A/N: Sorry for the delay in release. Real life happened.

Chapter Twelve

Jay’s training sessions became full day exercises in abuse. The weapon master and the young man sparred repeatedly over the days leading up to the big event, Jay’s only breaks were to eat, sleep and the occasional interruption from a servant assisting the preparations for the royal arrival and ball. A week quickly passed and Governor Jering gave Jay the day before the royal arrival to rest, recuperate and hopefully heal some of the bruising both had received. Jay spent the day being treated at Talli’s apothecary. Her ointments worked wonders for swelling and bruising, and most of his injuries would be healed by the time the event arrived.

The following day, the entire city of Shren lined the streets to greet the royal entourage. Jay was seated atop a horse which he had been allowed to borrow. He was positioned slightly behind the governor, next to Guard Captain Andrews, as they met the king’s guard at the gate, and escorted the group through the city to the governor’s mansion. The small group of carriages came to a stop around the statue in the central courtyard where the drivers promptly began unloading the royal baggage and carrying it to the prepared guest rooms. The central carriage door was opened and a man in his late forties stepped out. Dressed in purple and gold silk, with a modest gold crown upon his head, the man struck an imposing figure that seemed to epitomize the word ‘royalty’. The governor bowed and Jay followed suit in greeting the king of Drenna.

“Ray, my old friend, let’s not stand on ceremony, shall we?” The king strode forward and clasped hands with the governor before turning to Jay. “And you must be Master Trinity. I’ve heard so much about you in Dren, I’m Darius Wintz, King of Drenna, and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Jay took the king’s offered hand in a firm handshake.

“Likewise, your majesty. It’s an honor.” Jay was rather surprised by the king’s informal attitude but did not show it. He must not enjoy the formality of his station in private. As they were being introduced, the man was followed by a beautiful woman a few years younger than the king himself, who wore matching clothing and a silver crown.

“May I introduce you to my lovely queen, Caroline Wintz.” Jay bowed respectfully which the queen responded with her own slight bow before turning to the governor.

“Ray, it has simply been too long. You really should visit us more often in the capital, your letters and reports do nothing to ease your absence.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you again as well, Caroline.” Ray chuckled. “You know I can’t stand all the fuss of the court.” Caroline just sighed and nodded in agreement. She understood all too well. The final two members of the royal family departed their carriages and approached. The prince and his best friend arrived first while the princess and one of her ladies in waiting made their way to the group. The former was around the age of twenty-two and dressed in a black suit resembling a tuxedo. He was promptly introduced to Jay by the king.

“This is my son, Prince Darius Wintz the Third.” Both men shook hands, foregoing the formality. Everything about Prince Darius screamed aggression. The younger man’s desire to test Jay was shouted in every action, from the crushing grip of his hand to the intense stare leveled directly into Jay’s eyes.

“It’s a pleasure, Prince Darius.” Jay simply smiled in a relaxed fashion as he casually returned the crushing handshake, a bit of feral light floating through his eyes as the prince attempted to stare him down.

“Not at all, the pleasure is mine, Master Trinity.” The prince responded as he released his grip. The king noted the exchange and privately looked forward to seeing Jay’s rumored skills for himself. These two would undoubtedly compete before the trip was completed.

“Last, allow me to introduce my daughter, Princess Elise Wintz.” Jay bowed as the girl curtsied. She was stunningly beautiful. Her skin was a light olive which complimented her light green eyes, the color of which was shared by all of the Wintz family. Jay was nearly left speechless but caught himself, shoving the blankness from his mind and inserting his greeting.

“The stories don’t do you justice, Princess. It’s a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance.” The girl’s eyebrows were raised slightly in surprise, which was reflected in all of the family’s faces. Jay missed the significance of the expression, but Governor Jering did not.

“Yes, well, now that we’ve all been introduced, how about we move inside,” the governor suggested. “Jay, you may spend the rest of the day as you please. We will see you at the ball in two days.” Jay nodded with that parting phrase and, with an additional bow to the royal family, returned to his room at the inn where he spent the remainder of the day resting and preparing for the ball.

Once inside the governor’s parlor, the five members broke into discussion.

“That man, he is no mage, yet he tossed off Elise’s mental glamour as if it were a wet blanket.” The king mused to himself. Ray was quiet, with a worried frown painted across his face. Jay hadn’t even made it past introductions and his student was attracting additional unwanted attention. The queen looked amused as she sipped on her cup of tea. The prince maintained his air of arrogance. It did not matter if the peasant had resisted some cheap mental trick; when it came down to their inevitable duel, Prince Darius would crush him. The princess never changed, as she mirrored her mother, sipping her tea as the discussion continued. The king and his daughter were both formally trained mages, while the queen and their son were not. The latter two were both magically sensitive, but could not wield mana in the same capacity as a member of the magus college.

“I am sure you have guessed, Ray, despite his lack of noble title I plan to evaluate him as a potential suitor for Elise. I understand he has been rather adamant in his refusal to enter any sort of relational contract. Should he meet my expectations, I intend to resolve this matter quickly.” Ray simply grimaced as he nodded in acceptance. It was near worst-case, but with Jay’s new fake relationship with Talli, he still had a chance to deter a confrontation with the king.

“Father, I would take great pleasure in squashing this bug for you. He is beneath our family and Elise deserves to be wed to someone of great merit, not some peasant playing noble.” Despite the prince’s arrogant and harsh words, Ray had to give the boy some credit. His protection of his younger sister was good, and may serve to assist in dissuading the king, even if he was acting like an ass.

“I am sure you will both have an exchange of pointers before this trip is ended,” the elder Darius assured the younger, “However, I am curious as to Elise’s opinion of the man as well. We are discussing your future, after all.” The girl in question was silent for a moment as she sipped at the cup in her hand before her voice rang out like gently disturbed wind chimes across the room.

“He is… interesting, as you said father. He holds himself as a leader might, moves with the grace of an elf, but there is something inherently dangerous about the man. It hangs over him like a black shroud. His resistance to my magic only feeds my curiosity.” Her dainty, delicate hands set the teacup down in contemplation, her eyes peering into the unseen distance. “He is an enigma. Something which seems out of place in the world, yet is hidden well.” Ray felt a cold chill crawl up his back. The princess was uncannily sharp and, within the few minutes of meeting the man, had come to the same conclusions that the governor had built over years of interaction. The princess suddenly sighed, catching all present off guard with her unusual display of emotion.

Refocusing on the room she stated, “I would like to learn more about this man, if you would be so kind as to tell us of him, Governor.” Ray acquiesced, noting the pleased expression the king wore at his daughter’s interest.

The girl had been nicknamed Stone Princess by the noble and upper class, as she had rejected all of her potential suitors from the moment she was of marrying age, her stony expression never wavering.

Ray grudgingly obliged, telling them everything he knew. Over the course of his employment, the two men had become rather close and Jay had told the old weapon master much about his interests, plans and life since waking from his ‘amnesia’. It felt like a betrayal to Ray, but he could not refuse royalty who had ruled for the past three generations. Their established information network would most likely have already related much of this same information to the king’s ears, so attempting to hide facts was a foolish idea to entertain.

They continued speaking for several hours before the women finally retired. All members, even the arrogant younger Darius, wished to journey to Drenz Rest the next day to see the beasts themselves. The governor and king sat silently nursing glasses of wine while the prince strutted out of the room to meet his friend. They would be found later at one of the high class establishments wooing the local ladies. The two elder men continued in sipping in silence for another minute before the king spoke.

“Speak candidly with me, old friend. This man, I have no doubt he is suitable for my daughter and her own interest is telling. I will challenge him before we return as well. If even the smallest portion of the rumors surrounding his skill with the blade are true, he will crush my arrogant whelp of a son.” The governor unconsciously grimaced. “What is the catch, Ray? Your face speaks volumes to me.”

The older man swirled his glass of fermented juice, hesitating briefly before answering. “He is already courting another and has well laid plans for his future. He will not go quietly and will become a thorn in your side if this is not handled well.” King Darius nodded. “He will honor the outcome of a gentleman’s duel, but do not expect to garner any favor from him should you force the matter.”

The king lapsed into silence, a thoughtful expression painted on his face as he drained the remainder of his glass. A smile slowly spread across his features as a mischievous dance played out behind his eyes. The look reminded Ray of the king in his youth. It was a look the king wore right before he did something incomprehensibly foolish and Ray sighed in resignation. Their cards were played, it would be up to Jay to finish this battle.