Absolutely no,” the elf king bellowed. “I refuse to allow my daughter, any of my daughters to hold a weapon.” He slammed his fist on the table to emphasize his point.
All heads turned toward the head of the table where King Sylvanus Zephyr, Queen Aelrindel, the three princess, and two prines. The look on the elf king’s face brooked no questions.
A response formed on the girl’s lips as a figure strode into the great hall with a a bawl of laughter. “Such a somber reception for the returning prince.”
“Tarak,” the youngest princess breath, a look of relief swept over her delicate and dainty features.
King Sylvanus rose to greet his son, embracing his forearm and thumping his back.
“Queen mother,” the prince of the blood took her delicate hand and raised it to his lips as he spoke.
The queen withdrew it quickly and inclined her head slightly.
“Brothers,” Tarak stated as he turned his attention on his siblings, “sisters. Whatever is the shouting about?”
All eyes turned on the auburn-haired youngest princess.
“Father won’t let me learn to dance,” she protested and shoved her fists on her hips. “Master Murial has already offered to teach me.”
Another roar of laughter errupted from deep in the prince’s chest. “You can’t be serious? You want to learn to fight, little one?”
She stomped a fist. “Why not? I’ll never rule this kingdom. And when I’m sold off to one of our allies, it’s only practical that I know how to use a weapon.”
Tarak rasied an eyebrow. After a moment, he folded his arms over his chest and studied the halfbreed child. “The girl makes a convincing arguement, my king. Why not give her a pair of daggers and let Master Muiel see what he can do with her?”
The elf king threw his hands in the air in surrender. “Ardole preserve us.” He leveled his scowl at his eldest son. “Well, at least you’ve learned more than swordplay and bedplay in your time with the Titans’ Guard. Very wel, you take the girl to Master Muriel. I wash my hands of this entire business.”
“You’ll start a war with Debash if something happens to her,” the elf queen scolded as the half-elf girl skipped past.
“Not likely,” the girl shot back. “I’m the youngest of both houses. No one will care of if something happens to the halfbreed bastard of a lecherous nobleman and an ignorant human.”
“Kaylin,” Tarak scolded half-heartedly.
She shrugged and virtually sprinted down the corridor toward the royal armory.
The World of Terra 