The weight of the pendant in my hand carried more than just the precious metal it had been cast from. I knew not the importance of the trinket my palm. I assumed it was, perhaps, just a token of generosity sent alongside the notice of my admittance into Rosefield Academy—a school for the noble elite. Yet the letter filled me with apprehension.
Why me? Yes, I was the orphaned child of war heroes, but that did not change my lot in life. I had always been just another peasant, living in the small farming town of Asheville. Nevertheless, I was drawn to answer the call. Curiosity tugged at my wanderlust—my need to be free of this sleepy town and a mundane life.
My worn clothing was a far cry from a lord's proper regalia, but it was the best I could manage for the journey. I was to arrive at the town's gate to board a carriage that would carry me the rest of the way to Rosefield. In the letter I received, it seemed someone at Rosefield had intentions to make a scholar of me.
My amber eyes scanned the coarse palms of my hands. These were not the soft palms of a noble. I scoffed at the very idea, finding myself a black sheep amongst polite society. Still, that nagging feeling kept calling to me. A mystery waiting to be unraveled.
Why would a commoner like me be summoned to such a prestigious place? Determined to find out, I tied back the ocean waves of my hair and departed for Asheville's gates.
"Good day, Rin! Off on another hunt?" The voice of a young woman called out as I marched down towards Main Street.
"Ah, Marta, good day. Afraid not. I may be away for some time."
The young woman raced after me, meeting the pace of my gait. A basket of flowers always in her arms. "Oh, no! Where are you going? Will you be away for long? I'll miss you." Marta pouted. The florist's infatuation with me was well known. Though I had no designs on courting anyone. I usually dismissed any affectionate interest from those of the fairer sex.
"I'm headed for Rosenberg. I've been summoned to Rosefield Academy." I explained matter of factly.
"The capital? Heavens! Why?" Marta exclaimed.
"That's what I intend to find out. Heh. Wish me luck. Worse comes to worse, this is a case of mistaken identity, and I'll be tossed out on my backside in no time." I chuckled.
"Ohh, don't say that. I'll be rooting for you, Rin!" Marta chimed, pulling sprigs of baby's breath and Rosemary from her basket. "Here, for good luck. Be safe. Don't forget us."
"Never." I smiled warmly, accepting the token. The sweet spice of rosemary and the fresh scent of baby's breath brought me back to the days I spent in the forest with my father.
When father took me hunting, we'd pass fields of baby's breath. As a young boy, I'd marvel at the meadows brimming with colors. Each blossom a spectacular firework amongst a verdant sea. We'd forage for herbs after every successful hunt, gathering savory wild sage and fragrant rosemary for their roasts. How I loved my mother's cooking and longed to taste her dishes once more. Alas, I would never get to sate that craving.
The memories of old, brighter days faded as I passed the town square. At its center, two bronzed sentries watched over the sleepy town. My father and mother's visages expertly captured by the sculptor's hands. I always paused at the memorial dedicated to my beloved parents. Immortalized in precious bronze as war heroes and freedom fighters who laid down their lives for their fellow man.
I couldn't fully recall the day they left me. All that remained were flashes of infernos and savage cries echoing hauntingly in my hazy recollection. I was still just a boy then.
"Well, Mother, Father, I'm off for Rosefield. Wish me luck…" I bowed his head, bidding the stoic figures farewell. I knew in my heart I'd return one day, though I knew not what condition I'd be in.
Heeding the invitation's call I headed for the main gate, halting when I arrived at the Market Street. Today, the usually crowded market was choked with townspeople. The crowd surged as if a festival were about to start. One could barely find enough room to shuffle through before bumping into someone. Wary of a pickpocket's hunting ground, I diverted to a narrow side street.
The alley would allow me to avoid the hustle and bustle, but would not keep me out of harm's way. Little did I know, I was being followed by a duo of shady thieves. Not just any thieves, but hired thugs.
***
"Are you sure this is the man, Hamish?" The more muscular of the two whispered to his shorter cohort.
"Of course it is, Brand. He matches the description. I mean, who else around here has tan skin and silver blue hair?" Hamish, the brains of the outfit, huffed.
With their hoods pulled over their brows to conceal their faces, they shadowed Rin. Following his every move till an isolated stretch of alleyway offered them a prime opportunity to pounce. Hamish nodded to the brute, Brand, signaling him to branch off and cut the young man off at the next fork. Their pincer maneuver worked like a charm.
***
An imposing figure marched out in front of me, stopping me in my path. Someone else, silently, closed in behind. Cutting off my escape. Sensing danger, I attempted to play things smoothly. With a light, nervous chuckle I started to backpedal. Only managing to bump into the unknown man behind me. The two thugs closed in around me. Their wicked sneers immediately put me on edge.
Always an advocate for peace, I held my hands up, showing I meant no harm. "Now, now, gents, let's not be hasty."
"Not at all. You're the one we've been waiting for. Ain't that right, partner?" The big oaf in front of me grunted through a gapped smirk. He flicked the sharp point of his knife at the pendant of the necklace strung around my neck.
The shorter one peered at the shiny pendant and tipped his head with a similar smirk. "Looks like it. Young man, come quietly," He commanded coldly.
"What for? A drink? It's a bit early." I tried to play dumb, but the thugs remained unmoved. "What is it? The pendant you're after? You can take the gaudy thing. I'm not that attached to it." I tugged the necklace from my throat. My eyes remained locked to the lark shaped pendant as I held it up for them to claim.
Still, the would be kidnappers remained disinterested. "I see we'll be doing this the hard way," The short one uttered with a nod to the huge fellow.
The brute laughed as if he'd finally have some fun. Cracking the knuckles of his huge fist he bared down on me.
"Whoa there big fella. I don't want to harm you, but I will if you force my hand," I gave fair warning.
"Ha ha! Hear that, Hamish? He doesn't want to hurt me." The big oaf guffawed at the idea of being outdone by a man half his hulking size.
"Don't say my name, you idiot!" Hamish hissed. "Just put his lights out, already!"
The big half wait gulped hard realizing his blunder then pounced, letting loose a haymaker sure to put a crater in stone. Fortunately, with my father's technique and martial artistry, the size of the opponent didn't matter to me. I was deceptively fast and strong.
Leaning to one side, I fluidly dodged and grappled the giant thug's trunk like arm. Catching him totally off guard as he suddenly found himself careening through the air. The man's huge body slammed into the alleyway wall and slumped in a daze.
"Told you I didn't want to harm you." I sighed nonchalantly dusting my hands clean. My attention turned to the stunned Hamish.
Hamish stood wide eye and mouth agape. I assumed he had never seen a man of my stature cleanly toss a man of his friend's size. The look of bewilderment on his face was too satisfying. I steadied my stance, awaiting Hamish's retaliation. However, the shorter thug had something up his sleeve.
"You bastard, you'll pay for that!" Hamish growled. His sword hummed from his scabbard, dark eyes narrowed dangerously upon me.
Expecting the assailant to charge in, sword flashing, I carefully switched my stance. To my surprise, however, the man began reciting some strange chant—the flat of his palm hovering over the steel edge of his sword, as if blessing it. "O divine spirit, lead my infernal blade. Scorching a path unseen!"
Somewhat dumbfounded, I relaxed for but a moment, when suddenly, a searing pain erupted in my shoulder. The flesh burst and sizzled as if pierce straight through by a hot poker. I howled, crumpled, and grasped my left shoulder as blood began to flow from the sheared wound. "What the hell!!?" I growled through gritted teeth.
"What the hell, is right!" Hamish sneered. "And here you nearly had me shaking in my boots. I predicted that the offspring of the heroes of the Vale would put up a fight, though it seems I've overestimated you. Ha!" The stout thug cackled in dark triumph.
I found himself between a rock and a hard place. Raking my mind for solutions—only one came through, loud and clear; Run!!
Unable to perceive my opponent's attack, I had no choice but to escape. Before Hamish could finish his gloating, I sprang up and off, flying down a nearby passage.
Realizing too late, Hamish found himself alone. "Huh? Hey, get back here you Vagabond!!" He shouted after me as he gave pursuit.
I wove my way back towards the crowded Market Street. Crashing through the crowds, bewildered onlookers yelped and cried out as I made a mad dash—pushing past patrons and market goers.
I wracked my mind. What was that attack? Even now, as I held my searing wound shut, I could still feel it burning. The smell of scorched flesh marred my sense of smell. Yet I had witnessed no source of flame from Hamish's flourish. Unable to fight against an unknown technique, my best bet was to escape Asheville as soon as possible.
Immediately, I recalled the carriage awaiting me at the front gates. I knew I had to reach It and embark to Rosefield before my assailant could catch up to me. Meanwhile, Hamish found himself pinned back by panicking gatherings of shocked market goers stunned by the sight of blood.
"Out of the way move, damn you!!" Hamish cussed and shoved, but fortunately, made little headway through the distraught and confused onlookers. I kept running, putting distance between us as the sounds of his cursing faded behind me.
Violently he began yanking folks out of the way, toppling several as he sprinted past after me. My heart lurched as I heard the commotion rippling through the crowd towards me. The ruckus grew ever nearer as the town gates finally came into view. The crowd thinned the closer I drew to the exit. Free from obstacle, I fell into a dead sprint as the road to salvation was laid open before me.
Hamish erupted out of the crowds after me. I heard him uttering another incantation as he set his sight on my fleeing form. I felt the searing wave rush at me—the next white hot attack straight for me. A scorching strike aimed between my shoulder blades. I braced for the pain, and pressed harder—running faster.
"Down!" A voice commanded.
Roughly I was suddenly thrown to the cobblestone. The deadly, invisible attack flew over my head. Something collided with the gatehouse wall just ahead. The wooden and stone ramparts suddenly burst into a brilliant blaze.
Glancing over my shoulder, I set eyes on an armored figure. The unknown person having thrown me to safety.
"W-who?" I stammered in bewilderment. Try as I might, I could not make out the person's face. Obscured by a shadowy cowl, sapphire eyes glittered back at me from the darkness.
"On your feet, my Lord." The cloaked figure held out their hand.
I took hold and hoisted myself to my feet. Hamish let out a roar of fury, quickly reciting another dangerous incantation. I froze in suspense, observing my supposed savior begin to recite their own rite. What was going on? Confused I could only watch as a battle of mental will broke out.
My supposed savior shouted in rebuke. "Mother of heaven and earth, draw back the warmth of your embrace. Divine punishment. Glacial coffin!"
Nothing seemed to happen at first, at least not to my knowledge. However, Hamish was aware of something swirling around him. He interrupted his spell, swiftly switching to a different chant. Amazingly, ice began to crackle through the air around him, then exploded into plumes of icicles. Each struck the ground, rampantly expanding into an icy cage, imprisoning Hamish.
"What in the—?!" I gawked, spell bound by the phenomenon, but was swiftly pulled away by the hooded person.
"Hurry, that won't hold him for long!" Following this mysterious savior, I dashed for the gates, narrowly making it through the passage as the gatehouse collapsed—destroyed by raging fire.
"Come on, get in!!" The hooded figure dove into the nearest carriage.
The horseman whipped his reins and whistled, starting the horses at a brisk trot. My savior leaned from the open door, grabbing my hand, and drawing me into the cabin. Once safely in, the door shut tight and the horseman sped off.
I sat catching my breath. "Well, that was one way to get the blood pumping in the morning." I chuckled between pants.
"Indeed," the mysterious figure concurred.
I watched in breathless curiosity as the unknown person began to shed their armour and cowl. Much to my pleasant surprise, each piece of metal gave way to more feminine attire. Until finally the visage of a daunting knight transformed into a highly fashionable noble woman.
A comely young court lady in her twenties sat before me. Her deep blue eyes nonchalant as she glanced me over. Her full lips a neat pout as she undid the coils of her cornflower hair— carefully braiding fishtails into her long golden tresses.
"Who are you?" I asked wistfully captivated by her beauty.
The unknown woman smoothed down the ruffles of her silver blue dress, its cut accentuating the narrow and sharp features of her jaw and cheeks. "I'm the woman who just saved you. And you are the man who will save my Kingdom…" The noble lady boldly stated as she held out the back of her hand. "Princess Rose Vivianna Cristobal. Pleasure's all yours, I'm sure."
I didn't know what to make of Her Ladyship or her brazen statement. Yet, mesmerized by her grace, I kissed the back of her hand as a gentleman would, then began to introduce myself.
"Truly… I am—,"
"Rin, son of Albus and Cornelia, the Heroes of the Vale. I know exactly who you are. And so does my uncle, which is our main problem…" Princess Rosemary's pout became more prominent at the mention of her uncle. "He has already sent men after you, and that won't be the last. You must arrive to the Academy intact, and claim your title as soon as possible…"
"My title—argh!?" I yelped and grasped my shoulder. As intrigued as I was my injury had caught up with me. Now out of the maws of danger, adrenaline gave way to pain once more.
"Hmph—that reprobate managed to strike you after all? Here, let me see…" The princess leaned forward. The sent of bergamot and mulberry wafting from her delicate skin. Her slender fingers over my hand, coaxing it out of the way. Softly she uttered a prayer. The tips of her fingers emitted a soothingly cool aura just above my wound. Miraculously, the burning and bleeding stopped; staunched by some unseen force. Though the wound remained open. "That's all I can do for now—at least you won't bleed all over the carriage." She huffed.
Mystified, I stared between her hands and my gash. My memory bubbling with recent event. The strange attacks. Things suddenly bursting into flame—the cage of ice that imprisoned my would-be kidnapper. "What did you—… How did you…?" I didn't know how to put my jumbled thoughts into words.
The princess tittered, and simply said. "My—you really are a peasant. You'll see soon enough…"