Chapter #6 First impressions are everything

HEY GUYS! Thanks for your reviews! I'm super excited you liked the chapter! And incredibly sorry for yet another extended waiting period for this chapter. I really didn't mean to let my procrastination get this far. Also I wanted to say thanks for pointing out spelling mistakes, although I must confess I cannot locate them (I have done a Word spell check thing and it says I'm all good?) Maybe it's the Australian way I've spelt stuff that's wrong? If not you'll have to be specific as I'm not clever enough to deduce it on my own. Anyway onto the story it's the part where the guys get to show off in front of their idol the Knight, and Max gets to observe just how these princes act in a slightly more serious environment, fights in the training grounds, fun for the whole family (well maybe not so fun for those who get their butts whooped!) And I've made it just one point of view, Fang's, to get the chapter up, I'm really not feeling the writing at the moment, but I'm working on the second, Max's, and it should be up soon but I felt I should give you guys something at least.

Last time:

One

Two

Three

JUMP!

I leapt up and twisted my body slightly reaching out with my hand everything stretched towards the top of the railing. And because I'm just that amazing, I just gripped the edge, enough to adjust my grip and hoist myself over, I may have made a bit of noise as I stumbled to get off the railing as the balcony occupants jumped and turned around.

"Oh dear Lord Knight! You gave us all a fright we didn't see, or hear you arrive! Come, come, you haven't missed much, the warm up drills are just about to end, so you're just in time for the real show!" King George called over the ruckus.

Fang POV:

Waiting for the fight to begin had been torture. Training was easy, going through different exercises was simple, do it all the time, even short spar session mixed in with stretching and practicing was easy. The torturous art of the whole thing stemmed from the fact that soon, I would be fighting both my brothers in a one, on one, on one spar session, this time with Gazzy and Iggy not ganging up on me which was a little different but a welcomed change for this combat session. The thing that got me nearly vibrating with nerves, although I made sure to look calm on the outside obviously… was the fact that the Knight would be watching all of it. And although he had not turned up yet, and no I was definitely not incredibly disappointed that he wouldn't see it, but the other royals had. My mother and father talking with Queen Val, and her two daughters, although the latter seemed to be giggling and waving at all the knights in the training grounds rather than conversing.

Oh wait look, its noon exactly and the Knight still hasn't arri… Wait, what the heck? I had just heard the call to stop training and grab a quick drink when I saw a flash of black and witnessed the Knight pull off a daring leap from the wall of the arena to the edge of the balcony where the royals were residing waiting to watch the soon to happen fight. Well that was impressive, I haven't thought of doing that yet, and for now I don't think I will, not yet anyway. But after my initial shock and relief at the Knights entrance into the arena, I walked over to grab myself a much needed drink before stretching again and getting ready as I could get for the fight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Almost a half hour of fighting, well at least that's what the messenger announced, calling down from the tower where the sun dial was placed, and I was almost ready to quit, well not quite, I was really itching to beat Iggy and Gazzy though. Sweat poured down my neck, and dripped down into my eyes after it had soaked my hair and made it stick to forehead. The smell of steel and sweat filled my nose, the sound of swords clanging together, clinking of individual links in chainmail, the scraping thuds of boots dancing across the dirt floor, grunts and heavy breaths rung in my ears. Dust was wafting around in the air, launched from its place on the ground because of our feet and the wind creating a haze around us. The sun blared down over head, catching on the dust particles, making them appear to glow in streaks of light, The sun glared down upon those gather in the training arena, it's harsh heat unforgiving cooking me in my heavy, full armour, birds calling from up high darting from perch to perch playing in the wind and sun. The strong breeze was twisting and wrapping around me making my sweat seem like ice cooling me down a bit before the blaring sun stole it away with its intensity. The grunts and thumps emitted from Iggy, Gazzy and I echoed off the walls of the training arena, everyone else almost completely silent except for the murmurs that travelled around the soldiers like a river, ebbing in urgency and excitement with each blow dealt.

My muscles burned, heart beating hard and fast, lungs starting to get uncomfortably tight as the fight wore on. The weight of the armour was pulling me down to the ground as I parried another heavy blow from Iggy coming at me from the right and pushed him away momentarily. I went with the next blow from Gazzy, lowering myself down with the swing of the sword, bending my knees and as I pushed up, I slid my sword along his so our hands were closer and shoved him over, successfully knocking him down causing him to land heavily on his behind consequently winding him and therefore getting him out of the fight. Two of the other knights standing by ran up to us and, grabbing him under his arms, dragged Gazzy away to safety where he could recover and be taken to the palace doctor's station against one of the walls which was taking refuge under one of the balconies hiding the patients from the heat, to check for any major injuries.

Then it was just Iggy and I left, one down one to go, I could do this. Hopefully. Okay I'm not as confident as I usually am, so what?

This would be easy peasy…. Or so I thought, a harsh blow to the back of my head, encased in a helmet of course, from the flat of Iggy's sword put me in a daze for a second, my vision unfocused and ears ringing with the loud clang from metal on metal. I swayed a bit on my feet, before I spun around, knees bent for balance, sword tight in my right hand at my waist, my left hand out for balance, and I glared at Iggy through the slit in my helmet. I pulled it off, yes dramatic but also practical, I could barely see through the helmet in the first place, but with sweat and a knock to the head clouding my vision I needed to give myself every chance to see as clear as I could, so I could beat him and wipe the smug grin stretching across his face. I tossed my head around to whip the hair from my eyes, and paused in the fight to allow Iggy to do the same. Although his movements were far less agitated and harsh, flicking his helmet away to one of the nearby knights, carefully, a complete contrast to my harsh toss at a poor unsuspecting soul who happened to be in the line of fire.

I was rattled by the presence of the Knight. I wasn't going to delude myself to it being something, this fight mattered and for the first time in ages I had a goal, I had an aim to succeed to prove to the Knight that I am good, that I am not just some spoiled brat, make up for the earlier failed prank. Damn, I sound like a I'm obsessed with the Knight, but that's not true at all, I do not worship him and if anyone tells you otherwise they're lying. I appreciate his talent and skill in fighting and admire the way he almost never fails, and fought the masters at once, by himself and it was amazing and now he is in my palace watching this fight and

"Come on Fang! We haven't got all day, I'm hungry, why can't you just give up already so we can go, I've obviously won this round already, no need to humiliate yourself any further" Iggy stood there with a satisfied smirk on his face when I made eye contact with him. That was so out of character for him to say, he's normally good natured and not extremely competitive. The added presence and stakes of impressing the Knight were affecting us all, if Iggy taunting me, and the fact that I didn't have the upper hand like usual said anything about it, the Knight's presence was powerful and screwed everything up.

Not wanting to let anger cloud my judgment any more, I took a long deep breath and as I exhaled I saw Iggy turning to laugh along with the knights, all of them finding my abnormal underdog status incredibly funny. Bad move Iggy, don't gloat until you're certain of victory. I moved my left foot forward and pushed off with it, lunging at Iggy while his guard was down. Yeah I know, slightly cowardly move but hey, this was everything goes, even though we stuck mostly to the rules (it was a two on one fight how is that fair play anyway?) although unlike some fools I didn't give a battle cry and made my attack as silent as I could manage like the clever and talented prince that I am.

It payed off.

I mean of course it did, I'm that awesome everything it just had to work, well almost everything I did… No we are forgetting about the prank earlier right now, no more bringing it up it never happened... Understand?

Iggy had been too busy enjoying a moment of victory to notice until he suddenly did, by finding himself flat on his back after I had charged him and shoved him with my shoulder. He was pushed back and lost his balance falling to the floor, his sword dropping from his grasp creating a muted, clang as the metal hit the floor, when his hand hit the ground hard. I moved and kicked his sword far from his reach as he lay there stunned, his head had taken a hit when it thudded onto the ground and because of the lack of helmet there was nothing to cushion the blow. Dust and dirt swirling around us sticking to our sweaty skin and I placed the point of my sword against his neck. Victory was sweet and maybe just ever so slightly painful.

"Do you yield?" I asked him while quietly trying to get my heaving breaths under control. The fight had lasted longer than normal, all three of us putting in everything we had, not letting up for a second, we hadn't fought like that in a long time, my muscles ached as I just stood there waiting. Jeez I really needed to practice more if this was the result of a mere three way fight, this would not be a good thing to experience, aching muscles, short breaths, in the midst of a battle, that would be the difference between making it or losing.

"I... Yeah I yield… Damn I... really thought I... had you that time" Iggy said, his words slightly breathy and paused as he tried to get the air back into his lungs. He grinned up and me and I had to smirk back (you know quirk my lip up at the side slightly) he was back to normal again, what a relief. I did also feel a bit of gladness and relief that he wasn't taking losing too hard, after all I was older and had more experience, I intended on beating him and Gazzy, not making them get all disheartened by it.

"Got to admit I thought you did to for a minute there" Hey, don't look at me like that, I'm his older brother, gotta encourage him a little bit sometimes, I'm not a softy for admitting something that was true. I sheathed my sword and reached over and offered a hand to help him get up. He of course being the ever good natured man he was took it and hoisted himself up onto slightly unsteady feet grinning madly as he shouted to the people on the balcony while gripping my forearm and raising it above our heads.

"I have lost this round, my brother here was far too good to beat, a worthy opponent for such a talented and handsome man such as I. "He said accompanying it with his usual grin full of equal parts mischief and charm.

I shook my head and couldn't fight off a small grin twitching the edge of my lips. I won our fight, and had enjoyed it too, and it was all in front of the Knight who I could now see was standing at the very edge of the balcony, and it felt good. He clapped and nodded his head and both Iggy and I in what appeared to be an appreciative way, and not of the sarcastic kind either, from where I stood, and maybe it was hope clouding my perception, but it seemed to be genuine show of approval. Pride rushed through me when I saw both mother and father cheering as well, both smiling and laughing at Iggy's antics. Even though this was only a practice fight, a proper fight but not official or formal it was a good one. It showed to me personally how much both Iggy and Gazzy had improved, I didn't show it right then but I was proud of them both, older sibling feeling kicked in then and I wrenched my arm out of Iggy's and slung it over his shoulder instead as the other knights swarmed us and hoisted us up onto their shoulders. Iggy and I were surprised, it was only a practice, sort of demonstration for the Knight, a training and demonstration fight mixed up in the middle of normal training, type of fight nothing worthy of such revelry. I answered my own question with that thought, of course it was all for the Knight, there was going to be a feast for everyone because mother and father thought that with the Queen and Princesses of the Kingdom of Darkness being present and having the Knight accept the training offer, a feast was necessary I only hoped Gazzy was fit to celebrate before all the food disappeared!

Max POV (towards the end of the fight and after (sorta? You'll get what I mean))

I watched the fight taking in all the details my human eyes could capture. The way the crowd of knights were restless in their viewing of the fight, armour glinting in the noon time sun, a sea of glittering shifting grey, the way the fighting trio kicked up a cloud of dust that swirled around them. How the dust caught the noon time sun causing the trio to be encased in glowing swirling gold dust. The effect was totally ruined though by the princes grunting and swinging at each other, intending to bash the daylights out of the others, if not for that part the scene would have looked almost ethereal. Although I must say when watching a fight when its participants are as graceful as these three it still comes pretty damn close.

As blows were dealt and parried, metal of their armour and swords glinting in the bright noon time sun it was an entertaining fight to watch. They were obviously very good at this, and it was evident that they had done this many times before as they seemed to be able to read each other's next moves and know exactly how to block them, dodge them or use them to their own advantage. It was amazing to watch, although with the help of knowing each other's moves it was slow going, the seemed to be close in skill, Prince Fang was showing a deal more ability than the other two, being older and less invested in pranks probably helped some, but his natural talent was evident as he danced around the twins blades, spinning and blocking and swiping his sword at them in an amazing display of swordsmanship. A flick of the wrist and a blow was parried, a shift in position and a twist and a blade was dodged, left swiping through the now empty space.

As I watched, I admit I got a little carried away, predicting moves that each would take, based on basic personalities and their immediate body language, criticised the moves that would lead to downfall, and praising those that succeeded. I was swept up in the fight, having the first chance in a long time to be a witness rather than a participant, sure I'd watched a fight or two, training with the other knights, or an argument that had gotten out of hands in a pub or on the streets of the village as I took rounds of the kingdom. But I had never spared more than a glance at the participants and their untrained, wild style of attack before wading in and putting a swift end to it. Although that being said it still baffles me that people enjoy watching the unrefined fights, the brawls and duels for entertainment, how entertainment is somehow derived from watching two people attack one another for money or glory is confounding but to each their own.

As the fight continued it was evident the effort put in by all of them was rapidly draining their energy, as movements slowed down a fraction and the blows being dealt grew less precise and more haphazard. I was almost surprised when I saw the eldest prince crouch down with the force of the youngest twin's blow, almost because his body language had loosened from the taut stance it had been a second before, but still it shocked me that he would put himself at such a disadvantage. His strategy became apparent a second later when he tensed and surged forward and knocked Gazzy off his feet and out of the fight.

I was relieved to see a couple of the other knights race forwards and pull Gazzy to safety and carry him off towards the medic tent to be certain of his state after being winded. I had winced in sympathy when I noticed him being winded, I could recall far too many instances when I had been in the same position, after fights and being bested by an opponent, falling from a tree, horse, let's just leave it as I got winded a lot, and still do and I feel for the poor guy. A sudden change in the fight and Iggy it seemed was prepared to take advantage of Fang's momentary distraction of a minor victory, by dealing a heavy blow to fangs head with the flat of his blade, another feeling I was familiar with, although just not with the helmet that would protect but ring from the contact. Such a distraction could obviously not be tolerated by Fang as he tore his helmet from his head, a foolhardy decision I must admit but maybe necessary if the way his hair clung to his forehead and was in his eyes.

The fight was obviously getting them in different ways, Iggy appeared to be gloating in premature victory at his success of agitating Fang even the slightest, although the agitation was more aggravation and to the slightest at all if Fang's brash behaviour was anything to go by. I must admit I was a little ashamed of Iggy, taunting his brother like that, not because they were brothers, but because it was a professional display of fighting prowess and he was throwing trash talk as though it were a street brawl. Someone needed to teach him tact as he was seriously lacking, and as most premature victory celebrations went, his went downhill with Fangs silent attack that turned the tables right around and swiftly. With his sword out of reach from his brother's blows, Iggy smartly yielded and appeared to be in good spirits, applauding his older brother's victory along with the rest of the audience, and me as I was surprised to realise, although I made sure to try and maintain eye contact with the two brothers I could see and attempted to convey how I was impressed by them, and I think I was successful if the way Iggy grinned at me and Fang seemed to puff up with pride after. But they all deserved it, I was impressed with their styles and strategy and how the fight went overall, if their entire army could fight like that, there would be no doubt that they would be a serious force to contend with.

I was startled out of my observations when the knights swarmed in and hoisted Iggy and Fang up onto their shoulders, cheers, whistles and hollers were heard as they flowed out of the arena, and if the cries for food were any indication, they were headed towards their eating hall for a celebratory feast.

"Now then, I think a feast is in order after such excitement, we shall adjourn to the dining hall for a light lunch, if only so we may retain room for a celebration feast for dinner, in honour of Fang's achievement, when I'm sure my sons will be present and we can discuss your further stay with us" Queen Clair called over Bridget and Lisa's high pitched gushing over how amazing Fang had been ya da ya da ya da. But really a feast in honour of Fang winning a fight? Did they do this all the time or is it because guests were present and it wasn't just a training fight, I hope they don't do it all the time, what a waste of resources.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea dear" Said King George "Now if you would like to freshen up before our meal, I have arranged for servants to act as guides to take you to the dining hall and meet there in an hour." He then offered his arm to his wife, and she took it with an endeared smile and they glided off the balcony into the hall and disappeared. And then a group of servants appeared and two went with Valencia and another two went with the red hair wonders, god have mercy on their souls. Another two came out and I looked around, I mean seriously, there wasn't anyone but me on the balcony who could they possibly be waiting for?

Actually ignore that thought. It was me, although you can't blame me for being a little slow not all knights are escorted around a palace to their quarters, we're usually left to fend for ourselves like the capable 'men' that we are.

"Hi Mr Knight, you might remember us, Ella and Nudge, we're supposed to lead you to your quarters, yes weird but necessary, I mean you're a guest and personal bodyguard to a queen and all and that kinda means you're important and we couldn't have you being mucked around by the meatheads that are the knights, not that you're a meat head, you seem smarter than normal for a knight and I'm going to shut up now."

I'll give you one guess as to who said that, and if you could have seen the two of them then, wow, Nudge looked ready for the ground to swallow her and Ella looked like she'd cheer it on. Exaggerating though but gotta say that was funny, I like those two.

That may have been made obvious with the laugh that wasn't internal oops, there goes the emotionless brick thing I had going, better get my man voice on and make sure neither of them go jump off the balcony.

"Thank you for this, I do need a few more days to get my baring and your assistance is helpful. And I assure you I do not take offence to your previous comment, so stop looking like you want the ground to swallow you whole."

That got a small smile from the both of them, good, social skills aren't my strong point at all. Might need to improve them if I'm to be interacting with them daily.

"Okay I think I'll do the talking, but we'd better hurry," Ella said as she and Nudge took to walking either side of me and lead me through the winding hallways, well this will cut a chunk of my mapping of the palace, "I have a feeling you won't want to be away from your queen and princesses. But before you think of any problems with the arrangement the room, yours is the smaller one directly at the end of the hall, on the left side as you walk down the hall is your queen's, and on the other side is the princesses', with both rooms connecting to yours doors."

Well this was good, takes a load off of having to figure out how to protect it without alerting the other guards. The last time I almost caused a war because I was a little late in moving about the palace in between the guards changing shifts. Ooops my bad. In my defence I had spent the day fighting off other knights in a duel, and fighting off women of the court duelling over me, the dark silent type seems to be a type for a lot of people. Who knew?

When we got to my room, the door was a plain dark wood, not carved in the delicate way of the other two doors of the royal guest chambers. Upon opening the door, I found that even though my room was obviously servant's quarters it was quite spacious for me, a mite much, don't like larger strange spaces. I mean in total there was a bed against the wall at the back left with a few large windows above it, and curtains framing it, with sheets and a blankets and pillows that was on a frame, a nightstand, a wardrobe on the wall to the right of me near the back wall, and next to the wardrobe a table with a water pitcher and bowl and above that a mirror and above the nightstand a couple of small shelves. I found the doors to the room beside the nightstand and my wardrobe A lot nicer than a lot of the rooms, or not even rooms, that I've slept in. And all to myself and even better in optimal position for protecting my mum and, I cringe to think it, sisters.

"Thank you for your time and directions Ella, Nudge, you can go back to your jobs now I'm sorted." I said briskly, I wanted to get out and checking the other rooms for security measures. And they seemed to get me trying to be polite with the blunt statement and smiled, curtsied and left the room.

Thinking of maids, I really needed to sort out what the hell I was supposed to do if I was supposed to be Max and the Knight full time, or just when mum was around oh lord please let it be the former, being a maid longer than absolutely necessary sucks. So with that in mind I knocked on the door that lead to my mum's room (the one on the left side if you didn't figure it out) and listened for signs of movement, it took a bit for me to hear the sound of the maids talking and then the sound of doors opening and closing before I knocked a few times and waited. Another couple seconds later and a rustle of fabric and the door was swung open to the scene of my mum wielding a fireplace poker at me.

"Woah there mum, no need to poke my eye out, I only wanted to ask you how you found your room not if I could go to the tavern with the rest of the knights." I said with, thankfully, my normal voice and threw up my hands in mock surrender.

"Oh right, of course it's you, how could I have thought anyone else could have gotten past you and managed to sneak up on me without alerting the entire palace? And my room is lovely thank you, I'm sure I'm going to be very comfortable in my stay, would you like to come inspect it?" She said with a wave as she stepped aside, it took me a second to take in all the purple and pink and I had y decision.

"No I'm all good mum, I think I'll leave that for after dark, when the pink won't blind me forever, thanks for the offer though." Can you tell I was being sarcastic about being thankful? If you couldn't learn how to. "Oh but all that extra pink stuff reminded me of a question I had for you"

"Go ahead" Mum said a little warily, yeah she's learned that when I have questions it usually ends badly. Eh what can I say, my mother knows me too well.

"Do I absolutely have to be a maid, I mean I'm going to be working with the knights and I can't do that if I have to be dusting the tapestries now can I?"

"Yes Max you have to be a maid" her tone mocking my previous one "You know it's my only condition to you being a knight, bodyguard, army trainer, which ever term you use to describe your job. You've got to have some way of being lady like, because let's face it, when your father and I abdicate the throne, you have to take over, and as Princess, or rather, Queen Maxine, not the Knight. Oh and you don't even have to worry about riding all the way back to pick up your uniforms, I packed them for you, or you could wear one of the ones they have here, either way, you're going to be a maid and act like a proper lady, and at the same time you can be our silent bodyguard like always, like you want to, but just in a dress and showing your beautiful face" She said with a sickeningly sweet smile.

"Ah come on mum, don't say stuff like that, you know it makes me uncomfortable." I said in an annoying mix of five year old whine and teenager groan, wow that's annoying, note to self 'don't do that when you can hear yourself'. And tuning back into what mum was saying…

"-tiful, and when you show a little more than just your irises it's easy to see."

"Fine, I'll be a maid, but only because I do, contrary to popular belief, mine yours and dad's, and a couple others, like to feel pretty in a dress sometimes, but you didn't hear that from me and it won't be brought up again, caphiche?" I said quickly, oh well if I'm going to be a maid I might as well admit it's not the worst torture in the world.

And with a scarily smug smile my mum just gave me a "Mhmm" and a "going to get ready now, maid max will arrive tomorrow at noon by the way" she twirled back into her room in a rustle of fabric and waft of fruity perfume.

Well that settles it, after tonight I'll be both maid Max and the Knight from now on, this'll be interesting.

Thanks for reading, (updated to ad Max's POV (A little over the word count I had planned originally but the creative juices are flowing at 2 am!) I'm going to get some sleep but the next update (non authors note kind) will happen by the 18th of december, maybe even 2 updates if I've still got ideas (I do but the ability to put those into words is a different matter entirely)

So comment or not, I'd prefer comment but if not I'll remain in a blissful state of assuming you liked it or at least didn't hate it.!

And just for you Squidney I mean 18/12/2015 so end of next week, no need to kick my but into it haha XD