Chapter 14: The Tournament

A few hours before the tournament started, Alther knocked on Charlotte's door accompanied by Ashton and a young knight in training.

"Is your sister here? We figured out how to get her into the tournament," Alther explained.

As Krystina approached the door Ashton held out a bundle of clothes. "I hope you don't mind dressing as a boy for a while. Unfortunately girls aren't allowed to compete."

"I don't mind," Krystina beamed, taking the clothes from him.

"Excellent. Jacob will wait for you outside," Ashton gestured towards the knight. "When you're done changing he'll help you get signed up and armed."

"Thank you," Krystina curtsied and closed the door, her excitement visible on her face. "I get to compete! What will we tell mom?" She asked, realizing they'd need to explain her absence from the audience.

"That you weren't feeling well," Cassidy smiled, helping her sister out of her dress. "Just make sure to run back to your room the moment the tournament is over and pretend you're ill."

"Unfortunately that won't save me from the scolding I'm bound to get," Krystina joked.

Once she was completely dressed she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing plain brown pants and a matching coat. With her hair pinned and tucked into a cap she could pass for a boy if one didn't look too closely.

Krystina turned to face her sisters. "What do you think?" She asked, lowering her voice. "Am I manly enough?"

"Definitely," Kaitlyn laughed. "We'll be cheering for you the loudest."

Krystina smiled and left the room, joining the young knight who had been waiting for her.

"Ready, your highness?" Jacob asked, smiling slightly at her appearance. She nodded and he started walking towards the training room. After a moment of silence, Jacob looked over at Krystina again.

"If I may, why would a princess like yourself want to join a tournament?"

"I've liked sword fighting since I was little," Krystina replied. "I'd practice with my brother in secret until my mother found out. Why? Worried I won't be able to beat you?"

Jacob smiled. "I have no doubt you're more than capable of beating me."

Krystina smiled back and continued following, grateful once again to have been given such an opportunity.

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As the stands around the field started to fill, the three princesses presented themselves to the royal family.

"Your majesties, I hope you'll forgive our sister, Krystina. She was feeling ill and has decided to remain in her room," Kaitlyn apologized as she curtsied.

King Selwyn nodded in understanding. "That's quite alright. Now that we're all here, shall we begin?"

Selwyn nodded to a servant, who blew into a horn. In two straight lines, all the competitors marched in, wearing leather armor and wielding dulled swords. They had all donned helmets as well, making it difficult for Charlotte to identify her sister among the other knights. Hopefully her mother would have an equally difficult time discovering her.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Royal Vasilvael and Harthington tournament. In honor of Princess Charlotte's 14th birthday we've asked some of the best knights from both kingdoms to represent us and put on a good show," King Selwyn announced.

The first few fights passed by somewhat quickly. Each of the winners was presented with flowers to hand to the crowd, and though most of the knights handed them out to various spectators Ashton would present all of his flowers to Charlotte every time.

The final round approached, with Ashton and Camdyn set to fight each other. Krystina had made it to the semi-finals but had lost out to her brother.

The crowd's excitement was palpable as the prince and the young king approached the field. When they met in the middle Camdyn extended a hand.

"No hard feelings, right?" Camdyn smiled.

Ashton took his hand and shook it. "No hard feelings," he agreed. "Though I wouldn't sound so sure about victory if I were you, Your Majesty."

Both boys bowed and drew their swords, waiting for King Selwyn's sign to begin the fight. The horn sounded and they began to circle each other.

Ashton took the first swing. Camdyn avoided it and counterattacked. The prince stepped back to block. The young king seized the opportunity to charge forward, and Ashton sidestepped quickly, causing Camdyn to overbalance. He rolled back onto his feet.

"That was pretty good, Prince Ashton," Camdyn laughed. "I guess I'm gonna have to get serious."

"Your first mistake was thinking you wouldn't have to," Ashton retorted, twirling his sword in his hand.

Their swords clashed repeatedly and the crowd's excitement increased. They appeared to be on equal footing.

"You can do it, Ashton!" Charlotte cheered. Ashton felt his entire face turn red as he smiled, encouraged by the princess's words. However, Camdyn took advantage of his opponent's distraction and in one swift move he smacked Ashton's sword out of his hand and knocked him to the ground.

The horn sounded and Camdyn helped Ashton to his feet before approaching the royal family and bowing.

"That was an excellent match, King Camdyn. Truly an astounding victory," King Selwyn declared as several servants presented Camdyn with some gold and a medal.

Afterwards, both families decided to eat in the garden, as it was Charlotte's favorite place to be. Krystina had been looked at by a very confused healer who quickly caught on and assured Queen Deandra that she would be able to join the others momentarily.

A large table was brought out and as they all sat down, Charlotte and her sisters recounted the tournament to Krystina, who lamented about not being able to see it.

"Congratulations again, King Camdyn," Ashton smiled. "I'll have to ask for a rematch next time we meet."

Camdyn threw an arm around Ashton's shoulder and laughed. "Definitely. I have no doubt you'll be able to best me next time, Your Highness."

Queen Deandra smiled slightly then turned to Alther. "I do think it's a pity we didn't get to see Prince Alther compete."

"Alther practices magic, not sword fighting," Queen Haven explained, a tight smile on her face.

"Really?" Queen Deandra looked genuinely intrigued. "We don't have many wizards in Harthington. Would you be willing to show us some spells, Prince Alther?"

Alther looked over at his mother, remembering her instructions to leave if asked to perform. To his surprise, however, she nodded in approval.

"I'll be right back, if that's ok," Alther replied. He gave a quick bow and practically ran to the library, where he hoped Aspro would be. To his relief he found his teacher with his nose buried in a book.

"Sir? Are you busy?" Alther called quietly. Aspro immediately looked up from his book.

"Prince Alther, is everything alright?" Aspro smiled kindly, placing a ribbon in his book to mark his page.

"The queen asked me to perform a magic show for them," Alther explained. "and I wanted to know if you'd be able to come watch. In case I mess up or anything..."

"I have full faith in you that you won't make any mistakes." Aspro stood up and walked over to Alther. "I'm excited to see you perform."

The two of them walked back to the garden, going over the basics as they went. When they arrived Alther stepped up towards a fountain and climbed onto the edge. Facing his audience, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

A ribbon of water slowly started rising from the fountain and started to spin around Alther. As more water gathered it began to take shape. Four hooves planted themselves on the ground and a horn grew from the creature's head as it shook its mane. The unicorn pranced around the table, causing droplets to fall on the spectators as it passed them. As it approached Alther again it reared and with a loud neigh the unicorn's body turned to ice.

Alther then turned his attention to the closest flowers. He concentrated and the petals began to form hummingbirds and butterflies, which started fluttering about. Some alighted on Charlotte and her sisters, which caused cries of delight and wonder. When they took to the skies again they all converged over the table and transformed back into petals, raining down on the royal family.

At that moment, every candle on the table was extinguished. Ashton looked up at Alther, eager to see what he'd do next. The wick on the candle at the far end of the table began to smoke and a tiny lizard made of fire slowly came to life. It crawled around the candle, leaving tiny imprints in the wax as it walked before it leaped onto the next candle. As it lit the next wick its body seemed to grow slightly. It jumped from candle to candle, slowly getting bigger and bigger until it reached the last candle where it perched, now the size of a dinner plate. It let out a screech and jumped off the table, large wings bursting from its back. The dragon lit up the evening sky, circling high above the gardens before plunging into the fountain with a last roar.

Alther was unable to make anything out through the steam but the cheers from the table made him feel proud of what he'd done that night. Though he wasn't absolutely sure, he could've sworn one of the loudest acclamations came from his mother.

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As the week came to an end Charlotte's family started getting ready to leave. Alther had barely seen any of the Harthington royals all day, so he found it very surprising when Camdyn came knocking on his door asking if he'd be willing to take a walk with him. Though Alther would've loved to refuse he knew that refusing would only lead to bad things and so he had begrudgingly agreed.

They walked silently down the hall for a moment before Camdyn stopped walking. "Prince Alther," he began. "Firstly, I'd like to thank you. When my mother announced that Charlotte would be engaged to your brother I was a little worried. However, I've seen that she's very happy here. You and your brother seem very fond of her and I'm sure she feels the same way."

"I'm glad you think so, Your Majesty," Alther smiled slightly. Camdyn nodded. For a moment he seemed hesitant but he let it go and continued.

"With that being said, I feel like I must warn you as well." Camdyn crossed his arms and pondered his next words carefully. "I've seen how close you are with my sister, Prince Alther. At the dinner and in the gardens. Though I'm sure I need not remind you, my sister is already engaged to your brother. It would do you well to remember that," Camdyn finished.

Alther's cheeks burned. Partly with embarrassment that his feelings had been so evident, but also with anger that he would be accused of trying to steal Ashton's bride.

"I know my place very well, King Camdyn," Alther spat out. "Though I thank you for the reminder. If that is all, I'll take my leave. I have lessons to get to." Before the king could say another word, Alther spun on his heel and walked away.

Camdyn's words swam around in his head over and over until Alther finally stopped walking before a large door. Though he had lied about having lessons, it had been his intention to throw his frustration into his magic until the Harthingtons left. However, that was not where he found himself now.

In front of him was the door to Charlotte's room. He turned around and began to walk away. Now was not the best time to bother Charlotte, but before he could think twice his fist rose and gave two sharp knocks.

After a moment the door opened and Charlotte peered out. She gave him a smile before her expression changed to one of concern. "Alther, are you alright? Your face is very red..."

Alther nodded. "I wanted to know if you'd like to go on a walk with me."