Author's comment:
Hey! It's been a long while since I last wrote a story, so here's a new and fresh one for you! It's a based in a fantasy realm, back when there were valorous warriors that fought for their Kingdom.
This is a very sensual and loving story of two youngsters innocently discovering love for each other, without realizing it at first, and going through the very feelings that make us humans. I try to be as careful and attentive to the details as the subjects are to each other, and I put my best effort into creating beautiful scenes and ambiance. I hope you enjoy and are thrilled by what you're about to read.
cayde7
All the characters of this story are fictional and over 18 years old.
***
I had seen Kyler, the Crownguard, many times before; my father, the King, had told me he was the strongest and bravest warrior of all the Majesty's elite army. He looked very imposing, his light brown hair gleaming under the midday sun, his longsword always by his side, and his armor, a shiny silver finish with golden inlays and blue drapes joining together from the shoulders to the cape; and the tabard, laying on his chest, covering the chainmail and outlining the muscles of his build, proudly showing the effigy of the Kingdom. I had finally turned 18, which meant that I got to spend more time with him in order to practice the sword, and to exercise to become a mighty warrior, just like him and my father. I liked being around him, I always felt protected, and the fact he was a young soldier, just 27 years old, made me feel like I could open up to him, I could talk about what was happening around the Kingdom, not feeling judged.
We sticked together a lot in the past few years -- it was his duty, but I also really enjoyed his company: whenever we were at the dining table he was always by my side, his apartments were right beside mine, and I could ask for his help at anytime for whatever reason. I had started becoming attached to him the first year he spent as my Crownguard: as I was growing up a Prince, I started to have more and more duties, and sometimes my father would bring me around the Kingdom with him, and he thought I would need someone able to defend me in case anything went wrong.
My father was now in his forties, and had been peacefully leading his Kingdom for almost twenty years; when he was younger, he had been in command of many battles against the belligerent barbarians from the north -- but since they were hit by internal fights for power, they had stopped skirmishing. Our army was always ready and trained, and though we hoped we would never have to fight in war again, the Kingdom would send soldiers, from time to time, to help the neighboring kingdoms and provinces. As does my father, I also long for peace for my people; though, I think it is necessary for an heir to be ready to command an army, to stir the heart of its people, rule with both wisdom and strength.
Today was going to be my very first day of practice with the sword, together with Kyler. I was getting ready for lunch in my room, when I heard a knocking at my door; I knew it was him, as he would knock softly but firmly, always three times, before calling.
"Your Highness? Lunch will be ready soon!"
"Yes Kyler, I am getting ready, it will take just a few moments"
"Adam... May I speak to you for a minute, before going downstairs?"
When he called me by my first name it meant he wanted to speak to me as Kyler, not as the Crownguard. For a split second I was almost worried something might have happened.
"Of course, Kyler, come in!"
As he entered the door, he bowed slightly, making me blush, and closed the door behind him.
"Kyler, you know I don't want you to bow to me; and I also don't want you to call me 'your Highness', just call me Adam".
"Of course, your Highn- err, I mean, Adam" he replied, smirking.
I sighed, shaking my head with a smile. "Please, take a seat; what is it?"
"Thanks Adam. I just wanted to tell you something, before having lunch: today is your 18th birthday, it is the day you finally become a man, a Prince; I... I'm just so proud of you: I've seen you grow up, I've always admired your father's dedication and attention to you, and the day I was chosen to become the Crownguard I felt so honored to have such a privilege."
"Oh my god Kyler, stop, you're making me blush!" I said, my cheeks becoming rosy.
"That day I felt like I had become a man; but today, I will finally see you too becoming a grown man and a great warrior. And you don't even know how proud I am of this" he continued, with happiness in his eyes.
"Oh stop... Come here" I told him, as I dragged him in for a hug, feeling my cheeks warm, and my eyes shimmery.
Even though me and Kyler were very close most of the time, we didn't get a chance to hug or really talk with open hearts if not in our private quarters, as his duty was to protect me, not to be my brother or a friend. Though I would lie if I said I didn't love spending time with him. His hugs were strong, comforting, he could really warm your heart like no one else could.
"Are you done now, Kyler?"
"Hahaha yes, Adam, I am done with my rambling" he said, releasing me from his hold. "Oh, one last thing, Adam: don't forget your sword training this afternoon, we'll begin as soon as your father and the High Commander have finished speaking to you" he said, ruffling my hair. "Now, if you're ready, we may go downstairs and join your father."
"Yeah, I'm done; let's go. I can't wait for this afternoon."
"Oh, I guarantee you won't be so excited after the practice, little boy" he said, getting up from the chair and heading towards the door.
"We'll have to see about that, Kyler. Maybe it turns out I beat you at dueling" I said, smirking at him.
"Then I'll make sure you have as much armor and as heavy a sword as I do, just to play fair" he replied, turning his face around and winking.
I chuckled, as he closed the door behind himself. I quickly rinsed my face with some fresh water and left my rooms, to join my father and the Crownguard downstairs.
As I entered the dining room, I was greeted by the smiles of my father, Kyler, the High Commander and aunt Priest Johanne, all waiting for me in front of a table full of delicious dishes. I listened to a short speech about how my father was so proud of me and that my mother would have been too, and how he was happy that I would finally start practicing the sword, as I had wished for a long time. We had a very cheerful lunch, discussing my future training in the Majesty's army and, together with aunt Johanne, learning the ways of the Light and how that could help me becoming a diplomatic heir.
At the end of the meal, we started chatting about some politics of the Kingdom, and aunt Johanne noted how in the group of the best scholars, one very promising girl couldn't wait to meet me, and how she thought we would have many things to talk about; at those words, I couldn't help but smile and blush, saying that I would find the time to meet all the best scholars, no exception made. After we all had a good laugh, I glanced over at Kyler and noticed he was sporting a wide grin, but I swore I could see a tiny bit of sadness in his deep blue eyes. I brushed it off, and we all hung out for some time, before I went for a walk with the High Commander, in order to discuss more in depth when and how my training was going to take place.
After deciding how I would approach the military training, he gave me a paternal talk on how I would surely rule with wisdom and strength, and that he was so proud of my interest and involvement with the Kingdom and its people. He then approached Kyler and told us I would now go over some basics on the tools of battle, see my armor and sword, then I could start practicing right away with the Crownguard. After dismissing us, he went back to the barracks, as me and Kyler walked towards the royal stables, where I would do my training.
"So, your Highness, are you ready to practice?"
"Yes Kyler, I can't wait to finally train to become a warrior. I have always admired the might of soldiers like you, the High Commander and the whole army. You have always been an inspiration, and it is an honor for me to finally learn the way of the battle"
"I'm so glad to hear that, your Highness. And I am privileged to be at your side on your path to become a warrior. Now, let's go to the stables to see your armor and weapon."
Once we got to the armory inside the stables, I could see Kyler's eyes revering the beauty and craftmanship of the royal armor: the undergarments were made with the softest and most robust linen, the chainmail chest was so refined and lightweight, albeit seeming sturdier than most of the other chainmail pieces he'd ever seen; the shoulders and legs were mighty and robust, with a silver finish and golden details, just like his own armor. The arms and legs were reinforced and articulated in order not to impair the movements of the limbs, but still guarantee protection from sword blows, and arrows; and then there were the weapons: I had the choice between a longsword, the same one my father had used when he fought as a King, and two daggers, more suited for ambushes and close combat. Besides those, there was also a mighty shield, which I would have started using farther into the training.
As I grabbed the mighty longsword and admired its glory, Kyler's eyes were beaming with joy and pride as he was staring at me. Catching his gaze made him look away and grab the undergarments, that he handed to me.
"I think you're better off wearing some armor first, if you want to practice with that huge blade"
"Yeah, I suppose I should -- but damn, this sword sure is a fine piece of artistry. It's magnificent!"
"Oh yes, absolutely! Your father told me that sword had been made by the loyal blacksmith of your grandfather, and had been crafted with the best metal available in the whole kingdom."
"Magnificent... Alright then; let's get ready. I'm going to wear this heavy armor and then we'll start practicing!"
