"Is that the best you have?!"
Blinding silver rushed towards his face and Heisuke immediately sprung backwards. The loud
smack from the spears meeting momentarily blocked his ears when he parried the blow, and sweat broke out from his forehead. The pole in his hands was uncomfortably warm and he hated the moist feeling against his fingers. "This is not
war, brother! Keep a steady footing!" he shouted, brows scrunched up into a bothered frown.
His brother, Arihiko, merely chuckled. Straightening his back and swiveling his yari downwards when he took a few steps away, he appeared to be preparing for yet another lashing. "Steady,
predictable footing will be the last mistake you'll make out on the battlefield!" the young man called, a grin spreading across his smooth features. He lunged, his spear thrust forward in one fluid movement.
Heisuke's heart seemed to stop when he reacted a few seconds too late, a jolt of pain erupting from his shoulder when the blade scraped against the light armor. He gritted his teeth. For a moment there, he was awfully
glad that he wasn't facing Arihiko in a proper fight--a blow like that would have easily impaled him. Feigning, he thrust his yari for the legs before sending a quick jab at Arihiko's chest. But it was parried, the other's amused laughter driving him mad.
The two princes continued their spar while servants silently watched on from the sidelines with their hands folded in front of them. Steps and smacks echoed through the great hall, with golden drapes billowing from the equally great and arching windows. Sunlight streamed onto the wooden floor where it eventually illuminated the heavy folds of the crimson banners that hung from the stone walls. At the center of each banner was a single, golden dragon with its maw open and wings outstretched.
A spear tumbled to the floor, rolling away to the side.
Arihiko stood with his yari held against Heisuke's neck. Panting through his teeth, the younger prince glared daggers at his brother. He couldn't keep up with him, and he just
knew that the bastard was enjoying every moment of this. He saw that cursed smirk again, rising ever so smugly. "...2-0," Arihiko said, slowly enunciating each word when his voice ended the silence. "Had this been a battle against the enemy, you would have been one head less."
Clapping was heard from the entrance to the hall, and the attention of both princes was drawn towards a crimson-cloaked man with a pampered, black beard and a set of cunning eyes hiding behind his smile. "I haven't witnessed such a marvelous fight in years! You have improved, Arihiko."
Jealousy knotted in his chest like a tightening rope and Heisuke mustered up a forced smile. "Father," he started, spending a second or two to calm his thoughts and prevent his hands from strangling someone they so longed to do. "Is it time yet?"
"Hm?" The king's eyebrows knotted together before a look of realization dawned upon his aged face. "Ah, yes--your betrothed. I have received word that she should be arriving here at noon. You should be honored Heisuke. At last, you will have a bride like Arihiko's."
"A bride we have
yet to see..." Heisuke muttered under his breath. From the corner of his eye, he thought that he saw Arihiko stiffen, as if having heard him, but he was too riled up to investigate any further. Keeping up his nonchalant facade, he smiled pleasantly to his father. "I shall set off to make the preparations." Heisuke bowed his head slightly when he passed them both. It was better to make a good example of himself when he still had the chance. Leaving the sparring hall and continuing into the hallway, the corners of his mouth arced downwards faster than a brick thrown from a roof. This betrothed of his better not be giving him any more headaches than he already had.
Finding his way to his chambers, Heisuke stopped in front of the broad mirror and released a long sigh. A pair of forest-green eyes stared back at him, and he felt the tension wash off him slowly. It sometimes surprised him how much a little peace and quiet could do to him. He pulled at the ribbon holding his chestnut-brown hair back, letting his mane fall past his shoulders. Smoothing it out, he opted to have it loose. It was one of the few things he took pride in. Having allowed it to grow uninterrupted for a full year, it was now longer than even Arihiko's.
Dressing himself in a white tunic, a pair of black pants, and tall, leather boots, the last piece of clothing that went on him was the crimson cloak that draped over his shoulders. The soft, silky fabric hung freely all the way to the floor with gold embroidery along the hems. Having gone over the last details of his appearance, Heisuke still wasn't entirely satisfied when he left his room, but he supposed that it would have to do. It was only a meeting--not the day of the marriage.
It was noon when Heisuke finally stood in the paved courtyard, tapping the ground with his heel before slowly taking a few steps to the side. He allowed himself to cast yet another glance to the arched gate, the masonry around it threatening to be overtaken by the spreading ivy. He was growing restless waiting for the princess' arrival. Several red-clad servants stood in a line left to him, with some appearing nervous and whispering in hushed tones when they thought that he wasn't looking. Apart from the soft rustling from a few trees in the corners and the shrill cries of swallows flying above them, the courtyard was silent as death itself.
Heisuke wasn't too fond of the thought that they would meet like this, not after so many wars and battles between their houses. The suggestion to meet in this very courtyard was a foolish one, but he didn't claim that he understood his father's thinking. A stinging pain crept up his shoulder and Heisuke furrowed his brows when he rubbed it, attempting to massage it away. He just wanted it to be done and over with.