The Four Swords

Chapter 2: 2 Tutoring

I rushed into the ballroom with a flurry of excitement going on around me. Decorations of royal blue and lavender cascaded down columns and were wound around stairs. The white and cream marble at the top of the stairs was daintily sprinkled with flower petals in the shape of the crest of Ensis, with the four swords crossing at the center joined by a five-pointed crown with the wings of a phoenix behind it. Maids and butlers were setting out floral arrangements and polishing everything in sight.

"The castle really put together something spectacular, didn't they?" I did not even notice Lady Calista come in the main doors behind me. The sight of her was shocking beyond just my inattention. Her usual breeches and blouse had been set aside for the party tonight and she was trimmed in a gown of green, the color of the crest of Wolves. It made her raven hair shine and brought out the deeper tones in her hazel eyes.

"Whoa, Cali. I've never seen you so adorned." I could not remember Lady Calista ever donning a dress for anything besides a royal function or as an ambassador from her clan. Her father, Lord Bleddyn was the head of the clan of Wolves, keeper of the sword Canidae, and Defender of the Crown. She and her twin brother Carrion were often called on to represent their clan when diplomatic parties made their way across the mountains for trading.

"Thanks, Jack. Sadly I think Alina has a grander gown she wants to force on me tonight" She scowled. Although she was pure grace on a dance floor or with a saber, she seemed to hate the idea of being considered anything remotely close to elegant.

"Have you seen Alina today?"

"She's still with her professor. History, I believe. Maybe we should rescue her." Cali had a mischievous look in her eye.

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We made our way to the east wing as Calista let me know that I would probably despise the scheme she worked up. This was not a new predicament. Cali always had a way to make life exciting. Sometimes in good ways, but other times she was too daring for her own good. For instance, she at one point thought that fireworks off the palace balcony would make for a nice quiet private show for a group of friends gathered at the castle, and not make the castle guards think we were under attack. They locked down the entire city. Luckily, a group of adolescent nobles without any weaponry did not pose a credible threat to the safety of the kingdom, and the city did not have to wait long before the all clear was sounded.

We rounded the corner toward Alina's study and could hear the rounded vowels and short choppy syllables of an accent from somewhere far from Ensis. The professor seemed to have just finished going over the formation of Ensis.

"...The warriors of the Swordsmen were united against the forces in the mountains. Princess, name the clans." Even the professor seemed bored at his own question. He must have been reading from his lesson.

"The crest of Stag, Guardian of the Crown. The crest of the Bear, Provider of the Crown. The crest of Wolves, Defender of the Crown. The crest of Falcon, Protector of the Crown." Alina yawned. Even from behind the entryway you could hear it in her voice.

"...and..." her professor prompted.

"The phoenix, keeper of the throne. And before you ask, each clan has one leader with the Four Swordsmen and the Monarch being the heads of each." Alina, the picture of decorum, was almost moaning her answer. I can't blame her. Every child in Ensis could name the clans, but this professor always seemed focused on the roots of our kingdom.

"And do you remember the poem from the Dark Day?" The professor droned dryly.

Calista popped her head around the doorway. "I am so sorry to intrude, Professor, but I must borrow the Princess for the presentation of a birthday gift."

The professor seemed flustered, "That will have to wait till after the lesson."

"Surely a gift on the princess's birthday is worth some-" Cali was cut short as we both stood in the open doorway. The professor's gaze was not one that should be questioned. Even the almost fearless Cali stopped midword.

"Knowledge is paramount for our future sovereign. Birthdays are no exception. Princess Alina, please recite the poem from the Battle of the Forging of the Four Swords." The professor scowled in the direction of Alina. I did not envy her position as the crown princess.

"The eighteenth year had..." Alina stopped short on the poem when her Professor abruptly looked in the direction of the two of us standing in doorway.

Cali took the opportunity and pushed her luck as she had found her words again, "Well then you can tell the queen tonight when the princess is crying over her ruined party, that it was your fault. Good day." Cali took two steps toward the door before Alina joined in the game.

"What's going to ruin my party?" Alina's voice was a note too high for this expression to be actual concern.

"Sir Jacobson crafted a dance for you two to perform tonight, but needed you to practice with him before the party to make sure you both knew it perfectly. Too bad the present will be a disaster now." Cali could be a tad dramatic. It was also going to be a disaster no matter how much practice we had. I was a terrible dancer.

"Oh... well." The professor stammered. He seemed easily persuaded at even the threat of potential crocodile tears. His eyes never left the doorway. Maybe there was something else going on. Fear? Sickness? He seemed to be turning green. " I suppose the princess's studies can wait till tomorrow to resume." The professor then bowed and took his leave.

Good news, I was going to get to spend some time with the girls. Bad news, it would be dancing.