Prologue
The Duty of a Prince
The sun beat down over the land of Fanelia, but the children resting beneath the shade of a large oak paid the sun no mind. There were four children of varying ages. The oldest was sitting with his back resting against the trunk of the massive oak, a book in his hands. He was fifteen years of age with light blue hair, deep red eyes, and ivory skin. If asked, many would certainly describe the young man as tall and scrawny yet quite handsome. Another of the children was a young girl of twelve years. Blue-black hair was tied in a braid that fell just past her shoulders. Silver eyes watched the older boy closely as he read. The other two children were a five year old boy and a three year old cat-girl. The little raven haired, deep red eyed, and bronze skinned boy listened intently to the story. Next to the little boy, the pink haired cat-girl slept.
Even though they had all heard the story hundreds of times before and could recite it from memory, they all sat silently as the older boy read. They were not, however, truly listening to the story itself, but rather the voice of the reader. All were desperately imprinting that soothing, kind voice into their memory, for they did not know what tomorrow would bring.
"Could you read the story again, brother?" The small boy inquired when his older sibling had finished and closed the book.
He smiled sadly at the small boy. "I'm afraid not. Balgus would be very upset if I missed training today." Rising from the ground, his eyes drifted off towards the palace.
"Come on you two. We wouldn't want Folken to get in trouble." The blue-black haired girl said climbing to her feet. The small boy shook the cat-girl from her nap.
"Get up Merle! We're going back to the castle." The raven haired boy shouted. Immediately, the small cat-girl came awake and bolted off on all fours. Silver and deep red eyes watched after the two children as they raced off towards the castle.
"Sitsune, don't worry." Folken whispered gently to the blue-black haired girl. She turned her gaze on the boy.
"Worry about what?" She asked. He smiled softly at her and took one of her hands into his. The young girl's eyes fell to the ground. Yes, she knew what he had meant. Tomorrow the crowned prince of Fanelia was to perform the Right of Succession. Everyone knew what that implied. He would have to slay a dragon and bring back its heart, as proof the deed had been done, before he could become king. This frightened her more than anything.
"Come on." Folken urged. The two walked towards the palace in silence, each pondering tomorrow's events.
"Do you think you will return?" Sitsune asked into the silence. She stared ahead of herself afraid to meet his gaze and let him see the fear that shined brightly in them.
"Of course." He answered smiling reassuringly. However, there had been a flicker of suppressed doubt in his 'presence' that sent a shiver up her spine. She stopped walking and threw her arms around the young prince.
"I'm scared for you." She whispered. Folken wrapped his arms around her tightly, trying to comfort her.
The two had known each other since they were very young. They had met around the age of two and five when Sitsune's father came to work at the palace as one of the king's advisors. The two had been inseparable ever since.
"I'm coming home. I promise."