CHAPTER ONE

22 years after the battle…

“Come back here,you lazy fool!”
Sean,the galley boy ,ran down one of the castle’s corridors,only nearly escaping a blow from the rolling pin the cook was swinging from side to side.Sean fled to the private rooms of the Royal Family and before he actually realized where he was he ran inside a room and closed the door behind him.Totally exhausted Sean collapsed on the wooden floor and sighed deeply. “What are you doing here!?”
The galley boy looked up in shock when he heard the voice and his eyes widened as he noticed who the person in front of him was:Prince Abidin of Crohnach!
Sean crawled on his knees and muttered”I’m…sorry…Your…Royal…”At that moment his voice broke and he gasped for oxigen.The Prince burst out into a fit of laughter and said”Don’t hurt yourself.You can get up now.”
Sean stumbled to his feet again and wanted to walk out of the room but Abidin stopped him. “Why were you on the run?”
Sean turned around again and answered”Because I didn’t do what I was told to do.” Prince Abidin raised an eyebrow.
“Why not?”
“Because I fell asleep.”
Abidin sighed and questioned”Don’t you get enough sleep at night then?”
“I work from five in the morning until midnight.After that I need to make sure the kitchen is clean.”the boy replied.
“No wonder you fell asleep.You know,I’ll make sure you’ll be able to go to bed earlier.How does that sound to you?”
Sean nodded.
“Marvellous.”
“One last question:what’s your name?”
“Sean,Your Royal Highness.”
“Alright Sean,you are free to go.”
The galley boy bowed one last time before he left the Prince and the room behind…

A tall man with an angry look on his face walked with big,loud-sounding steps through the corridor to Prince Abidin’s rooms.On his way he walked past some fool of the kitchen,who almost bumped into him.He scolded at the guy,who mumbled an excuse before running away.He barged into the room.The Prince looked up disturbed,but when he saw who it was he smiled. “Hello Jason,what wind has blown you here?”
Jason shook his head wildly.
“Ah,that stupid commander!He just won’t believe what I say!We HAVE to train more horses because that is the way to have a strong force,but does he listen,no,of course not!And then he says I’m stubborn!Well,I’ll tell you…”
Abidin raised his hand to silent him.
“I know Jason,just like you told me yesterday and the day before but Roderick is our commander and the one with the most experience.Besides that,I would be up to my father to tell him what to do.”
Jason stood up from his chair and started to pace up and down the room. “Alright,but what will we do when we’re under attack?There’s no proper defence if we only have walking warriors.”
Abidin sighed.”Jason,would you like a drink?”he asked in the hope the knight would stop talking,but Jason ignored the Prince and kept on complaining about Roderick…

A survant entered the room and announced”Your Royal Highness,the King has send me to inform you about the arrival of Princess Lily.You are expected in the throne room.” Abidin nodded and said with a chuckle”I’m sorry Jason but I guess you have to find somebody else to complain to.”
And with those words he followed the survant.Once the Prince arrived at the throne room he got welcomed by his sister Princess Lily of Sharia and her escort,Prince Richard. “Abidin,how’s life treating you?”she questioned.
“Good.Just the ordinary life of a prince,right?Attend banquets,practise in the army,have audiences.You know the routine.”
Suddenly Richard interupted their comversation and asked”Ain’t it time to look for a wife yet?” Abidin shrugged his shoulders and replied”My time will come.At least I have the patience to wait for the right woman.And if anybody had a problem with that,I don’t car at all.Now,if you would excuse me,I have some important things to do.”And the Prince left,leaving a frowning Richard behind…

© FirE Girls 2000