The clanging of metal rang through the courtyard as the pair of swords met before dancing away from each other.
"If Father catches you, he will not be best pleased"
Adora glanced over her shoulder quickly at her twin brother before concentrating once again at her opponent.
"What father doesn't know, won't kill him" She said quickly before managing to disarm the guard. She turned to face Adam, raising the sword to her shoulder and looking at him sternly
"And you aren't going to tell him a thing" Adam laughed before grabbing a spare sword. He swung it several times before getting into a defensive posture.
"I'll cut you a deal sister. If you can beat me, I won't say a word of this to father" Adora raised her sword once more, mimicking her brother's pose.
"And if you win?" She questioned. Adam shrugged
"You owe me a favour, though I'm not sure to what that pertains at the moment. Adora mulled over the thought of this for a second. If the King did find out what she had been getting up to with her personal guards, the guards would probably be stripped of their rankings and the more uptight, loyal guards would be in their place, meaning Adora would be stuck in just a princess role.
Adam tapped his sword against hers.
"Are you afraid? It's not too late to back out now" Adora gritted her teeth and swung her sword back at him, causing Adam to lower his sword for a split second. He backed up a couple of steps, smiling before charging forward once again. The siblings danced around each other for several minutes, both lunging at moments to try and knock the other off their feet. They circled each other once more and just as Adora moved forward to strike, her guard stepped forward.
"Your majesties, the queen is on her way to find you both" Adora quickly passed over her sword to the guard before beginning to smooth the fabric of her dress down.
"We'll call it a draw then" Adam called out. Adora looked up and said quickly
"So what does that mean?" Adam thought for a second
"I still won't tell Father and you still owe me a favour" Adora heard the footsteps of their Mother coming closer.
"Deal" She said quickly, just as their Mother came into view.
"Children, you're needed in the throne room" Adam strode towards their Mother, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek before heading that way. Queen Marlena smiled after him before returning her gaze to her daughter. Adora smiled softly before beginning to follow her Mother out of the courtyard. Marlena took her daughters hand and began to say
"How are your daily lessons going? Tell me what you have been learning?" Adora thought quickly to the lesson she had had earlier that morning. She had remembered something vaguely about another planet.
"It was about Etheria" The queen nodded thoughtfully.
"And what are your thoughts on Etheria?" Adora was silent for a second, trying desperately to remember what exactly her tutor had spoken about.
"I found the magic and rune stones interesting" Adam turned back as she said this, calling out
"Really in-depth thoughts there Adora"
"I actually agree with your sister Adam. The prospect of magic and being connected to such power through a rune stone is fascinating." Adam turned back round then and Marlena looked down at Adora with an amused expression.
The doors to the throne room opened and Adora was shocked to see her Father's council also gathered, her Father sat in the centre, one chair left unseated next to him. Marlena squeezed Adora's hand once more, before gliding to take her seat next to her husband. King Randor looked at both of his children, before placing a missive on the table between them. Whilst Adora began to read, Adam asked
"What's this about?" The king leant back in his chair before replying
"I need one of you to go onto an ambassador tour to another planet. We are trying to make good relations with our neighbouring planets and what better to send the future king" Adora glanced up to see Adams jaw tighten with their Father's words. In was no secret in the castle that their Father thought Adam was lazy and didn't take responsibility for anything, meanwhile Adora knew different.
"So you want me to go then," Adam asked sternly, not breaking eye contact with the king. "And what if I had something that was more important than going to another planet?" The king looked at Adam sternly
"And what would that be? Running around the woods with Teela? Or perhaps a new tavern has opened that you would desire to go to?" Adora looked between her father and Adam, the tension becoming almost unbearable.
"Maybe it would be better for the princess to go" Randor looked to his right at his wife.
"And why would that be?" The queen held the king's gaze before replying softly
"Adora is currently learning the politics and the ways of other planets. What would be better than to send her somewhere to experience this for herself" The king leaned back in his chair and peered over at this daughter. Adora lowered her gaze after a second.
"Then she goes," Adora looked up, surprised that he had given in so easily. "You have a week to prepare daughter. I will send your tutor to you for additional lessons. You may both leave" Adam strode out from the hall, saying nothing and Adora knew instantly he was still upset from what had been said. Marlena stood and came over to her daughter, stroking he blonde hair and quietly said
"At least now you don't owe Adam that favour" Adora looked up at surprise in her mother, who gently laughed, kissed her forehead and left the room.
Adora pulled out one of the chairs and began to unfold the missive once more. She scanned through the basic contents stopping as she reached the name
"Etheria?" She said out loud
"Yes, you've been studying it recently, have you not?" Adora looked up to see her Father still seated across from her.
"Yes, I started learning about it today" The king nodded thoughtfully as he looked at her.
"I'm glad you are going. You'll bring a strong representation for Eternia. Your brother would have been a bad choice" Adora felt a twinge of anger at the comment, before trying to bring a small smile forward.
"Thank you Father" She said quietly. Randor rose from his chair and came to rest a hand on her shoulder
"Do not let Eternia down Adora" he cautioned before leaving Adora alone to her thoughts.