LOREN POV
Am 12 years old now in the first year of stage three. Our sections for learning changed but my roommates still stayed the same. We were like blood brothers.
We went through vigorous training in our archery and other martial arts. Some could not reached stage three, they ad to repeat as they. Couldn't pass the evaluations, so painful, it's another two years added to the right years. But am happy, my 11 brothers and I did not repeat.
That doesn't mean it was easy for us, i almost failed in archery in the second stage. We continued to learn the martial arts but stage three was going to be tough.we had to perfect Our skills. The only meal we enjoyed was the chicken we were given in the beginning of our first year. We were given blant soup and tasteless food after that, till now.
My best weapon is the dagger,gifted to me by my master.I still have to perfect my archery especially now that we will be taught how to shoot arrows while on a horse. We were 96 in baby crawling stage, now we are 72.I've not forgotten nate, though I have forgotten how he looked like, the memories still remain especially the day I saw him disappear into the palace.
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IN THE PALACE
The 7th prince, prince nate who is 12 year old stayed in his residence in the palace. Since he was 10 he has been interested in medicine and poison. He has an old physician, recommended by consort white lotus who teaches him.
There was a royal library but he has his own collection of books,from different sources. sometimes he reads in his own library,sometimes in the royal library. He doesn't like going out.He was never restricted but he has never left the palace since he got there.
Different consorts, royal concubines, princes and princesses of the king had their different residences.
PRINCE NATE RESIDENCE
"The 1st prince has arrived!" The guards outside the 7th prince residence announced.
Prince nate came out with his personal bodyguard, ivan who is 17 and his personal maid,ari,who is 12 years old,to greet him.
They fell on their knees and bowed to him.
The 1st prince,prince kylis,motioned them to stand.
Nate smiled,"your highness,the 1st prince, what brings you here to this boring residence".
Prince kylis walks with nate into his residence,"Does a brother needs a reason to visit his little brother?",he rubs his head and smiled.
Nate looked down,"among all my brothers,only you and the 8th prince are my real brothers".
Nate looked at the prince kylis,"any news about loren sorock?".
Nate offered a sit and the 1st prince sat down.
"Nate,I've searched for him using his name,and I've met different people that had the same names but none were him,it's been five years,maybe this person is already....".
"That's impossible,he promised to return, he's not dead,he's just where we can't see him,I'll still wait".
The first prince looked at him with concern,"I'll keep on trying".
"1st brother,forgive me,I don't have any liquor in my residence but only tea, medicine, poison and water,what will you prefer your highness?",he smiled.
"Tea please",prince kylis chuckled and prince nate told his maid,ari,to prepare tea for two.
"Prince nate",prince kylis called.
"Your highness",he answered.
"Is your mother, consort labyrinth still banned from your residence?".
"Of course she is, 1st brother".
Nate stands and walked to the window, "how can I allow a woman who poisoned her son, so she can stay in the palace, to enter my palace?".
Prince kylis walked to him with his hands on his back, "even people outside the palace who have never seen you, think you're unfilial".
Prince nate turned to him," they can say anything they want,they don't know anything,I never even knew I had an older brother born of my mother in this palace until I got here when I was seven".
The maid brought the tea, dropped it on the table and the princes sat down.
"Brother!",the 8th prince,prince jers,who is eleven years old ,son of consort white lotus, entered prince nate's residence before his arrival was announced.
He runs into the residence and prince kylis and prince nate turned to see him.
"Big brother, you are back!",prince jers yelled in joy as he hugged the prince kylis legs.
The 1st prince Chuckled as prince jers released him.
Prince jers dragged a chair and sat with the two princes,"mmm tea",he drinks from prince nate cup.
"blurghh,what are you both drinking!?",prince jers exclaimed.
"It's called distant tea,I discovered the name myself,you won't taste this anywhere in this kingdom",nate smiled.
" It's so bitter!,1st brother,please don't drink this,you just quelled the enemy,you can't suffer more",prince jers begged.
" That reminds me 1st brother,the king will hold an outdoor banquet today,since you've quelled the enemy together with the other soldiers,you're the best commander,1st brother",prince nate slightly bowed.
Prince kylis chuckled," you flatter me,prince nate,but will you be there?", he asked with a worrisome face.
"Of course I'll be there brother,after all it's for you and the people that helped to protect our kingdom,if it wasn't for that and the banquet was held for another reason,I would have spent the evening, enjoying the silence in this residence",nate reassured.
" I'll also be there!",prince jers yelled.
" Of course you'll be there",prince kylis chuckled.
" You're ruining the quietness of my pakace,prince jers",prince Nate said
" Prince nate,you boring prince,am sure you're very happy that am here",prince jers said.
They all laughed.
" Seventh brother,why do other princes call you prince corpse, you're not dead so why?",jers looked curious.
Prince nate displayed a fake smile," As you grow ,you'll eventually find out".
" That reminds me prince nate,have you started attending court meetings?", prince kylis asked.
Nate smiled," I took permission from his majesty a long time ago that I won't have anything to do with politics or affairs of the court but to go on my journey of chastity and enjoy my short life in peace,but I do appear once in a while".
Prince kylis exhaled and he looked down casted," even though you don't include yourself in politics, you'll still have enemies, your a prince, you have other brothers and you are in the palace".
Prince nate laid on his bed with his leg crossed and chuckled," I wonder why they want to be enemies with a dead man?".
He switched to a sitting position immediately," I was in court this morning,it seems the topic of crown prince has been quite alarming,his majesty finally made his decision to make you the crown prince,you deserved it and it's right,I should be calling you,your highness,the crown prince ,now",he bowed .
Prince jers smiled," am sure it will be announced soon, everyone will make way for you,after the king ,his majesty,it is you,I hope you won't forget I and prince nate then",he placed his hand on his chest and bowed.
This was a news that suppose to be of joy to prince kylis but rather he was worried and unhappy," prince nate,prince jers".
" Your highness",they both answered.
" Let's go to the palace garden.