he was in training. "Sir? The queen would have audience with you now." The voice startled the knight, who dropped his hand quickly and turned on his heel to look at the servant, who watched him expectantly. "Are you ready? I would take you to her now."
"Yes, lead the way." Edelvard straightened his shoulders and followed the young man into the castle proper, a million thoughts racing in his head. This was why he had returned, but he couldn't help feeling a little nervous. Would the princess recognize him? Would she still...care about him? It had been many years since they had been pulled away from their childhood games of pulling sticks and building mud castles to become proper adults. But the king and queen had asked specifically for him to become the princess's champion now that she had come of age, and it was an honor he was willing to bear.
Sir Edelvard Van Melo stood on said southern parapet, watching as the foreign flags fluttered in the sea breeze. He had counted no fewer than six different nation ships sailing around the Valerian Archipelago and into the bay before they disappeared from view. This spring's festival promised to be the best their generation had ever seen, and he could feel the excitement roiling in his belly just thinking about it. With the sheer number of nations sailing in, the offerings of goods should be more exorbitant than anything he had previously experienced.
And with the festival came the tournament. The foreign food and goods were exciting, but the chance to unhorse new and unsuspecting opponents brought a smile to his youthful face. And surely the princess would be at such an important tournament! It was true that such tournaments were plentiful on these shores, but not every day were there new challengers. Perhaps he would even find a true challenge!
The best part? The next full moon was not for a full three weeks. Edelvard's hand went subconsciously to the scar hidden on his shoulder beneath the tunic he wore, his constant reminder of what had happened to him while he was in training. "Sir? The queen would have audience with you now." The voice startled the knight, who dropped his hand quickly and turned on his heel to look at the servant, who watched him expectantly. "Are you ready? I would take you to her now."
"Yes, lead the way." Edelvard straightened his shoulders and followed the young man into the castle proper, a million thoughts racing in his head. This was why he had returned, but he couldn't help feeling a little nervous. Would the princess recognize him? Would she still...care about him? It had been many years since they had been pulled away from their childhood games of pulling sticks and building mud castles to become proper adults. But the king and queen had asked specifically for him to become the princess's champion now that she had come of age, and it was an honor he was willing to bear.