Stanley stood adjacent to the royal cadets,watching them with a mix of amazement and pain as they jogged down the hill. The late morning sun cast a golden glow on them,making them appear like shadows chasing after each other. The more he watched,the more his regret and longing intensified. He almost resented his father for forbidding him from joining the Royal Cadets Academy(RCA).
Just then,he faintly heard his name called from the side of the hill where the cadets were. Though he couldn't see the person's face,he instinctively knew who it was. The voice called out again and Stanley's gaze locked onto Nicholas June,his best friend and a cadet. Nick waved,Stanley smiled brightly,waving back.
As he gazed,Stanley pondered on Nick's circumstances. Nick's childhood dream was to become a royal sorcerer,but his father,an eminent Hit Mage,insisted he became a cadet, then mage instead. Stanley couldn't help but wonder at life's unpredictable nature.
Returning to his task,Stanley peacefully herded his sheep guiding them to the best grazing spot. Hours passed and the late afternoon sun began to set. Stanley's exhaustion grew,signalling it was time to head home. He watched his sheep graze gracefully before directing them homeward.
•••
Stanley Ardo,son of a renowned Hit Mage Derek Ardo,struggled with his father's decision. His father served as the King's right-hand man,a tradition for the Ardo family. For generations,a male Ardo family member held this position,a monarchical tradition. However,Stanley might break this tradition,as he wasn't a cadet talk less of becoming Mage and his father forbade him from training to become one.
•••
Upon arriving home,he saw no one—no maid,no guards. He then remembered it was a friday and all servants had their day-offs on Fridays and Saturdays. Stanley noticed the unlocked door. Two possibilities came to his mind:either someone had broken in,which was impossible given their family's status,or his cousin,Trevor,was home. Stanley went in and headed to the kitchen having heard sound from within. Trevor emerged from therein with an apple and a chicken leg,tossing the apple to Stanley and taking a hefty bite of the chicken.
"Don't choke!" Stanley calmly said as he proceeded to the living room in their portable home. Trevor's carefree nature momentarily lifted Stanley's spirit,often distracting him from the uncertainty of his future.
•••
Derek Ardo entered King Ryler's strategy room,tucked away at the rear of the palace. The room was dimly lit,with only candles illuminating the space. King Ryler stood by the cluttered table,surrounded by papers of varying sizes and content,each bearing the weight of the kingdom's future. Maps of neighboring land,trade agreements and battle strategies lay scattered before him. As he heard Derek's entrance,he began to straighten up,but upon seeing his trusted friend and advisor,he relaxed and smiled.
The two shared a warm embrace,a gesture that spoke volumes of their long-standing friendship.
"Ahh,Derek,been a long day—way too long." His voice filled with genuine security and fatigue. King Ryler felt so safe talking to Derek. Derek happens to be the only person he could tell how tiring ruling is.
Derek's expression was somber,his eyes scanning the room,as if searching for potential threats. He then said with a hint of humor,"That is your duty,brother!"
King Ryler gestured to a nearby chair,inviting Derek to sit. He said as they both settled in the chair,"I've been reviewing the intelligence from the eastern borders," His eyes narrowing,he said,"The threat of invasion looms in as I see it."
Derek nodded thoughtfully,his mind,already racing with strategies to boost their defenses. As they delved into the intricacies of military tactics,the King's expression deaden with seriousness.
"How's Stan?" King Ryler asked out of nowhere. The question opposed the current atmosphere.
"Stan?...He's doing fine." Derek wasn't expecting the question. His jaw clenched slightly,anticipating the conversation.
"You're still refusing to train him,aren't you?" King Ryler said,his voice low and measured. The King's words hung in air like a challenge. Derek's hesitation was palpable before he responded.
"I won't force him into a life he doesn't want,Ryler," Derek said firmly,his eyes locked on the king. "He's not cut out for this. Stanley has a different path."
"Oh come on! Let that excuse rest! You didn't even ask his opinion...whether he wants it or not...you just decided on your own!" King Ryler face reddened,his voice rising,"You know better than anyone that he is the future of the kingdom. I don't have a male heir. Stanley is the only one that can ensure our legacy...he's the only one that has the right to that throne after me!"
The tension between them grew,the air thickening with unspoken words.
"I understand your concerns,Ryler. But I won't sacrifice my boy's happiness for the throne." Derek said,his tone measured as he continued,"You know as well that I have tried to keep that boy safest since his mother passed. He's all I've got left..."
"You've got me,brother!" Ryler cut-in,his voice filled with reassurance. He said after a moment or two,"Her mother's dead too. She's a girl! Who'd accept a girl as their ruler?" Ryler waited for his words to sink in before saying,"You'd rather see our kingdom fall into chaos than secure it's future?"
Derek's eyes flashed,his voice taking on a steely quality as he spoke,"That's not the choice,Ryler. We can find other options. We can find another suitable heir or even establish another line of succession."
The king's face darkened,his fist clenched,"You're not thinking of the bigger picture,Derek. This about the kingdom's survival."
The conversation has reached a gridlock,each side entrenched in their conviction.
As the silence stretched,Derek rose from his chair,his movements deliberate,"With all due respect,Your Majesty,I think we've discussed this sufficiently."
King Ryler's eyes narrowed,his voice dripping with displeasure,"You're as stubborn as ever,Derek. I suppose we'd discuss this another time." The dismissal was clear.
Derek bowed respectfully,his expression neutral,"As you wish,Your Majesty." With that,he turned to leave. The king's strategy room seeming to shrink as the tension between them expanded.
Later that evening,Nicholas,Stanley, and Trevor made their way to the kingdom's market square to watch the Seven Red Stars celebration. The air was alive with music and laughter,the scent of roasting meat and sweet pastries wafting through the crowd. They met Nick's girlfriend,Jacqueline, and together, they watched the festivities.
The square was ablaze with colors,streamers and lanterns dancing in the breeze. Children chased after each other through the throng,their laughter infectious.
Nick explained the story behind the Seven Red Stars Festival,"It's said that six hundred years ago,Great Lee;Master of Hit, and six of his students saved the kingdom from Mateo's darkness. After that day,none of them was seen again. Some say they died but none is sure of what actually happened. On the night of that great day,seven red stars appeared and all considered it's their souls which ascended to the heavens."
"All of this is the people assumption,right?" Stanley asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah! But nonetheless,it kind of fit in the story!" Nick replied jokingly.
They all bursted into a lively laughter.
As the main event reached its climax,Stanley suddenly swayed,overwhelmed by an inexplicable surge of energy. His vision blurred and he collapsed. His friends rushed to his side,concerned.
"Stan,what's wrong?" Nick shouted upon getting to his side,his voice laced with worry.
Jacqueline's hand cradled Stanley's head,her expression anxious,"We need to get him out of here."
Trevor and Nicholas carefully lifted Stanley,navigating through the crowds to find a quiter spot.