Aleydis shoved her hands deeper into her pockets, shivering slightly in the brisk air. The arena for knighthood testing and ceremonies was huge and open to the sky. Although the grey sky seemed to be threatening snow, the court mage had promised that there wouldn't be any until the next day. It was the reason that they had settled on today for the test and not on the actual day of Yule as was tradition.

There were large braziers scattered around the arena, burning brightly, but the wind was making it hard for them to warm the air further than a few feet away. It was fine though, a few more layers and she was perfectly fine, other than the tip of her nose that was turning bright red. Thankfully, there would be hot, spiced cider available once the tests actually began, so that would help fight against the cold.

Looking at the half-dozen knight candidates, she figured that they probably were grateful for the colder weather. They would be sparring with veteran knights in order to prove that their skills were on the level necessary to become a full knight of Colbini, so they'd quickly work up a sweat. One of the main reasons that they held the tests and ceremonies at Midwinter instead of Midsummer was so that the candidates and knights wouldn't overheat in their armor and pass out, thus rendering them unable to continue.

It had been Kadin who had explained all of this to her as they'd made their way to the testing site, Alrik and their father too busy discussing something in low voices far enough back from the rest of them that she couldn't overhear what they were discussing. She was a bit miffed that they felt it necessary to conceal something from her but figured that she would learn about it later, if need be, by pestering Alrik until he gave in.

He should be simply focusing on the test and enjoying himself, not burdened with the running of the country and the council on days like today. If she found out that the Council or Elders were trying to interfere on this occasion, she would have something very unflattering to say about them and she would also start putting together plans to deal with them. She had only been able to research a little bit over the summer because everyone wanted to spend time with her while she was on break.

Not only that, but her family had decided to spend the summer touring various parts of Colbini to get a feel for how the country was doing instead of just relying on reports. It had been fun to travel and to meet all the different people. But it still meant that they'd spent very little time at the castle and the royal library, where all the records about past councils were located.

She moved researching the councils and what powers they had up higher on her mental priority list. Next summer, she would not step foot outside of the library until she had learned every possible thing she could about them. She had the feeling that this iteration of the council was overstepping their duties and privileges by quite a lot. But until she could do the research, all she had were her suspicions. But with how increasingly tired and worn her family looked every time she came home, she wasn't going to leave anything to chance.

Someone cleared their throat quietly next to her and she startled slightly, having become lost entirely in her thoughts. Looking over, she found Uncle Edric standing there, his arms held open expectantly.

With a happy squeal, she jumped up and hugged him tightly, laughing when he hugged her back and lifted her off her feet for several seconds. "Uncle! I didn't think I'd see you here. Alrik said that you've been busy with some research lately and haven't even come out for food or rest."

He laughed, setting her down and gently ruffling her hair. "It's fascinating research, I shall try to do better in the future, little one, if only to keep you from scowling at me so. Research is one thing but family is entirely another. I would not miss this for the world. After all, it's not often that the future king also becomes a knight. It's a great honor and I'm excited to witness his skills firsthand."

She smiled warmly up at him. "Only a dozen of the kings of Colbini have been knights and that's including Father. Alrik shall make the thirteenth one. It is said that the reigns of kings who were knights were the most peaceful and prosperous of all of Colbini's history."

Edric looked thoughtful, moving over and taking the seat beside her. "Hmm, really? I shall have to look further into that, a fascinating parallel if that's true."

She sat down again, flushing a little bit at her unladylike behavior. Still, most of the attention should've been on the candidates, so her little faux pas should've passed unnoticed. She glanced over at her parents, only to find her mother smiling knowingly at her. Whoops. Oh well, since she hadn't said anything, it should be fine.

After a long minute, her uncle shook himself lightly, as if tucking his thoughts away. He turned to her and smiled, "So, tell me, besides your brother, who do you think will do the best on this test? Do you think they will all pass or do you think none of them will?"

Turning her attention to where the candidates were grouped loosely together, she studied them seriously for a minute before answering. After all, the criteria to be a knight of Colbini were quite rigorous. It was not a question to be taken lightly.

X

Kadin hid a smirk as he watched Alrik try to appear calm and composed even as his eyes were bright with anticipation for the knighthood trial. He was shifting slightly from foot to foot and although it would be a nearly invisible tell to everyone else, to Kadin, it was like he was shouting his nerves to the world.

After Alrik stole another (not) discreet look at the stands where his family was sitting and watching, Kadin decided that it was time for him to intervene before he wore himself out with worrying before the tests could even start. Nudging the prince in the ribs just hard enough to get his attention, he muttered quietly enough that the other candidates wouldn't overhear, "You know, you brought this on yourself."

Alrik narrowed his eyes at him and kicked at his ankle, which Kadin easily evaded. He hissed, "What do you mean?"

Kadin shrugged, looking idly at the rest of the crowds gathered in the seats circling the arena. It was a good turnout but that wasn't really surprising, considering that it was the crown prince who was testing for his knighthood today. "You could've delayed this until the summer or even a year after that like you originally planned. After all..."

He shuffled a little bit closer and lowered his voice even further. "Aren't you the one that said they didn't want the council to know how skilled you truly were? But no, one small letter from your sister and suddenly you're pretty much demanding that you test this winter. It's a good thing that the Commander understands your personality and plans, any other one would've denied you out of sheer stubbornness and contrariness."

Alrik shot a glance at where the Commander was speaking with the assembled Captains, a corner of his lip curling up briefly before he managed to compose his expression. "You're right. Still, you know that all of us would've hated to have disappointed Aleydis. Especially since she was willing to take the portal to come here and we all know how sick that makes her."

Kadin had had to miss the princess's arrival, family duties occupying the time when she had been scheduled to come. Concern filled him and he glanced over at her, studying her closely, but she appeared to be healthy and in good spirits, even with how pink her cheeks and nose were from the crisp air. "Is she all right?"

Alrik shrugged, scowling at the ground for a long moment. "It wasn't as bad as it usually is, which isn't saying much. I didn't want her to come since we know how awful she feels after portal travel, but she swore up and down that the academy had found a way to get rid of most of the side effects of portal travel."

Kadin was familiar with this, Alrik having spoken about this multiple times since he'd first received his sister's letter asking to come for the testing. Still, he had trusted her to be truthful to her beloved brother. Had she lied to him just so that she could come home? Was she miserable at the academy and would do anything to come home? She had seemed happy enough over the summer but if she was lying to Alrik now, then he would have to write her discreetly and see if he could discern her true feelings.

"I guess that wasn't true?"

Alrik sighed, looking over at her and watching her for a moment, smiling and waving back when she sent him a small wave. "Well, it wasn't nearly as bad as it was in the past. The last time she traveled by portal, she was confined to her bed for three days with a migraine. This time, she just threw up violently for several minutes. It was a minor miracle that she was able to stand afterward. The person who accompanied her was useless as well. He just stood by while she threw up and then commented on the color of it. He didn't offer her anything to rinse her mouth or even a handkerchief. And then he badgered both her and the royal physician until it was time for him to return to the academy. I hope he isn't the one they send to fetch her back or I may lose my temper."

Noting that the Commander seemed to be finishing up his briefing, Kadin said hurriedly, "Just let me know when she's leaving and I'll be there in case he is the one who shows up. Much fewer chances of a diplomatic incident if I'm the one to punch him versus the Crown Prince of Colbini. Now, get your head into the game, because the Commander is wrapping things up and you don't want to embarrass yourself in front of the princess, do you?"

Alrik looked like he wanted to tackle him but a sharp whistle distracted both of them.

Time to get this test started.