1 The noble and the blade

Hi my name is Arthur I feel like what I should start this journal off with. I live in the kingdom of thistleberry. You can guess that I am a noble born just off the fact I can afford a diary but for the sake of the kingdom I will keep my actual status hidden for now. I wake up in my usual room full sized bed covered in a thin silk blanket it's summer right now and as such there's no need to bother with thicker blankets. My family's a bit unusual when it comes to meals instead of breakfast in bed like so many nobles I actually have to get up and dress myself. My father believes that me and my siblings should be able to live without the help of servants and as such we don't have many in the house we live in. To be honest, it's a bit too big to be called a house but whatever. I pull out my clothes a flat read vest with our family crest on if and a normal white shirt with what I call neck scrunchies. My formal attire it's minimalistic compared to my brothers as to be breathable for training. I slide my wooden sword holster around my waist and begin the 5 minutes trek to the kitchen. As I walk I hear many of the maids saying good morning to me a few even sloping up and calling me lord Arthur dispirit me asking them to drop the formalities with me. Finally I arrive at the kitchen as usual father is out on duty and Theo is sleeping in. So all I see at the table is my younger brother the middle child in my family. He's reading again. Enraptured in the book in front of him while eating food that would normally be served to the servants I sit down on the bench next to him and ask the kitchen for the usual. I turn to Arron and ask him what he's doing. He puts down his book and looks at me.

"I am not skilled in combat." He shoves some egg in his mouth and swallows before starting again "the only thing I can give father is my mind. As such I have taken up researching other cultures to better understand our allies and people"

he opens the book and slides it toward me using the backside of his fork he points to a kingdom to the south of thistleberry and looks at me eagerly "this kingdom to the south of us the inheritance for the ruler is completely different "he's beaming as he talks

" it decided based in a ritual where for ten day and ten nights the sons and daughters of the family must dance. The last to collapse before the temple of inheritance inherites the rule where the others become monks to apologize to the earth spirits who gave the family the right to rule"

Arron looks at me eagerly as he explains that this helps determine the person with the most mana in the family allowing that member to make better pacts with, I cut him off. "Magic's forbidden in our kingdom need I remind you?"

Arron looks at me thoughtfully "some of our allies family's are magical bloodlines."

He looks at me seriously "doesn't that make us a bit hypocritical? We forbid magic when it is used against us or by the people we rule as to stifle rebellion but we use it ourselves to further our power." I sigh and close aarons book

"look our kingdom has been know for swordplay for hundreds of years. We don't need to use magic as a crutch. Our Ancestors didn't need to use it as a crutch. Look Aaron you can study magic and it's influence in our neighboring kingdoms all you want however you need to promise me you will never try to pick it up. The things father would do to you for "poisoning" our bloodline I don't think I could watch I mean just look how hard he is on Theo and Theo won't even inherit rule" Aaron nods understanding.

" I don't plan on studying how to use magic myself I seek to understand it so someday I can be your adviser" he looks a me his eyes full of determination

" I know right now and probably for the future Arthur you don't like thinking of yourself as the prince of this kingdom but whether or not you like it unless Theo or I kill you you will inherit the throne. Your in under training for the best swordsman in the palace father sometimes even personally trains you! This house isn't just a mansion or a lords home it's the royal palace!" He grabs my shoulders and looks away from me

"I never plan on trying to inherit the throne it's your. However if you think I'm going to sit by and watch you try to take it on by yourself your wrong. I know you hate being called a prince I know you hate the responsibility.." he's shaking I place my hand on his shoulder to calm him down and ruffle his brown hair

"Aaron I understand I know I am not the most mature when I comes to this but all the effort your putting in to help me makes me really happy. I need to go train with Dad… so "

I get up and leave the kitchen. As I look over my shoulder I see my ten year old brother once again opening a book twice or side of his head and reading it. I smile sadly

" I'll do my best " I say to myself "for you and Theos sake"

Once at sword practice in the big field in front of the house. I notice father siting down on the bench aquisicaly polishing his sword. His red hair messy as he seems to be recuperating from a fight with the head swordsman again. I sit next to him and watch him polish "ash" his sword. He looks a me for a second and I say "we can wait a few min I see you need to catch your breathe" he laughs "isn't that the understatement of the year?" He says smiling. My father is a tall man with short red hair and freckles all across his face. He's well built and is always smiling. "Father?" I ask seriously

"Yes son?" He states as he goes back to polishing his blade.

"Aaron confernted me this morning." He stops a looks up at me for a minute.

"He want to be my advisor " I state matter affactly

"So he finally asked!" My fathers beaming

I nod slowly before continuing "I , was wondering if you could set up some lesson for him a Tudor maybe?"

"Your actually going to accept him" he asked his smile dropping "him getting closer to you could make it easier too" I cut him off

"To kill me" I start " I know but I have no reason to doubt his loyalty to me, I've seen him study in the library for years! He's taught me so many things!"

"Woah, slow down I get it. I get it. I'll get him a proper teacher but it will be you responsibility… I nod. "Great" he says "now let's get started"