--- Roric

Two weeks or so after the tournament, Roric finally found the courage to wander around the palace like before. He had spent that time alone for the most part, interacting as little as possible even with the servants. There was probably a simpler way to tell if Sir Wilfred was still harbouring some grudge towards him, but the boy wasn't so eager to confirm his doubts. It wasn't like he was scared, of course, but he didn't want to openly challenge the son of a member of the court. Not to mention that Elise was deeply involved in the matter.

I know she is the princess, still... Even if I feel threatened, I can't ask her to protect me. I need to take care of it on my own. What if I just apologized to Wilfred and made him realize that there wasn't any malice on my part?

The young warrior sighed. He already knew it didn't work that way. There was no reason for that pampered noble to hear him out, especially after declaring that he wanted to have him driven away right before their duel.

I was just fulfilling Elise's request. What's so wrong about it? That guy shouldn't have entered the competition if he didn't want to lose. Being so prideful, I bet he never expected the princess to have him humbled like that... Well, nobody did.

After being sure that nobody was approaching, Roric left his room. He had received a letter from his friend just a couple of days earlier, saying that she wanted to meet him somewhere in the royal quarters, a place normally inaccessible to most. Yet, being an honour guard was bound to have some advantages.

For some reason, as he walked, the boy's mind went to the Mage girl he had got acquainted with the evening of the banquet. She had mentioned something about her desire to meet the princess in person, during that conversation.

This Mary... I wonder if I'll get a chance to speak with her again. She seemed nice, Elise would like her. Maybe I should have her invited to the gardens one day. It would be great to make some friends in the capital, for a change.

Anyway, thinking too hard about it was useless at the moment. Roric still needed to sort things out and be certain that the consequences of the tournament wouldn't have harmed his stay in the future.

***

The young warrior got past the guards stationed at the entrance of the quarters by showing a special token which came with Elise's message.

That area of the palace, he immediately noticed, wasn't so different from the rest. Excluding the tighter security and the slightly more expensive furniture, one could barely tell them apart. Only the view from the windows, all directed to the eastern sea, was considerably better.

She told me to enter and wait for her lady-in-waiting to pick me up. There was something she wanted to show me, and I'm quite curious about it.

As expected, Lady Annette appeared not less than two minutes later. She was an extraordinarily efficient person, that was all Roric could say. He was happy to know Elise was being taken care of by someone so diligent, and hoped to become at least equally useful someday.

“Greetings, My Lady,” he politely introduced himself. “The princess asked for me to come around this hour.”

“Yes, I know. Follow me.”

Her tone seemed a bit annoyed. The boy hardly resisted the urge to ask why.

It's obvious that this woman was never fond of me since the start, but I'd like to be in good terms with her. Is it because of me and Elise being too close, perhaps? Go figure...

Annette led him around a couple corners until they reached a closed door. She knocked and invited him to tag along, this time more pleasantly. Roric had already realized that in the presence of her mistress the lady-in-waiting had the tendency to hide her hostility.

The room was wide, well-lit by the morning sun. It appeared to be some sort of meeting hall, one that was usually left unused judging from the blankets that covered most of what was inside. In the center, the young warrior spotted Elise along with a man he didn't know, both dressed in a training attire.

She got herself a weapon instructor? How did she convince her father?

He decided that it was better to stay quiet and not disturb the lesson, so he took place on an empty chair right next to the door, near the one Lady Annette was already using.

“Who is he?” he whispered. “I haven't been here for long, but it's the first time I see him.”

The woman frowned, but replied, “He's currently the best master in town, Anton Poles. His Majesty the King has requested for him the other day. It appears that princess Elise wants to learn how to fight. For some strange reason.”

“I can tell that you don't approve, My Lady.”

“Of course I don't. That's not something a girl of her age should ever do, but if she seeks to emulate his father then there's no point in complaining about it.”

Roric huffed. He knew Elise enough to tell that wasn't the only reason. Protecting her people had probably more to do with it. After all, she had been turning more and more in that direction since old Dominic's passing. He didn't have the right to stop her, at that point.

Only thing was, the boy felt a bit betrayed. He wished to be the one teaching her, instead.

Look at her go. She's already a little better than when we used to practice together... That's not surprising. I wasn't a real master in the first place. Maybe it's best if she learns from a professional, if she wants to get serious. Still, I can't help but wondering what's her goal.

Some minutes passed, and the young princess finally asked for a pause. She turned to Roric, with a big smile, and ran in his direction.

“So?” she asked. “What do you think?”

“What's going on, Elise? I... I don't recall you ever mentioning this to me.”

The girl pointed her wooden sword to the ground, leaning against it. “It's something me and Father decided the other day. After showing the city that I'm not afraid of showing what I'm made of, it made sense that I pursued his same interests.”

“That can't be all,” said the young warrior. “Even when I was teaching you, back then, you would still have a very good reason to go through something like this.”

“Who knows?” Elise laughed. “If it ends up as being useful in the protection of the Kingdom, I'll happily undergo any training.”

“Now I recognize you.”

She hasn't changed. But in some way, she also has. Until the day of the tournament she looked so helpless, and now it's like a flame has awakened inside her. I hope it doesn't end like the other time...

“Before you start worrying,” went on the girl, “I'm not going to war. Relax. Father would never let me. We have good generals and warriors in the army, so there's no need.”

“Why, then? You are the princess, so you should be the last person who learns how to fight in Cassidia.”

She shook her head. “See it from another perspective. The people will get excited when they learn that I'm working to become a strong leader. It's the thing Cassidia needs the most, after my father's injury.”

Ah, now I see it. So, my concern was for nothing. Still, I wonder if it's really going to help or if she's just...

“Your Highness,” the instructor stepped in, respectfully. “I think it's due time we resume our session.”

“Just a moment, Anton. I'll be right there.”

Elise turned towards Roric, and lowered her head. Suddenly, she seemed a little flustered.

“I... I wanted to thank you properly for the other day. I made the decision, but the one who took the responsibility in the arena was you, Roric. The nobles, especially Wilfred...”

“I know,” replied the boy. “Be at ease, I'm not upset or anything. Just be sure to tell me in advance if you want to try something that rush, next time.”

“Next time... Hopefully, next time I'll be the one who protects my honour.”

“Don't even say it. I'm your guard, right? That's the entire point of my presence here.”

With another smile, Elise backed up and walked to the weapon master once more. Having nothing more to do, Roric decided to watch the rest of the session from the side of the room.

They seem to be doing spear training as well. Good thing. She still prefers staying at range just like I taught her. It's funny to see she's still carrying a part of that training.

Yet, he wasn't completely sold to the idea that his friend, the princess of an important country, had decided to take up arms. Even if it was just for show.

***

--- Mary

“Come in, miss Wilmore. I've been expecting you.”

“Sorry to bother you, Archmage. It's time for my scheduled report.”

Mary entered the study, carrying the load of papers she had prepared over the course of the day. The room was located in the top quarters of the tower of the Circle, the place where she had grown up, in the northern part of the city.

It was probably the quietest spot in all of Cassidia, excluding the palace, so high in the sky that the noises below became almost inaudible. Archmage Sartan, the head of the Mages, spent most of his time working in there. He was in his sixties, extremely powerful and yet wise, a man with amounts of knowledge an initiate like her couldn't even dream of. Just the books gathered within his study were probably worth a fortune, given that someone other than him could make some use of them.

“This is a summary of the meetings of this week,” went on the girl, dropping the documents in one of the few free spots she could find. “Nothing unusual happening, sir.”

The Archmage raised from his chair, with unsuspecting ease considering his age, and quickly went through the papers with trained eye. After a couple of seconds, he nodded and invited the young Mage to have a seat.

“Good work, Mary. Keep it up like that.”

“Thanks, Archmage. Your words humble me.”

“Don't be so modest,” the man laughed, returning to his table. “You are the best among our youth, after all.”

Everyone keeps reminding me of that, but... I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to prove myself with something serious. This desk duty is starting to get boring.

However, Mary didn't voice out her doubts, and simply accepted the praise. The Circle's masters knew certainly better than her what was appropriate for an initiate. Meanwhile, Sartan went on.

“At this rate, you might become a full-fledged Mage within two years, before you turn sixteen. I have to admit it, your dedication surpassed even my brightest predictions. If there's anything more you need at the palace, I'll be happy to provide it to you.”

“I... I think I'm good for now. I don't want to take advantage of my position too much,” said the girl.

With a warm smile, the old Mage replied, “Again, you are too modest for your own good. Don't be afraid of earning your rewards, Mary. Talent like yours is hard to find, and it's my intention to help you cultivate it.”

Then, how about...

“There's something I could need, in fact... But that's way more of what someone of my rank could ever ask for...”

“Let's hear it.”

Mary fiddled with her fingers a bit, trying to find the right words and not to sound too arrogant in the process. In truth, even with the Archmage thinking so highly of her, the request still sounded a little too extreme.

“I... It would really help with my studies,” she said, blushing, “If you could award me a three-ringer. I believe I'm ready to use one. I've gone through most books on basic magic, and I've recently started studying intermediate ones, so...”

Sartan frowned, assuming a thoughtful expression.

Hmm... Maybe I went too far. I'd better...

“You are right. Someone of your rank was never entrusted with such a powerful tool before. Not to mention how young you are.”

“My... My apologies, Archmage. I stepped out of line-”

“No, no,” the man reassured her. “I trust your judgment. If you say you are ready, then I can just assume you are. How about we arrange a special test, only to be sure that you've completely mastered what master Bravo taught you?”

He would... Really?

“I'd be honoured!” she exclaimed. “I'll put everything I have into it. I promise!”

Stretching in his chair, Sartan joined his hands and his eyes met hers. That gaze could be so deep that sometimes Mary wondered if he could read minds, despite being aware that no Mage was able to do that.

“You've matured much since the day we took you in.”

The young apprentice felt embarrassed for a moment, remembering her first days in the Circle. Everything in her life had changed in so little time... And for the better.

“Thanks...”

“You don't have to thank me. It's all because of how devoted you are to your studies,” said the Archmage. “Anyway, allow me to say that I'm a bit concerned about how much effort you put into it.”

“But...” the girl whined. “How am I supposed to climb the ranks if I slack? There are still many things I've got to learn and... In the end, I hardly have any time to rest. That's not like I'm complaining about the amount of work, just... If there's anything more I can do, I will find a way to put it into my schedule.”

“That's the kind of mentality I'm afraid of. You never take breaks. Ever since you became an initiate, none of the masters reported a decrease in your commitment. So, let me ask it again, Mary... Are you alright?”

The girl thought about it for one or two seconds, before answering.

“Sure, Archmage. Becoming the best Mage I can be is the only thing I dream of.”

“Good. Then, I trust you won't push yourself. I don't have to sign a written order for you to take at least a day off every week, right?”

Ugh. That's dirty. An entire day would be too much. I can study so many things during-

“Marianne.”

“Yes?”

“Take some time for yourself. You barely have friends.”

Lowering her head, the apprentice just stared at the floor. Being scolded because she did too much wasn't exactly how she expected things to turn out.

“How much time has passed since the last time you talked with someone who was unrelated to the Circle or to your tasks?”

All of a sudden, Mary was reminded of the boy she had met at the banquet. Roric, the honour guard of the princess. She could say that... Their conversation was what the Archmage meant?

“A... A week or so, Archmage.”

Sartan seemed surprised by her reply, but still a little displeased.

“I'll arrange things with master Bravo for your exam, if that's what you really want,” he said. “But keep this in mind. Being always busy will harm your efforts, on the long run. Even if you pass the test, you won't be allowed your three-ringer until you take at least a short period of rest. Are we clear?”

Those words hit Mary like a stick on her head, but deep inside she trusted the old man to be right. He knew those matters better than her, at least.

“Yes, Archmage. I'll do my best.”

After a last dubious glance, Sartan gave her a smile and dismissed her.

“I just want you to be an efficient member of the Circle. Mary. It's true you are a prodigy, but don't overdo it. Have a nice day.”

The girl bowed and left, closing the door behind her back. Then she looked left and right, to be sure she was alone and giggled, struggling to contain her excitement.

My very own three-ringer! I can't believe it! Screw this, I'll study night and day, I'll even... I'll even take the rest the Archmage wants if it means I can have it!

No matter the hardships, she was going to become a great Mage. That was her promise to herself.