I breathe in the sharp, cool, morning air of the streets of Caska, an icy breeze stinging my cheeks as I hurried down the pale, ragged sidewalk that probably was constructed when Atheria still existed. I know full well that today could be my last on this horrible, wretched continent. Oh, who am I even kidding, everyday might be a last day for me, but today, well it could land me in heaps of trouble, but only if I mess up. I'm skilled enough to not mess it up. Probably.
I continue down the path until rain starts to fall. The sky is crying, I thought, remembering. I slid quietly into a small bakery that looked decent enough, with fairy lights, and black and white swirl design painted onto the wall. Right above the elegant first-class table, hung a huge, printed copy of the Treaty of Atheria. I scoffed, and muttered Liars, under my breath. Whenever I look at the Treaty, it instantly makes me sick. I have never trusted it. A lady over the counter that seemed to have been at least over 50, with wrinkly skin that sagged, and harsh eyebrows waved me closer.
"You here to buy anything, boy?" The woman asked impatiently, "I got work I need to finish, so don't waste my time." Isn't serving customers supposed to be her job?
"I'll just buy a loaf of bread please, ma'am, if you will."
The woman's eyes lifted a bit, as if surprised with my politeness. Then she frowned.
"Are you trying to steal from me, boy?" She said, eye's narrowing with suspicion and distrust.
I knew what she meant. In this certain part of Caska, Moonmist, is where no one trusts no one. Being overly polite and nice raised suspicion. You see, just a moment of letting your guard down for kindness means that you've just left a free "Steal from me" for people who, well, wants to steal from you. Honestly, I wouldn't trust myself, and I know me, so an old lady who doesn't know me is bound to be suspicious.
"No ma'am, I was just taught to be polite to everyone I meet." I responded, my voice confident and sincere. But you see, I'm never sincere. I don't think I've meet anyone who truly is. Maybe that's cause no one is truly sincere.
The woman left with a huff of annoyance and displeasure as she proceeded to collect my loaf of bread from the storage room.
That's when I started planning.
....
You would think that your kingdom wouldn't lie to you, but the truth is, they would always choose to lie, than rather to tell with sincerity. Humans as we are, always choose to lie, and deceive. It's just in our nature to do what we do, and to be what we are.
The monarchy, however take lying to a whole new level.
And so here I am, planning, or well (trying at least) to conspire to with a Princess.
I had seen the way Princess Elowyn's eyes briefly rolled when they talked about the Treaty of Atheria and the Fated. Those moments, those unimportant moments to everyone, but everything to me, had made me come to the conclusion that Princess Elowyn, perhaps, wasn't like the others. Maybe like me, she thought that the Treaty was something that the kingdoms weren't honest about. Maybe she also thought that the Fateds weren't really blessed by the gods to become diplomats or whatever.
The whole thing looked like a sham. But the worse thing is, I can believe that most people believed it all. Desperate people believed desperate things.
Before everything, before the Treaty, before the Fated, before the Kingdoms of Caldrith, Nytheria, and Vaeloria, there was Atheria. Atheria wasn't just a kingdom. It was everything. Full of life, and laughter, mother had told me. Everywhere there was joy. Until there wasn't. Suddenly a bright, and peaceful kingdom turned into one with hunger, and sickness. No one knew where the sickness had come from. Some people suspected foul play. Some people thought that the gods decreed it. Whatever happened, it was for sure that Atheria transformed from a thriving kingdom to a barbarian nest. Friends and family turned on one another, no one couldn't trust no one. Everyone fought for rations for their own survival. There was not a single person who kept order in the once beloved kingdom. Except for Callum Dragner. He and several other proposed a idea that would have been thought to be crazy. But people can change when they get desperate. He suggested that Atheria should split into 3 kingdoms so that rations, and people could be managed more easily. The people of Atheria agreed quickly as soon as they heard rations. And so, In a span of a few months, the Treaty of Atheria was formed and signed. The Treaty consisted of an agreement that even though Atheria isn't a kingdom now, but three, they would impose no harm to the kingdoms as they once have lived together as one nation. That day, known as Departure Day, Atheria officially became Caldrith, Nytheria, and Vaeloria. Of course, Callum took the crown of the kingdom of Caldrith after the separation, and the people supported that. Their savior on a throne. Perfect in their minds.
Dragner also proposed the idea of Fateds, who would be chosen to uphold the Treaty. The rulers of the newly split kingdom met, and voted for it. So then, Callum came to the gods for their blessing, and it was agreed that the gods would bless a child from each kingdom every generation to uphold the Treaty. The people supported this, as they were just recovering. A little thing, meant everything. The rulers would proceed to overlook the Fateds training by themselves, and decide if they were ready. After training, they would settle into the other kingdom, and vice versa. There they would keep peace, and harmony. Make sure that everyone respected the Treaty. But now, after the Treaty, parts of the kingdoms are darker than they were before. Like Moonmist, it wasn't sunshine and rainbows like it was before. So what if? What if?
I have never believed in that story. What I believe, is that Dragner had something to do with the sickness, I don't know what, but I have a feeling. I also believe that the Fateds aren't really blessed by the gods. The few times I've seen them, they looked...empty.
That's why I'm risking everything to get in contact with Princess Elowyn. She's 14, like me, and has a voice, unlike me, so if she believes the same thing I do, then maybe, maybe I could have a chance to prove the truth, and potentially overthrow the crown. Maybe.
"Here's your bread, boy." The woman haf finally returned with my loaf of bread, her face stretched into a crooked, toothy smile.
"On the house. I don't remember a time when someone's been nice and respectful to me. Sorry for my behavior, boy. Now scat."
I thanked her, confused, then hurried my feet out the door.
All I could think about was my plan, because step one, I would hand the princess a note, and I just happen to know the exact time, and date that the princess will come dressed as a commoner. Here.
So here I am, potentially risking my life for a small note, if the princess decides to report me. Like I said, it's probably gonna be okay, but...maybe not. One step at a time, whether I die or not.
Yay.