Gandon was back at the garden after Geor’s lecture. Right now, he was practicing his firebolts. Anything to get Alexandra out of his head. He was impressed with how well read she was and she had countered a lot of his arguments. Geor hadn’t even always bothered to interfere and just been listening fascinated. She could definitely help him grow intellectually, he just wished that she wouldn’t make him so frustrated!

He wanted to make his firebolts more efficient and he was practicing something he had found in one of his books. How to split a fireball into several instead. He tried to shift his energy from the right hand to the left hand but it was difficult. If he sent all of his energy to the left hand instead, everything would be the same as usual. The trick was to send only half of his energy to the left hand, and with doing so he could simultaneously split up the fireball into two. He kept practicing on the wooden soldiers for more than thirty minutes before succeeding. More than a dozen empty bottles laid on the ground around his feet. If he was going to continue like this he would soon be forced to fetch more from the store.

He could hear clapping and turned around. Master stood behind him, spectating he had been so focused that he hadn’t noticed.

“That was seriously impressive, Gandon, how long have you been practicing?”

“That is hard to say, but at least the better part of an hour,” said Gandon.

Yvan sat down on a bench and took out a handkerchief from his robe. “Only eighteen and can already split firebolts, I don’t know if I have ever heard about it before. Soon there will be nothing I can teach you.”

“You are too humble, master.”

“I’m really not, you have been my student for more than ten years after all. If truth be told I never learned to split the fireball efficiently,” confessed Yvan.

“But you learned the element of ice as well, that has never been heard of as far as I can tell.”

“True, but maybe it would have been better for me to learn one well instead. Some of the members of the order respect me for the fact you just mentioned and my scholastic work, but I am weak both as a fire mage and as an ice mage. I couldn’t even resist practicing as a blue mage if you remember. Maybe I dabbled in powers that were out of my control. Seeing you today has made me feel so old.”

Gandon had never seen master like this and didn’t know what to say. Ilmur would probably have thought of something. Should he go and make tea, like he had done?”

“It’s not only that, my dear student,” said Yvan, continuing. “But the red moon weighs heavy on my shoulders. You might think all of this is a joke but I do not. I was there all those years ago, those footsteps from the crater didn’t look fake to me. There was something strange about them, something inhuman.”

“I didn’t mean to mock you master, I just think that we know too little yet.”

“I trust my instincts, things are going to get worse soon. If we have an angry warlord upon us, the people will suffer.”

“I fail to see how that is my problem,” said Gandon while making himself ready to create another fireball.

Yvan sighted. “There is much anger in you, Gandon. I taught you magic and Geor was responsible for your education when it came to history and the written word. But perhaps we forgot something that was even more essential.”

“If you are going to say love, you can just leave,” said Gandon.

“Well love is a part of it, but it’s not that simple.” Yvan sighted, “This is very difficult for me, I have taught you magic for eleven years, and I see you almost as a son. I spoke with his majesty recently, he was most disturbed by your earlier conversation and asked me for advice.”

Gandon turned and looked at him straight in the eyes. “His majesty won’t tell me my origins, but you have been longer here than I have been born, you must know something.”

“I know many things, I wouldn’t have a job here otherwise.”

“You are not going to tell me the information I seek?”

“It’s not in my place, I don’t know everything regarding the event, and his majesty will tell you when he is ready.”

Gandon touched his pin uncertainly that was shaped as a firebolt, before unhooking it and placing it next to Yvan on the bench.

“What are you doing Gandon?”

“You claim that I am like a son to you, that you have my best interest at heart, but still you value the king more than me. There is nothing more you can teach me, half of your knowledge lies in the art of ice and that will forever be a mystery to me. I need new challenges.”

“Don’t do this, I have such high hopes for you.”

“On that we agree, good day.” He turned his heel and walked away. A small part of him knew that his temperament got the better part of him, but he didn’t care right now. No one had a right to keep his heritage from him. He deserved to know where he came from. A small part of him feared that he burned a few bridges to the order by abandoning Yvan now, but his former master wouldn’t bad mouth him, and Gandon was skilled enough to impress the order with his own abilities. He laughed while flipping a coin in the air, now both master and the king were angry with him. A small part of him were delighted by that fact, he was a force not to be trifled with. He needed something to eat after all that studying. He was fire, he didn’t preserve things, he burned it away.

*

Ilmur knocked three times on Alexandra’s door and one of her maids came to greet him. She was quite startled to see the prince. He could have sent one of the servants with a message, but it wasn’t really his style. He was interested in her and didn’t want to wait too long for a reply.

“I would like to speak with Alexandra if I may,” said Ilmur.

The maid hurried to obey his request. Closing the door in his face before opening again and informing him that Alexandra would have time to see him. He followed the maid into a bright round room with a fireplace. Alexandra was sitting in one of her chairs reading. There were paintings on the walls and maps, flowers hanging around them to make a cozy feeling. He was even surprised to see a harp standing next to the wall, he didn’t know that she was a musician, she hadn’t mentioned that in their earlier conversation. The fire was just right, not making it too hot nor too cold.

Alexandra closed her book and made a gesture with her hand that Ilmur should sit down in one of the empty chairs.

“Cassa, bring our prince some wine”, said Alexandra to the maid. She turned back to Ilmur, “what could be the reason for this lovely visit?”

“My lady, even though I’m a prince and a bit of navigation and subtlety around the topic would be in order, it’s not really my style at all. I’m a simple man, I stick people with the pointy end, after all. I had a lovely time with you earlier, and even though it’s not long since you left your studies with Geor, I would still ask if I may be so bold to take you riding this evening. I have two horses of the finest breed waiting in the stable. There are many beautiful landscapes I could show you.”

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“Well, that depends, my prince.”

“Depends on what?”

“Are you going to stick me with the pointy end?”

Ilmur blushed. She is a cheeky one! “No, my lady, I was talking about swords. He hurried to show the sword at his side, but he had left it in his room. Which made him feel like a fool.

Alexandra laughed. “I know you were.”

What is happening to me? It’s usually I who steer the conversation. Alexandra on the other hand had him outclassed right away. “You are avoiding the question, could it be that you don’t dare to ride with me?” said Ilmur teasingly in an attempt to save the conversation.

“Oh? I have you know that House Bellouse is quite famous for their horsemanship.”

“Wonderful, meet me at the gates in twenty minutes?” asked Ilmur.

The maid returned with a glass of wine.

“Never mind that, Cassa, bring my riding gloves instead,” said Alexandra.

Ilmur got up and bowed. “See you in a little while then.”

*

He stood outside the gates holding the reins of the two finest horses that he could produce in such short notice. However, they were still from a good stock and he was quite confident that Alexandra wouldn’t complain. It felt like an eternity before she emerged from the gates.

“I hope you can keep up with me,” said Ilmur, while giving her one of the reins.

Alexandra snorted. “The hardest part was to pick the right gloves, this will be nothing by comparison,” said Alexandra while putting on her white gloves.

Ilmur helped her up in the saddle and Alexandra sent her horse in a quick sprint.

He cursed. “I was not ready!” shouted Ilmur to her. He tried to follow her as quickly as he could. wondering how he ever would close the distance between them. However, he didn’t need to worry, she gave him the decency of waiting for him on a nearby hill.

“You cheated!” exclaimed Ilmur.

Alexandra smiled. “I would never, we were just warming up, so it doesn’t count.”

“Well alright then, I suppose there is no harm done then.”

“You wanted to show me some scenery?” asked Alexandra.

He gave Alexandra a big smile. “Catch me if you can!” and rode away with all his might. He could hear her laughing. “This is not how you treat a lady!” The race was in full pursuit and for a while Ilmur worried that she might actually catch up. After teasing a bit back and forth, were they finally riding at a slow phase and having time for a conversation.

“I haven’t even been a whole day yet in Everharn and I have never had this much fun,” said Alexandra.

“I’m glad to hear it my lady.”

“Call me Alexandra.”

“Alright then, but don’t call me prince then, at least not in private.”

She nodded. “You wanted to show me something Ilmur?”

“Yes, follow me.” He took her to the steep hill that was next to the forest, the woods that he and Gandon had been so frightened of when they were children. “Here you have a good view over the whole capital. It is especially beautiful when the sun sets on the whole city. This is mine and Gandon’s favourite place, we have spent a lot of time here ever since we were children.”

“Gandon is quite remarkable; I have never met someone like him.”

Ilmur beamed at her. “I’m glad you see it as well. Remarkable is a good word for him I deem. I am most fortunate to have him in my life. I believe he is going to do great deeds for the kingdom when he has a chance to come into his own. He is my dear brother and I will always have his back.”

“But you cannot possibly be related. You speak of him as a brother but it cannot be so.”

“We might not be brothers in blood, but we are brothers in heart. Father and mother have raised him as his own and he is accepted by the kingdom. I don’t mean to be rude but don’t ever say that we two aren’t brothers ever again. If I could have one wish, Gandon would be my brother by blood, he would be happier then.”

“I spoke out of turn, forgive me, I haven’t had the time to learn all the relations yet. But what do you mean he would be happier then?”

He bowed his head disgracefully. “I fear you are not the only one who has spoken out of turn. I said things I shouldn’t have. Please forget about it.”

“Consider it done.”

Ilmur looked over the kingdom. “We used to come here and play with our wooden swords when we were little. Gandon couldn’t eventually keep up anymore and gave up on the practice altogether. It was a sad day for me. But Gandon probably feels that I never practiced enough with magic, so I guess we have disappointed each other in that regard.”

“I’ve heard people talking about your skills with the sword, you must be very good.”

“I’m decent,” said Ilmur. Not wanting to brag.

“Far more than decent if the stories are true. Isn’t it so that you can fight two opponents at the same time?”

“Yes,” said Ilmur, looking at the ground embarrassed. “I’ve never been good with books, it takes so long for me, I have other skills instead.”

“Everyone loves stories, I’m sure you just haven’t gotten the right sort of encouragement.” Alexandra went through her saddles and brought forth a book. “You don’t happen to have a blanket on you?”

“Yeah, give me a second.” Ilmur brought forth a white blanket that he put on the ground as neatly as he could.

Alexandra sat down tapping the ground with her hand indicating that he should join her. It was nice being so close to her, he could smell her perfume. Lavender if he wasn’t mistaken.

“You recognize the cover, I trust?”

He did, it was the two tall gray towers, he had seen it everyday since he was born. “Of course, that is my House sigil.”

“Could you tell me why it’s two towers? This book is badly constructed, it doesn’t go chronologically, leaving me endlessly frustrated sometimes.”

“Are you doing research about me?” said Ilmur with a smile.

“Well, not about you specifically, but it would be foolish of me to be here without proper knowledge.”

“And yet you don’t know why we have two towers,” said Ilmur while poking her on the shoulder.

She hit him with the book. “So, tell me already!”

“Well, since you ask me so nicely. Avar is a very old house, one of the oldest on Elnyr. Back then there were only tribes and barbarians scavenging the countryside. It was my ancestors that decided to unite them all. Under one kingdom, Feorn. The brothers loved each other so much that they decided to rule together instead of fighting over the throne. It has left a legacy with pride upon our house. In the south the often fight over the succession, but to my knowledge that has never happened in Feorn.”

He thought about Gandon. If Saran wasn’t king, we two could have ruled together as my ancestors.

“Fascinating, you are a greater scholar than the man who wrote this book, you at least started from the beginning.”

“Must you mock me?”

“Not at all, I believe things must be done properly. You must start from the right place, who starts the story with telling about the knight slaying a dragon?”

“That would be silly indeed.”

“I have a much better understanding now, thanks to you.” She opened the book seemingly at random. “Read this passage for me.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve read aloud but I’ll try. Let’s see… Due.. Due to the effects of the elemental war, fire mages were banished from the southern Elnyr re..”

“Refraining,” said Alexandra.

“Refraining to Zarn and Raldea year 1261 second age…” His throat got heavy, like he was trying to swallow an apple in one bite.

“What is it?” said Alexandra.

“This is only a few years before Gandon and I were born. We are born 1264. I in February and Gandon in March.”

“So?”

“I don’t know, something about this doesn’t feel right.” He would talk about this with Gandon later, he was sure he would come up with something.

“Fire mages aren’t prosecuted in Feorn, Ilmur. I’m pretty sure Gandon would never have learned fire, if it was so.”

He held his tongue, he had already said too much about Gandon and he would be a bad friend if he gave out something Gandon wouldn’t want Alexandra to know.

“Can you read something for me?” asked Ilmur.

“Now you are just trying to distract me,” said Alexandra.

“But you must be really good at it!”

She sighted. “What do you want me to read?”

“Something erotic?” said Ilmur teasingly.

She laughed. “Is history erotic enough for you?”

“Well, depends on what part of history?”

She flickered through the pages. “I think I have the spice you crave. What do you think about the problem with taxing the poor? An intricate analysis in five parts?”

“Lovely…”

After that they talked for hours, forgetting the time, and eventually realized that it was dark. The regular moon could be seen in the night sky casting its shimmering light upon them. It felt comforting to see the regular moon and not the blood one. Ilmur hoped that he would never see it again.

“We have been gone for too long, father is going to be furious that we left the city for so long without a proper escort,” said Alexandra.

“Don’t you worry about it, I bribed some guards and they are going to claim that they were with us all the time. We will be fine I promise,” said Ilmur.

“That is comforting to hear but I still think that it’s time for us to leave.”

He didn’t want the night to end, but he supposed that she was right. All good things must come to an end.

They packed their saddlebags and rode back to the castle.

“We are going to do this again aren’t we?” said Ilmur hopefully.

They slowed down Alexandra got close to his horse and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Yes.”