Heading over to the throne room, Arrius made sure to dress appropriately. He could only hope the nice maids were able to convince his other brothers to do the same. Loyce could be quite the force to deal with, he thought to himself.
Arrius spotted his sister, Princess Alara, speaking to some daughters of fellow lords from the North. Before approaching, they all noticed him, and he instantly heard whispers from the other girls in the group. This gave Arrius a quick boost to his confidence as he headed over to speak to his sister.
"Alara, how have you been, sweet sister? I hope all is well. I know we saw each other earlier, but we did not speak," Arrius said with a calm tone.
"Yes, there are important matters that are going to be happening in due time that mother wants to discuss with the family, as well as the court. Something, from what I have gathered, that involves both of us."
This immediately worried Arrius. What if it's a war and Arrius and Alara are being married off to forge pacts? Yes, even though he had become a man—a winter pass ago—he still believed he had just a little more time before he must find his eventual wife. He did know his sister had been waiting some time for her suitor, and that at least reassured him. But he would not allow his sister to be married off to some old, dying lord, one who already has an heir. He simply wouldn't allow something like that to happen.
Arrius was furious at this point because obviously this is something they had to have known for a while; this isn't some spontaneous thing. Arrius was heading straight for the throne room now, ignoring everyone who may be calling for him or even trying to say hello.
Walking into the room, before Arrius could even get a word out, he saw everyone there—his father, his brothers, and his mother.
"Come, Arrius. I sent Alara to get you. Where is she?" Queen Caryn questioned.
In an instant, Alara, who was following behind Arrius, responded, "I'm here, mother. Arrius ran off in an instant after I told him there is something important that must be discussed."
Arrius and Alara walked forward to stand in front of their mother with their other two siblings. "There are going to be some changes. I'm not sure they're going to go over well with you all, but your father and I, as well as the council, have decided it's for the best," Caryn announced to her children.
Joben walked up to the side of his wife and gave a nod over to his oldest boy, Arrius, and began to read off from the scroll given to him. "Crown Prince Arrius of House Caine will be sent to Mardon and learn under House Wixx, the ruling family, to learn more about our surrounding kingdoms and develop as a man, so he may take his role as king one day. As well as Princess Alara will be married off to Lord Norvan's son, Elvick of House Jackson."
In an instant, Arrius's heart dropped; he felt all the color leave his body. He's leaving, he thought to himself. For how long? How long will he be gone from his family? In a new kingdom? Why is this happening? It doesn't make sense—why now, out of all times? Why? Please, gods, answer me. Tell me the reason. I'm begging, now more than ever. I can't leave my family to go to some random place I know nothing of.
"Father, mother, no, please! I have so much more time here! I mustn't leave yet! I must stay! Why are you sending me away? Was it that scum Karlin's idea? He's always had it out for me; he always wanted me sent away to ward! There is no reason for this to happen."
"No, this was your mother's, mine, and the council's idea. You must understand, my son, there are things you must do and learn, and the North simply can't provide that for you at the moment. You must experience the world and learn more about it. There is more here than just the North. For me and your mother's sake, you must see why we have made this decision."
His father spoke the truth; Arrius knew this. But that didn't mean it was right. He didn't want to leave. His brothers were still young; he didn't have time to go venturing the world, especially not without them.
"Allow me to stay until Alara gets married, at the very least! You're marrying her off without speaking to me who will one day have to deal with this marriage pact later down the line, which already is blasphemy! So grant me that wish—to wait to leave until then."
Joben looked down at his wife, sitting in her white tree-shaped chair, and with their eyes, they both allowed this wish.
"After the wedding, you will be accompanied by Ser Ferick and other bannermen to make sure your trip is safe. I love you, and so does everyone else. You must realize that I'm sending my son to a new area without his mother by his side. It's something I did when I was young. It's not time for you to do the same."
Arrius was sick; he couldn't help but think of every single bad thing that could not only happen to himself but his family while he is away. He would never wish this feeling on anyone else. He didn't want to leave; it's not his time yet.
He doesn't care that his mother did the same when she was younger; it caused nothing but turmoil for the entire family when she returned with a husband from Tundro. What possibly could come good from him leaving everything he knows behind to go and adventure in a new kingdom?
Arrius finally turned his head over to his three siblings; all were in simple disbelief. Firstly, Alara is getting married, which is long overdue. But now the crown prince of the North is leaving—not even that, their brother is leaving until who knows when, for however long. When will they see him again? Will he be okay, gone from home for so long? What will become of him while he's gone?
All these questions plagued everyone's minds, but no one knew the outcome until it would truly happen.
As Arrius stood up from kneeling in front of his mother, he stared at the chair—the famous chair of the Caines, the ancient chair that is said to be carved by King Alford I, along with the cardinal that now sits upon House Caine's sigil. The chair was carved from an ancient tree gifted to the Northerners from the gods, or so the stories say. After a long pause of staring, he couldn't help but feel everything in front of him fading away. He's going to be leaving; it's real. This isn't some elaborate joke his parents are playing—he really is leaving.
"Before everyone is dismissed, I have one final thing for you, Arrius," his mother said with a calming smile on her face.
What could it possibly be? Arrius thought to himself. His mother is a very giving person, but this situation is not the best moment for clothes or anything else of the sort.
Caryn called over a guard, who was holding something wrapped in cloth in his hands. He knelt in front of Arrius, holding the object in front of him.
"Open it."
As Arrius went to grab the mysterious object, he was surprised by how light it felt. It's quite big, so he assumed it may be heavier, but it's light enough to hold in one hand with ease. Arrius removed the wrap surrounding the object, and a blood-red blade was exposed with a red cardinal pommel at the bottom and a leather grip.
In a second, he realized exactly what this object he was holding was—it was House Caine's sword, "Cardinal's Wing," Arrius whispered to himself. He didn't know what to say or how to react; he was holding the ancient sword of his house, the sword that has helped his ancestors win numerous wars and kill thousands of men.
"Fighting wasn't my thing; I've held it maybe once or twice, and the last person to use it was my father, Robard. So please, my son, take care of this. It's for you. I thought it was senseless to keep it in my room; I'd rather you have it to use, and you'll always have something to remember home by."
"Thank you, mother. I truly do appreciate it. I'll make sure I clean the blade every day and take the utmost care of it."
With those final words, the siblings got up and left the room to go eat.
Truthfully, Arrius can't get his mind off the fact that he'll be leaving soon enough. He won't see his beloved siblings for only the gods know how many winter passes. It's eating him away; he already misses home, and he hasn't even left yet, but he can feel it creeping up upon him.
What shall he do while he waits? The wedding is quite soon; there's simply not enough time for him to get everything together. This all must be a dream, he thinks to himself. His parents wouldn't do this to him. Why would they send him away? He's not his mother; he doesn't need some adventure to find himself. He already found himself, and he found it here, at home.
"Arrius, you won't forget us, right?" Tyrus asked as they all sat together for lunch. He poked at his food with his fork. "You shouldn't have to be sent away. I want to train with you more and spend more time with you. Who knows when you'll be back?" Tears started to fill Tyrus's eyes.
"I will never forget anyone. I will write to you and everyone here every time I have the chance to. I'll never forget my sweet siblings. You'll have Loyce here as well to help you train; he's as good as me when it comes to the blade. Don't you worry; I'll be back home soon enough. I don't plan to be gone for long; I'll find a way home," Arrius assured his siblings with a smile on his face. I can't let them know I'm truly scared or worried; I don't know when I'm going to be home. It could be anywhere from one winter pass to even four.
The next few days have been quite uneventful. Arrius asked not to be involved in the planning of the wedding so he would have time to get his things together, as well as making sure things would be ready to go for his eventual departure.
"Times like this are hard, but in a young man's life, there are things they must do, whether they like it or not. It's just simply the way the world works. This is the path the gods have put you on, and you must take it step by step," Ser Erick spoke to the young prince Arrius.
Arrius didn't notice the tall nobleman coming up to him; he was too lost in thought. Though Arrius had never noticed the cold face Erick had, with his long, pitch-black curly hair, he could see sadness behind the man's green eyes—something that he had never noticed until now.
"Ser Erick, what was the challenge the gods bestowed upon you?"
Erick looked down at the floor, shaking his head. "Not protecting my family. As you know, my prince, I come from a long line of warriors from the small House of Cardie. We have always held noble knights in your family's upper ranks. I come from a small branch of House Cardie, so not much was expected of me. My family was as close as a noble family can get to a small folk."
With a long sigh, Erick continued, "One evening, at the age of fourteen, I got into an argument with my father. I was not much more than a failure then, with nothing to live up to or for. I didn't care about anything but the brothels that were around the town, and my father hated it. He wanted me to train my whole life to become a knight to serve House Caine, as was customary of my house. So I left for three winter passes."
"What happened next?" Arrius was now curious. What could have happened in that amount of time?
"I traveled all over. I visited every area, every kingdom I could, training and learning the world as we know it, as well as learning the sword from some of the greatest people I'll ever know. And so I deemed it time to return. I believed I had learned enough that I could return to my father and prove to him I was worthy of our family name," Erick said with a saddened face. "But sadly, I was too late. My father was very sick, and there was simply no cure. I met him on his deathbed and explained to him where I had been and what I had done for the time I was gone. And you know what he said to me that made all of it worth it—all the things that happened along my journey? He told me he was proud of me, proud to be my father, and that he always believed in me. He had missed me so much. Then he gave his last breath while holding my hand. Since that day, I deemed I would do exactly what my father wanted, and that is to serve House Caine."
"I'm so sorry, Erick. I had no idea all of that led you to us. I'm sorry my family has caused your family pain. You have every right to be mad or angry with all of us," Arrius said with a bow to the knight.
"My young prince, none of this is your fault. Us Cardies live to serve you. I'm not the only one currently who serves you; many people of my family serve here as well because that's what we live for. Your ancestor saved our founder and helped establish our house, so my founder decided that every able male, other than the heir of our house, shall serve under your house till the end of each of our lives. It's something we show pride and honor for, my prince."
Arrius couldn't help but feel guilty. Ser Erick spent so much time away from his father and family—all because of some stupid vow his family has made that they all must follow. If they choose they don't want that for themselves, they're shunned and cast away.
"No matter the point of what your house believes, you are your own person. You have your own choice on the things you'd like to do. I'm deeply saddened to hear this information, and I promise this is something that will change when I ascend the throne. You have my word, Ser Erick."
"You're too kind, my prince. If it wasn't for being a knight of house Caine I'm not sure what I would be doing right now. I can't wait to see what man and king you will become. I'm excited for our travel down to Mardon soon," Erick said with a smile on his face, staring into the prince's eyes with his emerald-colored eyes.