Mora and Vance:
As the young girl practiced her curtsies, Vance Navarre couldn't help but smirk to himself. Despite the fact that she was smiling throughout the process, the look behind her eyes screamed 'get me outta here!' Being the middle child of King Tyson Valgus, twelve year old Mora was expected to learn the ways of a noblewoman. She spent many of her days learning of the history and traditions of the neighboring countries, as well as her own. She also was taught how to conduct herself as a highborn lady should, including proper etiquette.
Vance knew she hated it. Yet, unlike her older sister Allexis, Mora rarely acted out in defiance. Even at such a young age, little Mora was quite mature - something Allexis was severely lacking. Vance was glad that she was his fellow retainer, Micah's, problem. Mora endured the monotonous classes as best she could. Long ago, Vance had made her a deal: as long as she performed well in her studies and behaved herself, he would reward her with treats. So far, the deal had worked beautifully, though Vance knew he would get an earful once she was finished with her studies for the day.
As if on queue, Vance was snapped out of his musings as Mora was dismissed from her class for the day. Mora curtsied one last time to her tutor before making her way from the garden towards the castle courtyard. Vance silently fell into step just behind the child and to her right. He quietly braced for the complaints. Once they got well out of earshot of the garden, Mora sighed heavily.
"Gods, that was sooo boring!" she said. "I really don't understand the point of all of this. Why can't I learn something useful for once. All day, everyday, it bowing, and what utensil to use, and who ruled that rock a thousand years ago. Who cares? Allexis doesn't have to put up with this. She gets to learn magic, and Zach gets to learn swordplay. Why do only they get to have fun? This sucks..." Vance waited quietly for her to finish. "Ugh," Mora exclaimed while throwing her hands up in disgust. Seeing his opportunity, Vance interjected.
"You know, what you're learning is just as important, if not more so, than magic or swordplay." Mora turned to look at him skeptically.
"How's that?" She asked. Vance pressed his point.
"You have a talent, my dear. Your patience far out does that of your brother and sister. Where they are prone to act rashly, you take the time to observe the situation and consider all of the options. This gives you a considerable edge." Mora's skepticism turned to puzzlement. "What I'm trying to say, is that you can see a situation from multiple sides. In this way, you are much like your mother. This will make you a shrewd negotiator one day; of that, I'm certain."
"Great, how does that help, exactly," Mora asked, unconvinced.
"It helps by making people like me obsolete," Vance said.
"What? No, I don't want that," the girl said, not understanding what Vance meant.
"What I mean, is that people like me - soldiers and fighters - are only needed when negotiations have failed. If it comes to blows, everyone has lost. Peace is the ultimate goal in the world, though it is in short supply. Perhaps if we had more people like your mother in the world, we wouldn't have wars that rage for over a hundred and seventy four years. This is what I mean by your studies being important. You have a chance to do what I could never do - bring about peace to those who have none.
"Let your brother learn the sword, he's the heir to the throne after all. Let your sister learn magic, I'm sure she'll be great at it. Just know that there are plenty of things that are just as important, if not more so, than those few skills." Mora took a moment to digest all that Vance had said. After a time, she sighed heavily.
"You're right, as always," she said begrudgingly.
"Of course I am," Vance smiled at his charge. She stuck out her tongue at him. As she did so, a voice caught the two by surprise from behind Vance.
"Young lady, just what do you think you are doing?" Mora shirked back, as Vance turned around. Queen Alyssa stood a few feet away with her hands on her hips, skewering her daughter with an angry scowl. To this day, the queen was the only person who had been able to sneak up on Vance. Her step was so light and graceful that she might as well have been a ninja. Vance quickly spoke up to defend the girl.
"It's perfectly ok, your grace. We were just discussing Mora's need to study."
"And how does that warrant such an unladylike reaction?" she pressed.
"Oh, she just doesn't like it when I'm right, is all." The queen eyed the retainer skeptically, in the same manner as her daughter, though it was only half hearted.
"Very well, as long as it only happens to you," she responded. "Anyways, I came to tell you two that I have need of your presence in the gardens."
"We will be along presently then," Vance said.
"Good. By the way, would you know where I might find my eldest child?"
"We haven't seen Allexis or Micah," Mora said. Vance nodded.
"If I had to guess, she's likely somewhere around the dueling or archery grounds," Vance added. The queen sighed loudly.
"You're probably right; I should have started there. I'll send one of the King's Guard to fetch them. Anyways, I'll see you two momentarily. Don't tarry, this is important," Queen Alyssa said.
"We'll be there, your grace," Vance responded. With that, the queen excused herself to track down her other wayward children.
"I wonder what this will be about," Mora mused out loud. Vance merely shrugged.
"Let's head that way and find out," he said, ushering the girl in that direction. Together, the two headed towards the castle gardens.
Upon their arrival, Vance and Mora saw that her younger brother, Zach, and his retainer, Maraav, had already arrived. Vance nodded at the half-blood Miqo'te dark mage who returned the gesture. While he knew the the mage would do anything for young Zach, he was skeptical of his chosen skill path. It was nothing personal, he had always been suspicious of magic practitioners. While it certainly had its uses, Vance was wary of the ability to affect the world around him without having to use his hands to do so.
Young Zach was busy reading a book and hadn't noticed Mora and Vance's entrance. In fact, he only looked up once Allexis and her retainer, Micah, entered the garden area. The two were arguing about something, to which Vance paid no heed. Indeed, it seemed every time he turned around, those two were at odds. He did not envy the poor Manakete. Despite being over twenty six hundred years old, and having been with this particular family for several hundred of those years now, Vance was sure the child would be the death of him yet.
Now that everyone had arrived, Queen Alyssa appeared once more. She looked over everyone present and smiled warmly at the group.
"Thank you all for coming. As you know, our kingdom has been a part of a war that has raged between our home country of Valantis and neighbor Gridania for one hundred and seventy four years now. With the hostilities finally wearing down, we can now push for a peace treaty and end this needless conflict." The queen looked to each of her children before continuing. "Your father and I have been able to convince the leaders of Gridania to come together on an accorded neutral ground so that we may draft such a treaty. Two days from now, we shall ride out and begin that process. During that time, you all shall remain here. I expect you all to be on your best behavior, as you are direct representatives of your father and I."
Next, Queen Alyssa addressed Vance and his fellow retainers. "While you three are not full King's Guard, your words and actions are highly respected by those that are. Aside from the children's safety, I want you to help ensure the smooth running of the kingdom in our absence. The King's Hand, Zephyr, will surely have his hands full as it is." The three retainers nodded their assent. "Excellent, then I'll leave you all to the rest of your day." The queen smiled once again and left to be about her business.
"So, it's finally happening," Mora remarked turning to Vance with excitement in her eyes.
"Indeed. After so many years, the voice of reason is finally taking hold." He smiled at the child before him, "this is why you must continue your studies; so to keep this war from ever returning." Mora nodded and went to converse with her brother. Vance noticed Micah looking about with a stressed look in his eyes. It was then that Vance saw that Micah's charge was nowhere to be seen. At some point during the queen's addressing, Allexis had wandered off, leaving her retainer high and dry. He just shook his head and left the poor Manakete to his fate.