* Emory *
* I almost drowned once. It was last year in the pool at the back of the palace. I wanted to show my dad that I could be as good as my brothers at swimming. But maybe I should have started with the small pelvis *.
-EMORY. * Had my mother scream *.
* Finding herself at her bedroom window, she wanted to jump in turn to save me, but her maids held her back. The first to dive into the water was my tutor Eminos. Although an old man he managed to lift me out of the water and gave me a heart massage. When I came to myself I felt someone on my lips. Panicked I pushed the person for fear it was the old man but in the end it was just Daphne his little girl who had devoted herself *.
-God thank you, are you fine my prince. ? * Eminos asked *.
-My prince ?
* When it came to my father the king's ears he looked at me with coldness and anger. My housekeeper was beheaded and Eminos was locked up. Daphne returned to live with her mother in the provinces. That day my father made me remember something *.
-You have to know how to define your limits before you can cross them. Mistakes are not tolerated when you bear the name of Adrun.
* And it's true my name is Emory Xenophon from Adrun. I was 5 years old when my father reprimanded me and today I am 6. The time had barely passed. Today I was standing on top of a hill overlooking the capital, my eyes riveted on the port. There were hundreds of ships coming and going for trade, but only one of them interested me *.
-You know my prince if you continue to skip your lessons your tutor will get angry.
-Curse, I don't care about him. My brother is coming home I can feel it.
- You said the same thing yesterday.
-Yes but no. Today I feel it closer, I feel it in my bones.
* I was accompanied by one of the captains of the guard, Palmares. This man has been watching over me ever since I know how to say yes and no. I trust him completely even though I know where his loyalty belong. He was about to pull me by force when finally appeared on the Horizon what I expected. The boat at the Phoenix blue flag. The mystical bird that would have given strength, wealth and power to my ancestors *.
-You owe me 10 Adin, Palmares.
-And you plan to give me the ones you lost the days before? * He asked sarcastically *.
* I laughed a lot and started to hurtle down the hill to get to the palace. The capital of the kingdom of Adrun, Salomeh, was an extremely bustling city. To even say that she is lively was an understatement. Located very exactly in the center of the world all the ships of all the kingdoms passed by us. Of course, the world is too big to know its center, but to contradict my father and his ancestors would be a terrible idea. People have died for less than that. My brother was welcomed as required by his rank and a big party was given in his honor. Emvis Caribes of Adrun, a young man with irresistible charm. That's how the women of the court describe him. A swift and clever fighter thus defines the soldiers. A wolf with a sheepskin is what politicians say *.
-How are you, Emory? * He asked *.
* He took me in his arms and hugged me very tightly *.
- I neither nearly drowned nor crashed while climbing.
-You reassure me. If you wanted to, I would help you.
* He was the ideal brother in my opinion. Tall with a muscular body, golden hair like mine and a refreshing smile. He was also our father's second son, but the first he had with his second wife after the death of the previous queen, which on paper makes him the firstborn of the royal family and therefore a pretender to the throne. That said, Emvis doesn't care about the court and its claims. He renewed his allegiance several times to our elder brother Elfis in order to avoid misunderstandings *
-The last thing I want is a war between brothers. * He said *. And then I could discover the world while your ass is heating up in the seat haha.
* What he said made everyone laugh. Everyone except my older brother, Elfinn seemed to be suspicious of him. But since when did I think like that *.
- What are you thinking about? * My brother asked me *.
-I ...
* We took advantage of a little moment to slip away. My brother and I had a small quiet corner at the back of the palace, a small terrace on the back pavilion where we share everything *.
-You still think about the stupid things that Alvaces put in your head.
* Alvaces is my new tutor, I didn't like him but he was extremely direct with and candid with me *.
- My name is Donnar Alvaces I come from Gatemin a small colonial province of Adrun. I grew up hungering in poverty and sweating blood and water to get to where I am.
-I am....
-Emory verse 4 to 19. I know who you are, the whole world knows who you are. However, your status as a prince is useless in the court because you need to ally powerful. Unlike your brothers Emvis and Elfinn, you don't belong to any faction and are therefore more likely to be murdered.
- Make me assa ...
-Do not worry, I have already made the necessary arrangements.
* He walked over and stared at me. his shapeless gaze *.
-I will make you more than a prince. I will make somebody out of you.
* It is because of him that I start to think constantly about politics and to contemplate the worst. However, it wasn't all bad sides, understanding the world you grow up in is a big advantage when you want to survive. And so I could support my brother in his problems *.
-You are too young to think about court business.
-I know and it makes me sick. * I say sulking *. But I can't help but think about it.
-Everything in its time little brother. One day you will have so many problems that you will regret your childhood. Otherwise you will have a stroke because of how you think.
-I could very well be murdered.
* Emvis groaned and stared at me with an angry look *.
-I'm going to go say two words to this Alvaces.
-Don't do that. * I say squeezing him by the wrist *.
* And damn it I felt ridiculous for trying to hold it back. He turned around and smiled tenderly, stroking my hair *.
-I want what's good for you Emory.
-I know it. But enough to talk about me. It seems you were on Adje for the last 3 months. Tell ... how they were the Killicks.
-Well let's say that I felt the cultural shift passed. They are good at bargaining as well as cultivating the land. The alcohol there is stronger the wood more resistant in short. No human comes close to them in single combat.
-No human? Not even you? * I asked worried *.
* He smiled at me and hugged me very tightly *.
-No one can defeat me. I will protect you even if I left my life there.
-I don't want you to die.
- I will not die.
* He stood up and took off his shirt before showing me his back. There were tattooed wings on either side of the lungs *.
- Do you see these tattoos? This is proof that I have been blessed by the Azure phoenix. And you....
* He put on his shirt then took off his Pheonix-shaped collar which he put around my neck *.
-And you, my brother, I offer you the protective talisman of the Phoenix. Neither the Assassins nor the Killicks will be able to harm you while you have it around your neck.
* After that my brother told me about his day, he told me about the Killicks and how they were different from us. My fascination with these people is growing more and more. That night I slept peacefully on both ears. In the early hours of the morning the charred ashes of what must have been a murderer were found. At first, I won't hide from you that I was scared. I gripped the locket very tightly and it glowed. I realized then that it was he who had protected me and a malicious smile appeared on my face. My name is Emory Xenophon from Adrun and I believe I have solved the worries of my restless sleep *
* End of chapter *