POV Rebecca
June 15th 913 (2016)
"Flame." I whispered quietly, imagining the distant target burning to a crisp. Almost instantly the straw target was engulfed in a small firestorm.
"Impressive as always Countess, I wish I possessed your talent for magic." Veria spoke with a smile, parting my shoulder.
I chuckled a bit, overwhelmed, not quite understanding how or what I was doing for my magic to work. "No, I barely know what I'm doing."
Another noble laughed. "Genius with magic, hopeless with a sword…"
Veria shot her a displeased look before turning away. All around us nobles were practicing their magic under the royal arch-magi's supervision. She watched most of the displays with a small frown.
I sighed, lowering my arm and heading to the edge of the training field. Why did these nobles have to insist on training? I barely even knew what I was doing and I was using magic on par with the arch magos.
I sat on a bench, watching several of the nobles spar with the royal guard. swords clashed, but I could tell the guard let the nobles win most of the time. I wanted to grumble about how stupid all this was. What was the point? It's not like we were ever going to fight anyone… Well, I wasn't going to fight anyone…
Probably. Well, my brothers would probably be fighting these arrogant assholes sooner or later. I'd love to see their faces when they lose, not that I want any part in the actual fighting though.
"Countess Fulton, how about a walk?" I looked up to see a pair of Viscountess in tight fitted leathers walk up to me. I didn't really know the two well, but they seemed to spend a lot of time together.
"Viscountess Jackowitz, Viscountess Betheriare." I stood and greeted the two of them.
The three of us left the training area, heading towards the garden. I asked. "What brought about the sudden desire to speak with me?"
"There's a rumor spreading around the court, that your brother killed the former regent." Viscountess Betheriare said slowly.
"I doubt they'd have her killed for no reason." I replied, stopping to admire some flowers.
"But you believe it possible they may have killed your regent?" Jackowitz asked, trying to press me for an answer.
"With the vast possibilities of the universe, anything is possible." I replied as I stood up again. I faced the two of them.
"Don't you think it is odd? Heroes, even if summoned only ever arrive just in the nick of time to prevent some larger catastrophe… so what is it that my brothers and I are here to save?" I asked.
"Lady Aneria never had to fight for Monrovia." Jackowitz replied.
"She wasn't a hero, summoned from a different world, she was a farmer, raised to the status of hero for demonstrating that the last of the griffons could be partnered with." I replied, I briefly wondered how often these people read up on their own history or simply bought into the common propaganda that was being spouted.
"Why don't we go to the hall of heroes, I'll show you what I mean." I said, leading the two into the castle. I made my way over to the east wing and entered the hall of heroes. Several dozen life sized statues were stood on pedestals, behind them were murals of their achievements, a plaque was inset into the foot of the statue, detailing the history of the heroes exploits.
Few people ever came here, so I was quite surprised to see little Alex and a knight of the royal guard the two glanced over at our arrival, Alex's face breaking into a wide smile.
"Rebecca! It's been forever!" He said, gesturing for me to come over.
"Hey little guy, how's it been? The big girls in armor treating you okay?" I asked, giving the young boy a playful smile.
His laughter echoed through the hall, his eyes sparkling like morning dew. "I've been bored, will your brothers be returning for the mid summer festival?"
"I'm afraid not, the two are in Centuria, ruling in my stead." I replied with a sad smile. I wanted to see them too, buddy.
"Oh? Like the hero Johnathon?" Alex asked, leading us to an alcove in the back, a worn and dusty statue that looked weather worn and uncared for. I looked at the plaque, but the words had been scraped clean, leaving nothing but a starched brass behind.
"He acted as regent during the sundering, from 576 to 581 when Queen Vivian Vandame the III became of age." He said.
He turned to me. I thought you were of age though?"
"I am, but I trust my brothers, and they've never done anything for me to doubt that." I replied. Alex's eyes widened, he turned to his guard.
"Lara, do you think Veria trusts me like that?" He asked.
"Even if she did Princess Phoebe is next in line, the duty would fall to her." Alex's eyes dimmed at the response.
"That's only natural your highness. Men don't have what it takes to rule, as the fairer sex it is our duty to protect you." Betheriare said, puffing her chest out like it was something to be proud of.
I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes. "That's a load of rubbish. Men are just plain stronger than women."
The four of them stared at me like I'd just announced that the Queen had decided to abdicate. Jackowitz stammered a response. "What do you mean by that?"
"That's just how testosterone works. Alex here, given a few years and he works out will be able to beat any of us at any physical activity. Look at the adventures guild, amongst all the A ranked adventurers only six are women, compared to the few hundred men."
"But no man has ever become S ranked…" I cut off Lara.
"That's politics and you know it, one has to get to A rank by their own hard work, S rank is given by the Queen." Alex was nodding to himself with the others were shaking their heads. I sighed. I should've known convincing people was David's thing, he has a way with words.
"I've tired myself with this conversation, I will take my leave." I said before escaping the hall, I made my way back to my room, only to find the crown princess pacing outside.
I plastered a smile to my face, preparing to greet her. She glanced up and saw me. "Oh, good. Hurry, I must speak with you privately."
I gave her a confused look, but allowed her to enter my room. Once inside I used a bit of my magic, imagining a barrier and a semi transparent dome appeared around us.
"What do you need to talk about?" I asked. Veria grabbed my shoulders, her eyes had this spark to them, I shuddered, seeing the fear in them.
"A lot is going to happen very soon. Tonight you need to leave the castle, take Alex with you, go to your brothers…"
"What? What's going on?" I asked, startled and confused. Veria thrust a paper at me, I grabbed it, looking at the title. The Bill of Rights.
"Wha… how'd you…" I asked, slowly looking back at her.
"When my mother reads this it will mean you, your brothers, Alex, and you Rebecca. Will be hunted down, tried and hung as rebels. I already see it… go, warn your brothers. Tell them to flee as well."
"What? Why Alex? He's not involved in this." I protested.
"This was in his mail, from your brother David, we hang people for less egregious offenses than this. To keep the status quo." I calmed the crown princess.
"No, I don't think you understand Veria. David and Smith were always preparing, you simply found out before you were supposed to… I'm afraid the next time you'll meet any of us it will be on a battlefield." I replied, gathering a few things.
"You should protect your brother, but I'll take your advice and leave. Tell Alex I said goodbye."