I would like to start by thanking vic_draws_better for making the art cover of this novel! (Go read his stuff :))

This novel will include matters such as violence, and takes place in the medieval times where people who were homosexual were often killed. 

Chapter 1:

(Earl’s POV)

“Stand in line, stand straight! You had better all be looking your best! You have two minutes!”

Already standing in his designated spot on the quickly forming line-up, Earl was eager to see the hand of the princess who he would be fighting for. He had volunteered for this, snatching up the opportunity as soon as the messenger had arrived on his pretty black horse with the request for the best knights to fight for the hand of the princess. Who would ever deny such a good opportunity? It would possibly be the only chance he would get to marry, and with a princess no less.

As the line of knights formed around him, Earl looked around to get a look at his competition. On his left side was a man from his own kingdom, one that he had been friends with for a while. Because they’d known each other from childhood, Earl knew that he wouldn’t be competition. The man on his right, however, was from the kingdom which had been rivalling his own for as long as the kingdoms had been standing. He was a smaller man, and looked extremely displeased, but even a quick look at his body could tell Earl that he wasn’t going to be much competition either.

With a smug smile, Earl looked forward. If the two knights either side of him was at all a representation of the knights that were sent from other kingdoms, Earl had a great chance of winning the princess’ hand.

***

As soon as the message had come to Earl’s kingdom that there was an opportunity for the best knights to fight for the princess’ hand in marriage, Earl was one of the first to volunteer. Him, along with six of his closest friends, was chosen to make the four day travel by horse to the rich kingdom where the Princess was waiting with tournaments and tests a-plenty. The seven men were trained, hardened, and ready to compete for her hand, and Earl was determined to win.

Each of the knights had lined up and were waiting for the introductory speeches to start, so Earl took the chance to look at the man to his right again. He was a few centimetres shorter than him, with the soft looking skin of a person at least a few years younger than Earl himself. Clearly he had been in battle before, judging by the scar under his left eye. Still, he looked a lot weaker than Earl, and if the boy had any chance of winning over Earl, it would be because of that soft-skinned youth.

(Thomas’ POV)

Thomas knew he was the odd one out. He did not volunteer for this, nor did he want to be here. He was chosen by some of the older and more experienced knights because he was young and supple, perfect to be a husband to a Princess that was around his age.

When the message came to his kingdom that some knights were to be chosen to fight for the princess’ hand in marriage, Thomas fully expected that he would not be chosen. He had never been interested in marriage, or fighting for someone other than those in his own kingdom. He had stayed back and hidden, but apparently someone else had different thoughts. He was told that he would be the one to go. Not in a group. Alone. The only one from his kingdom, the worst luck imaginable.

He had begrudgingly made the four day journey completely alone, and he knew absolutely no one here. The men in the line-up with him were all hardened warriors, and they were clearly setting their targets on Thomas. He could feel it in the hairs in the back of his neck, which were standing on end. Especially when the man to his left was staring at him. He resisted the urges to both stare back at him with a death stare and to tell him to stop staring. He really didn’t want to start a fight that he couldn’t win.

Thomas did not care for the upcoming challenges. His plan was to let himself get beaten down and to let the big men who actually wanted this opportunity fight amongst themselves. It was a foolproof plan, and was likely what the others wanted too. He kept himself looking forward, and when the royal family came to give their speeches, he stayed looking up at them and listening to their words.

They would be made to do tests such as jousting, horse riding, general fitness, sparring, swordfights, archery and many more, but none of these would be started today. Today was simply for tours of their living quarters and general introductions. This made Thomas relieved. He didn’t want to fight and compete the day he arrived after a lonely four-day travel.

After the speeches, the knights were all told to follow some of the local kingdom’s knights as they toured them around the castle. They were taken to the great hall, the bars, the brothels, the weak little river they were to bathe in, and finally the barracks where they would sleep.

“We would suggest that you rest, but if you want to join the party, we’ll be at the bar from now on. Food will be served in two hours.”

With that, their tour guides left the knights alone to get dressed down into more comfortable clothes.