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▂▃▅▇█▓▒░ Ｆｅｉｎ Ｓｎｅｓｓｌｅｒ░▒▓█▇▅▃▂
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The yawn of a bear shook the walls on the Snessler household, early in the dawn of the morning. The tip of the sun was barely poking its head over the horizon when the sound erupted from a large, burly man sitting at a wooden table in the center of a cobblestone house. The man was known as Eric Snessler, the top Knight of the 29th brigade. Right-hand guard to the King and designated watcher of the Heiress... the young Princess Elizabeth. It wasn't often that Eric got to be home like this, since most nights he had to sleep in the barracks at the castle. But as there has been many years of peace among kingdoms, he was granted the pleasure of going home once a week to sleep with his wife and visit his only son, Fein. Speaking of which, the slight pitter patter of tiptoes could be heard across the cold cobblestone floors.
"You know, your mother would not be happy hearing you awake at this hour." The man's deep voice rumbled, as he continued to chow on a breakfast of bread and brisket.
From around a corner, a messy, brown haired boy stuck his face out, watching his bear of a father eat breakfast. He wore a silver tunic with dark blue trousers, and a long wooden sword was swung over his back, much like how a two-handed sword would be on a normal man. At a quick pace, the sneaky boy ran to the table and held firmly onto his father's arm.
"I wish you didn't have to go back so soon. You didn't even get to practice fighting with me! How will I become a knight without training?" The father watched his son fondly, playing with his messy hair as he spoke.
"You will have plenty of time for that when you are older... But today is a special day, Son. There will be a large festival at the castle in honor of the princess today! Food! Music! Dancing! The Princess is having her 8th birthday and, well, the King has given me permission to bring you to the castle." Fein's eyes lit up as if fireworks were going off. The room was becoming a brighter orange as the young boy began to spring around the kitchen before hurrying off to the front door, throwing it wide open to let in the warm air.
"Well, what are we waiting for, dad! Let's go!"Going to the castle was a huge trip that Fein had only done a few times before. The castle was massive, ornate, and anyone's dream to live in one day. Fein wanted to learn every hallway, room, and secret passage in order to traverse through it with ease. In his mind, these were important things any knight needed to know in order to protect who they serve, the King, Queen, and Princess.
It didn't take too long to arrive at the castle's main gates. The Snessler home was just a ways away and over a small hill. Eric waved to the outside guards so the large, wooden bridge could be lowered leading to the main entryway. There were knights everywhere, wearing the same shinny, iron uniform that Fein's father wore everyday. The only difference was the large rose engraved on the chest plate of Eric's armor. This was the sign of a higher-ranked knight. Every knight that Fein and Eric walked by, who only wore plain iron armor, would all salute Fein's father in respect to his position. Fein's heart felt like it would leap from his chest every time one of the guards saluted him and his father. One day, it would be Fein they would be saluting... he just knew it.
"I know this is exciting for you, Fein. But I need you on good behavior. I don't want the king thinking I raise a delinquent of a son." Fein nodded obediantly to his father and stayed close to his side as they walked through different marbled hallways. Fein was trying to keep a mental map of each walkway, each door, and each room as they passed. But it was difficult for him to concentrate as several servants and cooks ran pass them or in front of them. Everyone was in a hurry to prepare for the banquet tonight in honor of the Princess. Fein stepped behind his father, staying close on his tail, as to avoid getting in anyone's way.
"You were almost late today, Eric!" Fein heard an almost shrill voice speak up.
"I'm just going to wake the Princess now and get her dressed and ready." Fein peered around his father to see an Old Maid. Her face was full of wrinkles, and it was hard to tell if she was glaring at his father, or that was just her normal resting face. Her eyes quickly darted from Eric to Fein, and a toothy, yellow smile erupted on her face.
"Oh, this must be your son. What a cutie." She reached down and pinched his cheek so hard it left a red mark. Fein rubbed it as the woman turned around and walked through a pair of doors with roses engraved in the door frame.
"You are going to be assisting me today, Fein. Watching the Princess that is. It is difficult to watch her highness and fill out my reports for the King. After her breakfast I'll take you both to the garden to play. But don't play rough with her, Fein. She isn't like your friends back in the hills." Fein nodded in recognition of his father, and stood still and patiently by his side, swaying slightly on his feet to feel the shifting weight of his wooden sword on his back.
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