In cintra, one of the very powerful Northern kingdoms, one that lay south of Sodden, Riverdell, and the great river Yaruga, were a group of children playing knucklebones. There were five of them, gathered around a playing mat, the boy with short dark hair, parted down the middle let out a defeated sigh as he tossed the knucklebones up, caught them and placed them down. Laughter rang out in unison among the friends. "Damn it."
Rounds upon rounds were playing, and they were betting a load of bread, the citizens of Cintra were not of the richest folk. Just as Martin was about to pass the bread over to the boy who got five, the only girls hand whipped out and caught it. "Not yet." She challenged simply and took the bread from them. Her long blonde hair covered by a cap of sorts. "There's no way you can get five." One of the boys exclaimed. "Yours not taking a bite of that bread before I try." Ciri said, shaking her head as she reached down and grabbed the knucklebones, determined as she shook them in her fist.
Before she could continue, she felt something, sensed something, could hear the faint sound of something echoing around the corner, and she knew that it was for her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, eyes fixed to the stone corner of a building while she waited, all thoughts of winning knucklebones and winning that bread for herself had hurriedly escaped her mind. One of the boys looked to where she was looking, a look of confusion upon his face, mouth hanging open as he didn't see anything. "Better throw those knuckles." He said, bringing her back to the present.
Ciri's head snapped back and she looked down at the bones in her hand, the smile gone from her face now, the joy in her heart with hanging around people her own age, she knew would not return. She threw the bones up, catching them and seeing what they said, she clenched her jaw angrily, admitting a silent but frustrated defeat. "Told ya." The boy beside her almost mocked. The boy turned around, hearing the hooves clattering down the path. "I didn't steal the bread. Korin did!" He blamed his friend quickly. "Shut up, you twat!" Korin replied under his breath, Martin only anxious about running away from the guards as soon as possible. The boys stood, eager to leave the street before they were punished for something.
Ciri stayed.
Ciri watched as the boys ran off, her shoulders dropping only the slightest of an inch as she watched the boys run and disappear down the street. "You need to come with us." The voice belonging to the guard on the horse spoke. Ciri turned her head to him angrily, she didn't protest, she didn't open her mouth, but if her look could kill, he'd be dead twice over.
Soon, Ciri was stood in the castle, her rightful place, not one she liked much, much less having to stand and watch a boring ceremony. "As your Queen, I grant you this commendation, Which will symbolise your duty and bond as liegemen in fealty to the crown of Cintra." Queen Calanthe spoke as she passed her sword over the head of the man knelt before her, the blade of steel delicately touching each shoulder.
The hall was filled with men covered head to toe in silver armour, besides their helmet, black cloaks hanging off one shoulder to wrap half way around their bodies, bearing the Cintra symbol.
"Could use with a bit of feel-ty myself right now." The dark haired man behind the Queen spoke, a quiet mumble to Cirilla who stood a few paces away from him. "Gross." Ciri replied simply, keeping her eyes forward for a moment as she watched the previous process repeat itself. "Late wee pups don't get to bark." The man said quietly after briefly glancing in her direction. "I was playing in the square..." She said softly. "Knucklebones?" He asked as he raised his eyebrows. "Did you win this time? Like I showed you?" He mumbled. Ciri's head cocked to the side quickly. "I would have, if the horsemen of doom hadn't ridden up like that." She stated. "If you can't win a game of knucklebones for a fear of a few horses...what'll you do when you go into battle?" He asked. This made ciri glance down at the floor briefly, the blonde haired girl pondering his question, she doubted at her age, no matter her title, she wouldn't be allowed near an ounce of bloodshed and violence.
"At least you didn't shit your kecks." He mumbled to her, hands clasped dutifully in front of him. Ciri couldn't help a quick smile and a look to the man beside her. Both their heads turned when they saw the Queen slightly lean her head back, speaking in a lowered voice and tone which they knew was meant for them. "As members of the Royal Family, is it too much to ask that you exercises a modicum of respect?" She muttered under her breath, lips barely moving. "Especially you." She said, head turned slightly more towards the man behind her, her gaze completely avoiding the grin on Ciri's face at being caught out. "This is your duty as king and grandfather." She reminded.
"Grant me leave, my Queen. I am worn from my trip to the Isles. And my bedchamber duties before that." The king spoke softly. The queen let out a quiet sigh, not answering for a moment. Ciri's smile fell and she repeated herself. "Gross." She mumbled. It was the King's turn to smirk now and him and Ciri shared a quiet smile to each other before looking back forward, watching another soldier being knighted by the Queen.