I: Pentaus
Part 1 - Stars Are Just Opportunities
December 20, 1882
The continent of Pentaus is a strange one; while most of its production and resources came from the two smallest countries. Rareta and Hangzhou, the main trade and production countries, don’t side with anybody. As long as a customer came in with coin, they were given their purchase and left almost immediately after. Everyone that wanted to purchase from these countries always stayed close to Pentaus, trying not to go too deep in the Sea of Voices. Rumor has it that the Sea of Voices will make you go crazy and swallow you up if you go too far.
A majority of Pentaus’s countries are controlled by Chinese or Japanese monarchy, unlike what everyone likes to call “The Frozen South,” Kinji, Vejare, and Jian. It’s said to be around five million people in total living there, as it isn’t run by any government and can be usurped by anyone around them, regardless if they are peaceful or not.
The North and South Division has been at war for exactly three years now, the initial date being December 20th, 1879. Unlike the surrounding countries of the North and South, which are lead strictly by a monarchical government, they are lead by their army commander. If the war were to end now, the victor would immediately seize control over the other, hopefully restoring peace in the process.
The heart of Pentaus, the country that about forty percent of the population lives--Tochinokori. Tochinokori is lead by King Kazu and Queen Yukina Shirata, with their daughter, who is third in command of the entire country, Princess Miku Shirata; who all own Castle Valé. Princess Miku has been long awaiting a prince--three years. Under control of a monarchy in Pentaus, the princess is expected to marry at the age of twelve. The King is in charge of arranging marriage and can force one onto the princess if he deems it necessary.
Arwel Ghongzhou, a young, quiet, shy, smart orphan runs the streets of Tochinokori’s capital, Valé, trying to see if can find a better life for himself. He keeps only one person close to him. That person is his best friend, Kobe Okilo. Arwel and Kobe have kept each other close since age six, which was nine years ago. Those nine years have passed so quickly for the young orphan boys, like dust blowing away in the wind.
Tochinokori was always quite cold in the winter but doesn’t even come close to The Frozen South. Someone can get away with being out in the cold by wearing light clothing, as long as it was relatively warm enough. If someone had dressed lightly in the South, they would more than likely perish from the below freezing temperatures.
Arwel awoke in an alleyway. Standing up, he rubbed his eyes and stretched. He opened his coat a little bit to release some heat. Letting out a tired sigh, he sat back down on the floor.
“Arwel!” Kobe shouted quickly and loudly, scaring him.
“Come on, I knew I heard someone!” Arwel responded in disappointment.
Kobe laughed. “Then I’m sure you would do something about it.”
Standing up, Arwel became angry in a friendly manner. “Are you accusing me of lying?”
“Hmm. Maybe I am.”
Arwel couldn’t help but laugh along with his best friend. “I’m hungry. And you?”
“Likewise.”
“How much are you carrying with you?”
Kobe shuffled through his pouch. “Um... I have...” He reached his hand down to the bottom of the pouch, then pulled it up. “Four gold.”
Arwel sighed. “That won’t get us a lot.”
“Do you have a better idea? I can’t always have a ton of coins on me.”
“No, let’s just use what you have.”
Kobe put his four gold coins back in his pouch. “Aye.”
Walking through the streets of Valé, the two friends walked in silence--both of them were thinking heavily about other things.
“The Winter Solstice dance is tomorrow,” Kobe began. “Have you been thinking of someone to take?”
Arwel scoffed. “Of course I haven’t. What about you?”
“Nobody,” Kobe looked down.
Arriving at the market, Arwel and Kobe slipped through many people. Tochinokori’s general goods market was open every day. Every morning, there were thousands of people purchasing goods. By nightfall, everything is sold, and a restock is needed immediately. The only time where that didn’t happen is when everyone worked on weekdays.
“What can the two of us buy with four gold shillings?” Kobe asked the food merchant. The merchant didn’t speak, instead, he placed two small bread loaves on the counter.
Arwel looked at the bread in disappointment. Kobe paid the merchant, and they began to leave.
“It’s alright,” Kobe said. “We’ll eat a lot tomorrow at the Solstice.” Kobe noticed Arwel constantly looking over his shoulder “What is the matter?”
“I think I saw the Princess just now,” Arwel responded quietly.
“Are you lying again?”
“No, you imbecile. What other people would walk through a market on a Saturday morning surrounded by royal guards?”
“Good point.”
Arwel stopped and stood tall on a box. “She looks rather beautiful today.”
Kobe joined him on top of the box. “Doesn’t she always?”
All that they could see of the princess was her shining golden hair, which was curled at the bottom and reached past her waist. For a fifteen-year-old, the Princess was very small in size, standing just over five feet tall.
“Arwel,” Kobe articulated quickly. “Arwel!”
“What?” Arwel hastily responded.
“She’s coming, get down.” They jumped off of the box and stood tall. The guards approached them, with the Princess in front.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she said with a bright smile on her face. Her eyes slightly squinted as she did so.
Arwel and Kobe bowed in sync. “Morning, Princess Miku.”
Miku looked at their hands, noticing the extremely small portion of food they were eating. Her face grew with worry. “Oh! Aren’t you two hungry?”
The boys stood in silence, staring into the Princess’s starry blue eyes.
“Come now, I must feed you,” Miku ordered the guards to escort them to Castle Valé.
Arwel was amused by the situation. This is his first time seeing the Princess up close, and she was taking him and Kobe into the Castle. They were both excited and nervous. Arwel had always dreamed of entering Castle Valé, considering that you are only allowed entry if sanctioned by royalty.
Arriving at the Castle, they crossed the bridge through the entrance gates. The gate guards granted Arwel and Kobe entry into the castle.
Miku turned around, raising her hand slightly as an indicator for the guards to pause. “I take it that it’s your first time here?”
Arwel and Kobe nodded in unison.
“I will show you around,” Miku halfway turned around, but stopped herself. “How rude of me! I forgot to ask your names.”
“I am Kobe Okilo,” Kobe said, bowing.
Arwel waited for Kobe to stand up completely. “I’m Arwel Ghongzhou.” He bowed.
“I appreciate your etiquette,” Miku stated. “I’ve brought many people to Castle Valé, and not one of them has shown manners as good as yours.” She gave another bright smile, then turned around, ordering the guards to continue walking.
“The Princess just complimented me...?” Arwel thought. "Her smile... it’s so memorable and beautiful.” He loved everything about the Princess, from her looks to her intelligence. Arwel had attended every optional town speech given by her. He was always bored when the King or Queen gave mandatory town speeches. Miku was much different.
They all entered the royalty-only part of Castle Valé. Immediately, they were presented with a large dining hall. Miku dismissed the guards. “I will now request my parents’ presence. One moment.” She gave a courtesy and walked up the spiral staircase in the dining hall, holding her white and pink dress up so it would not drag on the ground. Within seconds, Arwel and Kobe could hear Miku scream “Mother! Father! I have people with me in need of food!”
Arwel found it kind of funny how she quickly escalated from a kind mood to shouting demands at her parents. “I guess that’s how things go around here,” he thought. “However... I dream of taking her to the Solstice dance. It would make me more than happy, but she would be uncomfortable with the question.”
“What is it, Miku?” Queen Yukina asked as Miku entered the throne room.
“Did you not hear me shout?” Miku asked, looking confused.
“I did,” King Kazu responded, standing up tall. “This is the third time you’ve brought people into Castle Valé. Have you been looking for a Prince?”
“Well, no, but...”
Kazu sighed. “But what?”
“I don’t know. I promise I’ll be on the lookout.”
“Very well. Follow me downstairs, we’ll get some food cooking.”
Miku followed her father down the stairs. Arwel and Kobe were standing in the same spot as when they entered.
“Gentlemen, please have a seat at the table,” Miku said, giving another one of her usual smiles. Arwel and Kobe obeyed and sat down.
Kazu gave Arwel a cold look, then walked into the kitchen.
“What was that?” Arwel thought.
“What’s on your mind, Arwel?” Kobe asked.
“Hmm?” Arwel mumbled.
“You haven’t said anything in three minutes.”
Arwel shrugged. “Nothing.”
Kobe stared at him. “That boy is up to something,” he thought.
