Raised in Bamarre castle, I grew up knowing that my mother was a heroine of legend, just like the legendary hero Drault she often depicted in her embroidery. It wasn't easy being the daughter of the heroine who cured Bamarre of the Gray Death, nor was it easy being a child of human/sorcerer union. My father was the apprenticing sorcerer at the castle when he married the heir to the Bamarrian throne. There weren't many living children of such unions and I had known no other than my brothers growing up.

Our parents had three children; Darius and I were twins and we had a younger brother, Leonidas, born after our grandfather, King Lionel, had died.

If Darius wasn't handling a sword, he was brandishing a lance. He mastered any weapon he could get his hands on, claiming that one day he would be a hero of legend and that it was best to be prepared for any situation. I envied him. He received most of our father's gifts, my favorite being the ability to fly. I couldn't fly if my life depending on it. He could also do some magic but he hadn't practiced since we were small. What bothered me most was that Darius didn't even utilize his abilities. Instead, he preferred to march along with the troops instead of flying above them.

I inherited some of our mother's gifts. I enjoyed the arts, sketching and painting. I feared spiders as she did—as long as I stayed in the castle I didn't have to worry about them since my father kept them away. I was tall for my age, as I have been told my mother was as well, but that could've been attributed to my sorcerer blood as well. I often longed to have more sorcerer attributes than human ones. Father never required sleep, thus he could accomplish many things during the hours humans slept. I was grateful that I only required a minimum of three hours of rest. Father could cast spells where I could not. I spent plenty time learning every ointment, poultice or potion contained in the castle books. Mother often told me that I was a natural healer. I knew it was because I studied hard enough.

About four years ago, a war broke out against the monsters at our borders. Something had driven them mad—to attack each other—and the war had spilled over into the Kingdom of Bamarre. The attacks on the surrounding villages were increasing. My mother, Queen Adelina, was doing the best she could to protect her people and their homes, sending troops out to defend our borders against the gryphons, ogres, and specters.

I had begged mother to send me to one of the villages that had suffered so that I might put my knowledge of healing to use, instead of contending with scores of my brother's lovers and their ailments.

I examined a vial in front of me. The color was unchanged.

"I regret to inform you that you are not pregnant, Lady Elide. However, I hope you would consider thinking twice before you let my brother into your bed again."

"Thank you, Your Highness." The lady curtsied to me and I followed suit. Once she was gone, I got rid of the contents of the vial.

I heard the commotion of steel on steel from the window outside my chambers and dared to take a look. Upon seeing my brother trading blows with five other soldiers, I rolled my eyes. Show off. I returned to my work, restocking the various ointments and poultices I had used.

Without looking, I could tell when Darius had emerged the victor. The sound of sword clanking against sword had stopped and I could hear the groans of the battered and defeated men below.

I was the only person that could match him with a sword. I knew every move and trick he could make. But I stopped swordplay years ago and from what I could tell, no one has matched him since.

"Any other takers?" I heard my brother bellow from the ground below.

Silence was deafening.

Then I heard the familiar sound. It seemed my brother found another opponent. I continued with my work. Surely the match would be over soon enough.

I was surprised when it continued, intrigued enough that I looked out the window again. Only a few stories above, I could see the sweat on Darius' clothes. My gaze slid to his opponent. He was taller than Darius by several inches. He had dark cropped hair. I couldn't see his face.

Curiosity got the better of me and I found myself abandoning my workroom and my chambers to see the match up close.

"Princess Mariana," the battered soldiers uttered as they bowed and gave way for me to take my place around the ring.

I smiled when I saw the deep line between my brother's brows.

"How long has this been going on?" I asked to no one in particular.

"It's been fifteen minutes, princess."

"Interesting." I called out to my brother, "It's been a long time since you've found your match."

Darius met my gaze. "Mary!"

The distraction was enough to allow his opponent to sweep his legs from beneath him. I looked away briefly as Darius landed hard on his back. His opponent held the point of his blade at Darius' throat. The surrounding men clapped.

I came up behind my brother's opponent.

"Mary," said Darius, "You did that on purpose."

His opponent stiffened at my name and then sheathed his sword at his belt.

"I couldn't help it. It's been so long since someone has beaten you, I think your ego needed it."

Darius' opponent reached out to him, helping him from the ground.

"I don't consider it a defeat," he said, brushing off his trousers.

Ignoring my brother, I said "And who might the champion be?"

He turned to me, suddenly. His eyes were blue like Huan Ocean. He looked to be the same age as me and Darius. And he was dashing. I knew my brother to be handsome but the young man was beautifully sculpted. His bone structure made my fingers itch with the sudden need to immortalize his image on paper.

"Your Highnesses," he said, bowing to me then to Darius.

"Are you new to the army?" asked Darius.

"I'm not in the army."

"Are you noble born then? You certainly fight like one."

He shook his head.

"What is your name?" I asked, recovering.

"Robert. I'm sorry but I must be going." Turning to Darius, he said, "It was a good match. Thank you."

Before either of us could protest he had bowed quickly and disappeared.

"Peculiar," said Darius.

"Very."