Shattered Secrets

It seemed Ravenscar was busier than usual to Aida Branwen; the usual quiet town was lively with happiness and celebration. Even the palace was bursting with more life, which was a little scary considering how quiet Corvus’s capital usually was. Stopping by a window, Aida spotted the colorful tents that scattered the courtyard, and people scurrying about like little ants trying to finish the last bit of decoration before the big day. Humming to herself, Aida leaned against the cold stone wall, her eyes still trained on the scene below. The gears in her mind kept turning as she tried to figure out  what was happening. It had to be a festival, but in the dead of winter? That didn’t seem right. Maybe her brother would know. After all he was the captain of the guard, so he had to know, right?

“Don’t tell me you forgot.”

Aida jumped slightly at the sudden voice. Turning towards the owner, she smiled sheepishly. Blue-green eyes stared blankly at her, unamused by her skittish act. Falon stood before her with stern blue eyes that refused to show any emotion, and messy shoulder length dark brown hair pulled into a low ponytail, a perfect reflection of her. The only difference was he was strong born leader, someone whom the people looked up to and followed. Aida could trust him with her life but not her secrets. Only a few, like her mother and a few selected servants knew who she really was, not who she had  made herself to be.

“Aiden, you zoned out, again.” Falon’s voice drew her back towards her surroundings.    

“I didn’t zone out and I didn’t forget, Falon,” she hissed.

Falon smirked, “Then why are you not out there?”

“Out where?” Aida asked, tilting her head slightly to the side. Her brother’s broad shoulders rose as he let out a sigh.

“Outside, getting ready to greet the nobles.” He answered. Aida stared blankly at him, tilting her head slightly to the right, trying to processing the information given to her.

“Nobles?”

Falon sighed and shook his head. “Eir’s Festival is in two days Aiden, and it also happens to be the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Five Kingdoms peace treaty. So the royal families of Draymoore, Shadowmist, Valor, and Wolfsglade are coming here to celebrate it. Mother asked us to greet them seeing as we are her oldest children and all,” Falon calmly explained to her. Aida smiled shyly at him. How could she ever forget about Eir’s Festival? After all it did explain all the colorful tents and excitement that filled the castle grounds. Not to mention the mouthwatering food she had seen some servants carrying earlier. A smile painted Aida's lips when she thought about all the different foods that would be at the festival: fairy cake with wild winter berries, and stuffed winter pheasants. Just a thought of eating them made her mouth water.

           “Brother, you're drooling.” Her twin's voice broke her pleasant thoughts. Letting out an annoyed huff, Aida turned away from Falon.

           “I am not drooling,” she stated, Falon let out a small chuckle.

           “Sure doesn't look that way to me, Cap’n!” a voice shouted behind her. Aida turned to the source. Before her stood three of her soldiers all clad in the dark blues of Corvus. The one in the middle held a goofy grin on his face as he looked at her, mischief twinkling in his dark green eyes.

           “Kael, Zander and Sage, how nice of you three to finally show up,” she hissed while walking towards them. Both Sage and Kael shifted uneasily as she approached.

           “Ha, long story, Cap’n.” Zander nervously laughed while looking away from her. Aida stopped in front of them, arms crossed over her chest. “I have plenty of time to listen.” She sent a pointed glare at Zander.

The two males on either side of him smirked. Glanced back and forth between the two, Zander shifted under their gazes. The idiotic grin on his face wided. “Why are you two looking at me like that?” he asked, running a hand through his short black hair, pushing it back out of his face.  

Sage shrugged, a devilish smile tugged at his lips. “Who wouldn’t look at a pyromaniac?”

Zander stuttered and pushed the silverette away from him, “I am not a pyromaniac, Princess!”

Sage dangerously growled at him, a murderous glint rose in his eyes. “I am a boy.” He snarled, sending his own glare at Zander. Zander pushed the smaller boy slightly, and grinned when another icy glare was shot at him. He felt Sage's boney shoulder slam into his chest, pushing him to the ground. Letting out a hiss of pain, Zander sprang to his feet, slamming into Sage.

Aida glanced at Kael. “Should we stop them?” she asked, concerned. Kael shrugged, not really caring what happened between the two.  Aida sighed; all she wanted was an explanation as to why the three of them missed training. This she looked at the squabbling pair was not what she wanted. Sage let out a yelp of pain as Zander slammed him forcefully into the wall.

“Will you two love birds behave?” Kael shouted, irritation shining in his storm grey eyes. Zander and Sage glanced at him before releasing each other, smiles on both their faces. Aida sighed. Leave it to them to make a big scene about nothing.

Falon cleared his throat, causing four pairs of eyes to look at him. “How about these three join us, Aiden?” he inquired, inclining his head towards the three soldiers. Someone groaned behind Aida probably Zander.

“Tha-” Aida was cut short when a page boy ran up to them. He doubled over, trying to catch his breath.

“Message for you Captain Falon,” he managed to get out between harsh panting. “The royal families are arriving!” He bowed slightly and ran off to deliver another message. Falon and Aida exchanged glances before sprinting off for the courtyard.

“You three follow, now!” Aida ordered, not sparing a glance behind her. Hurried  footsteps told her they had listened and were following.