I was up before dawn. Mother got up to see me off, even though I had begged her to get every bit of rest she could. It's my fault she spent most of the night crying. She doesn't even know I was awake to hear her.

At exactly dawn, I wait at the edge of town. Two high-born kids were there. They sneer at me. The Grand Advisor is the last to arrive. The Grand Advisor and the high-born boys would be allowed to ride in the carriage. I'd walk behind the carriage. Of course. At least they didn't have an excuse to steal my sword away from me.

The last sight I saw as we started down the mountains is my mother waving after me with tears in her eyes. Roland is right next to her, shaking his head, sad and angry at the same time.

*Time Skip*

After four hours, the nobles in the carriage decide they're "tired". I have to lean against the back, so I don't fall over.

One-by-one they get out of the carriage complaining how "stiff" and "uncomfortable" it was. The servants are quick to offer comfort. I grab my bread and ale. I'm starving. I don't even remember eating breakfast. I don't know if I did eat breakfast. I watch around at the landscape while eating.

"Night," the Grand Advisor calls out to me. "why are you so restless? Put your energy to use and get me some Valley Red!"

"Of course, my Lord!" I reply before stuffing the rear of my bread into my mouth. I go over to the pitchers. There's some kind of scratch mark on the front of each. I'll bet it tells me which is which.

I grab the one on the left and pour it into a goblet. I bring it back to the Grand Advisor and hope I get lucky. He takes a sip and spits it out instantly. "You idiot! You've brought me Valley Gold!"

The high-born kids snicker.

I feel heat on the back of my neck. I say, "I'm sorry, my Lord. Forgive my mistake. Mother and I have no time to drink, and I'm illiterate."

"Lady Sara is a fool!" He bellows. "Sending me illiterate, illegitimate boys!"

"I may not be able to read, but I can fight, my Lord."

The high-born kids scoff.

One of them decides to speak, "You're a commoner. It's not allowed for you."

"Why do you think I'm here, anyway? Unlike the pair of you, I don't treat my sword like a decoration."

They go quiet. I get up again.

I say calmly, "My Lord, I think I'll get a servant to get you your correct wine. I think it would best if I walked away."

They don't make a move to stop me. I stop one of the serving girls traveling with us, and ask her to get the Grand Advisor his wine. Then I walk off to the rock wall.

It's going to be a long walk all the way to Malchan. It's still an hour to the bottom of the mountains and then I have to cross the entire valley. I'm not going to make it on foot, which is what the Grand Advisor is counting on. However, if I buy a horse at that breeder near the bottom of the mountain I'll be set. The only problem is finding a way to pay.

That's where the mountains are going to help me. There have been tales of travelers finding gold buried in the rock of the mountain. You can only see it by the gold streaks in the rock.

I scan over the rock nearby. The nobles have started laughing, which is good. I don't need them coming over to me. I spot some gold up higher on the rock. There's a skinny ledge I could balance on.

If I want it, I'm going to have to climb.

I take off my sword and hide it under a bush. If I fall to my death, I don't want one of the high-born boys to get it. I leave my knife on my right hip. I'll need it.

Carefully, I secure myself into a few foot holds and begin to climb to the small ledge. I make it halfway up to it before I miss my foothold. For a dangerous second, I'm clinging onto the side by my hands and one foot. I regain my balance and make it up.

I then pull my knife off my belt. I start chipping at the golden stripe. Dust falls for a long time until little pieces start falling. I gather up the tiny pieces and a few bigger nuggets that fall out. I pull out a piece of cloth I was saving in case my shirt ripped, and pour all the gold into it. Next, I lift the corners and tie it together. I safely slip it between my teeth, wipe my knife on my trousers, put the knife away and begin my decent.

I hear drunken voices. Good. They'll never remember I was gone. The servants most likely won't mention it.

I retrieve my sword and slip back into camp like nothing happened. Not before carefully tucking the cloth into my shirtsleeve.

*Time Skip*

Once I reached the bottom of the mountain I walked away from the carriage. It's not like they bothered to have anybody watch me.

The horse breeder lives in a small hut with his sprawling family. I see the kids running around. The older girls helping their mother with the laundry. The oldest boys out with the horses. The horses are grazing in a pasture that the man fenced off.

"How can I help you?" He asks, with a Valley accent.

"I'm looking to buy a horse," I tell him.

The man starts a second. The Mountain accent can be startling if you're not used to it. He gets over it quickly.

"Well, I can help you with that. Got an interest in anybody in particular?"

"I need somebody fast."

"For fast you're going to want Midnight. He's one of the fastest I've got. Bran! Get me Midnight!"

A boy around twelve years jumps up and heads into a stable. A moment later he is leading a great black horse with powerful feet. Across its hindquarters are white hairs that reminds me of a snow cap. It's face had a white marking shaping like a diamond.

"He's pretty enough," I admit, "but how do I know what your intentions are?"

"I've never once lied about my horses," the man vows. "It's how I keep my business."

He appears trustworthy. And I've always found it hard to distrust somebody with children.

I reach out to pat the horse. "Tell me more about them."

"He's a stallion-or a male-and he's old enough to make foals. He's gentle, too. I let my youngest ride him, and she's only six years."

"I'll take him."

"Saddle and reins come with him. What are you paying with?"

"This should cover it." I tell him, and toss the cloth full of gold at him. I mount Midnight and make my way after the carriages.

He's a lot faster than the ponies pulling the mine carts. He catches up to the carriage no problem. I slow Midnight down, trying to suppress a smile.

I can't wait to see their faces.

*Time Skip*

When we finally arrive at the castle, I started feeling on edge.

Everybody knows King Liam, the first of his name, The Iron Fist, has a reputation for being bloodthirsty, cruel, and violent. His punishments are always disproportionate to the crime committed. He usually sentences death for stealing. His subjects fear him more than anything. I hate him. He murdered my father.

Mother told me the story when I was fourteen years. I had been bothering and begging her to tell me what happened to him for years, and she finally told me.

He had served in the King's Guard back before I was born. Although, he never knew about me, so I guess he didn't know he had a kid to spend time with. He said something that offended King Liam, and the next night he was stolen by other guards while he was asleep. He was declared a traitor to the crown and executed. The king had him shoved off the great bridge that stretches between the two sides of the canyon. That's how most people are executed here in the Canyons. I can't betray any of these thoughts. If I do, well, I'll be taking a tumble.

When I ride in through the gates, a lot of people stare. However, nobody is more shocked than the two high-born boys and Grand Advisor.

"Where did you get the horse?" One of the boys shouted, eyes bugging.

"I bought him," I smile slightly. This is amusing.

"With what money?" The other asks; aggressively. "You are nothing more than a commoner they dragged out of the mines!"

"Yet I still got here. So why does it matter?"

They go quiet as the captain of the guard come over. "You, boy, give me your name."

"Alec Night, ser."

"Why are you here?"

"These two and I are supposed to join the King's Guard, ser," I tell him. "Lady Sara Heartstone's ordered."

"Ordered you, but not us."

"That's an impressive sword, Night," the captain says, ignoring the boy's comment. "Where did you get it?"

"I made it myself." I reply, trying not to sound too proud of myself.

"Hand it over. Stable boy, take this horse to the stables!"

A boy comes to take Midnight's reins. I give the captain my blade. He examines it closely.

"It's a well made blade, but can you use it?"

"I can."

The captain hands the blade back to me. "Come with me. The three of you have to prove what you know before I assign your ranks."

He leads us to the practice courtyard with dummies and other guards sparing. When they spotted their captain, they stopped to nod respectfully at him. Then they go back to sparing. They're really good.

"Now," the captain says with an amused sneer. "we see what you boys are worth. If you're good, you'll end up on the royal family's personal guard. You'll spend your life protecting the family. You would give your life for them if it comes down to that."

I wouldn't die for King Liam. Even if I were ordered to.

"However, that is an assignment for the elite sword fighters. I'll be lucky to make street watchers out of you." Scoffs the captain. "I don't care if you're the most noble of noble blood."

For once, the high-born boys keep their mouths shut. This captain has way more authority over them. He gets to decide if they get a comfy life protecting they royal family or a hard job guarding the city or stopping crime in the streets.

"So," the captain grins evilly. "who wants to go first?"

I glance to the left and right. Neither high-born boy moves.

"I'll go," I offer. "Who am I fighting?"

"James!" The captain calls. Out of nowhere, he appears. Sword in hand, James is watching me carefully. He's trying to decide how he'll beat me.

"Ready!" The captain calls as James and I face off. James is around twenty-one years. I unsheathe my sword, listening to the hiss of the metal.

"Fight!"

At first, neither of us move. I watch James, taking him in as an opponent. James is big and bulky. He's got a muscle show. That makes him more powerful than me, but I would be faster.

I remember watching the knights practice when I was younger. Roland may have helped me make the sword, but everything I know comes from watching the knights. Now I actually have to use everything I've learned.

Finally, James decides to make the first strike. I parry his strike and sidestep. Even though, I have the chance, I chose not to attack back. I've always preferred to fight defensively.

James strikes again and the clang of metal rings around the courtyard. I see a flash of something yellow, but focus on making sure James doesn't strike me. He's acting like he's trying to kill me.

I focus entirely on evading and blocking, moving faster and faster. Moving around James in circles only makes James angry and exhausted. His attacks become slower. Finally, I take my chance.

In a flurry of singing metal, I stroke him fiercely. James gets knocked to his feet from the constant blows. I hold my sword to his exposed throat.

Panting, he throws his sword to the ground and raises his arm. He shouts, "Yield! Yield!"

I sheath the sword and offer Ser James my hand, "You're really powerful," I tell him, trying not to anger him too much.

"You are a very interesting fighter...." James says, while taking my hand.

"Alec Night."

"Alec. Where did you learn to fight?"

"I watched the knights back in the Athia Mountains. I learn from observing."

The captain was looking sternly and thoughtfully. Finally, he says, "You didn't outfight Ser James, Alec; you out smarted him. I rarely see a recruit try that. Most try to beat him bloody, thinking that they will win. You're dismissed. Go inside. See James will show you to the Barracks."

James starts walking away, along the canyon side. I follow after him and really take in the castle.

The castle is carved from the canyon walls. It's beautifully designed and it's slightly harsh with the setting sun.

No sooner than we walk through the archway, than a tiny little girl approaches us, shyly. The little girl's medium-length, blonde hair is done in elegantly curled ringlets. She's really young; only three years at the most. She's got wide, innocent, almond-shaped, pale blue eyes. She's got the healthy, well-fed vibe of a high-born child.

"Your highness," James says, respectfully.
So she's one of the royal family. Which one then? There are five royal children.

The little royal child shuffles nervously. She speaks in a tiny, shy voice, "Hi, Ser James."

"Is there something I can do for you, your highness?"

"No....I just wanted to tell him something," the little princess says, before pointing at me.

I kneel down to her level, smiling kindly. "What is it you want to tell me, your highness?"

"You're really good at fighting. I was watching from the windows. I think you're cool. I hope you end up guarding the royal family." She sways from side to side.

I smile at her, "Well, it's not up to me, but I'd like to help protect the royal family."

"You can call me Aliyah."

So she's the youngest; Princess Aliyah Classan. Apparently, she thinks I'm a good sword fighter and cool.

Then the queen comes over and takes her by the hand and starts gently scolding her about being Lady like.

"Wow. They're not what I expected." I mutter.

"Let me guess. You thought the entire royal family is exactly like King Liam," says Ser James as we walk away.

"Actually, yes,"

"Most people do. Well, Prince Michael, the crown prince, takes after him, but Queen Caitlyn and Princess Aliyah couldn't be anymore different."

"What about the other three?"

"Each have their own mixture. Prince William loves sword fighting. Princess Victoria loves needlework. Prince Aspen is extremely bookish. But all of them are generally kind, sweet kids, if a little entitled. If only Queen Caitlyn had a slightly stronger will."

He doesn't say anything more, but I know what he's thinking. If only Queen Caitlyn had a slightly stronger will; maybe Liam wouldn't be such a monster.

*Time Skip*

"Really?" I ask for the fifth time.

"Yes, Alec!" James tells me again for the sixth time. "You're on patrol with me. Starting tonight, you help to guard Princess Aliyah Classan. Welcome to the King's Guard."