The Girl with Scars

Oskar stood on his balcony and admired the Unaran landscape. Spring had come and everything was in bloom. He breathed in deeply as a crisp breeze blew his hair away from his forehead.

“Good morning, world,” he whispered to himself.

The sound of water spilling caught his attention and Oskar turned to look into her bed chambers. The servant who tended to his bath and brought him breakfast was pouring a bucket of steaming water into the tub.

“Pardon my tardiness, Your Highness,” the young man said, emptying the remaining water before bowing deeply.

“There’s nothing to forgive, Mattias.” Oskar smiled and waved the matter away with his hand. “I know to expect you about this time and you are very punctual. A few minutes tardy will not ruin our routine.”

Mattias returned the smile, nodding with appreciation before he continued preparing the bath. Oskar turned his gaze back to the morning sunrise. The sky was a gradient of dark blues, pinks and yellows. Birds flew overhead, greeting the sun with their song.

“Mattias,” Oskar said, turning to enter the chambers. “I intend to go riding this morning, after breakfast. Have Thiago saddled and ready by the kitchen’s entrance.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” the servant replied.

“No need to tell Cook about it.”

Mattias chuckled, “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Oskar grinned; he enjoyed teasing Cook and sneaking a loaf with a chunk of cheese for his ride was always a must.

When the bath was ready, Oskar removed his nightshirt and stepped into the warm water. He sighed and closed his eyes as he splashed his shoulders.

Oskar took his time strolling through the palace halls. It was early enough that his parents would not see him leave, but the servants certainly would. The maids giggled as he walked by; Oskar greeted each of them, though he scarcely remembered their names because they did not tend to him the way Mattias did.

“Oskar.”

He pinched his lips in a line as he turned to the sound of his father’s voice.

“Father,” he said, dipping his chin.

“Where are you off to?” the king asked, a knowing smirk on his face.

“Nowhere in particular. Just the woods, near the castle gates.”

“Then you’re not going to call upon Lady Christine of the Crayfords?”

Oskar furrowed his brow. “Who? I know no such person.”

Father chuckled, “My boy, Lady Christine has just come of age and will be introduced to the royal court. She is an eligible young woman and lovely to the eyes. I suppose I thought you enjoyed her company at the Winter Ball.”

“Oh… I never learned her name. She wasn’t supposed to be there and I only danced with her once.”

The king smiled and clapped his hand on Oskar’s shoulder.

“Then I’ll let it alone,” he said, clearing his throat. “Your mother will want to discuss your future. I say this so you are not caught off guard.”

Oskar sighed, “I’m nineteen, that’s hardly an age to be thinking of the future.”

“I was married to your mother at nineteen. The life we have comes with certain traditions that we must uphold. But that does not mean they cannot be changed, Oskar. However, I think you should be grateful that the burden of the crown and the throne will fall to your brother, and not to you.”

The prince shrugged, “Heaven forbid something should happen to him, of course… Mother may discuss the future, I shall oblige.”

“Good. Now off with you.”

Oskar grinned and hurried in the direction he was going before. More servants greeted him as he passed, but he didn’t stop until he reached the kitchens. Cook was standing over a large, iron pot, stirring the steaming contents with care. An overwhelming smell of spices and herbs wafted Oskar’s nose. He scanned the flour-dusted surfaces until his eyes fell on the fresh loaves and basket of cheeses on a nearby table.

He walked as quietly as his boots would allow, swiping an empty burlap sack from the straw-covered floor. Stuffing the smallest of the loaves and examining the cheese to find his favorite goat cheese. The scent of milk, toasted tree nuts and honey.

“I can hear ye, little mouse,” Cook said with her back still turned. “Leave my cheese alone.”

“You’re making more,” Oskar scoffed as he stuffed the food into the sack and tied it off. “Besides, how would my mother feel if she knew I went riding without something to fill my belly?”

“I think she would thank me for keeping the good cheese for breakfast.”

“Oh, she won’t miss it!”

Cook turned, a wooden spoon in her hand as she glared at the prince.

“Get.”

Oskar smirked and hurried out the door. He smiled when he saw Thiago hitched to the water trough, stone’s throw from the kitchen’s garden entrance. The four-year-old gelding neighed as he approached, producing a sugar cube from his coat pocket.

“There’s a good boy,” Oskar cooed as the sugar cube disappeared. “We’re going to enjoy a ride and return in time for tea.”

Thiago brayed gently, turning to one side; it was as if the horse understood what he should do. Oskar untied and pulled the reins into his left as he swung his right leg upward, and lifted himself into the saddle.

“Walk on,” he said and Thiago trotted toward the path which led to the palace gates.

***

The woods were eerily calm. Not a single creature stirred, nor a leaf on any tree rustled; for there was no wind. Sunlight peeked through the treetops, but clouds rolled in and the sky grew gray. Thiago whinnied and Oskar placed his palm on the horse’s large neck.

“Easy,” he said with a gentle ‘Ssh’. “I suppose we should turn back, shouldn’t we?”

Thiago blew his nostrils in agreement. However, lightning struck a nearby tree as Oskar tried to guide his mount toward the path behind them. Thiago reared up and surged through the forest on his own accord.

“Whoa, Thiago; whoa!” Oskar said, pulling the reins hard enough to get the horse’s attention but gentle enough that he would be hurt. “Whoa!”

Suddenly, the sun broke through the clouds and they vanished.

“Easy, boy,” he went on as he became frustrated, and someone was laughing nearby. “Damn you, Erasmus.”

Oskar’s older, twin brother stepped out from behind a large oak tree. A triumphant grin on his face. His light blond hair, which was wet, blew with the breeze that made itself known. And much to Oskar’s surprise, Erasmus was without a shirt; perhaps he was swimming in the nearby river.

“I have never seen Thiago run like that,” Erasmus chortled, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You’re already next in line, do you have to put me in such danger?” Oskar asked, breathing heavily as he dismounted and comforted Thiago.

“Admit it, I am the adventure in your life, little brother.”

“I will make my own adventures, thank you.”

The elder prince laughed, “Oskar, it was a tease. I’m sorry.”

The younger prince rolled his eyes but said nothing.

“If our roles were reversed, you’d have done the same.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” Oskar replied, sighing as he faced his brother. “I know you like keeping your abilities in practice, but I wasn’t born with them. I can’t defend myself against the Elements!”

Erasmus’ green eyes filled with remorse.

“And something happens to you, what happens? Worse, what if something happened to us both?”

“Alright, I hear you. My actions were reckless,” Erasmus said with a sigh. “The consequences outweigh the risk and the fun… I am sorry.”

“Being sorry means you won’t do it again,” Oskar said, shaking his head. “You’ve been sorry before.”

“Then with an immense sensation of determination, I shall do better to never put you in harm’s way again. I deeply apologize and seek your forgiveness.”

“Wordsmith.” Oskar narrowed his gaze and turned to look at Thiago. The horse whinnied and dipped his head in a visible nod.

“Apologize to Thiago,” Oskar said, hiding his grin as he kept his head turned away.

“Apologize to a horse?” Erasmus asked as the horse stomped a hoof. “Fine. Thiago, do you accept my apology?”

Thiago dipped his large head in another nod; Oskar chuckled and Erasmus scoffed.

“Where were you off to before I interrupted?” the elder prince went on as the two began walking back toward the main path. “Lady Christine’s home?”

“Why does everyone believe I’m interested in her?” Oskar asked, shaking his head. “You and Father think alike. No, I was just out for a ride. As for Lady Christine, I do not have any great interest in her. We danced at the Winter Ball, nothing more. What about you? Where were you coming from?”

“Morning swim in the river,” his brother replied with a grin. “Good for the skin.”

Oskar raised an eyebrow; he kept his right arm loose as Thiago shook the reins. He did believe his brother had gone swimming, but there had to be more he wasn’t sharing.

“Well,” Oskar went on, shifting the reins to his other hand to rest his palm on Thiago’s shoulder. “Thiago and I will leave you. I intended to be back for the midday meal.”

“I will come with you,” Erasmus said, facing Oskar and walking backwards. “I left before the sunrise and it is possible Mother wonders where I’ve gone.”

“Or she is waiting for my return to discuss my impending future. Has she spoken to you?”

“Mother is always speaking to me, Oskar. I’m the crown-prince; I have the future burden of the throne. As for you, she just wants to make sure your future is certain and stable.”

Oskar sighed as they came to the path and started in the direction of the palace.

“I suppose,” he said, “and it is a mother’s duty to worry about her children. No matter how old they are.”

The brothers continued their trek through the woods until they came to the gates of the palace. The guards greeted them as they approached. Oskar looked up to admire the palace he called home.

Giant metal doors, which opened to a heavy bridge and large crenelations, guard the only path across the river-mote. Four strong, round towers surrounded the castle, reaching twice the height of the vast, blue stone walls that connected them.

Tall, wide windows were scattered generously across the walls in a random pattern, along with hidden peepholes for archers and artillery.

Trees grew close to the castle gates and provided valuable wood for all purposes. This castle had stood the test of time, the rocks of the walls were aged with vines growing from the cracks but Oskar thought the castle would stand through his brother’s reign.

Thiago’s reins were handed to a pair of guards and Oskar instructed them to give the horse a bucket of apples.

“He had a fright,” was all Oskar said in explanation, but Erasmus chuckled as they proceeded up the palace steps.

Shortly after making their way through the palace halls, the two princes entered a private dining room, where the royal family held their meals away from public company. The queen, an elegant woman of almost forty, was seated at the round table. Her golden hair was pinned up and with loose ringlet-curls falling down at the sides. A small, silver tiara with amethyst stones all over sat on her head.

“Mother,” Oskar said as he stood beside her and kissed her cheek.

“Son,” she replied as Erasmus came to kiss her cheek as well. “Erasmus, why does your hair look like that?”

“It dried in the sun,” he explained, claiming the cushioned chair on the opposite side of the table. “ There’s nothing wrong with how my hair looks.”

“Here,” the queen produced a small comb and handed it to the eldest prince. “At least make it presentable for the meal.”

The air wafted a warm scent of meat stew, fresh bread and something sweet. Oskar inhaled and turned as Cook, and a pair of servants, entered with trays of food.

“Is that fruit pudding?” he asked, grinning as he sat in the chair next to the queen.

“I hope you will enjoy,” the Cook said, bowing her head before ushering the

“Where is Father?” Erasmus asked as he tore a piece of bread and dipped it into the stew’s broth.

“There was an incident requiring his attention,” the queen replied with a sigh. “Nothing of dangerous nature. He will join us for supper, and we will have guests.”

Oskar noted the strange look in his mother’s eye, but if she hoped to elaborate, she would have. Though he did wonder why his brother didn’t inquire about the incident as he was required to learn the ways of the royal court.