Of Princes and Knights
The dull clacking of wood upon wood filled the long exercise room. Countless pages swung wooden practice swords at one another in mock combat. The Sword Master over saw their work with a stern and unforgiving eye. Make a mistake in his presence and you could be sentenced a long duty of scrubbing floors.
A tall blonde man stood off to one side, scowling at a small group of squires dueling with quarter staffs. The more ambitious –and curious- of the young men snuck glimpses at this strange looking man when ever they could. Unfortunately for them, he noticed. With one last glare –directed at a hapless squire who had just tripped over his own feet- he left the room.
Stalking outside, his longlegs carried him with ease to the stables. Stopping to stroke the neck of a huge stallion, he was finally still enough for one to get a good look at him.
His entire appearance was that of a severely washed out painting. He had such a pale complexion. His skin looked like he'd never spent more than an hour in full sunlight during his entire life. The blonde hair that fell past his knees in a thick plait was almost silver in appearance. And the pale grey of his eyes only made it worse.
Any color in the rather cold figure he cut came from his clothing. But even it seemed despair of brightness. Tan Buckskin breeches, Mahogany high topped boots and a loose shirt that had at some point in time been white, with a grey tunic pulled over for an overall look of sloppiness. But it was the little details that gave him the aura of dangerousness.
Like for instance, the heavy leather strap securely fastened around his neck. Or the slightly worn spot on the outside of his left boot that revealed the location of a hidden dagger. Or simply the way he carried himself. The odd way he balanced on the balls of his toes and the soft way he walked. How he never stood in doorways for longer than necessary and never sat with his back to one.
He was a hard one to cross and everyone in Kallel knew it.
The two men sitting together in the Library could easily be mistaken for brothers. The similarities in their physical appearances, the black hair, high cheek bones, tanned skin and an athletic build, were of course personalized to fit their individual.
Calmness radiated from the shorter haired man that made you instantly respect him. Just a glance at him and you felt that you could follow him to the ends of the earth. A second glance made you wonder if you were perhaps going insane. The shaggy run-away hair, brilliant green eyes and a slightly twisted nose –sure sign of a brawl- were most certainly not the source for this admiration.
No, there was just something about his persona that made ever one around him comfortable.
Where this first man made you feel self-confidant, the other made you feel self-conscious. He was good looking in a way that turned –even the richest- of his surroundings into something shabby and ill-lit. His eyes glowed as they scanned the pages of a dusty tome. Framed by thick eyelashes, these blue orbs would make even the staunchest of ladies swoon. But there was also an innocence to the soft curve of his mouth that made you feel that it was alright. That it didn't matter how awful you looked, he would listen to your cares anyway.
His hair was also something coveted by the women of court. Thick shoulder length locks with just a hint of curl. The perfect way it fell around his face, held in that position by a gold circlet. It was plain- for gold- with no gems or engraving. Just a simple gold band about a quarter of an inch thick, but it was the ultimate sign of nobility…the sign of Royal Blood.
Lord Harry of Potter's Keep heaved a sigh and stood up. Turning to his prince he hesitated before speaking, "Pardon my insolence, but could you please tell me how much longer we are to remain in this…dusty prison?"
Laughter danced in blue eyes as the Prince answered, "We will remain here, in this 'dusty prison' until Sir Draco arrives. So why don't you stop complaining and do something of use."
An arched eyebrow showed Lord Harry's skepticism, "Like what?"
"Like praying to the gods so that they might hurry Draco along."
Harry laughed and sat back down. "He does take his time doesn't he?"
"Of course I take my time, for it would be stealing to take anyone else's."
Leaping to his feet once more, Harry embraced the taller blonde man. "Draco, how wonderful to see you again, and in excellent health. Come now, shall we move this conversation out of doors?"
Draco rolled his eyes at the Nobleman's impatience. Bowing to his prince he spoke, "Good afternoon your highness. And how is Prince Blaise of Zabini today? All well I trust?"
Blaise grinned, " I am as fit as a horse. You, on the other hand, are looking rather peeky. Perhaps you should spend more time in the sun?"
Draco simply laughed and helped the Prince out of his seat.
As they strode down the North Corridor to the gardens, the blonde suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled something out.
"Harry, you left this in the baths the other night."
Harry leaned across Blaise to peer into Draco's outstreached hand. There, resting on the pale palm, was a singled gold hoop earring. Gaping at the tall man,Harry absently reached up to tug on his right earlobe, currently devoide of any decoration. With a gasp he snatched the hoop and hurried to the nearest mirror, in order to install the item.
The Prince stared after the young Lord with a look of amusment on his face. Turning to the finder of the offending accesory, he spoke. "It always surprises me that it was Harry who got his ear peirced. I had always thought that it would be you, the more 'rebelious' one of our little group."
Draco smirked and shook his head. "One doesn't have to be rebelious in order topierce one's ears. Vainity is a wonderful substitute."
"He is rather vain isn't he?"
An ungentlemanly snort was his answer. "Harry is the only man I can think of who takes a bath moer than once a week."
Blaise gaped at Draco, "More than once a week? It's a wonder there's anything left of him after all those washings."
That made the young knight laugh. "Indeed. It would most certainly appear that he has washed away a certain degree of his brains."
"Why do you say that?"
"Tell me, in all your travels have you not seen gypsies?"
"Of course I have seen such people. One would have to ride with their eyes closed in order to avoid the sight."
"Have you not seen amoung their number men - and women unfortunatly- with cloven ears?"
Blaise frowned at his friend. "Of course. I however had asumed that their lobes had been slit by some upholder of the law, as a way of marking touble makers."
Draco shook his head st his Prince's ingnorance. "Nay. They recieved this unpleasent disfigurement during a scuffle- or brawl- in which their oponant had ripped an earring right off their ear. A low move, rather akin tothe pulling of hair, that is often employed by the less than honorable."
Blaise nodded. "Ah yes. I understand now your frowning upon Harry's recent acquisition. In your eyes the earring is simply another perchase added for your enemy's advantage." he smiled at the scowling Knight and patted him on the arm. "It is a good thing we have such a street-wise companion to keep us from the follies of ignorant Nobles."
"Yes well, unfortunatly I cannot save everyone from self impossed stupidity."
Blue eyes followed grey to see Harry knock over a potted tree in an attempt to get a better view of himself in a mirror. Shaking his head, Blaise sighed and went to help the Lord set things to right.
Draco held up a hand to stem the flow of complaints flowing out of his dark haired compainion's mouth. Turning around he realized that they were no longer being followed by the Prince. Scanning the surrounding shrubbery quickly,he dashed back up the path they'd come down. Harry knew what the problem was when he saw Draco run off. He followed the long haired man, but at a slower pace until reaching a side path. Taking it, he continued as far as the Rose Garden. Settling down on a bench, he waited.
Before too long a smirking Blaise sat down beside him as a scowling Draco paced off to one side.
Harry stiffled the urge to laugh. "How long did it take him?"
"Just under a minute."
Harry was impressed. "His fastest time yet."
Draco tossed a path stone at the green eyed man, "Next time, you go find him."
Harry smirked at him, "But you are so good at it."
The blonde pionted at Blaise, "Yes I am good at it. Something that will one day keep him alive."
Harry sighed. "Why do you always have to be right?"
"I don't have to be, I just am."
Blaise quickly interupted before an argument could begin. "Draco, why do you always were that leather collar?"
Draco glared at his prince, but understood why the conversation was being once again directed to one of his oddities. "I wear this to protect my neck from being cut open. The amount of people to get their throats cut in dark allies is rather large. I for one do not wish to be added to their number."
Harry winced. "You are a never endless well of pleasentries."
Is this installment satisfactory? Sorry...I seem to be slipping into medevil lingo. LOL. Actually...it's just proper english.
THIS IS AN OFFICAL AUTHOR'S NOTE. IGNORE THIS AND BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN: Do not flame me. If you find this story unpleasent DO NOT READ IT. If you see errors and feel like kindly notifying me of them, By all means do so.
I realize of course that this chapter seems to play out only Harry's faults, but don't worry. Everybody will have their equal 'bashing' and fault pionting.
Perhaps the next chapter will tell us more of Draco...and why he seems so intelegent compared to the people around him.
On that note I would like to say that the Nobles of Midevil times were rather 'sheltered' when it came to everyday life. As for 'common' sense? they were not to be troubled with it.
I must also say this: I am writing this on the edit/preview document window on This program does not have spell check. So there are a few mispellings.
And one final note: ROSES AND GOLD HOOP EARRINGS TO MY REVIEWERS! I LOVE YOU GUYS!
