Blazing sunlight lit up the castle’s grounds and courtyard. The various patches of grasses and trees had begun changing hue from life giving green to dying brown under the scorching reality of the arid region. It was late Dumuli, the 319th year Ast-Astrix and the 53rd year of King Roth. It had been months since the last rain, at the end of the month of Cantam, which while not unusual was still unwelcome. Even with the daily watering, it was not enough to keep it all alive and healthy.

But despite the heat one rather feisty eleven child seemed to enjoy the outdoors as she crossed swords with her personal guard in the scorching noon sun. Her usually long deep red hair and purple had been tided back and bundled up, protecting it from the swings of the dense wood. Her dark, amethyst eyes followed her opponent’s sword, watching each movement, she thought her self-unstoppable, unbeatable. Reality of course, knew otherwise, and she felt a smack on left side as her less than deadly instructor’s sword impacted her where her short armor plate ended, and her weighted shirt began.

Thwack.

The cloth and sand inside provided a minor bit of dampening, but not that much as she fell back in shock, pain, and anger. It was just the right spot to elicit some pain and make the point. As did the impact on the ground. The young girl’s instructor didn’t need to hit her so hard as to knock her down, but it did feel good.

“That’s 3-0 Feuer, you lose.” The guard looked down at her protectorate and pupil. The half hearted smile showed she was both happy to be done, but also a little bemused at the lack of progress from the girl. The brown-eyed, olive-skinned girl frowned at her pupil. Running a hand through her short green hair, she gathered up the sweat that had formed and threw it back to the ground in annoyance. Her armor would start chafing from all the humidity of the sweat, which was another reason she was happy this match was over.

Feuer was at the stage of her training where normal movements alone would no longer be effective. She needed to start using sword techniques, and to do that she needed to start tapping into her gate.

The girl’s personal guard and instructor, Shevana, was a master in all three imperial styles of combat and a few others but was focused on teaching Feuer just one to start with. The traditional Imperial Stand style, which made heavy use of long blades. Focusing on the one blade type and limited shield use meant that Feuer would have less to worry about while she first learned to use and channel her mana. It was a common standard of sword training and is how Shevana learned herself. It was just taking longer than expected for Feuer to create that first connection between her skills and her gate.  Like most people who knew her Shevana saw the young girl as spirited, but a bit dim at times.

To be fair to the girl though, it wasn’t something you could just learn from a book. At least, Shevana wasn’t aware of any way beyond just doing it. You had to figure it out by trial and error, much like walking. Though, once you figured out your first steps, the rest would come much quicker and easier. Once you knew a few techniques you could tell someone that a new technique was like another and make it easier as well fast to learn new ones. Though it all still took time, it’s why no one was a master in everything. Some of the more complicated techniques could take years, even decades to learn, even with experience.

“I still want to practice.” The young elf pouted while laying on the hot pavement.

While she enjoyed the training, what Feuer really wanted was adventure and freedom. A chance to forge her own destiny. Becoming a knight was something she clinged tightly to because she thought it would give her that. In truth she didn't have to become a full knight; she just, didn't want to stay where she was. All she felt was anger, like something burned inside her, but was always stifled. Fighting helped push that poison out, and just felt good.

“You’ve got math tutoring again, Prance has already been waiting for a half hour. Your parents pay for that time even if you don’t use it. And they’re liable to take it from my salary soon.” Shevana whispered that last part.

Her tutoring obviously wasn't doing much any. She could sort of read, well enough anyway. She did know a surprising amount of history, at least when it concerned war and battles. She knew almost nothing about numbers their shapes and values always seeming to shift in her mind. It didn’t help that she couldn't understand the value of knowing how much 8 loafs of bread cost if bread cost 12 copper each, never mind the digits being hard to decipher. She'd either have someone else buy them or count out the coins by hand and on her fingers.

'What was 7 and 5 coppers, how many silvers is that?' Prance might ask in that snide tone of his. Why it was, 10 fingers plus 2 left over, so 12. 12 coppers which was half a silver which made a full silver… 24 coppers, maybe? Good enough for everyday things, but not good enough for him. Who cares.

For all the talk her parents had about education and its importance, they never really involved themselves in the day-to-day activities. They never even bothered to quiz her or ask her questions beyond the most superficial ones. It made it all seem like a dance with no music that no one was watching anyway. Why should she care if they didn't?

To be fair, her parents never hit her, and never raised their voice to her. In fact, most days they just let someone else deal with her. But that's how it was in aristocratic and noble circles, at least when you weren't the 1st or 2nd child. Her parents did love and care about her, they just didn't always show it in any visible or common way. Though, at least her grandmother sometimes paid attention to her.

Feuer pushed herself off the pavement and looked around the large courtyard. Most of the servants were inside, doing any work they could find that would keep them out of the sun. How many of them must have been staring at her like something was wrong with her? Though, they probably thought that even when she wasn't out in the heat.

Looking up at the blue and silver sky, she couldn’t help but squint and smile, she liked the heat. It burned, like her insides burned for something else, something more. Not that she hated the cold though, that also burned, just differently. The extremes were fun, soothing somehow. There was an honesty to it all when the world felt like it was trying to kill you. No pretense, no fluff just reality.

"Young miss, you have tutoring, your parents expect you there." The head servant came out to personally berate her for playing hooky, again. An older dark elf, he tended to dress in dark formal attire. Always sans any color, even the house colors.

"Did my parents tell you to find me, Hippall?"

"They did indeed. You aren't making this easy on them. Let me remind you, you are expected to know basic mathematic and other topics like other educated nobles. Your suitor will be unlikely to approve if you don't."

Feuer scowled at that word, 'Suitor'. Like everything else in her life, her future husband was already chosen for her, as it had been four times prior to this one. Four boys, all so unwilling to spend their life with her that the family broke off the engagement before they were even close to marriage age.

She did smile at that thought a bit. There was always a way to make them give up. Violence usually worked really well. For as egalitarian as the world found itself, so many were still incapable of handling a strong girl like her.

Or at least, that's what she thought. In truth, her strength and swordsmanship were never the issue. It was the uncontrolled rage and violent tendencies that made others afraid of her. Armored fencing matches could be enjoyable, being punched in the face with the hilt a sword, was not. Even when the sword was wooden. Even more so after the match was already called.

It was a common enough occurrence that some had come to call her the 'Fire Princess' behind her back. It was not a term of endearment, but a critique on her uncontrolled rage that burned like a wildfire. Feuer still took it as a badge of honor, and like fire she would burn anyone that got to close and tried to cage her in.

"Feuer. It's time to get up." Hippall verbally prodded her again. Eventually, it would be a physical prod if she didn't. Followed by another trip to the dungeon if she still didn't comply. At least their dungeons were clean.

"Fine. The pavement's hot anyway."

Removing the training armor took the weight off her shoulders, and the hot breeze played with her clothes pulling off the sweat the she had built up. It felt good. Satisfying like a small reward for a job well done. Only for Shevana to reminder her that wasn’t really the case, “Feuer, you have to try harder. Your parents aren’t paying me for this, but I don’t mind, provided you take it seriously and try to improve.”

Feuer grimaced slightly. The wind had pulled off all the moisture it would, and now the wind just felt like it was burning her. Maybe it really was time to head back in. Behind her, she was vaguely aware of her guard shaking her head in disapproval. But it felt like she was getting better, wasn’t she? Again, the wind burned as it passed over her. Still, it was better then no wind at all she thought.

Inside the castle keep there was a large number of nobles and their servants. Far more than she would normally expect to see. Many of them were new faces as well, not that she’d have remembered most of them in the first place. But they wore colors of a house she didn’t recognize. Probably some new trade deal her Father or Grandmother were working on.

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All those nobles were all starting her way, whispering and murmuring to themselves as she walked through the much cooler stone hallways. At least one pointed at her, only to have their hand pulled down by another.

No doubt they were staring at her sweaty and disheveled appearance. They probably knew who she was, and the fact that she was in commoner clothes, and further drenched in sweat was not something they’d be used to seeing from a young noble like herself. The stares wouldn’t last for long and the stairway to the 2nd floor library was much quitter then the 1st floor. In general guest were not allowed up to the higher floors, unless they were directly invited or staying in the keep. The guard at the base of the stairs would see to that.

The library space was decent in size, twice the size of a large book store in the city, and with at least 3 times the book density. Shelves stretched the two stories of the space; the sheer number of bound tomes would make any bibliophile cry with envy, and a tax assessor cry with glee. Thankfully, her family were the ones to employee said assessors in the first place.

The space held at least ten thousand books, at about 5 gold a book, the whole space was a literal treasure hoard worth, 50,000 gold, at least that’s what Feuer had been told. It kind of made sense. 5 multiplied by 1 was just 5, so 5 multiplied by 1 and four zeros should be 5 and four zeros. At least that seemed to make sense. The more she thought about it though, the more she doubted herself. 5 looked a lot like a 6. Trying to keep the numbers in her head was just too hard.

Beyond the shelves and books themselves and there were several open areas where one could sit and read, or do work if need be. There was also a nook, farther away from the books with a small fire place surrounded by a metal grate and bricks. Extra protection for the quite valuable and quite flammable items.

In one of these areas specifically, further from the fireplace and near one of the only two windows, were her tutor, Prance and her older sister, Lueismar. Who was already setup at the table finishing her work.

Many might say that Lueismar was prettier than Feuer, with sky blue eyes, and longer, bright red hair complete with curls and locks. Unlike Feuer she kept up her appearance as well, always brushing her hair, and applying just the lightest of makeup. Her sister’s hair was silky smooth and shined, unlike Feuer’s darker red hair that seemed to knot and frizzle with split ends. The freckles on her face would have been seen as cute and not be mistaken for dirty, like they would be on Feuer.

Lueismar, smiled brightly and stood up “Sister! It’s good to see you!”

Then there was her voice, which had this almost song quality to it, and sweet stickiness that wasn’t quite as bad as their older sister Virume’s, but was still uncomfortable so. Made worse by the genuine felling and care that was behind her every word. It’s true Feuer hadn’t seen her sister in a few days, but by all appearances it might have seemed like months. Worse of all, unlike their older sister and bother, she was sincere in how she felt. It made it hard for Feuer to hate her, despite wishing to.

In truth, it was somewhat surprising to even see her at all, over the past year their father and mother had taken to tutoring her in the ways of the larger family business directly. Being the 2nd in line for the so-called family throne, meant she had many expectations put up on her.

Their grandmother had confided in Feuer that her sister’s kindness might be her undoing one day. For someone with such a good heart, leading a large borderline city-state of Trillonia may prove too difficult. Feeding the hungry poors might be sellable, letting the food thieves go, could lead to riots. Was what their grandmother explained.

Feuer forced up a smile and sat across from her. “Lueismar, I’m surprised to see you at tutoring, I figured you’d be with mother and father again.”

Unlike her sister, the middle age human tutor, had a voice like chalk on a chalk board. Dry, and boring with an occasional annoying screech to it. “About that, your parents are very busy today. They asked me change my lesson plans, in light of some changes, and…” Prance took a deep breath, it was clear he knew his next words would not be taken well. “To tutor you, actually both of you for the upcoming meeting with your new suitor, Feuer.”

Feuer wasn’t sure she heard him right, “My new what?” She nearly yelled as she stood back up.

Clearly regretting his career choices rubbed at his eyes in frustration. “Suitor, and we don’t have that much time. Please sit back down.”

“No! Gods be damned, no! I just got out of my last engagement; I’m not going through this bullshit again.” Her blunt and crass words made her sister blush and bite back a bit of smile. Prance on the other hand, took on a much stoneware appearance.

“Young ladies and lords should not talk in such a manner. You will sit or we can have this conversation in the dungeon. Again.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time. Guess I’ll see you there.” Feuer stormed out of the library, on her way somewhere else. Anywhere else really. Inside of her, she could feel something billowing up. A heat coursed through her vein and body. Right now, she needed to find a place to scream or someone to hit.

Why did she have to do this? Why was it always her? Her older sister Virume was already betrothed, sure. But Lueismar wasn’t. Wouldn’t it make more sense for both her older sister to be handed off first.

From behind her the sounds of hurried steps could be heard, muffled by the overly frilly dress that Lueismar liked to wear. Technically mother and father would force her to wear it, but knowing her sister, she probably would have chosen it anyway.

“Feuer, please wait up.” She called back in that same sweet voice that was hard for Feuer to ignore.

“Why?” Feuer didn’t bother to turn around. Despite what people may have thought about her behind her back, she knew she wasn’t smart. Still, even she could see through what her sister was doing there. She was going to break the tension and get her to calm down. The worst part, Feuer knew it might work.

“Please. Just lets talk for a second.” Her voice was almost winey, and if Feuer didn’t stop there was a real risk she might start crying. As ammusing as that could sometimes be, it also didn’t seem fair. Still why should she had to suffer alone? Feuer continued to walk away heading down the stairs, slowing just enough for her sister to keep up..

The sudden sounds of scuffing, of a foot slipping and a rather puffy dress tumbling after her caught Feuer’s attention. Her training paid off, as she was able to quickly bring her sister’s tumble to a stop. It was her hope to draw her sister out for a bit, and maybe rile her up. But Feuer didn’t want to see her actually hurt.

“Why are you always like this?” Lueismar pouted and genteelly pounded on her sister’s chest. The tears in her sisters’ eyes where what Feuer was looking for, a bit of misery to keep her own darkness company. But, upon seeing them, she wasn’t really happy.

Feuer took a breath and slowed her walk down the stairs. The water of her sister’s eyes quenched some of the fire in her, but the embers still threatened to burn if she didn’t at least walk. “I don’t know.” Was Feuer’s answer to Lueismar.

In truth, she didn’t really know. It was just a feeling, a desire. Feuer didn’t want to be caged, to be trapped. Her family saw the castle walls as protection, the giant gates leading in as fortification. But for her, they were more like a cell. The dungeon had the same kind of stone, the same kind of metal bars as the gates. To Feuer, the might as well have been the same.

Her family was happy here. How could they not be? They had everything they could ever want. Food, wealth, power. The lack of freedom never occurred to them, because they like their walls.

“I know it’s hard on you Feuer. You’ve been promised four times so far.”

“And you’ve never been promised despite being older than me.” Feuer shook her head. That didn’t really matter, even if it was unfair. Being promised to another wasn't even the worse of it, it was lack of a choice, of freedom. One cage for another.

Father had explained it to her before, as had her grandmother. Ultimately, she was worth less than her older siblings because of her birth. They didn't use those exact words of course, that would have been to crass for either of them, but that's what they meant. So any 'good' noble family would be worthy of consideration. Her middle sister, Lueismar older than herself but younger that of Virume was more of challenge. Being the second in line for control of the house, her hand-held real power, which came with a high price. Even as Virume would one day take the throne of their large city state, Lueismar would still have sway. Then if Virume never had children, then Lueismar's children would take the throne after her passing. It wasn't impossible, after all, their mother had become barren after Feuer's birth.

Feuer was originally third in line, being the 4th child and after her brother abdicated. But after she began to grow and her temper got the better of hers on more than one occasion, well. It was determined that several of her cousins would be better as the 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on. She still technically had a claim of course, it was just below her older brother who had rescinded his own claim to go off an be a knight somewhere. They would give her brother another chance, before even considering her. The whole thing was a confusing mess that she didn't even care about. There was no appeal in sitting on the throne of Trillonia, or anywhere.

Lueismar and Feuer were both painfully aware of all this of course. It didn't change anything though.

The two walked the busy halls full of various servants, both from the Vallhorn and now from whatever this new house was. Lueismar tried to talk to her, but it wasn't anything Feuer hadn't heard before, so what was the point in listening?

"Feuer, you're a part of this family whether you like it or not!"

"But that's just it, I don't like it! I never asked for any of this, and I don't want it!" The yelling attracted more attention than Lueismar wanted, but Feuer, as usual, didn't care. Murmurs of ‘unstable’, ‘nuts’, and even 'Fire Princes' could be overheard, causing her sister to blush in embarrassment for Feuer more than herself.

How many times had she said that? Words never changed anything, only force. Only the sword. If she ever wanted to leave this family, it would have to be by force. That was a step she wasn't prepared to take yet. Both mentally and physically.

"Feuer, we all know it would have been better for you to have tried for knighthood. But Svachgit beat you to it. He was the oldest, it was his right."

"Yeah, yeah. And we can't have two knights in the family. No, that would piss off the other nobles, and we can't do that. Unbalanced influence on the military." The sarcasm in her tone dripped. It was a stupid rule, no matter how many times they explained it to her.

"Yes. If we weren't a noble house or a much smaller one it wouldn't matter, but we are. Not only that, we're one of the wealthiest. No one would trade with us if there were two in the military."

Feuer's legs picked up the pace as she wandered back outside and made her way down Vallhorn road to the castle gates. Again, she didn't need to hear all this again. "I don't care! It's a stupid rule-"

Two of the family guard stopped her from leaving the castle. Instead, they picked her up and began carrying her off. "LET GO OF ME! I CAN WALK TO THE DUNGEON MYSELF!" She screamed and kicked.

Only they weren't taking her to the dungeon, this time. "They're 'escorting' you to your room, princess. Not the dungeon." Hippall spoke from somewhere behind her, just out of foot range. "I thought you might run out on Prance, so I put all the guards on alert. You will not be leaving the castle ground today. Nor will you be playing with your pet rat."

There was only thing left that Feuer could do, yell.

Hippall smiled at the sight. All things considered, today was a good day so far. She hadn't bitten anyone yet.