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Green eyes watched the training yard closely as several whaps rang through the air.
Two men were practicing, wielding wooden swords as they parried back and forth. One was clearly struggling more than the other, his blonde hair matted against his forehead, beads of sweat made lines through the dirt that lined his otherwise youthful face. Blue eyes were pinched with fury as he let out a wordless yell of rage before he charged his opponent.
The knight easily sidestepped the attack before knocking the young man back, and he crumpled to the ground.
She figured that was her cue. “That’s enough,” she called out stepping towards the ring. “I’ll take it from here, dismissed.” With a nod of acceptance the knight passed her his wooden sword as he left.
“I hate this,” Marco muttered petulantly. “Can’t you just do this for me, Carys? Aren’t you my sworn shield, why do I have to learn how to wield a sword?”
“Come now, Marco,” Carys said with fondness as she reached out a hand and easily hoisted him to his feet. “The kingdom can’t have its crowned prince unable to protect himself.” He eyed his fallen sword as if it had personally offended him, crossing his arms with a frown before kicking the offensive thing away. Carys let out an amused snort.
“Perhaps another method?” she asked, and he peeked up at her, radiating silent interest. “Use magic.”
His mouth fell open with surprise. “I’m not allowed to though? Everyone always says as the prince I ought to use a sword.”
Carys shrugged with easy indifference. “You’re suited for magic, anyone who has ever seen you cast could see that. We should be playing to your strengths, not your weaknesses.”
Marco watched wordlessly as she grabbed a wooden shield and got into position, shield held aloft, and her practice sword held out in front. He shifted nervously but didn’t move to attack. “Let’s see what you’ve got, little prince!”
As expected from the hated nickname, his nostrils flared before raising his hands, already glowing with bright blue flame. Carys had a moment to smile at how easily baited the young man could be before energy crackled through the air, making her skin erupt with goosebumps and a blast hit her shield.
She grunted at the impact, and it forced her back a few steps, but she managed to stay on her feet. Carys raised her head to catch Marco’s eye and gave a huge grin. “That all you got?”
Some time later, Marco was laid out in the middle of the dirt on his back, panting heavily. She sat heavily next to him and gave a playful nudge to his side as he groaned.
“That was awful,” Marco complained loudly.
Carys hummed. “Not as bad as when you use a sword,” she pointed out and laughed as he leveled her with an unimpressed glare.
“You still won either way.”
“You did well,” Carys said. “You’ll keep getting better. Soon enough you’ll start winning, you’ll see, Marco.”
He muttered under his breath as he sat up, looping his arms around his knees. He didn’t look at her as he asked, “Are you sure it’s okay to use magic instead? My father—”
“The king will be proud of you,” Carys interrupted firmly. “He’s always proud of you no matter what, but to see you improve? And, hopefully, show a genuine interest in this? You know he’ll be ecstatic at the news. He’s never cared much for what you should be doing, as long as you enjoyed it, whatever it was.” She paused with thought before reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Even if it’s to cause trouble.”
The prince didn’t turn but she could see from his profile how his lips turned up into a small, pleased, smile.