Six years past since Grace and the blade master began their training. The two became close and the old man turned into the father figure the king never was. He decided to stay in the kingdom to fully commit to her training. Finally due to her rapid learning and perseverance the old man admitted that there was really nothing else to teach. With a little polish and experience she could surmount any opponent she faced. Though experience really was key for all Grace ever did was spar for short periods of time. The old man with peace of mind that he had a successor could finally rest easy. Grace loved the old man. He taught her manners, ethics, and common sense.  She talked to him endlessly about life outside the castle on the mainland and listened to his stories of epic adventures.

Her father's affection was no longer a single obsession in her mind. She began to recognize the mistreatment she received from him and even began to grow feelings of dislike in her heart. Her life with the old man kept her happy and she wished that the long afternoons talking about daily life would last forever. She couldn't have guessed that the meeting soon to be held would change things forever.

_______________________________________________

Bran yawned as the king began his announcement.

"You all know why I have called this assembly. The letter I sent out should be followed to the word. I am not one to make long speeches, are there any questions?"

He spoke gruffly in an annoyed manner as if he would rather be anywhere else in world as long as it wasn't that chamber.

-thank god thought Bran

nobody raised their hands

"Good, now starting at noon all participants are to send their potential suitors to the square. The contest will be decided by battle. If no one has any inquiries then this meeting is ad-"

"Wait! Father, what do you mean by suitors? What's going on?"

The princess interrupted her father with genuine worry in her expression.

King Alden gave her a deathly cold stare and said in a low and threatening voice that all could hear,

"Girl if you dare interrupt, or shame me again in any way you will end up just as your mother."

The princess shrunk back down and ran quickly out of the rear of the chamber.

-Poor girl, I should count my blessings that I have a leisurely life without much trouble

With the meeting over Bran decided to head into town as that was where the unknown event would be taking place in about an hour's time.

Stands and seating arrangements had been set up in a circle to create a large arena-like space. Guards were everywhere answering questions and laying the finishing touches for the king's arrival. Bran watched the stands begin to fill with hundreds of curious on-lookers. He took a seat in the front row and pulled out a book.

Bran loved to read, when there was nothing to do he always found himself reading his favorite series or a novel of some sort. As a child he was a natural troublemaker, always finding ways to get himself out of work and procrastinate. His family lived down by the harbor as longtime fishmongers and he had experience handling the boats with his father. After he turned sixteen he got a job on a merchant ship as a deck hand. He had to keep close attention to every detail of the ship for the captain didn't have enough money for a full crew. The work was brutal and after only year and a half he quit and went back home. His family loved him dearly but couldn't stand his lethargic attitude any longer and they kicked him out at nineteen.  Thoroughly entranced in his book Bran completely missed the introduction of the king. He looked up only when Alden began to speak.

"Welcome citizens of my great kingdom! Today suitors from all across Maru shall fight for the hand of my daughter Grace!"

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This was a great surprise to the people of Onus. Such monumental events were rarely seen by their eyes let alone affairs that would shape the future of the Kingdom. The crowd went wild in anticipation and many excited voices electrified the air.

"Did you hear that! The hand of the Princess!"

"Hell, maybe I should join."

"Keep dreaming, I bet the other lords brought some pretty formidable fighters"

The chatter continued for a little longer until the Alden continued.

"The rules are simple, the contest will be held tournament style with one on one battles until only the strongest is left standing. Those that are brave enough can sign up for the contest over at the stall behind the stands at the entrance to the arena, I cannot guarantee that you will walk away with your life but the risk in this case is well worth the reward is it not?  There is only a half an hour available to apply so be quick about it"

Bran listened to the speech but it wasn't quite enough to tear his attention from the book, about halfway in he had gone back to reading.

-man this whole thing seems a bit barbaric, if I were his daughter I would be pulling that "run like hell" card right about now.

He sighed and closed the book

-I have feeling like this isn't going to end well...

_________________________________________________________________________________

King Alden was an impatient man. His only cares were how to gain power and then how to keep it. Everything else was of secondary importance. After he had control of the continent he ordered dozens of noble women to bear him a male heir. When he heard his first child was born he was furious that it had turned out to be a girl.He punished the woman who bore such a disgrace to his name. He then shunned his daughter and immediately began trying again for a son. Finally with the birth of Edwin he calmed down and resumed rule over the kingdom. However the girl Grace was constantly in his way. He found her a constant reminder of his initial failure to create an heir and he despised her for it. When he could take no more Alden sent messengers throughout the continent asking lords for their best suitors for his daughter. He was finally going to rid of that eyesore and he was thankful for it.

While he was briefing the lords in the meeting chamber Alden caught sight of one of the lower officers by the wall sitting and stretching in a sleepy daze. His eye twitched violently when the boy took a large yawn.

-That boy better watch himself, he doesn't know who he's dealing with

Then his daughter interrupted him

-Damn girl, no matter, you will be far out of the way after today, if you disobey then I will take matters into my own hands...

half an hour later while he was making his entrance at the square he noticed the same officer reading a book practically unaware of his presence. He was sitting straight ahead in the first row and couldn't care less that the most powerful man in the world was in front of him. A fire began to kindle within Alden and he gripped the pedestal hard with his hands. Blood dripped from his fingernails as the wood strained and creaked under his fury. After his speech  he motioned to the nearest guard on his right and whispered with a shaking voice.

"That officer, sign him up too"

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