Tanathil

-The next day

After waking up in the room that was designated to me, I took a bath.

The banquet was today. There would be many important people to meet and get on good terms with. I was never the sociable type but, if a matter at hand required me to be, I wouldn't mind. It was only through Sven that I started to become more sociable. The war started two years before I was born and I grew up not knowing peace between the warring kingdoms. I never held a conversation for too long, knowing only to command and fight. But, through Sven I learned to understand the importance of having idle chat with people and the bonds which can form through them.

"Hey! Can you hear me?! I'm speaking to you"

"What do you want." I said, irritated.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. I'm Sven." he introduced himself with a bow.

"What of it" annoyed as I was in the middle of training.

"Wow, didn't think the prince would be such a brusque person," he said with a hint of surprise, "I'm the son of the newly assigned royal physician and, I just felt like introducing myself."

"Well, you introduced yourself, so can you leave me be as I am in the middle of training." I said curtly as I swung a few combos with my sword.

"I didn't notice," he said sarcastically, "I always see you in the garden practicing and I think it wouldn't hurt to at least have a decent conversation with somebody. Also, by looks of it, seems you aren't well versed in conversing with others."

"So what. As long as my soldiers follow my orders there doesn't need to be any time wasted with idle chat."

"So what?! You won't be a liked prince if all you can do is order people around. As an apprentice physician, getting to know the person I'm treating helps me understand them better and the pain they feel. Through this idle chat I can create a bond with the people I treat so they know I care, something that you should learn." Sven explained

"Whatever"

"Ok, how about this. Let's duel. If I win, you will have to learn to converse with people."

"Fine." I accepted

The duel would still at least pertain to my training and confident that I wouldn't lose, I agreed. After getting two wooden swords we took our positions across from each other.

Sven was the first to charge and a few sidesteps and parries later, Sven lost quite quickly.

"You didn't have to hit me that hard." Sven complained

"You annoyed me quite a bit. Now, can you leave me alone."

"Wait, how about this. I got drafted into the military and it seems that I could use a bit of help with swordsmanship. In exchange for your help, I will teach you how to converse people. Deal?"

"So persistent. Fine, since it doesn't seem like you'll leave me be. One better soldier to fight in the war doesn't seem like a problem to me"

After coming to my sense from reminiscent memory, I left the bath. Before I left my room, I had put on my armor. I was taught to always put on my armor in order to hide my appearance. The helmet I had on would distort my voice due to an echantment on it. According to some history books, the reason the armor has to hide one's appearance and has to be put on, is because the 4th king of Krantz got assassinated. Nobody in Krantz has seen the way I look behind my helmet besides a few exceptions. As such, I can freely leave the castle without my armor on; free of possible assassination attempts. The last time a royal member of Krantz openly showed their appearance was too long ago that nobody really knows what the royal family looks like. The crests became a way the people could identify us as royalty or a person's status.

As I opened the wooden door to the room that resembled a tree, I see two guards awaiting me. Both of the guards didn't have a helmet on making it quite easy to make out their features. One of the guards had tall and lanky figure with a well kept appearance. The other guard was also well kept but wasn't as tall and seemed younger than the other guard.

"Good morning Prince Regil, we will be the guards to accompany you during your stay at Tanathil. My name is Sihnion and this here is Orist" after Sihnion, the tall and lanky guard introduced himself, he bowed and Orist followed suit.

"Nice to meet you too." extending my hand, the guards noticed and shook my hand.

"The king has asked us to bring you to him when you awaken. We will replace your guards for the time being. Please be rest assured that your guards will be taken care of while they stay at Tanthil." Sihnion said politely.

Gesturing his hand he said, "Shall we get going?"

As we walked towards the center of Tanathil, to the tree that resembled a castle, I admired the tranquil and elegant nature of the capital. Many of the houses here were fashioned out of a tree, and materials such as metal and stone which were commonly used in Krantz, were rarely used. Also, unlike the bustling capital of Krantz, many of the shops were in a building and not on the streets, making it seem more peaceful but less lively. The capital was filled with many luscious plants of various colors, some were large and some were small.

We made our way to the doors of the castle. It was quite big and seemed to be quite sturdy. Sihnion extended his hand and placed it towards the door. Revealing his crest, the door shone with the same crest he had before it opened. Inside the castle was a similar scene of plants. There were people, who I assumed to be maids, walking around. Everbody I passed in the castle didn't seem to have a negative attitude towards me. They were polite and bowed when I came into their view, reminding me of how polite Sihnion and Orist were when they introduced themselves. After walking through some corridors and staircases the guards stopped in front of a door. The door looked quite grand, with a symbol of a green deer and other embellishments.

"The king is waiting for you in there" said Sihnion as he gesture his hand towards the door.

Opening the door, I found, who I suppose was the king, in a well adorned armor sporting a green crest of a deer. He was sitting in a chair, so I as well sat in chair across from him, only a table seperating us.

Being the first to speak, I introduced myself.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, I am Regil Krantz."

I then showed the crest on my hand.

"Nice...to meet you...too. I am....Eldrin." he spoke slowly breathing heavily between words, as if struggling to get the next word out. By the sound of his voice, he seemed to be beyond his prime.

"Can I ask why you wanted to see me?"

"I wanted...to talk...with my...future son in law...alone. I already...spoke to your father...when he came...earlier than you...about the future...of our kingdoms."

"I, of course, intend to keep peace between our kingdoms and hopefully unify them one day."

"I am...beyond my prime. This war...has taken up...much of my life and my daughter's...childhood. I am...too old to burden hate...but, my daughter is still...young. Please understand...that she still...holds hatred amongst...your people...but more so against you. She...has made an effort...to have peaceful relations...with Krantz...and is the reason...my people are being...polite towards you."

"I see but, why tell me this?"

"She may...offend you in some...way but, please...can you try to...forgive her and get...along?"

"I have waited for peace and an end to this war. I will, without a doubt, do my best to get along."

"Thank...you. Your father and I...have decided...to leave the future...in your hands. You are...quite the opposite...of what I expected. It is...reassuring that you...are quite respectable."

"I am grateful for your compliment. Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"There are many...things that I...would like to...ask but, I am...too tired. You may go...now. Explore Tanathil during...your stay."

"I will do so. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to see you again at the banquet."

Leaving the room, I was escorted out of the castle by Sihnion and Orist. I requested if they could show me around Tanathil and they agreed.

Tanathil really was, a beautiful place. I saw different plants which I had never seen before and wondered what effects they could have if made into a potion.

Walking past buildings I noticed how unique they were. Some were made out of brown, green, and other types of colored trees. I was led to a place that sold great food which consisted of a salad and some meat. After eating I returned back to my room to prepare for the banquet.

When the kingdoms agreed upon the banquet it was decided that only the members of the royal family wear their armor. This would help protect against assassination attempts if one were to happen. Appearances were also to be concealed. When the third banquet comes that is when the royal family can reveal their appearence. Until then, I won't know the faces behind the masks and helmets of the royal family of Amir and Aerindal.

Looking through the window of my room, it was the 3rd moon cycle. I decided to rest before the banquet began.

After resting I headed outside my room where my Aerindal guards awaited. Leading me back to the castle and past the corridors and staircases we came upon a sizeable door that looked grand. It was again opened through the crest of Sihnion.

As the doors slowly opened, the banquet awaited.