Chapter 1 – The Seed and the Steel

  In the green hills of eastern Elarion, where the winds sweep through golden fields and the mountains rise like ancient walls, lies my home: the Duchy of Verdelume. A land of tradition and honor, upheld by centuries of bravery and now under my responsibility. I am Petrus Valemar, duke at twenty-one. Warrior by blood, noble by right — and perhaps, something more.

  Elarion is a fragile kingdom, held together by alliances as sharp as blades. Ruled by an aging king and surrounded by greedy advisors, the throne of édros teeters on a quiet battlefield of tension. To the north, the dwarves trade in iron and silence. To the south, the elves keep their forests sealed. And to the west, rumors grow with each month — of demons and beast-men crossing the mountains.

  While the kingdom struggles to keep its fragile balance, Verdelume flourishes under my careful watch. I walk through stone halls and training grounds with authority. I am the son of a hero who died under circumstances still whispered about, and I carry not only the title of duke — but expectations, rivalries, and perhaps the seed of something that could change the fate of the entire realm.

  I walked across the training field. The morning sun bathed the walls in a golden glow, and the dry clang of swords echoed around. Men and women traded blows under the watchful eyes of the captains. Some hesitated; others struck with youthful fury.

  My firm steps on the packed earth needed no announcement. Soldiers straightened at the sight of me, even without a word. I watched everything: faulty stances, insecure blades, rushed movements. In the distance, two squires argued, one of them bleeding from the nose.

  The wind blew strong, and I heard more than the sound of steel clashing — I heard the silent tension of a strong duchy still in the making.

  “Luna, what do you think of what you see?” I asked, not taking my eyes off the field.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  She stood beside me. Always firm, always alert.

  “They’ve got strength, my lord… but no direction. Like young oxen who haven’t yet learned the weight of the yoke,” she replied. “They need less muscle and more purpose. As Your Grace had, even as a boy.”

  “I see,” I said, extending my hand. “Give me your hands.”

  She hesitated, surprised, but obeyed. Her hands were firm, with discreet calluses. I ran my fingers across them.

  “You’ve trained before?”

  “I have, sir. When I was younger, before serving here. My father believed every daughter should know how to hold a blade.

  “A wise man,” I commented, raising her hand to my lips. “Change your clothes and show me what you know.”

  She seemed surprised, but nodded.

  “As you wish, my lord.”

  “Attack me,” I ordered.

  She positioned herself in front of me, training sword in hand. Her feet steady, guard well placed. She hesitated only a moment before advancing with a direct strike. I blocked easily and countered with a shoulder tap.

  The sharp sound of impact made her step back, but she smiled.

  “You still fight better than most soldiers, my lord. This will be fun.”

  She advanced again. As she drew close, I dropped my sword and knocked her down with a clean move. She fell on her back, surprised, then laughed.

  “That wasn’t fair…”

  “You’re quick and strong, but you need to keep your guard up.”

  She rose nimbly.

  “Understood, sir.”

  “Attack me again.”

  She took a deep breath and came with a diagonal strike. I sidestepped and struck her side. She retreated fast, without losing focus.

  “It won’t be that easy next time,” she said.

  I went for her legs. She leapt aside with agility.

  “I’m not easy to catch, my lord.”

  I kept the pressure, forcing her to block and retreat. One of my strikes grazed her. She stayed on her feet, but her breathing quickened.

  “Come then, my duke… teach me more.”

  I advanced with a fast sequence of blows. She tried to keep up, but a solid hit brought her to her knees, panting.

  “Too fast…” she said between smiles. “Are you satisfied, my lord?”

  “Yes. I’ll train you. You have something the others lack. I want you to lead the soldiers someday.”

  She looked at me, surprised.

  “Lead? If that is your will… I will become worthy of it.”

  “Good. You may go clean up and change.”

  She walked away, and I watched her go. Her steps were steady. There was something about her that caught my attention beyond strength. A fire in her eyes, a presence unlike the others.

  I smiled to myself.

  “A beautiful young woman, strong and with bright eyes… Interesting.”