The sun hung low on the horizon, casting the training grounds in hues of gold and crimson. Keiran steadied his breathing, adjusting his grip on the sword hilt as Kaius circled him like a predator stalking prey. His brother's gaze was sharp, calculating, always searching for an opening.
"You're too stiff," Kaius chided, feinting left before pivoting to the right. "Loosen your shoulders. Let the blade move with you, not against you."
Keiran followed the advice, trying to feel the weapon as an extension of himself rather than a cumbersome tool. He parried Kaius's next strike and managed a counter of his own—a fluid, upward slash that forced Kaius to step back.
"Better," Kaius admitted with a smirk, though the gleam in his eyes warned Keiran not to get too comfortable. "But don't overcommit. A single misstep, and you're vulnerable."
Before Keiran could respond, Kaius lunged again, this time aiming low. Keiran anticipated the move, shifting his weight to dodge and bringing his blade down to intercept. The clash of steel reverberated in the air, and for a moment, Keiran held his ground. But Kaius was relentless, pressing the attack with a speed and precision that left Keiran scrambling. It wasn't long before his strength began to wane, and with a deft maneuver, Kaius disarmed him, sending his sword clattering to the ground.
"Dead," Kaius declared, lowering his blade but keeping his stance. "Again."
Keiran retrieved his weapon, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. He was improving, he knew he was but it still felt like he was leagues behind his brother. He took his position once more, determined to close that gap.
The sparring continued, steel clashing in a rhythm that echoed across the grounds. Kaius tested Keiran's limits, his strikes varying in speed and intensity, his movements unpredictable. But Keiran, despite the bruises and exhaustion, refused to back down.
Then came the moment. Keiran lunged with a feint, his blade arcing upward as if aiming for Kaius's shoulder. Kaius instinctively raised his sword to parry, bracing for impact. But Keiran shifted at the last second, redirecting the blow into a powerful downward slash.
The force of the strike caught Kaius off guard. Though he managed to deflect it, the sheer power sent his sword flying from his grip. Before Kaius could recover, Keiran's blade was at his throat.
"Now you're dead," Keiran said, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Kaius chuckled, stepping back with raised hands. "Not bad, little brother. Not bad at all." He clapped, his tone both amused and impressed. "But don't let it go to your head. One victory doesn't make you invincible."
Keiran sheathed his sword, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "One victory is all I need to start."
Kaius retrieved his weapon, and the sparring resumed. Their movements were sharp and deliberate, the rhythmic clash of steel echoing through the training grounds. As they dueled, Keiran's thoughts turned to the troubling events of the past days.
About a month ago, five Marlenian spies had been uncovered, their presence a chilling reminder of how deeply the enemy had infiltrated their kingdom. These weren't just shadowy figures lurking on the outskirts; they were embedded within the palace itself. One, shockingly, had been serving as a maid in the royal palace. The others held strategic positions that gave them access to sensitive information, including war room discussions where military strategies were discussed.
A knight of Everia discovered them one fateful night when he was on duty. He spotted a cloaked figure sneaking out of the military room, carrying what appeared to be stacks of books. Something about the figure's movements struck him as suspicious, and he decided to follow from a distance.
The knight's instincts proved correct when the cloaked figure slipped into the shadows and met with four others in a secluded corner of the palace grounds. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the knight didn't wait for backup. Without fear or hesitation, he launched an attack, catching the group off guard.
Though outnumbered, the knight's goal wasn't to defeat them all alone. His strikes were precise, but his intent was clear: create enough noise and chaos to draw reinforcements before the spies could scatter. His bold actions paid off. The commotion roused the nearby guards, who quickly joined the fight and secured the capture of all five spies.
When captured, most of the spies remained silent under interrogation, their loyalty unshaken even in the face of torture. But one, desperate to save himself, finally broke. His confession exposed Vesper's elaborate plan to ambush the royal siblings of Eldrida during their intended journey to Everia.
The attack would have struck when the siblings were en route to Everia, exploiting their vulnerability away from the safety of their kingdom.
The revelation sent shockwaves through both Eldrida and Everia. The royal siblings, who had already been making arrangements for their royal visit, immediately canceled their plans upon learning of the ambush. Their decision was a direct response to the gravity of the threat, prioritizing their safety over diplomacy.
The interrogated spy didn't stop there. He revealed three more operatives still embedded within the palace: a royal guard sworn to protect the siblings and two maids, one serving in the palace kicthen and the other assigned to Keiran.
Keiran deflected a strike and countered with a swift thrust, his mind circling back to the spies. A royal guard and two maids, one of them serving him. He couldn't shake the unease that settled in his chest, How had they been so blind to such deep infiltration?
Kaius pressed him harder, breaking Keiran's focus momentarily. His strikes were relentless, forcing keiran onto the defensive.
Kaius's voice broke through the tension as he launched another series of strikes. "You're distracted".
Keiran replied sharply as he dodged Kaius's attack, "Why wouldn't I be distracted?" With a burst of energy, he lunged forward, aiming for Kaius's upper torso. Kaius parried, but the force of the strike drove him back a step. They clashed again, swords locking in a heated struggle. Muscles tensed, and sweat dripped as both brothers leaned into the pressure, trying to overpower the other.
With a simultaneous shove, they pushed each other off balance, both stumbling and collapsing onto the dirt. For a moment, the training grounds fell silent except for their labored breathing.
Kaius laughed, lying flat on his back and staring at the darkening sky. "Not bad, little brother. If nothing else, you've mastered the art of being stubborn."
Keiran smirked, sitting up and brushing dirt off his tunic. "I learn from the best."
Kaius propped himself up on his elbows, grinning. "Speaking of stubborn, how's your preparation for the journey in three days?"
"As prepared as I can be," Keiran replied, though his tone carried a hint of weariness. "And given the circumstances, I'd say we've done everything possible to avoid an ambush."
They had taken extensive precautions for the upcoming journey. Among these measures was a recently dispatched convoy sent to deliver a message to Vesper, revealing that her plan to ambush them had been exposed. The message had made it clear: any interference would result in her remaining spies being obliterated, and her actions would not go unanswered.
Surprisingly, Vesper had allowed the convoy sent to return alive. For someone as ruthless as her, this unexpected mercy hinted at something, perhaps she did care what happened to her spies. It was a perplexing thought, given her reputation for ruthlessness.
Kaius grinned, leaning back on his hands. "Spoken like a true strategist. You might just impress Princess Avery with that sharp mind of yours."
Keiran groaned. "Not this again."
"Oh, come on," Kaius teased, nudging him. "The way Father tells it, she's as pretty as her sister Abigail, sharp-tongued and clever. Maybe she'll take one look at you and swoon."
Keiran shot him a glare. "Unlikely, considering I'm the 'spare.' I doubt she'd pick me over you, Crown Prince Charming."
Kaius's grin softened into something more genuine. "You underestimate yourself, Keiran. And maybe her. For all we know, she might prefer someone who doesn't have a kingdom's weight on his shoulders."
Keiran raised an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying you hope she picks me so you can avoid the responsibility?"
Kaius chuckled. "Not at all. I just think you'd make an excellent husband. Strong, noble, occasionally witty, what's not to like?"
Keiran groaned again, lying back down in mock defeat. "If this is your idea of encouragement, please stop."
Kaius laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet training grounds. But his tone turned serious as he added, "Regardless of her choice, our focus is clear. We have to get to Eldrida safely, secure the alliance, and ensure Vesper doesn't interfere. Everything else is secondary."
Keiran nodded, the weight of their mission pressing down on him. "Agreed. Let's just hope Vesper doesn't have more surprises waiting for us."
Kaius stood and offered him a hand. "We'll be fine. Come on, let's head back before Father decides we need another briefing."
Keiran allowed Kaius to pull him up, though his mind lingered on the strange twist with Vesper. Sparing the envoy didn't fit her usual pattern and that unease gnawed at him, he was almost certain she was planning something.