"One - Two - Three - FIGHT!"

Caydrick lunged forward and seized his opponent. By wrapping his arms around his shoulder and chest, he swung him around and thrashed him sideways into the ground.

Ronan, his opponent, rolled around on the ground for a second, before he hopped onto his feet again and lunged towards Caydrick. He smashed into his chest and caused Caydrick to stumble backwards, before he regained footing. He gripped Ronan around his chest again and lifted him into the air. Ronan was now hanging upside-down in Caydrick's arms. He howled in fury, as Caydrick throttled him into the ground and kicked him away. Ronan groaned in pain, stumbled to his feet and vigorously shook his head to clear his vision.

"You are gon' pay for that!" Ronan spat at him, before he picked up a handful of dirt and threw it into Caydrick's vision.

Momentarily blinded by the dust in his eyes, Caydrick lost track of Ronan and suddenly felt himself get smashed into the ground. He landed hard on his back, dusting a turmoil of dirt in the air, in the process. The next thing he felt was Ronan's fist connect solidly with his ribs. Air left his lungs, as Ronan kept pounding on him, while Caydrick tried his best to ward off the punches. His eyes were still filled with dusty sand from the ground and were now watering up, in an effort to clear themselves. All he could see was the blurry outline of Ronan, who was standing above him and pounding on him, until he hoped he would pass out.

Finally Caydrick gained some sort of clear vision, just as Ronan decided to aim a punch to his face. But Caydrick reacted quickly and moved sideways, causing Ronan's fist to impact with the ground.

Ronan howled and retracted his hand in pain, and gave Caydrick the perfect opportunity to thrust his knee into Ronan's back. He then jerked sideways as Ronan lost balance and tilted into the ground, head first.

Caydrick got to his feet and wiped his eyes from as much sand as possible. He then rejoiced by the sight of Ronan still lying on the ground. He did not waste a second and dived towards him.

Ronan was still disoriented from his blow to the head, and barely managed to notice Caydrick moving in on him, before Caydrick landed his fist square in his jaw. The force of the blow caused Ronan's skull to bump backwards into the ground and knock him solidly on the head. He blacked out, and was officially unconscious.

Caydrick had won. Again.

The group of soldiers who had gather around to watch, cheered and hollared at Caydrick, and rushed forward to pat his back.

"You bastard, you just lost me 2 silver coins!" One of the soldiers boomed at him. Money exchanged hands, as people handed over their bets.

Caydrick just rolled his eyes and exited the fight circle. As he walked towards the watering can, he brushed off some of the dirt that had stuck to his sweaty body. It was yet another hot day in Venice and the soldiers were training outside, practicing close combat.

"Fucking hell, Cay. I thought you were going to lose for a moment, when Ronan grounded you," One of the soldiers, Derric, remarked as he followed him.

Caydrick did not answer him, as he poured himself some water and took a couple of large drags.

Derric crossed his arms, as he watched Caydrick catch his breath. "Who would have thought a man of no noble blood, would be such a fair match?"

Caydrick scoffed. "Who would have thought that a man of rich noble blood, would make such a poor match?"

Derric chuckled and gave him a hard pat on the back. "You should watch that mouth! Someone might hear you."

"Well maybe I might get a descent fight then," Caydrick chuckled and turned his gaze towards the Palace walls. His eyes flickered towards a window where he saw a figure standing there, peaking out through the curtains.

And not just anybody.

The Queen.

Her eyes were mysteriously unreadable, as she stood silently in the window and watched him.

Caydrick quirked a curious eyebrow her way. He did not understand; Was she watching him in particular, or merely just watching her soldiers train?

She suddenly pulled the curtains close, seperating their moment of eye contact. The window was left dark, as if she had never been there.

Caydrick kept looking at the spot. It was strange. He could have sworn she was looking closely at him. Only him. Like... she was admiring him or something. It gave him the chills.

You are being ridiculous, Caydrick thought. She was simply looking at her soldiers train.

- After all, she had been away for two years. She had only arrived at the Palace a day ago, surely she would want to check up on her forces. It was quite normal.

"Caydrick?" Derric snapped him out of his wonderment and back to reality.

"What?" Caydrick asked, before resuming his drinking.

"I was just asking you; Are you up for a round two?"

Caydrick poured the rest of the water over his head and removed the remains of dirt with a quick swipe of his hand. Slowly, he turned around and looked at the crowd, who looked anticipating and started cheering again.

His lips turned upwards into smirk. "Who is next?"

-*-

After six rounds in the circle, the soldiers finally let Caydrick go, after winning each and every single match.

Tiredly, after a wash, Caydrick dried his hair in his bedchamber, as a knock on the door sounded.

"Enter," Caydrick spoke, before putting down the wet towel and turning towards the door.

A young boy opened the door and hesitantly looked at Caydrick. "A letter and package delivery to Sir Caydrick."

Caydrick smiled, as he walked up to the boy and looked at him with a raised brow. "Lucas, I have told you not to call me Sir," He let out a chuckle, when Lucas bowed apologetic. "And do not bow to me, you know I resent that."

Lucas let out a nervous laugh and handed him the delivery. "Sorry... Caydrick."

Lucas was the usual delivery boy. He ran around the barracks and made sure that every soldier got their letters and packages.

"Thank you, Lucas," Caydrick smiled and looked at the seal.

But... That could not be right.

"Wait," He said to Lucas. "This is the Royal Court Seal. Are you sure this is right?"

"It had your name on," Lucas replied nervously.

Caydrick frowned and turned the letter. True enough, there his name was, written with a sharp quill and Royal blue ink. "And the package?" He asked.

"It came with the instructions, to give to all soldiers," Lucas quickly replied and looked anxious at the little wooden box.

Caydrick nodded quietly. "Well... Thank you, Lucas," He gave him a quick smile, before Lucas strotted off. He had no idea what this could mean. Only members of the Court received letters with this seal, so with a spiked curiosity, he tore the seal and opened the letter;

You,

are hereby invited to The Royal Court, in the celebration of her Majesty Yridessa, Queen of Verona and Venice City safe return from her political journey throughout the world. She has openly welcomed her trusted soldiers, family, friends and beloved ones, to participate in her feast and join the celebration of her newly accomplished truces with various countries.

You are expected at court, tomorrow evening at sunset, where you will be granted an exclusive chance to dine with Courtiers, Tradesmen and Council members.

In wishes of peace,

Signed by, Marcus Promtalli,

Council member,

Royal Writer and Seal Protector

Caydrick had to read the letter twice, just to be sure that he was not misunderstanding anything. He was being invited to Court. And to her Majesty's celebration party.

Why on earth was he invited? The Queen barely knew him at all, let alone should have no reason to trust him. For all she knew, he could have turned into a killer over the last three years.

You a killer, a bitter voice in his head reminded him. He grimaced at that.

Was that why the Queen had been looking at him this morning? Was there a connection? Was she spying on him, to see that he was not dangerous?

If that was the case, she must have left emptyhanded, Caydrick thought.

Or maybe... She was not even aware he was being invited? The letter was signed Marcus Promtalli, one of her council members. Mayhap it was because of his rank and status he was being invited - that this was merely a standard letter to get, if considered an important man.

Caydrick searched the letter for his name, hoping it might prove his theory. And as he suspected, his name was not there. This was nothing but a standard letter.

Nearly forgetting about the package, he folded up the letter and looked at the little rectangle chest in his hands. Clicking the lock open, he opened the chest and found...

What the hell did he find? He had never seen this instrument before.

He pulled the device out and curiously looked at it. It was a little metal frame-thing with black tinted glass. Confused, he looked into the chest and found a little note in the bottom. Unfolding the piece of paper, he read;

To be used on the eyes, to block from sunlight. Innovative invention from the east, compliments from the Emperor of China.

Looking back at the device, he held it up in front of his eyes. It took some time to figure out how to place them, but once done, he noticed that everything seemed darker wearing these shades. They looked absolutely ridiculous, he noted, after a glance in the mirror.

With a scoff, he placed them back in the chest and hid it in the drawer of his nightstand.

But even as confusing as the shades had been, the letter was even more of a puzzle. And so was the Queen.

What was her game?