Near the entrance it's clear what the problem is: the queen. She's dressed for knight training without the helmet. Her hair is braided and pinned up with a crown clearly noticeable. It seems she just showed up and people are trying to grasp why. Or how to get her to return to the castle.
"Mom came." I watch as Hydrangea speaks quietly with the queen. I asked her here. She came because I asked. I just watch her as she nods to Hydrangea.
Hydrangea raises her hands to calm everyone. "Her Majesty is here for some exercise. She may even offer a little training if you ask politely enough. There is no fears from the castle."
"Exercise?" Jessica looks at me. "Did you suggest that to her?"
"In a vague sense, yeah."
The queen and Hydrangea walk toward an open courtyard. We follow. We're not the only ones following. Once the queen is settled making perfect strikes with her sword, Hydrangea starts her path to us. Hydrangea waves us after her.
Once we are out of sight of the queen, Hydrangea glares at me. "Her Majesty isn't supposed to be here."
"You're blaming me?"
"Shouldn't I?" Hydrangea has us return to the swordsmith's shop.
I look away refusing to admit to it.
Hydrangea places both her hands on my shoulders. "It's tough on those here if the royals appear."
"I'm here."
"As a trainee and only a prince. We do best when the king and queen stay in the castle." Hydrangea looks at the shop. It's still missing the swordsmith. "Stay here this time. I'll be right back."
"Adam White may be watching Her Majesty." Jessica leans against the wall. We're to wait. I don't think we'd get skip out on punishment if we didn't listen this time. "What's up with your mom anyway?"
"Mom was something special when she was a knight. My parents met on a campaign and she was claimed as future queen. A few months later they were married. I was the wedding night present." I touch my chest well aware of what that means. I was born less than a year into their marriage. It was only a few years before the love the two shared disappeared. They're royals together without being a couple.
"Once the crown prince marks a marriage date, most of the nobles aim to have children close in age. My parents only had me because of the expectation of you." Jessica sighs. We're stuck waiting. "At least your parents married for love. My parents were a contract. And I know we're marked in a contract as well." Jessica eyes me. "Please pick someone else. Anyone else. We're safe until like twenty five. But you need to pick someone else before then. Or..." Jessica sinks to the ground. "I want to be a long term knight. I have no interest in being queen."
"Okay. I'll do my best." I think of the time line. By twenty five is reasonable. I should manage by then. "I'm not looking right now. I need to focus on other things."
"That's fine. Just don't forget you need a queen."
"Or maybe I'll pick long term knight, too." I shrug.
Jessica eyes me. "You can be a long term knight. But you're expected to become king. Don't skip out on that. I don't think we can wait for Xavier to reach proper ages."
I think of my little brother. I gained things he never did. And I know what Odin told me: I'm the stronger option in every field. "He's... back up."
"He's going be a great help to you in the future." Jessica stands up dusting herself off.
That's because she saw Hydrangea and Adam walking to us. He's dressed for the smithy. Still, I can see the golden emblem. A noble knight. I can't see his stripes. Probably doesn't really matter. He's not a trainee. He's a trainer. I need to trust in him.
"Adam White." Hydrangea motions to the swordsmith. "These are Thomas and Jessica."
"Gold?" Adam eyes us. "Oh... That gold." He points out my eagle wing.
"Yes. A Crowne and a Warton." Hydrangea motions us inside. "Let's teach them how to properly care for their swords. They have a lot to learn."
At first we're shown the requirements, but then the lessons turns hands on. We're to sit and sharpen our blades. Treat them with proper care. Learn how to make sure everything is as it should be.
"You have me as back up here. You can just request I handle it while you here. But I don't leave." Adam explains as we practice. He watches closely. Hydrangea does as well. The lesson is important. "You'll need to be comfortable handling the sharpening on your own. Using your weapon will leave it needing to be sharpened. If you are no where near a smithy, you'll need to know how."
"But you're teaching us as if we'll have a smithy accessible." Jessica says while focusing.
"Yes. After your first sparring match, you'll return for me to teach you with a whetstone." Adam will expect us back then. We'll need to keep our blade sharp. "Once the blade is sharp, you'll need to consider it dangerous whenever it is available to you."
"Which is always. Don't become lax with it just because it's in its sheath. It shouldn't be as considering there, but there is always a concern."
"A sharp blade easily kills." Adam explains matter-the-factly. "Play battles are done with non sharp blades. You can always request a dull sword from me or use a wooden sword. Practicing with a wooden sword can be a way to lessen concerns when there are no safety measures in place."
The arena has safety measures. Training where ever would leave a sharp blade as a possible danger. It only makes sense. I ask, "Where do I get a wooden sword?"
"Smart boy." Adam collects a stick from the side of the room. He hands off a wooden stick that looks more sword than most sticks do. It's weighted too. "I can offer different options, but I assume you want something like this."
"Yeah. Thanks." I look at my blade. "Is this sharp enough?"
Adam reviews my blade a moment. "Yes. This will work."
"Thanks." I offer him a bow before taking my sword back. Once it is safely away, I offer the room a bow. "I... I would like to practicing riding with a sword."
"Use the wooden one." Adam says. "Go ahead, Hydrangea. I'll help Jessica. She'll be safe with me." Hydrangea nods before taking me out of the smithy.