The Wall

Adalwyn Estate

“Are we finished yet, mother?” Rylan asked impatiently as he sat back in his chair. His mother sat across from him at the dinner table located in the dining hall dressed in an elegant green dress with silver lining along the edges of its trim. With a short sigh, the eating utensils she had in her hand were returned to the table, “Rylan…I know how much you detest this but this is very important. If you are to become King, you must have manners and it is with manners you will not disrespect any of your supporters or followers.” Rylan leaned back up from his chair and stared at the empty plate before him and smiled, “Well could I at least have some ‘real’ food on the plate mother. Would it not be easier instead of using my imagination?” His mother simply shook her head and raised herself from her chair, “You never have lacked imagination my son and I can see that you have had enough of today’s lesson. Go...Before your father returns home.” She said now smiling. Without any hesitation Rylan quickly arose from his chair causing his upper thigh to hit the edge of the table resulting in the plates shifting making quite a ruckus. He stopped abruptly in anticipation of his mothers words for lacking any etiquette she was so desperately trying to install into him but she just sighed. In return for her silence, he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, “Thank you mother, you are the best!” His mother returned the gesture and hugged him back. “Go now before your father arrives…I know you wanted to meet Tristana this afternoon.” Ryan nodded and let go of his mother as he ran towards the main hall in order to get to his room so he could grab his sword.

The Wall. At the very edge of Olinoth

Rylan slowly approached the edge of the Wall, A massive stone structure that was higher than anything within the kingdom; its massive stone structure surrounded the entire kingdom for hundreds of kilometers. At the base of this particular spot, a single tree grew alongside the wall itself, almost to the point the two coexisted together. The tree was what made the spot so special. Every 4-5 months the tree’s leaves would change color and it would range from gold, yellow, to even brown. The color change amongst the tree fascinated them and as far their knowledge went, it was the only tree within the kingdom that went through such change. When Rylan had asked his parents about the strange occurrence they seemed to know very little about it. His friend Cassandra Arderne had later on discovered something in reference to the color changing phenomenon during one of her visit’s to Clearcourt Castle’s Spire of Magics as “seasons”. All three children all assumed it was a sort of magical spell placed on the tree but for what reason that tree seemed to be the only one affected. As Rylan approached he noticed the tree had turned from the last time he had seen it over a month ago, the leaves of the tree were beginning their change. Not far from the tree was a small pond and it was here on this very spot that Cassandra, Tristana , Brenton, and Rylan would dream of always building a huge castle to rule this small part of Olinoth. Rylan bent down to pick up a small pebble from the ground and was immediately startled by the voice of a young woman yelling “Watch out!” Within that moment, a white horse sped by Rylan, almost grazing him in the process causing him to dive off to the side. The young woman started laughing as the horse continued to charge forward, leaving Rylan in the dust picked up by the horse. Noticing the sword holstered to the side of the horse, Rylan cried out; “Tristana, are you mad?!” and began to give chase on foot.

Tristana slowed her horse to a stop at the bank of the pond and jumped off and quickly drew her sword from her holster as she smiled in anticipation. Rylan quickly drew his sword at his side and playfully clashed his sword with hers as he finally reached her. The two spared for a few moments before Rylan had to stop to catch his breath, “H-hold on Trist…l…let me catch my breath.” He said lowering his sword. Tristana laughed and lowered her sword, “Beaten by a girl and her horse!” she said. Rylan shook his head and placed his sword back into his leather scabbard and walked over to the tree and lay back against its trunk still out of breath. “I would hardly call that a win Trist, you charged at me with a bloody horse and I had to run to catch up!” Tristana grinned deviously and walked back to her horse and rubbed her hand along its neck and then reached into a leather pouch and grabbed an apple and fed it to it. “Rylan, only a fool would run on foot to chase after their enemy and then still expect them to put up a good fight. Werrin should have taught you that. You lost, my friend.” She said still grinning.  “Well most honorable men would not begin a battle charging into their foe!” he shot back as he playfully tossed a small twig at her. “Ah, but I am no honorable man. I am a noblewoman of House Selwynn.” She said curtsying. The last couple of days had been different for Rylan; he had not heard from nor seen Cassandra since the King’s death and even Tristana’s brother had made himself seem more occupied as of late leaving only Tristana and himself to really spend any time together. “Trist, have you heard from Cass yet?” he asked carefully treading his grounds. His mother had always said it was wise to never worry the dealings of others but Cassandra was almost a sister to him. He had always viewed her as the weaker of the sorts and felt it was his responsibility to watch over her the best he could or was allowed to. “No, I am afraid I have not. I actually had hoped she would be here by the time I had arrived since I did not pass her on my way here.” She said as she sat next to Rylan.

As Tristana sat down, a leaf fell from overhead and onto the ground before the two. Tristana leaned forward and grabbed it and held it up against the sun. “Do you remember when Cass would talk about the roots of the tree? How she said 'there was more to it than the eye could see' and how she wondered of the trees roots grew beyond the wall…” her voice trailed off into silence clearly lost in her own thoughts. Rylan simply offered her a smile in response. “What are you saying Trist? That there is more to Cass than I am aware?” Tristana’s face immediately grew red and she turned to him with a shocked look. “No! Not by any means was I suggesting that she is hiding anything from you! I mean, maybe she just is having a rough time at the Spire of Magics or maybe she just wants to be left alone or perhaps…” Rylan shook his head and interjected; “Trist! It is fine…relax.” He knew something was not quite right and for whatever reason, Tristana was hiding something. However for better or worse, he had to trust there was a good reason as to why she was not telling him about Cassandra and quickly changed the subject.

“Where about is your brother? He seems to lack the desire to participate in our gatherings anymore.” Tristana frowned and raised herself up to her feet. “Brenton was to meet some noble family’s daughter in Clearcourt in the later. Father is hell bent on marrying him off as well.” Rylan laughed. “It is of no laughing matter Ry! He acts as if he wants to rid himself of us! Like we are bastard children or something and quite frankly it angers me to no end! I cannot marry someone whom I do not love!” Tristana said with anger in her voice. Rylan followed her lead and rose to his feet and walked over to the shores of the nearby pond and stared off into the distance. “You ‘could’ learn to love him though…couldn’t you?” he asked as he bent down and looked into the reflective waters of the pond. He heard her walk up behind him and he immediately grew nervous, envisioning Tristana pushing him into the pond. “Perhaps.” She said softly. Rylan looked over his shoulder and saw her staring down at him and smiled. “Well, look at the bright side Trist…you do not have to endure the teachings with my mother on how to act like a proper noble.” Tristana smiled “Oh and little does she know there is little hope in you my friend.” She said playfully pushing him, almost causing him to lose his balance and fall into the pond. “I should return…I was told not to tell anyone but I am supposed to meet with Cassandra outside her home this evening. I am hoping she will talk to me and tell me what actually is going on.” Tristana then turned to mount her horse that was still finishing on the apple she had fed it earlier. “Trist…speak to Cass for me, please? I am deeply concerned for her and I want her to know that I am here for her if she needs me.” Tristana simply smiled and nodded before hugging him. “I will speak to her and let her know.”

Rylan smiled and watched Tristana ride off into the distance.