“So, how do we move on these?” Reynard asked as he and his sister looked unsteady as they tried to balance on the artificial skates Bryson had made for them.

“Move forward on the ice and follow us.” Bryson advised standing on the ice, “We can guide you.”

Mallory began to waddle her way onto the ice as she placed both feet on the ice she felt herself slip, “Woah!” She cried out in panic as she was about to fall.

Instinctively Bryson reached out and grabbed her, stopping her from falling, “Be careful.”

“Th-thanks.” Mallory said gripping Bryson’s arms tightly not wanting to fall.

“Just hold on to me and try to stay balanced, I’ll move us both.” Bryson said as he began to skate backwards with a nervous Mallory clinging onto him.

Reynard fared a bit better, though still stood on skates with wobbly legs. Frans decided to take charge with instructing him, “Just try to mimic Clare’s movements and take it slow.”

Reynard began to attentively study Clarissa and was slowly moving forward on the ice, trying his best to keep his balance. Reynard concentrated on moving in a straight line. As difficult as it was he was enjoying the new challenge and he was learning quick.

“Come on, start moving your feet a little.” Bryson said gently as he coached Mallory, quite literally leading her along.

“Like this?” Mallory said as she took too large of a stride and stumbled only to be held up by Bryson again.

“Gently now.” He said with a small laugh as Mallory flushed slightly. A couple more minutes of skating and Mallory gradually got the hang of things, able to turn left and right and turn in circles, with the help of Bryson of course.

As Mallory stopped worrying about slipping she became more aware of how close she was clinging onto Bryson. His grip was strong but gentle, his face was rather handsome looking up close and those eyes bore straight into her soul.

“Huh.” Mallory breathed out.

“Is something wrong?” Bryson asked tilting his head to the side.

“Uh, oh no!” Mallory said perhaps a little too loudly, “Just… I think I can try to skate by myself now.”

“Sure.” Bryson said gently letting go of her and giving her space to move.

“Thanks- woah!” Mallory said in a bit of a daze as she stumbled and nearly fell again, only for Bryson to catch her again.

This time she found herself hitting her face onto his chest and was surprised by the lack of give. It was surprisingly comfortable to feel.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Bryson said looking concerned, he did not want one of the princesses of the king to be hurt.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“No, uh fine.” She said awkwardly as she tried to snap out of her stupor.

“Looks like you could use a bit more practice.” Lottie said suddenly appearing next to them, “Hey Bryson, I can help her out, why don’t you go ahead and join his Highness and Frans?” She said smiling with a smile that seemed to hide something behind it.

“Are you sure?” Bryson asked, looking at Lottie a bit confused.

“Yep. Go ahead.” Lottie urged.

“Is that alright with you?” Bryson asked Mallory.

“Uh, yeah… no it’s fine.” Mallory said with an awkward nod as she tried to recollect herself. What am I doing? She screamed internally to herself as she found it difficult to let go of Bryson.

Lottie quickly replaced Bryson’s hands with hers and began to guide Mallory away from Bryson. Something about seeing Mallory being so close to Bryson irked Lottie for some reason. While she just met Mallory, she liked her and knew that she was being a bit rude to her. Still, this felt better than letting Mallory continue with Bryson.

“I understand the brat and squire. That medicine girl makes sense, but isn’t royalty a bit much? Even if she’s the seventh in line.” Frans commented as Reynard was busy learning how to turn and stop.

“What?” Bryson asked confused looking over to Frans, “What are you prattling about?”

“You don’t realize?” Frans said with a snort.

“Realize what?” Bryson said narrowing his eyes.

“Never mind.” Frans said deciding that changing the subject would be better, “This Reynard guy learns quick.”

“He’s got the fundamentals down already.” Bryson agreeing.

“So do we just skate around for a bit, feels a bit boring.” Frans said.

“Hmm.” Bryson said looking over to the forest, “Wait here.” He said as he skated by a tree and waved his finger and a branch snapped off into his hands. Using a bit more magic in it the branch in his hand began to break apart and shift until it finally formed into a makeshift hockey stick.

“Huh.” Bryson grunted hitting the stick on the ice to test the durability, “I’ve had better, but it isn’t bad.”

Frans noticing Bryson creating a hockey stick in his hands immediately skated by. He looked at Bryson curiously before turning towards the tree and having a branch float into his hands. A couple moments later Frans had his own hockey stick formed in his hands.

“We have something to do now.” Bryson said.

“More teaching now?” Frans asked.

“What? Worried that you won’t be protected by better talent this time around?” Bryson challenged.

Frans glared at Bryson and wordlessly extended his other hand out and another branch flew into his hand and it began to form into another hockey stick, “I’m going to expose your lack of skill.”

“Sure you are.” Bryson smirked.

***

The group returned to the village hours later all tired from playing all day. The sun had set by now and all that moving really worked up their appetites.

“Oh my, I need a bath.” Mallory said her fine clothes were dirtied and her legs were burning from all the skating but she had fun.

“There is a bathing house near the inn.” Bryson said.

“Oh good. Would it be alright for you to order a meal to our rooms when we get back?”

“Sure.” Bryson said with a grunt.

“Man, I need to get better at skating, how come you guys are so good?”

“Just simple experience.” Clarissa said as they neared the tavern.

“Clare, I’m going to my room. You do the same for me please.”

“Of course Lord Frans.” Clarissa said with a bow.

“Do you need me to do the same Bryson?” Lottie asked.

“No, I want to eat immediately, I’ll be down in the inn.” Bryson said as the group said their goodbyes and headed in their respective directions. As Frans went upstairs in the inn, Bryson, Lottie, and Clarissa waited in the main diner for their meal.

A few minutes later when the food arrived Clarissa took her and Frans’ meal upstairs while Lottie and Bryson ate their stew down in the inn. As they were in the middle of their meal a newcomer entered the inn. Bryson’s heart skipped a beat as he recognized what they were wearing. They were in a royal guard uniform. They’re here already. Bryson though knowing exactly why they were here now.