Two days ago, I was normal, yesterday, I was normal, and today, I’m normal. Every day that passes stays the same or gets even duller than the last. People think I’m some amazing person destined for adventure being Pierce Astonian Marsoth, Prince of the land. For years, I’ve been paranoid that something was going to happen like they did in the stories to people with higher stature or an outcast capable of fabulous things. But that’s not me.

    My day started with the classic normal, trudging through the stone brick hallways connected by even more boring cement. At least there were tapestries to reflect light and life slinking through the corridor. I’d memorized every nook and cranny of the castle in my life. Passing by it was like reading a poem memorized by force. Living in the castle wasn’t all bad. I got to go out and do things, help people, and the best part was hearing their stories. People--especially old ones--like to tell the prodigious tales of their childhood and on. They shared the excitements and spurts of their lives. I’m nineteen now, and nothing has happened yet. I don’t know what overpowers me, the worry of what might happen or the exhaustion of waiting for it to happen.

    A stone faced servant opened the painted door to a room where my father sat with papers surrounding him like fleas on a dog. The sun glossing the the back window cascaded celestial light around him as if he were a spirit sent from the dead to deliver a message. The only message I got was one of gruff renouncements.

    “You’re late.”

    “I’m sorry, father.” I bowed as I had been taught. “What is first on the agenda for today?”

    He raised his eyebrows. “I am not you’re planner and am not expected to memorize your schedule. Danial should have it in your room. Today we are focusing on higher capabilities. As heir to the crown you must go through an evaluation process to prove the admirable qualities of yourself. Your trial begins tomorrow.”

    My ears whistled. Could it really be true? Was I finally off on an adventure?

    “How long does this evaluation process take?” I asked fervently before my hopes were high. Father didn’t like a hasty answer with a taste of eagerness and impatience.

    “How ever long you make it.” King Tasher stated. He wasn’t one to speak vaguely. Usually he would go off on a monologue on the importance of this trial or the exact measures to take. His resistance to explanation implied I was on my own for this one. This could be the start of my story.

    “Can you give me any details about the trial?” A smart question. Father always admired curiosity and any question that wasn’t disrespectful or personal was welcome with open arms. But that wasn’t so this day.

    “Don’t fall.” His answer only brought more questions. Fall from what? What was I to be standing on? How could I fall in a trial? “Dismissed.” He stated before I could carry the conversation any further.

The walk back to my room was much shorter than the walk there, I had so many things to think about. This evaluation was supposed to find admirable qualities… for what? Good leadership? Willingness to serve? How would they assess it?

I was greeted by Danial holding a small piece of paper. It contained the journeys of today with little tabs on each appointment showing tips on what to do and how to act. Father liked to use those sometimes to be sure I wouldn’t make a fool of myself in public. Like it hadn’t already happened at assemblies and meetings.

One quick glance at the schedule was all it took. When I was young, I had developed a photographic memory with some of the guards. They’re required to so they can remember names and faces for specific things. Now I can read almost anything once and recite it exactly as it had been written.

First off was breakfast appointed right after my meeting with father. Transitioning from fathers intense atmosphere to the loving aura of mother was a treat for the soul. Together they were the heart and mind of the country and everybody loved it. But what was I to be? I had never had to think about it before. My older brother advocated a few days before he was old enough to be crowned king. He would’ve done a splendid job but he didn’t feel right directing the military from afar so he left to work with them. Now, I was on my own.

Mother sang my name on entry. “Pierce! Your father told me that you’re started the assessment tomorrow, how exciting!” she beamed.

I smiled at her enthusiasm. “You make it sound fun when father made it sound intimidating.”

She laughed. “That’s the way it goes, huh? Well, I’m actually the one who went through it. It was about the time I met your father. Funny how things work.”

Of course. Maybe father didn’t say anything because he wouldn’t know anything. “Is there anything you can tell me about it?”

Her smile dampened. “Sorry, hun, it’s pretty secretive.”

“What is?” Kamilla burst from her previous silence.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s this assessment to see who I am. Something like that.” Kamilla stamped her foot under the table. She was fifteen but didn’t show it through temperament. She was usually pretty calm but since Connor (our older brother) left, she’s been reckless.

I have another sibling. He’s the youngest of us all. From Connor being three years older than me and Kamilla four years younger, it was a mystery that Roger was born only a year after Kamilla. Mother loves kids and wanted a fifth but it wasn’t to be. Still, she’s happy.

We talked about little things of life before father walked it, then we started discussing the day ahead. Which was pretty simple. There weren’t any parties this week so we had a bit of free time.

“Choose what you would like to do now so Fredrick can put it in your schedules.” Father said and nodded to me to speak.

“I would like to go to Baell and see if there’s anything I can do.” With my decision, Kamilla asked if she could go too. I had no problem with that, she always made the event a little extra. Roger said he would like to spend some time in the courtyard. He did that a lot. Probably because he has a little crush on one of the gardeners daughters. I think it’s funny and cute but one of the families that stays here often has a daughter who absolutely adores him. That would be a cute match too, but Roger’s still too young to think about girls and what they mean to him. I haven’t even thought about them. Girls.

The morning events slid by and we were off to Baell. Baell is the closest village to the castle. I loved it because it was always so happy. Everyone tried their best to put on a bright face. Danial sat beside me in the carriage. He went with me wherever I went. We had been best friends since birth and he always came with me. I didn’t think it fair that he would have to stay in the castle, plus he’s my right hand man.

Danial in my best friend and Kamilla my sister, yet every time they were around each other, they built up this awkward tension. Being in the middle of it didn’t help. I was up late last night worrying about today’s meeting with father. We talked in private about every week but making a specific appointment just to talk had throttled me. I could barely stay upright. Danial saw me nodding off and went to the other side by Kamilla.

“You can lay down now,” he offered. I accepted.

“Thanks. An extra fifteen minutes would be perfect.” I fall asleep on impact and didn’t stir until the door was opened. Kamilla and Danial were less tense. Maybe they had spoken and gotten over the bubble that had built up over the years. We were off.

“Okay, bye Peirce.” Kamilla called, walking in the opposite direction.

I grabbed her arm. “Excuse me, where do you think you’re going? We have to stick together.”

Her whole body sagged. “But why?”

“We only brought one guard. Where were you planning to go? We could possibly make a stop by if we have the time.”

Danial spoke up. “I could go with her, act as a second guard. If there’s an extra sword or if Hendrix is willing to sacrifice his, Kamilla is safe with me.”

“Okay, keep her safe. Never know when there’s going to be some crazy around the corner.” I reminded while Hendrix grabbed the sword.

Danial clutched it and looked me straight in the eyes. “I’ll protect her with my life, Peirce. I promise.”

“Maybe don’t protect her with your whole life, she’s a brat sometimes.”

Kamilla snorted. “I heard that!”

Ignoring her, I continued. “And no need to be so dramatic. It’s like two hours in the safest village I’ve ever heard of. It’ll be fine.”

Danial dropped his head. “I didn’t mean just--nevermind.” He followed Kamilla away. That was weird. Danial never looked that stressed. I knew he got stressed on various ocations, but he never showed it. It was part of his acting exercise. He had started acting nine years ago when he was eight. Yeah, we’re two years apart, but that’s okay. He acts mature for his age, even father has noticed it.

First thing on my list was to go see a couple of families. There were always things to know around this time of year. Harvest time. Boy I had a lot to do.

I would like to point out that these passages were explained to me after all was said and done.

“Danial! Why didn’t you tell him?” Kamilla cried. Her expression made Danial sink.

“I’m sorry Kamilla, but he’s my best friend. What if he hates me for the rest of my life?” He tightened the sword to his belt and offered his arm for her to hold while they walked. “And I know you hold just as much risk of his disappointment as I do--”

“Really? That’s not what I’m worried about,” she gruffly took his arm. “It’s that you’ve been friends for so long and think he would be so disappointed. You’re his most trusted soul, I don’t think he would be mad.”

“That’s just the thing. I know him well enough to know he’s old fashioned and you are way too young to be with someone. If he found out about…”

“Us? You never say the word.”

Danial stuttered in response. He knew it was true. He himself was old fashioned and hated the idea but couldn’t help but love loving her. “I’ll tell him eventually, I promise,” he said vigorously.

She sighed as he led her down the lane, still in awe that such a girl could love him.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she offered. It was their joke. He had once said he loved the copper colour of her eyes, and now copper pennies weren’t just coins.

“Thoughts of you are worth much more than a cent.” She hid her head by tucking her chin into her chest. “Where are we headed?”

Kamilla shrugged. “Anywhere.”

Danial stopped. “So you departed from Pierce for the soul purpose of walking with me?” He smirked.

“Am I not aloud to wish to enjoy nature? I thought you enjoyed the simple moments in life.” She walked ahead a couple of meters towards the rocky trail. Danial watched the salmon lace ends of her dress drag with the dirt. This simply wouldn’t do.

Kamilla found herself being lifted up with ease. She nuzzled in closer to Danial to keep the end of the sword digging into her back.

“I’d believe you came out here for the intake of nature if A) there weren’t the palace gardens containing the most elite selection of nature, and B) there’s hardly a ten year old tree here.” Danial nodded towards the brown houses and fields. This part of town was were colour slacked off.

“Danial?”

“Hm?”

Kamilla faltered. “Nevermind.” She was going to say he didn’t need to tell Pierce, but he did. It couldn’t come from anyone else in any other way. Of course she’d offered to come with him, but he insisted he do it himself. Prideful boy.

“What’s on your schedule today?”

Kamilla smiled. “Well, I have these two hours with you, then lunch, studies, tea time, more studies, dinner, an opening and sleep.”

“An opening huh? No planning parties, going out with friends?”

“Uh, huh. What about you?”

“Quite dull, I’m afraid. I must waste away until the evening where I here there is an opening in a certain someone’s schedule. I’m hoping they fill it with some time in the banquet hall, I hear it’s quite relaxing to sit in the silence there.”

Kamilla smiled. “It’s a date.”