I've been to the castle dungeons before. The rooms are nice all in all. Everything you could want in a small apartment. Zero freedoms and constant watch.
These dungeons aren't like those. It has me aware that the reason we can have 'nice' dungeons at the castle is because the torture chamber ones are here in the halls. If someone asked me if that made sense, I would agree. The 'nice' dungeons are for fools or nobles. These dungeons are meant for traitors.
How did a castle guard end up here?
I see the guard hooked to the wall while trapped within his own room. He was so excited to see the halls. What happened? I look at Daniel. Will he give any answers?
"I rarely include the dungeons on my tours. Trainees normally don't get to see it until we're certain they won't just leave. Certain things need to be kept unknown to the general public." Daniel motions us out.
I watch the guard while we're in sight of him. He's asleep by the lack of actions. Once we have left the knight halls dungeons, I exhale. "Nothing like the castle dungeons."
"Yeah... Big baddies come here. They'd need the coverage the halls offer." Daniel offers me a weak smile. "So... We can't say whether..." He sighs. "He wasn't a castle guard. I don't know how he got that letter. I'm not sure where he got the uniform. There's no knowledge of him on the castle reports." Daniel grips my shoulder. "I give tours to everyone. That was a trained assassin. I'm shocked I didn't die. I have no idea who his target was."
"What?" I blink. He wasn't being threatening to me. Shouldn't I have the biggest bounty on my head? No. They need me. I'd be kidnapped more than anything else. I really wish I had my magic.
But Odin is right. I need to hold off. Maximum is when I hit twenty. Father was a red knight before having his magic available fully. I can copy that much.
Daniel releases me. He walks for the cafeteria. We need a meal. "Yeah. There's a reason they like me as a tour guide. I know what a Swifting is supposed to me. It's not me, but I do get it."
Ryan glances to me. I nod. Swiftings are known as scouts and assassins. It would be good to use someone like that as a guide. They should have a better grasp of things than an average person.
"Anyway." Daniel holds the door for us. "I couldn't get a read on who the target was."
"You didn't need to." Ryan has first position. "We're fifteen. We're not experienced."
"Adults without being adults." Daniel huffs. "I'm supposed to graduate to white stripe soon. Am I qualified?"
"You wouldn't be facing graduation if they thought otherwise." I tell him. We collect our meals and sit down. "I don't like how it feels as if they want me graduating tomorrow."
"Yeah. That first aid test was beyond normal." Daniel knocks my shoulder. "And you just knew what they were looking for."
I glower at him. "Because it's any different from anyone else. Sometimes it feels like they're trying to make me king tomorrow too."
"Do you think...?" Ryan thinks it over. "Your father doesn't have the best reputation."
"I don't think that's it." I focusing eating. Food will help. Something more is happening though. Can't guess what. There's always something happening. "I feel like... People are more like to kidnap me versus kill me. As if I have a level of safety because of that idea. Most look at me as weak or less than."
"And then you prove otherwise." Daniel nods. "Think the trainers are trying to point out exactly how good you are?"
That would suck. I would rather people think I'm weak. If they assume I am weaker than I am then... "I was asked to try a sparring session after dinner. I was just given the go ahead."
"So go." Daniel taps the table. "We're watch." Ryan nods. "Who asked?"
"Rich." I scan the room. He's not here. "Callie's training partner. He wants to see if I hold up well to his attacks."
"He supports you as crown prince."
I grunt. That's how it felt. That he was looking forward to seeing me ascend. It wasn't me helping him, though that may be the case. He is trying to make me better. Improve me with his skills and abilities. "I don't mind."
"Lies do not improve your health." Jessica drops a tray next to me. It was an open seat. "Heard you're facing Rich later."
"Yeah."
"I'll watch. I look forward to you eating dirt." Jessica gives me a grin.
"What happened?" Ryan asks Jessica. She rolls her eyes and eats.
Daniel says, "I'll bet Jessica was expecting the prince to act as a boyfriend and is pissed since he didn't."
Jessica slams the table glaring at Daniel. "You are going to duel me after Thomas loses."
All eyes are on Jessica. Everyone heard that request. Daniel nods as consent. That will be after my battle though.
Jessica takes a bite of food before looking me over. "I just assessed the situation. Rich is used to Callie's fighting. He can't beat her, but does well. Do you think Thomas is stronger than Callie?"
"You have a point." Ryan flinches looking at me. "I hope you don't need real healing."
"It's been a while since I glowed red." I chuckle. I didn't mind Jessica's comments. I know I should lose here. "Why are you improving those gossips, Daniel? It's bad enough my parents ask about Jessica when I see them."
"And you say you have no idea how I am or where I am." Jessica nods. "I do the same. Act like we have no clue about the other."
"Even if we do more often than not." I hate lying to my parents. I know more than I tell them because we're in all the same classes. We are training at the same time. "We're trying to gain distance from their ideas."
"My parents would do the same although not as a way to fight each other." Jessica plays with her food on her plate a bit. She sighs. "Someone called me 'highness' before. I wanted to slam them into the ground."
I wince. "We are required to agree to the contract."
Jessica sighs. "Yeah... I know what will happen if it's the only option when Thomas becomes king or turns twenty five. We may be able to push it off until twenty seven, but if I'm the only one..." She waves it off. "It's a future concern. I hate how it's being pushed now."
"Against it completely?" Daniel asks.
"Completely?" Jessica grunts. "I'm against losing my position as knight. I've seen how my parents managed a relationship for the sake of the house. I can't say I'm completely against it, but it's pretty high on the 'please don't happen' list."
I nod. That's where we're at now. We're not burning the contract. It would be fine to just let it be. The problem is my parents using me as a scapegoat. I really wish they would seriously consider divorce. I hate the fact I wouldn't mind my father dying. Although that would put me in a weird situation. I would lose my chance to be a knight. I could push off Jessica until twenty. It would be 'proper'. Becoming king would push forward the time line. "I'm not looking for anyone. I have no interest in a relationship right now. I'm not trying to burn the contract nor am I signing it. I'm trying to ignore it. But I'm forced to give my friend space because my parents are being-"
"Problems." Jessica nods. I was going to go harsher. She stopped me from insulting my parents. I wouldn't be called a traitor. Everyone else would, though. "Don't worry about it. The king and queen are just taking out their personal problems on us. We'll deal."
I hide my head. That's been my always. It sucks they dragged Jessica into things. She doesn't deserve that. "I'm ready to threaten to burn the contract if they continue to get involved in my love life." Not that I have a love life. They're denying me from attempting anything. If I tried to have a love life, they'd be 'is this person good enough for queen'...
Better off I ignore it all. If I could.
"I'm gonna head to the arena now. Get a good spot. Stretch." Daniel stands up. "You can take out your frustrations on me, Jessica." He leans closer to her. "Or pick flirt. That may get attention away from your contract."
"Or possibly get you marked traitor." Jessica leans on her hand. Daniel shivers. "It may be a basic contract like most nobles get, but it also seems a bit off. My parents made me wait for June to enter so I could join Thomas's exam. I think there is more information than they're saying."
"Huh." Daniel shrugs. "No idea. Looking forward to the duel. You'll be easier than Callie at least."
"At least." Jessica waves.
I stand up. "I'll copy. I know it'll get busy. A lot of people know about the duel." Even more now. "Hope you watch."
Jessica grabs my hand. I eye her. "I didn't mean anything when I said I look forward to you eating dirt. I'm not upset at you."
"I know. You're upset at my mom." I offer her a smile. "Daniel will accept the beat down. He'll manage. This is training even if it may mean more."
"Yeah. See you then."
I offer a smile to Ryan before escaping. I have to ready for my sparring match.