He woke up to the sound of footsteps outside his room. It didn't take him long to stretch on his bed and open his eyes to see the sunlight streaming through the edges of the window above his bed. It was later than his usual wake-up time. He got up to look at the courtyard filled with lemon and berry trees, then glanced at the soldiers standing at the palace gates, laughing and perhaps chatting about battles or their wives, whom they see less often than the winter rains in the south of the Shiuri River. Quickly, Grain got up and took his first steps of the day as he opened his room door to leave. His room wasn't far from the living room, but it wasn't closer than Lagrange's room either. Grain continued walking, greeting all the servants who greeted him back.
Grain reached the living room where he found a maid brushing his aunt Renita's dark, shiny hair with a pink comb. Renita smiled and said, "You finally woke up, Grain. Lagrange beat you today for the third time this month."
Grain replied, "Teacher Alex once told me that a person doesn't realize they're getting older until their sleep minutes increase."
"He was right, he never lied. Now go and enjoy your lessons to become a strong and wise knight," Renita said, glancing at one of the maids cleaning the place.
Grain went out to the field to train with Lagrange. Lagrange laughed and said, "You overslept again today. Are you enjoying new dreams?"
Grain said, "Maybe, when I become a famous knight in Merigold and you become the city's ruler, we'll make people wake up early to enjoy their day more than their night."
"Hahaha, I'll be named the city's ruler and the best fighter, and you'll be after me," Lagrange said, laughing loudly.
The laughter of Coach Gindal and some of the Stroud servants who were present in the field echoed before Grain rushed, carrying his sword towards Lagrange eagerly. As soon as Lagrange reacted, he dodged Grain and placed his spear on Grain's neck, declaring his victory in their duel.
Lagrange hadn't spent much time training with the spear, but it was clear he had a great talent for wielding it. However, the credit didn't go to his talent alone; he trained under the watchful eyes of Gindal, the hero of the Azir family, the knight with the silver sword made by the ancestors of the Dingaf family. He was six feet tall with dry hair, half of which was gray. He had relinquished the family leadership to his younger brother, Ferid. Even Grain trained under his guidance in horsemanship, despite the age difference between him and Lagrange. Grain always showed a good level, and Coach Gindal attributed it to the age difference, as Lagrange was seventeen years old, unlike Grain, who hadn't yet lived twelve full years.
In the governor's room, Chadwick Stroud, the family leader and city governor, sat on a slightly crooked wooden chair. The governor wasn't wearing his official attire but remained in the robe he usually slept in, a robe the color of oranges and as soft as Victoria's rogue hair. Muttering words he didn't even understand, Chadwick tried to hum a song he sang randomly, but his train of thought was interrupted every time he saw the letter in front of him. It was a letter from one of the spies, stating that some soldiers and fighters from the Kingdom of Thryomang were advancing south, five miles from the border, likely aiming to enter the city and carry out unknown actions.
Chadwick Stroud, with his massive build, short dark hair, black eyes, and large nose in the middle of his face, took over the leadership after his father, Arivan, the previous governor. He lived for about forty-one years, not known for much except the Battle of Shiuri. He later married Lady Renita from the Vidamas family, and they had one son, Lagrange.
Chadwick called one of the guards standing behind the room door to enter. "Enter, guard. I need you for a task."
The guard hurried in, filling the room with the sounds of his armor clashing and his cloak brushing the floor, adding some tranquility to the room.
Chadwick looked up at the guard slowly and said, "You're getting slower bit by bit. I bet the year won't pass before you can't reach me in under a minute."
The guard, embarrassed, said apologetically, "I'm sorry, sir. You're right, no doubt about it."
"Are you mocking me, you scoundrel? Kneel and apologize, or I'll make your wife a widow," Chadwick said, slamming his fist on the desk in anger.
The guard knelt and bowed his head for a moment, saying, "My mistake, my lord. I promise it won't happen again."
Chadwick returned to his position and straightened up with the chair, saying loudly, "Bring me that the Mischievous One... Not Lagrange, but the Other One.
"He's probably training or learning something about history. Bring him immediately."
"Yes, sir," the guard said, turning and leaving the room.
Chadwick waited until the door opened, and Grain entered, walking towards the governor's desk.
Grain knelt and bowed his head until Chadwick ordered him to rise.
"You know you're no longer a child. You must leave the palace and discover the world as it truly is, away from the deceptions spoken of in noble houses. Quickly, do you know the kingdom that borders us to the northeast?"
Grain replied, "Yes, Thryomang. Teacher Alex told me a bit about it. Its capital is 'Gavrin,' and its king is 'Folk Anatoly.'"
"Well done, boy. I've received information that they've moved some of their fighters south towards us, but they haven't crossed the Shiuri River yet. This gives us time to keep an eye on them."
"And you want me to confront them?" Grain asked, unable to hide the excitement on his cheeks.
"Of course not. I want to play their game. Grain, I want to send you to gather as much information as possible so we can stay a step ahead."
Grain said, "This is a big task, but you know, sir, I can't go alone. I need skilled swordsmen in case anything unexpected happens."
"Don't worry about that, boy. I'll give you three brave men who will protect you and risk their lives for you."
Grain, with some hesitation, said, "If that's your order, I'll carry it out, sir."
Grain walked towards the door, but before he left, Chadwick's voice interrupted, "And please, don't tell anyone. We don't know who is with us and who is against us."
Grain nodded, indicating his agreement and acceptance of Governor Chadwick's order.