Chapter 4
Meanwhile, at the castle, James and Henry had just been admitted through the castle gates. They stopped and looked around. "It looks so much like how our home did."Henry said softly. James nodded. A guard came up to them. "Can I help you lads?"he asked. "Yes please sir. We are here about the horse trainer jobs. Can you direct us in the right direction?"James asked. "Of course lads. I will take you there myself."the guard said. "Thank you."James said. James and Henry followed the guard into the castle. They didn't stare in awe like everyone else did which made the guard curious. These two boys were different, the guard thought. "What are your names? I am Faren."the guard said. "I am James and this is my brother Henry."James answered. "You aren't from around here are you? How old are you two?"Faren said. "No sir. I am sixteen and James is eighteen. We came from the Crystal Kingdom. When our village was attacked and destroyed. Only us and our siblings survived. We hid in the mountains. When we returned we found everything and everyone gone. So we left."Henry explained. "There is more of you?"Faren asked. "There was. Our eldest brother, Peter died in the battle, our sister, Sophia who was seventeen disappeared in the woods. Now it is just Henry, Ana, and me. Ana is four."James said. Faren smiled. "I know the feeling. I have a little sister myself. She is seventeen. I am nineteen."Faren replied. "Hello Faren!"an older man cried. "Hello Mosieur Phean."Faren greeted. "What is needed today?"Mosieur Phean asked. "Actually my brother and I are here about the horse training positions. We trained horses at home."James said.
That was the truth. King Claran and Queen Savia made sure that when their reached the age of ten, began being taught skills, common people did. Peter, James, and Henry learned how to train horses, build, metalwork, and such. Sophia learned to cook, sew, and spinning. They all learned how to garden and look for wild edible plants. For fun, they went hunting, horseback riding, swimming, reading, writing, playing instruments, singing, and playing board games. With the royal teachers, they learned to write, read, geography, history, other kingdoms languages, ancient tongues, literature, and many other things they needed to know to be good rulers.
"Excellent. How you both start to train those two foals over there and we will see how you do."Mosieur Phean said. "Yes sir."James and Henry said. They went to work and Faren left.
Back at the shop, Kian was working in the back of the shop behind the curtains, were he had all his tools, sewing machine and such. Here is where he made the clothes. Ana played running up and down the colorful clothes. The city began to bustle again with activity outside now that most everyone had come back from their lunches. The door opened and a stream of courtiers came in. Ana looked at all the beautiful ladies. Some of the ladies noticed the unusual child. Ana skipped to the back of the store. "Kian! We gots cusimors!"Ana cried. "Well then. We better go see what they want."Kian chuckled picking the child up. Ana giggled. Kian entered the front room of his shop with Ana in his arms. "Hello ladies. Sorry to keep you waiting. I have been working some custom orders."Kian apoligized. "It is alright Kian."the woman with a kind eyes said. She was tall and graceful and had golden yellow hair and deep blue eyes. "What can I help you with today Lady Jasmine?"Kian asked while other ladies just browsed. "I would like to pick up that blue dress you were making for me."Lady Jasmine said. "Of course. It is all ready. Why don't you take it into one of the changing rooms and try it on."Kian said. Lady Jasmine took the dress and went to try it on. Kian moved on to the next lady. Ana watched Kian in amazement. After all the ladies left, Kian closed the shop. He guessed that the boys had gotten the job. Ana looked at Kian curiously. "We are going to go shopping Ana."Kian explained. "Oooh."Ana said clapping her hands excitedly. Kian chuckled and buckled and tied around Ana's waist a strong piece of leather and cord. It worked like a leash somewhat so that he could go out with Ana and not loose her. He wasn't a young man anymore. Kian picked Ana up and they left his house and shop. Ana was fascinated with all the stalls and people.
To be continued...