Her Majesty

"You have no idea the blow up that happened this morning. Or maybe you do since you ask about divorce." General Accost comments on our ride back to the gates.

I freeze. I focus on the general. "What happened?"

"The queen asked to visit the knight halls during breakfast. The king tried to make a few comments best left unsaid. Since it was..." Accost hisses. "Her Majesty called for physical and mental review for the royal family."

"Wow." Hydrangea holds her hand up as we reach the gates. "They'll give a quick scan before opening the gates. It's magical and physical. Be a moment." She turns to Accost. "What did the king say to that?"

"That he is perfectly fit." Accost grins. "Made a suggestion that Her Majesty needs the review but not him."

"Court must be having a field day." Hydrangea nods to the guard. The gates open for us easily enough. Once we're inside, the gates close and we're allowed to return to our tasks. "So she won the chance to come."

"Yup. The doctor suggested exercise would be good for her. She is not allowed to join a campaign besides from the king's seat with the king's decree, but swinging a sword should help her."

Hydrangea glances at me. "Any idea as to why Her Majesty decided to do such?"

"I read Thomas's letter." Accost hops off his horse. Someone takes it from him to bring away. We're going to the knight stables. Looks like that was his horse he brought from the castle. "Many think it's because Thomas is training and she wishes to watch him."

"I know Her Majesty." Hydrangea taps the stables door. Several show up and take over the horses for us. "She'll be a tough trainer. She always was. And she knows giving Thomas any leeway leads to trouble."

I shrug. "I always figured out another way."

Hydrangea rubs my head. "Difficult crown prince." I grin at her.

"She's inside the arena." General Accost takes lead again. The arena has no seats left. Many are even standing out of reach of the battlers. He makes sure we gain the space to walk forward.

Standing in the middle of the room circling each other is Mom and Chance. I notice Jessica and Ryan off to one side, but there will be no way I can reach them. I can stand here and watch.

"Swords..." Hydrangea sighs. "Why would Chance pick swords?"

I quickly see why Hydrangea would make sense a statement. It's barely a few seconds in when Chance is on the ground, his sword in the queen's off hand. The two swords are locking Chance to the ground. It would be a dangerous position if there wasn't a healing aura here to guard us. "Wow."

"The reason your father fell in love was because she is a dual sword wielder." Hydrangea was on the campaign where their love blossomed. "I'll bet Chance was just making sure everyone know how dangerous she still is."

The queen hides her sword away before offering a hand to Chance. He stands up and gains his weapon back. "A pleasant battle. I think you should've picked another weapon." The crowd laughs over the fact. I must've missed the pre-battle chatter. "Did you want a handicap?"

"It has been months since you touched a sword why are you still this good?" Chance growls out.

The queen spots me in the crowd. She offers a soft smile to me. "Because it was always a natural skill of mine. You knew that. I would practice randomly for years now." She waves me to her side. "It is expected of the royals to learn all the weapons available to us." I stand at her side. "Please train my son kindly."

I offer a false grin and wave to the crowd. "Can you just call me Thomas?"

"He's liable to attack if you try titling him." Chance says loud enough for everyone to hear.

I roll my eyes at him. He tried to let everyone know who I am. But I guess it was only a matter of time. "Mom... You know all the weapons?"

"Yes. All of them. I'm not saying you need to pick a queen that can do the same. She could be a pacifist even. I care little. You must learn all of them. Just as I will expect Xavier to." Mom kisses my head. "Please practice your skills."

"I... I just got my weapon sharpened. I'm not ready for your level of training." I pull out my blade. Several hiss over seeing it sharp. "I..."

"I'm very proud of you, Thomas. Return to your studies. I will visit the knight halls at my leisure."

I hide away my sword. A quick glance at my friends has me head for the door. I am being told not to watch. Whatever Mom is planning, she doesn't wish I know about it. She told everyone who I am. I guess that's normal, though.

"Your Highness!" Ingrid stops looking more deer terrified than high quality mage.

"Mom's in the arena." I thumb behind me while heading for my room.

"I came for you. Can we speak somewhere safe?" Ingrid clasps her hands before her.

"Um... Sure. My room is safe enough." My walk to my rooms has a following. She clasps and unclasps her hands a few times. She looks around nervous. Getting to my bedroom door, I stop. "Ingrid? Are you sure you wish to come in? Whatever it is... Is it important for now? My mother is nearby. She'll know much of what I am doing and who with."

Ingrid nods taking up my hand. "I... I'll go see her, then."

"Or just leave. Don't get caught by whatever my mother's thoughts are. Things are spinning lately. I don't know what is going on with my father, but it may be time he is mentally reviewed." I enter my room. I hold the door for Ingrid, but she is smart enough to not enter. Mom would know if she did. She's paying attention to me right now.

Once I close my door, Odin's letter appears before me. This probably will give me a clue as to why Ingrid was just here. I grab hold of the letter before settling in my bed. Now would be a good time to read it.

Then maybe I'll hit up the library. Mom can't complain if I go there.