Chapter 1
A brutal punch to the head was what had twelve year old Prince Aegyr falling to his knees upon the damp earth, reeling from the impact. His hands came down, palms splaying out over the grass as he wobbled a bit in that position. He heard laughter in the distance, jeers and taunts from the soldiers surrounding him but there was another voice much closer, hovering over him. It was a voice he heard everyday. He never knew what to expect. Would it be firm or gentle? Angry or kind? This time it was stern and urgent. Almost angry. He hated that voice.
"Get up." His brother, Prince Kohl commanded sharply in a soft, commanding tone.. Kohl wore a deep frown, an expression so much like their fathers, though his intense blue eyes and fairer complexion matched their mothers.
"What?" Aegyr rasped, lashes fluttering. The younger twin was clearly confused. His long white hair touched the damp ground, staining the pretty strands with blood and mud. He could see the orange and red daichi flowers blooming brightly on a tree behind his brother's form, clear and sharp as Kohl’s body seemed out of focus and fuzzy. He shook his head. He had to get up. He had to FOCUS. His fate depended on this fight.
"Get. Up." Kohl enunciated. "Father is watching..he will make your life hell if you give up. Fight back. Get up and fight me." Kohl gave him a brutal kick to the stomach, making him gasp at the loss of air. He held back the vomit that threatened and pushed through it. Aegyr shoved to his feet and lunged for Kohl, drawing back his fist and slamming it into his brother's jaw. Kohl's head whipped back for a moment before he turned, smacking Aegyr hard with the back of his hand on the face.
Once again the soldiers in the stone and vine covered courtyard snickered. The younger of the royal twins was getting his ass kicked. For now both boys trained with the same Instructor. But if Aegyr failed he'd be stuck with the soldiers. It WOULD be hell. They would taunt the Prince and beat him everyday until he learned to fight. Because in Daegonia..strength trumped intelligence.
The hit upon his face made the boy moan softly in pain and as his brother advanced, Aegyr searched around him for a way to fight back without having to use hand to hand. Kohl was stronger even with his lean build. He was faster. Aegyr HAD to rely on his head.
Instead of advancing towards Kohl and meeting him head on, Aegyr turned and ran towards his sword that lay upon the ground. But his brother was faster, yet again, and he felt a boot to his back. He went stumbling forward, falling once again to the ground. Kohl walked around him, kicking the sword out of reach and his blue eyes looked up towards his father for further instruction as Aegyr struggled to his feet. The boy wiped blood off his nose with the back of his hand. He started for his sword again.
"Father?" Kohl called out in a commanding tone, a question.
The King and Queen stood side by side. The King was dark and tall. Strong. He was a sight to behold. Incredibly handsome but so serious most days. It was rare to see him smile and when he did it was reserved only for his wife. The Queen had fair skin, pale hair and bright blue eyes like her eldest child. She was the opposite of her mate. Happy and bright, always smiling. She always had a kind word to say and she lived to make someone laugh.
"Aegyr do you give up? Have you had enough?" King Aeyr spoke firmly as his son slowly moved towards his sword. His wife bit her lip at his side. She did not approve of this..but her husband WAS a pure blood dragon. He did not like weakness. Aegyr lifted his gaze, their forms were blurry. He knew what would happen if he conceded to Kohl. No longer would they train together. He would be placed with the soldiers..
"I.." He snapped his mouth shut and looked at Kohl. His brother's gaze seemed to say, "Don't do this."
Towards the sword he went again. He heard Kohl behind him, lunging and tackling him to the ground. Kohl rolled Aegyr over and punched him in the mouth. Once, twice. Blood spurted and Aegyr grabbed at Kohl’s hand when he went for a third punch. He pushed him back but Kohl was stronger and knocked his hand away before plowing his fist against his cheek.
“Do you concede?” King Aeyr demanded.
Kohl moved away, leaving his brother laying there. Aegyr took in the canopy above him, a shimmering barrier that glowed with white light as the rain above beat down upon it. The barrier kept them dry but he would welcome the cool liquid upon him at that moment. He knew deep down what he would say even before his lips uttered the words.
"I concede. I can no longer go on father I..I am sorry.." He trailed off when his father turned suddenly and walked away from the balcony and into the castle. His mother began ordering the soldiers to disperse with a commanding tone. Her gaze shifted towards him with sympathy before she too entered the castle. One of the soldiers stepped up to him and reached a hand out to help him to his feet. Aegyr looked up at that smirking face.
"See you in the morning Little Prince." He winked and walked away. Aegyr stood there, staring after the male named Hyadin, until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at his brother, his gaze apologetic.
"Father will always think you are weak now..prove him wrong. For me." Kohl spoke firmly, nodding before walking away and leaving Aegyr standing alone in the courtyard.
******
"You did your best."
Aegyr watched his mother with golden hues as she held his chin in one hand and dabbed at his cheek with a medicinal paste with the other. His mother had always had soft hands. Feminine but she was a warrior. His mother, Lys, was the greatest archer, better than the soldiers. She'd yet to be bested.
She sat beside him on his bed, a soft smile on her face. But her ocean over sand colored eyes held concern as she looked at him.
"I was not good enough. I trained with Rourke, like Kohl. I am just..weak." Aegyr mumbled.
A soft wind blew in through the curtains of his bedchamber, bringing with it the scent of a salty ocean and floral foliage from the gardens down below. The breeze was warm, but not so much. It was spring for the Kingdom of Daegonia at this time. The rainy season. Occasionally the rain would stop and let the sun peak through before the clouds covered the sky once again.
"Aegyr you are not weak. You are empathetic. So incredibly sensitive. You can feel the pain you inflict on your opponent so you draw back. And you have not learned to shield your own emotions. You must learn Mihai." She spoke to him as she finished up with his cheek, inspecting it with a critical look.
"I will now train with the soldiers.." The boy trailed off. Lys paused before tucking a strand of her son's snowy white hair behind one pointed ear.
They were Dragon Elves. Part Dragon part Elven, His father, Aeyr was pure blood Dragon. He had changed his form to be with Lys, his mother who was Elven. Aeyr and his followers, who also changed their forms and sacrificed the ability to change back, had created their own race. When Aegyr and Kohl reached a certain age they too would age incredibly slowly, their skin would be harder to pierce, their senses would be heightened and they would be stronger, faster.
"Yes you will. And they will not go easy on you just because you are their Prince. Your race values strength. You and Kohl are the first from the breeding period between your father's people and mine. You ARE strong. Just in a different way." She said to him. She stood up to go place the medical kit away before turning to face him. Aegyr was looking down at the floor.
"Find your strength Mihai. It is there." She spoke before leaving him.
Find your strength...she had said. Aegyr glanced towards the now closed door.
But what WAS his strength?
…
