Dan's POV
He changed, washed his face and hands, and did his hair before his mother could scold him for walking around the palace looking disgraceful. Then he headed to the kitchens threw the servant's halls. It was quicker and he didn't want to have to stop and talk to anyone, especially family and guests heading to the formal dining hall for breakfast, something he planned to skip so he could look up the old escape roots, he remembered hearing about one that led to the wall in a history lesson he'd almost forgotten about it. the tunnels were rumored to have either collapsed or simply been forgotten by time, some say they never existed in the first place, or the king would have used them during the uprising that led to his family line on the throne.
"Ah, there's my favorite troublemaker." The baker said.
Donavin smiled at the baker, he'd been known to sneak in and steal a pastry or cookie from time to time before they cooled and could be served at his mother's teatime, one of the best things he'd ever learned from his brother. "And you are my favorite cook, just don't tell the others or they'll get jealous." He said walking into the kitchen. It was a familiar and friendly banter that started after he'd been caught sneaking cookies and blamed the baker for making them too good to resist. And they were best when they were still piping hot.
"I heard that! The breakfast chef called from the pantry." Helena was married to the baker and if he wasn't nice to her, she'd make sure he didn't get extra treats. She was the mother hen around the kitchen always keeping everyone in order. And she was big on making sure they all ate healthily. "You better not be sneaking no sweets before breakfast, 'specially after missin', lunch, and dinner. Your so scrawny as it is, you'll need the strength of a Harty breakfast to help you threw practice."
"Yes, ma'am, I wouldn't dream of skipping your meals, that is why I just had to come back. You make the best omelets in the kingdom."
"Oh, don't you try to butter me up with sweet words, just take a seat and eat." She said caring an armload of cooking ingredients. "You'll need an extra big breakfast today."
"If you give me too much, I won't be able to move at practice," he said laughing at her concern. "Besides I did eat lunch and dinner. I will need to find a way to repay the commoner's kindness without getting her in trouble," he stated thinking of ideas. "I know you've mentioned they don't always have enough food so sharing it with a stranger was generous. By the way, do you know why children would be scared of the nobles? Isn't it their job to look after the commoners?" he said taking a seat at the staff's table.
"It seems like your first trip outside the palace grounds was an enlightening one." The baker remarked.
"Yes, I'm certainly not the only one to have to deal with difficult things and running from them does not solve them." He said picking up a fruit as Helena started some omelets. "Besides, if a little girl can find the courage to face her bullies, then I have no excuse to not face mine."
"Be careful with how you go about facing them, not everyone's bully is an army general or a crown prince. And some battles are best fought with words"
"True, I wonder how the girl will do making her voice heard without the use of words. I need to find a way outside the palace again, there is much to learn, and I'm worried about thing's I'd never thought about before."
"Those are good things, but don't go gettin' into trouble so soon after this last stunt." Helana chided pointing her spatula at him. "That won't do no one no good."
"I won't, I'll just research… and prepare… for when I'm out of trouble," he said with a smile excited about what secrets he might find in the library. His brother made fun of him for it, but the library was a quiet place where people rarely bothered him, and he'd learned some useful information from those books.
"Um hum," Helana said with a look that clearly expressed her disbelief without the use of words, he now had more hope for his new friend. She laid a plate of steaming omelets in front of him and returned to cooking breakfast for everyone in the dining hall.
When he was done, he forced himself to walk to the training yard with his head held high and clinging tightly to his resolve. Since his grandfather was likely still at the formal breakfast, he went to the knight's training barracks and asked for info on the knight he hurt with his distraction, then he went and apologized and asked if there was anything he could do to help while he recovered from his broken wrist.
The knight said no as he knew he would, he had a squire to help him after all, and no one but his parents would let him do a servant's job. He left him with the pastry the baker had given him on his way out of the kitchens and extended his apologies again to both him and his horse. Then he went to the training yard and picked a training sword then he began his morning run trying not to let his limp show.
After a few laps he was beginning to struggle, deep breaths caused him pain and quick shallow ones were no good for running. "What are you up to boy?" his grate uncle yelled.
He picked up his pace slightly not wanting to anger him this early on in practice. "I am doing my morning run commander."
"I know what you are doing, I'm asking why?"
"You always have me start with running."
"Yes, well, you're not my problem anymore. Go to the healers to meet your new trainers, your father seemed to think you'd be there since you didn't show for breakfast."
"I ate a quick meal in the kitchens since I was running late."
"I didn't ask where you ate, just get moving."
"Yes commander, but before I go, I want to thank you for your training, and I hope one day I'll be able to meet your expectations."
"Get out of here before you spread your sappy sentiments to my men." He barked. And with that, he ran off to the healers still carrying his sword.
In the healer's quarters, conveniently close to the training grounds, he found a peeved king and three knights questioning one of the healers.
"The commander told me to meet you here?" he questioned to get his father's attention.
"Yes, these highly talented knights will be your new trainers. Get checked out by the physician then you and your brother will get started with your new trainers."
"Yes, father."
He left with a flourish and a shout to his scribe, his father always had a lot of work to do, and he didn't much like sudden changes to his schedule or waiting on anyone because it wasted time.
Donavin got checked out and found he had two cracked ribs and that's why it hurt to take deep breaths. His leg was fine just badly bruised as was his arm. Bret his guard, was one of the three trainers and it surprised him.
"Did my father reassign you?" he asked Bret.
"No, not yet, but I'm to be your new sword master three days a week."
"I didn't realize you were a trainer."
Of course, I am, I'm one of the top three swordsmen that serve this kingdom he said proudly."
"Then what did you do to get demoted to babysitting me?"
"I may have offered an unwanted opinion or two to the crown prince when I was his guard. Before I had the chance to mess up again and get fired your guard got fired and I volunteered, though you might be an easier charge…"
"You should have volunteered to be my sister's guard then." He said and his guard smiled.
"Well, I don't want my life too easy, now that's just boring."
The big knight grunted, and he wasn't sure if it was a laugh or disgust. His face gave away nothing, though it could be because it was so far away. The man was giant, at least a head taller than the other knights with arms bigger around than he was.
"Oh, this is Stone." He'll be your hand-to-hand combat instructor. You'll work with him twice a week. And this is Kile he'll be your projectiles teacher. If it can be launched, thrown, or shot he's your guy. You'll work with him two days a week too."
"So… am I going to thank you for this or be begging to work with my dear great uncle again before the end of the week?"
The knights shared a smile that really worried him as they set off to find his brother.
The first day of training wasn't so bad it was clear, that his brother wasn't particularly happy with the change and did not like his new sword master. This made Donavin like him a little more because yes even princes could be spiteful and petty. He and his brother were split up which was a great surprise, as his brother went with Sir Bret, and he went with Sir Kile for some target practice. Stone had left after giving both princes a heavy set of chain mail that they were instructed to wear at least half the day, every day to help build up their strength.
After training, he had his lessons with the scholars, and then, all too soon it was time for his evening punishment.