3rd day of the hammer season 2439

It was finally the season of the noble knights, magnificent duels and warriors with a fiery character! It was Azena's favorite time of the year, secretly dreaming of being part of it. She was observing herself in the mirror in the mornings and sighing, dissatisfied with her frail and small physique. Then came the time to dress up and it was a world war every time. Serfie, a fifteen-year-old maidservant, was holding a mauve robe in her arms and threatening her with weary expression.

"Come on... Your mother told me you had to wear it today... I do not want to quarrel with you."

"No! I want to play outside with Gendrel!" the six-year-old girl bellowed.

Gendrel was born a season after Azena's appearance and since then they had been inseparable as if they had been twins. Moreover, the misinformed people still thought that it was the case, but that Azena had been afflicted with some illness or curse in regards to her silver hair. She was often treated as the runt of the family by people who were not relatives as well as her grandfather who had never liked her. The latter had departed permanently a few days ago. Good riddance, but that, Azena could not express it otherwise she was going to be scolded as the first time she had done it.

"It's for your dad's feast," Serfie explained with a smile." He was elected ruler of the kingdom, do you understand? It's important to look good. You have to stay inside today."

Azena blinked, uncertain of what a ruler was, but she knew it was an important role that possessed a lot of power. Power had always been synonymous with wickedness for her. Being young and small, there were only a few people who were less strong than her and when there was not a bigger predator in the area to protect her, they were happy to take out their problems on her. She feared for her father; she hoped he was not going to change.

"Who would want that?" She dared to ask.

"I advise you to not ask such questions during the celebrations," replied the servant in a stern voice. "Now put on your dress."

This garment brought nothing but disgust to the girl who made a grimace. Serfie had to run after her round her room to finally force her to obey. She was kicked in the stomach. Fortunately, Azena was still small; it did not hurt her too much.

"Be good! For your father in this happy event and for your mother who has just lost her baby!"

She slapped her hand onto her own mouth, horrified by her own words. For her part, Azena tried to understand the meaning of this revelation. She thought about it for a moment. Her mother had always refused to explain where babies came from, claiming she was too young to understand.

"How do you lose a baby, Miss Serfie?"

The brunette with the curly mane blushed considerably and put her hands on her hips.

"It is now Mrs, Azena. I'm married," corrected the maid by showing the ring she was wearing on her ring finger." And... I think you should ask your mother again. It's not my place to explain that to you."

"Rooohh.... Fine, Mrs. Serfie," grumbled the girl, disappointed with the answer.

She finally let herself be dressed, growling and grumbling at each passing moment until she was finally released from the grip of the newly wed. The latter examined her from the bottom up mumbling comments for herself.

"I think it's acceptable!" she exclaimed finally. "Don't you think? Look at yourself in the mirror."

Azena complied and what she saw nearly traumatized like every time there was a great occasion at the castle. Tonight was not going to be any different: a competition with Gendrel of who will annoy the maids the fastest and will end up in his room first. She pulled her tongue out and immediately she felt a pair of eyes glare at her.

"You'll be good, won't you?" Serfie insisted. "I tell you again, tonight is extremely important for your father and your mother does not have the energy for your nonsense."

"Gendrel is competitive," complained the long and pale-haired girl.

"It's up to you not to give in to temptation. Do not blame your brother!"

Azena pouted, crossing her arms to try to convince the teenager to give her some freedom, but the brunette did not flinch.

It was a boy's yell coming from the window that caught Serfie's attention. The latter approached and peeked out. Immediately, she huffed in surprise and screamed:

"GENDREL! DO NOT THROW ROCKS! DO NOT WALK IN THE MUD! YOUR BEAUTIFUL PAIRS OF SHOES!"

Azena took advantage of this moment of distraction to slip away. She rushed into the long corridor, took the stairs, and came out of the huge castle by the main door. She intended to join her brother and go play no matter the consequences.

Once there, she noticed that Serfie was still quarreling with the rock shooter. When the servant saw Azena who had already stained the bottom of her dress with mud, her face flushed like a cherry, she growled a word that the girl did not understand and turned back, surely to go to recover the two imps.

Hurry before Serfie arrives! It was time to leave. Azena grabbed her little brother whom she considered as her twin by the hand and ran. She and Gendrel crossed the family's garden, where many vegetables and some fruits grew. It was gigantic, because it was also necessary to feed the servants who lived in the palace. Azena had also been told that a winter reserve was needed and that preservation of food was difficult. Thus, the storage was locked to prevent thieves and children from entering. Our two scoundrels tried to break in, but there was nothing to do, it was impossible to break stone walls. They possessed limited freedom, were young and boredom was their second name.

"Where are we going, Zeezee?" Gendrel questioned.

Zeezee was the affectionate nickname he gave her and that against the will of their father who claimed that it was inappropriate for a lady of noble statue. Azena had to confess that she did not like it very much, but she had gotten used to it to please her brother and to annoy their father.

"We are going away from here," she said cheerfully. "Serfie will never find us again!"

For a moment, she saw a glimmer of uncertainty in Gendrel's face, but it disappeared in an instant.

"We will be reprimanded, but I will follow you!"

The girl adored her brother for that: he never disappointed her. He was always ready for a new adventure.

"That is the spirit I cherish!" she exclaimed.

They were not allowed to go out without an escort, being far too young and of the family of the ruling lord. Apparently, it was too dangerous, but Azena trusted the citizens of Nothar. They were always polite and kind to her family when they met them. What could go wrong?

Along the fence that separated the enclosure of the castle and the city, they turned a corner and found themselves at the entrance gate. There was a soldier equipped with a spear and a chain armor. Azena identified him despite the helmet that concealed the vast majority of his face. Besides, it was almost always he who was posted there.

"Let us pass, Kardun!" she bellowed with confidence.

"Huh?!?" said the soldier, caught off guard by the two kids who had just passed between his legs. "Wait a moment!"

But Azena did not foresee that the gate would be closed and she was quickly forced to stop. She ignored the adult and began, with the help of Gendrel, to examine the mechanism to open this gigantic door.

"No way!" Kardun growled, gripping the two children by the collar. "Return to play in the yard otherwise, I will have to inform your father of this."

He gave them a flick as punishment, released them and gave them a push on the back.

"Come on! Run along!"

Azena, pursed lips, obeyed turning her head towards the buildings beyond the gate. She promised herself to go explore these new horizons by herself soon. Disappointed that she had not been able to taste true freedom, she dragged her feet to the park where they usually played. The latter was on the opposite side of the garden castle so they had a little time before Serfie found them.

"We will have to formulate a plan," grumbled the silver-haired child.

"A plan for what?" questioned a male voice that came from behind her and Gendrel.

It was Serus, the eldest son and darling favorite of their father. Whatever he did, he was rarely blamed and even less often punished. Their father said he possessed the potential to become the next ruling lord which made him special and priority over his brothers and sisters. At least, it was the implication that Azena had understood and for that, she did not grant him her complete confidence.

"It is not your business," she said calmly.

"Oh, but it is," retorted the nine-year-old boy.

The authoritarian tone he used irritated Azena and she felt her patience dissipate quickly. Serus was a head taller than her and he was the spitting portrait of their father: thick ebony hair and a moderately sturdy physique. Only the color of their eyes differed. If he wanted to, he could easily give her a beating. Despite this risk, she did not let herself be taken down.

"Tell me, " he ordered curtly.

A brief moment passed without any activity.

"Gendrel will tell me, right?" continued the predator, who had now turned his attention to easier prey.

"Ah... I-I ..," stammered the younger brother.

"He will not tell you anything!" roared Azena who could not stand this mental torture anymore. "Stop! Why do you always have to meddle with everything?"

"You'll regret it," hissed Serus, clenching his fists. "If another word comes out of your mouth, I'll hit you."

"Do it, you idiot! How are you going to explain my injuries to Father?"

Serus face twisted under the effects of rage. He clenched his teeth and seemed to be thinking of a reply. His silence gave Azena hope that she and Gendrel would escape intact. In addition, Serfie had just arrived, but the spiteful loser had not yet seen her.

Once her sense of security was established, the girl felt a broad smile growing on her face. She shrugged and giggled.

"You think you are funny, right?" retorted Serus in an explosive tone. "Well, I am going to prove to you that I am the master here and that you are nothing. You're dirty blooded."

"Dirty blooded?" Azena questioned who did not understand the term.

"You do not understand. Who is the idiot now? I'll explain it to you."

"NO, SERUS!" yelled Serfie, completely panic-stricken.

"You are adopted!" The blue-eyed boy shouted loudly so everyone could hear him easily. "Besides, it was me and mother who were the first to defend you when you were only an abandoned thing, a nameless person, a lost being! You have no blood relationship with us!"

"W-wh-what?" stammered Azena in a trembling voice.

This time she had definitely lost the battle. She did not know what to say, her thoughts were disordered and she felt her stomach twist under stress.

"Yes!" continued Serus sadistically. "What –"

Serfie must have seen the girl's distress, for she darted toward the boy and pressed her hand to his mouth forcefully, preventing him from articulating his words. But it was already too late for Azena. Her little heart was broken.

"Go see your father and explain what you have done," ordered the blonde releasing his interlocutor. "I shall go with you to make sure you tell the truth."

"I am fine with it," said Serus poisonously.

Azena had never seen him so aggressive. It was like he had been possessed, him who was normally a little arrogant, but always happy.

"Do you want to steal cookies from the kitchen?" Gendrel suggested, whispering in her ear. "We could scare the cook at the same time."

Despite the shock, his sister wiped her tears and willingly agreed. It was one of his favorite activities since the cook was so nervous and his reactions were always so extravagant.

"Thank you, Gendrel."