I stand proudly before Lady Nova, waiting for her response. Her emerald green eyes shine and glimmer as she studies me. A smile forms on her lips as she places a finger on her cheek in glee and uses the other to touch my armor on my shoulder. The smile swiftly fades into what looks to be deep thoughts flooding her mind as she slides her gaze up to mine.

She takes a step back and returns my bow with her own lady-like curtsy, holding the sides of her dress up slightly and looks back at me. I raise up from my bow and clutch my father's lance tightly in my hand. The Princess watches me store it on my back in the built in lance harness specially made for P Knights. She watches me struggle to hold it properly without stumbling as I finally store it on my back.

She raises up from her curtsy and smiles sweetly at me, "Now to the wall of lances for you to receive your lance, my young Knight,"

She ignores my expression and leads me back into the main part of the armory. More Knights appear around me as we enter, each one examining a piece of weaponry. There is a chart on the wall explaining the different types and I find my eyes falling onto the one near the bottom.

A Rank Lance. Silver. Weight: High.

The image looks strikingly similar to the one on my back. When I force my gaze away, I notice some of the other Knights looking at me curiously. I nod a bit towards them and continue awkwardly behind the Princess as I realize I have fallen behind. Every Knight we pass gives a bow to the Princess and she responds respectfully to each, giving each one an encouraging smile.

She stops in front of the large wall of lances and I study them. The left ones look of bronze and are shorter. As I slide my gaze down to the right, they change in length and in color. The ones on the end are of silver and look quite heavy.

My gaze reaches the Princess and she waits patiently for me to give my attention to her instruction. I realize I have been zoning out and awkwardly approach the Princess, "Oh, s--sorry Princess,"

She giggles a bit at me and shakes her head no, her hair sparkling as it falls around her shoulders. She motions towards the smaller bronze colored lances and steps aside a bit, "Pick one of these, young Knight,"

I look up at them quickly and back to her. I hesitate a bit and she lowers her hand, "Go on,"

I slowly approach the wall of weapons and slowly look between the selection. Near the top, it is labeled "E Rank Lance". I do as I am told and raise my hand up to them, running my hand along each of them, deciding which one to chose.

Perhaps my father's lance is too much for me to use.

My hand falls on the lance in the middle, the blade shaped similarly to my father's, curved to one side. I wrap my fingers around the long hilt and pull it from the wall. I place it into both of my hands and it is the lightest lance I have ever felt, although, my father's lance is the only other one I remember holding.

"I thought you would like that one,"

I turn to face the Princess and she smiles at me, "This is now your lance. You must keep it on you at all times. In your room, you have an armor display and a lance display. Place them there when you are retired for the night,"

I nod, clutching the lance tightly. My mind keeps drifting to my heavy father's lance on my back, constantly reminding me it is there and the thoughts connected to the blade of silver.

"When you report to training duty starting tomorrow morning, you must arrive on time to your trainer wearing your armor and your lance on your back,"

I nod once again, "Of course, Princess,"

She smiles at my responses and approves them, "Report to me when I next summon you to receive your Pegasus,"

She giggles at my sudden change of expression, "Did you forget? A Pegasus Knight must have a Pegasus!"

I smile and laugh at my silly response and nod to her, "No, I did not forget, Princess,"

She gives another small curtsy, "Good. Now I will take my leave. I have business to attend to. You are now free for the rest of the day,"

She glides elegantly past me and stops next to me for a moment, "Store that lance of yours on your back in your room before you walk around, young Knight and wear your bronze one,"

I nod, "Understood,"

She gives me one last smile before gliding out of the armory and out of sight. Suddenly I am alone surrounded by other Knights in the large Castle, starting a new part of my life I never expected. I suddenly feel overwhelmed with thoughts that I lower my head and head back to my room without looking up at anyone.

How am I supposed to do this. I don't know what I am doing, Lady Nova.

~~~

I close the door behind me silently and look nervously around the hallway. Knights walk past me, some in a hurry and other casually chatting with other Knights.

"So, Lady Nova announced we cannot enter the C Knight wing. The Prince is preparing them for departure tomorrow morning. And I was looking forward to seeing him again,"

I turn to walk away as the conversations of passing Knights reach my ears and fade away just as swiftly as they came.

"Rhea Soldiers are marching through our borders right now... I'm so nervous,"

"I hope we stay here, I am scared to leave the Castle,"

I turn a corner and find myself darting my eyes around, searching, hoping to find a glimpse of them. I remember the Castle is a large square and if I keep walking down this hall, it will take me to the C Knight wing. Maybe I can sneak a peek inside.

Please be here.

The evening sky fills the Castle with deep blues and purples as the air cools drastically. Winter has just begun and everything I knew is gone. This is my new home. My new life. Nothing is like what it was before.

Less and less P Knights are around the closer I get to the C Knight wing. Not a single C Knight is around. I guess Lady Nova did say the Prince is preparing them for departure tomorrow morning.

I still have to check. I have to see.

As I approach the intersection to both wings, butterflies fill my stomach.

"A Pegasus Knight should not be here,"

I stop to the sudden voice filling the hallway. The Prince appears from the main C Knight hall and approaches me. I look his way and stumble a bit trying to bow, "S--sorry, my Prince,"

"Surely my sister informed you of the current order,"

I look up to meet his gaze and find his on mine, emotionless, "P Knights must not enter my wing without permission,"

"My apologies, my Lord," I raise from my bow to face him with respect, trying to stand how I saw the other Knights do while in the presence of the Prince.

His gaze softens a tad, "You should return back to the Princess, Katarina,"

His sudden change in expression relieves me and I calm down, "She finished with me for today and gave me the rest of the day for myself,"

The Prince studied me, "Ah, I see you are now fully equipped, a proper dressed Pegasus Knight now,"

I nod. He smiles slightly. He notices something and his smile changes to curiosity, "What brings you here then?"

"I know I am not supposed to be here, my Lord, but I was hoping to see if my friends are here too,"

His gaze stays fixed on mine as he listens to me, "Lady Nova could not answer my questions and suggested I speak to you,"

He nods slowly, "I see,"

He turns partially away, but his eyes stay on mine, "Come, let us speak in my quarters,"

I bow slightly in response, "Of course,"

I follow him down the side hall of the C Knight wing and he leads me to a secluded room, the Prince's quarters. It is located mirrored to Lady Nova's quarters on the opposite side of the Castle in the P Knight wing.

I follow him inside and he motions for me to stand by him at his window to view the empty courtyard below. Across the courtyard, I can see the window to Lady Nova's quarters, dim lights shining from within behind draped curtains.

"I am sorry to hear about your home, my dear. I do hope you find what you seek,"

His gaze stays fixated out the window.

"Please, I was hoping I would find my friends here, Prince Vega. They left me and my village before we were attacked and they did not tell me where they were going,"

He stays silent.

"Their names are Cain and Abel,"

He stays silent for another moment, "I see. I am sorry, my dear, but I do not have any Knights with those names,"

He turns to me as my face falls to the news. If they are not here, then where?

He studies my fallen face for a moment, "I am sure in due time you will meet them again. But for now, you must follow Princess Nova,"

I nod and try to hold back the sadness within me, "Of course, my Lord,"

He turns back to the window. The sky as grown darker and deep purple clouds approach from the horizon, "Do you know why I declared the current order, my dear?"

I nod my head slightly, "Yes," I say quietly.

"Your desire to find your friends is strong. I am quite sure you will meet them again,"

His kind words do not help me feel any better.

"War is approaching, Katarina," I can hear the concern is his voice, "My Knights must focus on the task at hand. I need them at their best... so we may bring peace to our land,"

He turns to me, "And the Princess needs you at yours. She needs you to focus on your training. Will you do that for me?"

I slide my gaze out the window and study the empty courtyard. It's silent and peaceful. But every morning it is lively and fierce, as many Knights train for strength and courage. It is the place where my hopes and dreams will become true.

I stand tall as determination rises from within me and I give a stern nod without moving my gaze, "I promise, my Lord,"