CHAPTER 4
CLANG!
The clash of steel rang through the halls of Valla Palace.
"Is that all you have, Adam?"
Princess Alissa smirked, nudging a fallen sword toward the boy sprawled upon the stone floor. She wore a simple tunic of white linen and brown leather trousers, her auburn hair woven into twin braids.
Adam retrieved his blade and rose, brushing dust from his dark hair. "You speak too much," he muttered, lunging forward.
Alissa deftly parried his strike, stepping aside with ease before landing a swift kick to his back. Adam stumbled forward, barely catching himself.
"Too slow."
But Adam was not yet finished. Twisting mid-fall, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, forcing Alissa onto the defensive. Her grip faltered, and in a single, decisive move, Adam knocked the sword from her grasp.
"Overconfidence," he remarked, leveling his blade at her throat.
Alissa groaned, raising her hands in surrender. "Fine, you have this round." She swatted his sword away.
Adam grinned. "You grow reckless after a single victory."
"A single victory? I disarmed you first, boy."
"I allowed it," he teased.
"Oh, please-"
"Ahem."
Alissa turned to find Rose, one of the palace maids, standing with her hands primly clasped. "Your Highness, it is time for your lessons."
Alissa sighed. "Must I?"
Rose merely smiled.
Adam smirked. "Shall we?"
"No chance." Alissa folded her arms. "I know enough already. Besides, I am craving Lady Elena's cooking." She pressed her hands together in mock pleading. "Come now, Adam, just this once?"
Adam sighed. "If we are caught, I will blame you."
"Deal."
He tossed her a dark cloak. "Wear this-you do not wish to be recognized."
Grinning, she swept it over her shoulders, and together, they slipped out of the palace.
The Marketplace
"Faster, Aliss!" Adam called as they weaved through the bustling streets.
Alissa panted. "I... think... we lost them."
She pulled her hood low, blending into the crowded market. Stalls stretched along the thoroughfare, merchants crying out their wares. The air was thick with the scent of spice and fresh bread.
Adam approached an elderly vendor with wisps of white hair. "How fares the day, Old Greg?"
"By the gods' grace, lad, all is well. What shall it be?"
"The usual."
The old man chuckled, wrapping a warm loaf in cloth. Then, he turned to Alissa. "And what of you, lass?"
"She is with me," Adam said quickly.
Greg nodded knowingly. "Then send my regards to your mother."
"I shall!" Adam called as they departed.
Before he could take another step, Alissa seized his wrist, dragging him into a shadowed alley.
"Whoa-what-?"
"Shh!" Alissa pressed her back against the wall, peering out cautiously. "My brother is here."
Adam followed her gaze. Across the market, Prince Alistair stood conversing with a palace knight.
Alissa exhaled sharply. "If he sees me, he will never let me hear the end of it."
Adam smirked. "Frightened he will drag you back to your lessons?"
Alissa ignored him. She watched her brother in silence, her expression unreadable.
"When I am grown, I shall be a knight," Adam murmured, his voice filled with certainty.
Alissa arched a brow. "A knight?"
"Aye. I shall defend the realm, serve with honor." His eyes shone with conviction.
Alissa hesitated. "I do not know what I wish to be."
Adam grinned. "What else? Marry a king, become a queen?"
She scowled. "I am more than that. I simply... have not decided."
Before Adam could reply, a scream shattered the air.
A man collapsed in the center of the marketplace.
A crowd gathered, murmuring in alarm.
"Give him space!" A young man stepped forward, kneeling beside the stricken stranger. His fingers hovered over the man's wrist.
"Do you know what ails him?" someone in the crowd asked.
The young man produced a small iron badge. "I do. I am a student of the Citadel."
The fallen man's skin was clammy, his breath shallow. A sheen of sweat covered his face.
"He has been poisoned."
A murmur of fear rippled through the gathering.
"Fetch me water and vinegar!"
People rushed to obey. The healer tore strips of cloth, soaking them before pressing them against the man's chest.
His breath grew fainter.
The healer scanned the marketplace before turning to a spice vendor. "I need mountain feverfew-it counteracts poison!"
The vendor hesitated before pulling forth a small pouch. "This should suffice."
The healer crushed the herb, mixing it with water before gently tilting it into the poisoned man's mouth.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, a violent convulsion racked the man's body.
The healer gripped his hand. "Stay with me."
Slowly, the man's breathing steadied. His pallor faded. He opened his eyes, weak yet alive.
"You... saved me," he whispered.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Adam stared, awestruck, his fists clenched. "That was incredible," he breathed.
Alissa turned to him, her gaze fierce with newfound purpose.
"I know what I want to be."
Adam blinked. "Do you?"
"I will go to the Citadel," she declared. "I will become a maester."
Adam frowned. "Only men study at the Citadel. Women become midwives."
"I do not care," she said firmly. "I will be the first."
Adam smirked, shaking his head. "So, you have an impossible dream as well."
"Impossible?" Alissa lifted a brow.
He grinned. "You shall be the first female maester, and I shall be the greatest knight in the realm."
Alissa chuckled. "Then let us see who reaches their dream first."
Adam laughed. "Very well, future maester. Let us away."
As they vanished into the throng, Alissa smiled. For the first time, she knew precisely who she wished to be.