*****
The clang of swords rang out throughout the courtyard of the palace on Lunspae a few days after the festival was over. The festival had lasted a week, and Orion stayed out with his brothers each day, but now that it was over, they returned to their usual schedule. Orion was learning to master sword fighting with his two brothers instructing him.
“Dodge, parry!” Rick called out as Orion and Joshua battled, “that’s it, Orion! You’re really getting the hang of this. Thrust, parry!” A little slip and a dull smack of cold steel hitting Orion’s breastplate told them all that it was break time. “That was a good try, Orion.”
“Thanks, Ricky.”
“Why are you calling me ‘Ricky’ all of a sudden? My name is Rick.”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, don’t. I don’t like it, Orion.”
“Okay, Ricky.”
“I said, don’t call me ‘Ricky!’”
“Whatever you say, Ricky.” Orion smiled. Rick sighed and dropped the subject, realizing that he couldn’t out-argue Orion, and went to get water for the three of them.
“So what happened to our father?” Joshua asked, slumping down on a concrete bench and wiping the sweat off his brow.
“Well, what else?” Orion was still upset when it came to his father. “Once the doctor healed him, I took him to the dock, gave him a ship, and sent him back to Olhoe. I warned him that if he ever returned, I’d keep him in the dungeon until he rots.” Joshua looked at Orion with contempt, but it changed to fear quickly when he seen the anger creeping into Orion’s eyes. Just then, Rick trotted up to them.
“Here ya go,” Rick said, handing out the water bottles. He took a long swig, but Orion, wanting to get the best of his brother, squirted Joshua, hitting him in the face.
“Hey!” Joshua yelled in surprise. Rick snorted in laughter, but, his mouth being full, water ended up spraying out of his nose. He sputtered and coughed, and squirted Orion with his bottle. Instead of relaxing, the three boys started a water battle, each squirting the others, and getting soaked in the process. Soon, they had run out of water.
“Orion, how’s that pyrophobia of yours coming?” Rick asked as he settled down on the grass under a tree, wishing that he had saved some water to drink.
“Okay, I guess.” Orion joined him, leaning against the tree. Joshua hung on a low branch and started to swing. “I can make a small fire on my hand and candles don’t bother me much anymore, but-” he paused, slightly embarrassed, “I still can’t stand larger fires.”
“Then let’s work on that now,” Rick suggested, “You’re not taking over Lunspae if you can’t handle fire.”
“Ricky-,” Orion began sympathetically but Rick held up his hand for silence.
“Don’t worry about it, bro. I’ve thought about it, and mother’s right. Unless the kingdoms become joined under one king, war might surface again down the line. One of us has to be that king. Now then, let’s see you make a fire.” The three of them stayed out, conjuring fires and turning them colors until late.