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Phineas had never really liked his war strategy lessons. They were boring and rather depressing, and were hopefully never going to be used. Unfortunately, as a prince of the Tri-Kingdom, in the event of a war he would be expected to lead military operations.
He wasn't bad at them, really, when he put his mind to it he did just fine. It's just he couldn't help drifting off during lessons. Fortunately his mother hadn't been TOO concerned with his lack of patience for the lessons. Ferb was much better at them then he was, able to flawlessly pick apart historical war strategies. There were many reasons that Phineas was glad his step-brother had come into his life, and Ferb's aptitude for the lesson's Phineas didn't care for was certainly one of them.
And Candace, his older sister, did quite well at them, and that was really what was important. He'd been present at enough of his tutors reports to know of the glowing reports any of the combat teachers gave about the heir to the throne.
"The Kingdom will truly be safe in her hands,"
"Only a fool would try to face her in a war,"
"I for one would not hesitate to follow her onto the field of battle,"
But alas, he still had to sit through the lessons and answer questions about wars that he didn't really care about in the first place.
"Your highness"
And it didn't keep his tutor from showing his irritation.
"I am aware that this may not be your favorite subject, but it is imperative you have an understanding of the subject matter, in the event of a war," the man hesitated, "Or in the event that your sister is incapacitated."
The one thing Phineas hated more than the idea of war was the idea of something happening to his sister. He hated the way the idea was weaponized against him by his tutors. He didn't hate his tutors, for the most part they were quite nice. But he really didn't like their favorite trump card.
"I know," Phineas said dryly.
"Now please re-read this before our next lesson, and I'm sure your brother will be able to answer any questions you have,"
"Alright," Phineas said agreeably. The tutor excused himself and no sooner had the door clicked behind him, Phineas turned to Ferb with a grin, "Hey Ferb, I know what we're going to do today!"
Ferb didn't visibly seem to react, but Phineas knew Ferb was just as tired of the lessons as he was, even if he did significantly better at them.
"C'mon Perry!"
The platypus, which had been napping beneath the table, roused at his name, and followed the boys.
Despite Perry's unassuming appearance, Phineas knew there was more to the Platypus.
The trio slipped into a hidden crawlspace beneath a corner in the table, and slipped away.
The passageway emerged into the courtyard.
Phineas caught sight of Candace training with a sword. Phineas didn't see any instructors, but that wasn't unusual. Candace was a prodigy, but that didn't mean she didn't practice on her own at all. 4 years ago, an 11 year old Candace had fought off a would be assassin on her own. The story had become legendary throughout the kingdom, and Candace had tried her very best to live up to that reputation, and now at 15 had grown into a force to be reckoned with. She had won the respect of practically everyone in the kingdom, a reputation that would serve her well as queen. Phineas didn't quite remember the night so fondly, but it his feelings wouldn't change what was.
Even so, he couldn't help but watch for a moment, awestruck, as she lit the sword on fire, even from this far away Phineas could feel the sheer power her magic emanated, as she burnt an old training dummy, which had seen better days and needed to be retired anyway, to a crisp. Even as the fire disappeared from her sword the latent magic was heavy in the air. Candace probably didn't need to be bothered. She was far too busy to concern herself with her little brothers.
Phineas was not envious of her. It seemed she had twice the number of lessons he did, though Phineas wasn't really sure if that was because she was the future queen or if it was just because she was older than him. But even so she never had time to play with him and Ferb. But still more than just dreading the idea of having to take on her responsibilities, she was his sister and the idea of living without her was unimaginable. And Phineas was a rather imaginative boy.
"Finally you're done!" A rather gruff voice called out, redirecting Phineas's attention away from his sister.
"Phineas! Ferb!" a higher pitched one.
It was Buford, the humble son of a blacksmith who had been recruited as a page, and Baljeet, the well-educated son of diplomats of a foreign land. An odd duo, but they had formed an odd friendship, and were some of Phineas and Ferb's closest friends.
"Is Isabella here yet?" Phineas asked.
"No," Baljeet said plainly.
"Wouldn't they have told you if Isabella arrived?" Buford asked.
"They could have forgotten?" Phineas suggested weakly.
"Like Isabella would forget you," Baljeet teased, though Phineas didn't quite understand why Baljeet said it like it was something to be embarrassed of.
"I guess you're right? Isabella would come find me," Phineas said, "I'm just a bit worried I guess, she's usually here by now."
"So what is the plan for today?" Buford asked.
"Well, since Isabella isn't here yet... I don't... if only... I know what we're going to do today! We're going to make a high speed carriage!"
Ferb was already sketching plans into his journal.
"High-speed carriage?"
"So that way we can speed up the time it takes to travel long distances, so Isabella won't have to spend so much time traveling anymore!"
"That sounds very useful," Baljeet agreed.
"And fun, Buford wanna go fast!" Buford declared.
"Well first we need to figure out-"
"Your highnesses," A voice interrupted suddenly, "Your mother is looking for you."
"Is Isabella here?" Phineas asked, bursting into the throne room, Ferb at his side and Perry at his heels, only to be disappointed when he saw no sign of Isabella.
Candace snorted as she strode in behind Phineas and Ferb. An heirloom tiara affixed to her head, and draped in a fine silk cloak, you could have missed that she had just come from the training grounds. However it was a mere illusion hiding her swordfighting wear. They were in no way rags, but dirt covered and many a mended hole left them otherwise improper wear for the palaces crown jewel, the throne room.
"Ah no, Princess Isabella has not yet arrived," Lawrence said.
"It's likely they are just moving slowly, a storm damaged some of the roads to the north," Linda said.
It didn't matter how fast a carriage went if it depended on roads. Phineas was going to have to rethink this.
"Then why did you want to talk to us?" Candace asked. The queen gave a look and the few staff members loitering around disappeared.
Perry stayed in place.
"I have received an invitation to visit Bolgylvania," Linda said in a hushed voice.
"To discuss the trade dispute?" Candace asked.
"Trade dispute?" Phineas asked.
"Yes, over the treatment of our ships in their ports," Candace informed him.
"Oh," Phineas glanced at Ferb, whose eyes told him that he knew about this.
"You're leaving the kingdom?" Phineas asked.
"It would be for a couple months, a diplomatic trip,"
"So... what you're saying is you're leaving me in charge?" Candace asked.
"...yes, Candace I am leaving you in charge," Linda said, a bit warily.
"Great!" Candace said with a grin, "So when you say in charge..."
"I mean in charge," Mother said sternly, "As in acting Queen. I mean if someone comes with questions regarding policy, or if there is an emergency I need you to handle it. I expect updates, but I also expect you to handle it."
Candace gave a single sharp nod.
"Is Isabella still coming?" Phineas asked.
"Yes, Isabella should be arriving soon," Linda said, smiling reassuringly at him, "Candace, this means I need you to look after Princess Isabella as well, make sure our guest is well taken care of,"
"Of course," Candace said.
"I can handle that!" Phineas blurted out, and Lawrence chuckled.
"Yes, well we will need you boys to help your sister out,"
"We will need you to step it up."
"Step-it-up?" Phineas asked.
"Right, I'm going to need you to take on some official functions too Phineas," Linda said, "Receiving guests, looking over... whatever your sister asks,"
"Of course you'll have the staff," Lawrence reminded them.
"It's really important we get this sorted out with the Bolgylvania right?" Candace said.
"Right." Linda agreed, "And the King of Bolgylvania has a reputation for being fickle..."
"Father spent time, in Bolgylvania right?" Candace said.
"Yes, I spent a few years there as a teen,"
"Which is why I need him with me," Linda explained.
"Then I can handle it," Candace said.
"When will you be leaving?" Phineas asked.
"As soon as possible, as soon as we've gathered supplies for the trip."
"And you'll be gone the whole summer?" Phineas asked.
"Unfortunately, it does mean we'll have to delay the finalization of the terms of the engagement until the end of the summer. Hopefully we will return before then."
"Now Candace,"
"I already know your schedule for the next few months front and back," Candace said.
"Right, of course," Linda said, "I suppose I don't have anything to worry about."
"We'll let you prepare for your trip," Candace said giving a meaningful look to her brothers.
Linda wrapped her arms around her children, "What would I do without you three,"
"Love you too mom," Phineas said.
As the siblings exited the throne room, Phineas glanced up at Candace.
"...so about this summer?" Phineas asked cautiously.
"What about it?"
"Ferb and I can help you out, you know, if you want."
Ferb nodded in agreement.
Perry chittered.
"Don't worry about it Phineas," Candace said, "I'll take care of everything. You just enjoy your summer,"
"Yeah but..." Phineas grabbed Candace's hand.
It was burning hot, and Phineas had to yank his hand away.
"Sorry," Candace and Phineas said at the same time.
Ferb picked Perry up off the floor.
"I better go clean up," Candace said, "You better not keep your friends waiting, I'm sure you've got some kind of project to get back to."
"I was thinking a fast carriage to pick up Isabella, but if the roads are the problem, that might not help."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out, roads or no roads" Candace told him, and disappeared down the hall.
Phineas watched her disappear around the corner, before turning to Perry and Ferb, and gave Perry some scratches on his head.
"Roads or no roads... Ferb I know what we're actually going to do today!"
"So, what did your parents want?" Baljeet asked.
"They're heading on a diplomatic trip to Bolgylvania," Phineas said.
"That's awfully far away," Baljeet said.
"Right, so our mother's leaving Candace in charge,"
"Candace?" Baljeet asked, "That should be interesting,"
"Candace, your mom, makes no difference to me!" Buford said, "Now let's get back to the carriage,"
"Well, I've got the turbo spell seal figured out," Baljeet said with pride.
"And more importantly, I've got the actual carriage part," Buford said, shoving Baljeet aside.
"Great, now all we have to do is make it fly!" Phineas declared.
"Huh?" Baljeet asked.
"It doesn't matter how fast it goes if it has to slow down to get over rough terrain?" Phineas said, "So it needs a flying mode!"
"I don't know, my handywork isn't coming apart because of a little rough terrain. Humans, flying. It just ain't right,"
"But what about the comfort of the passangers,"
"Wimps," Buford said with a shrug.
It was shaping up to be an interesting summer.
Though, Phineas had no idea how interesting it would get.