Roderick looked out over the hills of Winsdell atop his horse. He breathed in the fresh morning air and looked over to his right to see his High Captain on her own pure black horse staring into the distance. Roderick watched her for a moment, wondering what she was thinking.

Dracia Yates was not always an easy person to read. Roderick had learned that quickly when they attended the Disciplines together. He wasn’t sure why. She wasn’t quiet or shy. She spoke her mind with the ease of someone born to power, and taught by the best tutors in the kingdom. She was never unkind or even unfriendly. When he first met her, Roderick liked her instantly.

He had known her a little, of course, from court events, but they were so distant in terms of power and wealth, that Roderick had never talked to her much. Every time he had seen her at court events, she was always in the company of the Crown Prince or the princess. Roderick knew as much about her at that point as most of those in the lower court. She was witty. She was brilliant. She was beautiful, and she was cold as ice.

As Roderick got to know her, he agreed with the first three immediately. It was obvious why she was higher ranked going into the Disciplines than any other novice. Her use of Mystics was beyond Roderick had ever seen. She was as skilled of a horseman or horsewoman that could be found. She was quick, skilled with a sword and knife throwing, and she was probably the smartest person Roderick had ever met besides his little brother.

She was not cold, not once you got to know her. She did come off as above it all sometimes, but Roderick thought that was just the shield she put around her. She had insecurities she didn’t want most people to know about. Her mother never did approve of her, and it hurt Dracia deeply. She was walking into a mostly man’s world, and she was a young, beautiful woman. She had to appear tough and aloof at times. Above all, Dracia had a secret she needed to hide from almost everyone.

Roderick knew her secret. He learned of it long before she was the High Captain. He and Dracia grew close as they worked their way up to Elites. For some reason, she had picked him as her constant companion during the Disciplines. Roderick didn’t complain. She was helpful to him.

He knew he only rose as high as he did because of Dracia’s help during the Disciplines. She helped Roderick improve his Mystics and his swordsmanship. She helped her learn how to talk to the right people. She helped him develop his charm and his ease. He owed her much and he knew it.

It was because of his close relationship with Dracia that he learned her secret early on. The Crown Prince had come to train in the Disciplines the same year as Roderick and Dracia. It was not unusual. The princes of Cassendar usually spent a season or two with the Sentinel when they were young. It helped them build rapport with their Sentinel.

Roderick noticed that the prince watched Dracia at all times. They also seemed to be careful not to show each other too much attention. A few friendly chats could be expected. They did grow up close together after all, but Roderick could sense something between them. He doubt anyone else did. Roderick had always been good at observing people. He was good at reading moods, and he knew there was more than meets the eye to Dracia and the prince’s relationship.

It wasn’t revealed all to Roderick until Roderick noticed the prince started watching Roderick as well. He was never unkind to Roderick, but his eyes followed Roderick closely especially when Roderick was by Dracia’s side. One day they were split up in pairs for sparing with swords. Roderick was paired with the prince.

******

They started in the usual way, going through the stances and strikes they were taught.

“You are Roderick Ellis, aren’t you?” asked the Prince as they struck swords. “The second son of the late Lord Ellis of Low Hill, correct?”

“Yes, your highness,” said Roderick as he turned and stuck, hitting the prince’s sword.

The prince smiled. “You know you can call me Leal out here. We are supposed to be equal.”

“I suppose we are, but that doesn’t make it so. You are still the Crown Prince and I am still the second son of a lower lord. Our matching training outfits and rough sparring swords won’t change it.”

“Very true,” said the prince as he advanced on Roderick as they moved to a more freestyle part of their sparing. Roderick blocked his move, and the prince retreated for a moment.

“Where else but here in the Disciplines would someone of your rank even presume to start a friendship with Dracia Yates,” continued Leal as he circled Roderick.

Roderick narrowed his eyes slightly and advanced on the prince. The prince block his attack and turned, holding his sword at his side for a moment. He studied Roderick before advancing again.

“I feel very fortunate to have meet Dracia,” said Roderick. “She has been a good friend to me, and very helpful in the Disciplines.”

“She seems to enjoy your company as well,” said the prince as he plunged his sword at Roderick. Roderick blocked and sliced his sword at the prince who dunked and retreated.

They both stood apart, breathing heavily, and looked at each other for a moment before they started circling again.

“What do you two do when you are together? I mean after Disciplines are done for the day,” asked the prince as he circled Roderick.

“We study. She helps me with my Mystics and swordsmanship. We go out to the local tavern with the other novices and have a drink. Things that most real novices do.”

The prince narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly. “And after these nights of drinking and merriment, do you walk her home like a proper son of a lord?” asked the prince before he lunged at Roderick quickly. Roderick barely had time to raise his sword, but he did block the prince’s move. He walked back quickly to regain his footing.

Roderick looked at the prince and said, “You seem like you are going somewhere with this conversation, so I wish you would just get to it. Say what you want to say, your highness.”

Roderick moved forward and made several moves towards the prince. The prince blocked each one and then turned away from Roderick. When he turned back, he moved towards Roderick, striking hard. Roderick moved back while blocking

“Dracia Yates is the daughter of the highest lord of this land. She may be here for the time being, but one day she will move on. She is too good, too beautiful, and too brilliant to waste her life here at the Sentinel. You should remember it.”

Roderick struck back at the prince. “She has chosen to train to become an Elite. She has told me she wants nothing more. I am guessing she knows her own mind, better than you.”

The prince smiled rather nastily at Roderick. He suddenly moved swiftly. He thrust his sword at Roderick, and Roderick was barely able to block it before the prince struck again and again. He moved his sword up and disarmed Roderick, pushing Roderick on the ground with his shoulder. He stood over Roderick with his sword paced by his throat.

“I yield,” said Roderick looking up at the prince.

The prince bent down very close to Roderick. Roderick looked into the prince’s eyes to see them a bright green.

“You should remember you place, Roderick Ellis,” he said quietly. “Whatever you think you have with Dracia, you would best end it now, for your own sake.”

Roderick looked up at the prince and almost said what he was thinking which wouldn’t have been a good idea when they both heard a loud sigh. They turned to see Dracia staring at both of them. Roderick studied the prince as he stared at Dracia. She turned and walked away quickly towards the Fortress.

“Damn,” said the prince.

Roderick could see his eyes were back to their normal hazel. The prince turned without a second thought to Roderick and walked quickly towards where Dracia had fled. Roderick knew right away what was going on. The prince had stuck out at Roderick as only a man possessed with jealousy could. He had had looked at Dracia as though she held his very heart in her hands.

******