The World of Rhune

Trei approached the hall, his tunic flaring in the slight wind. As he reached the door he said to the guards, "Prince Trei Del Sole, requesting an audience with their highnesses, Queen Maria Del Sole and King Giovanni Del Sole." The guards knelt down in respect and only rose when Trei indicated for them to. One of the guards stood and went through a side door, to ask permission for the monarchs. He returned shortly and said to Trei, "Prince Trei, the King and Queen have requested you to having an audience with them in your living quarters. I will be your escort if it suits you." "I don't need an escort, Pietro, I know the way around the palace well enough," Trei said, recognizing surprise in the guards face that he knew his name "Thank you Pietro and Bernado," Trei had been well acquainted with most of the staffs name, something the royal family rarely did, but he didn't care much for status and what not.

He strode quickly in far-most halls until he reached the large double doors of his parent's quarters. He nodded towards the guards stationed there, they seemed to be everywhere, and rapped on the door quickly "Enter," came the Queen's voice. He stepped inside the room, the guards closing the heavy doors behind him. "Ah, Trei you're here," came the gruff voice of his father. He kneeled down before the couple who sat on a luxurious sofa in a regal manner. "You may rise," is father commanded. Unlike Trei his parents demanded the rituals be followed. "What had happened to you. Your are black all over and have a terrible cut on your forehead," His mother questioned, eyeing him. "It was nothing, mother, just a fall. Why have you summoned me here?" Trei did not particularly enjoy the audience with his parents. "You must have guessed, Trei," his father peered at him. His face was tan like Trei's own, and remarkably young looking. Unlike Trei, who wore only a fine layer of hair for a beard, his father supported a large black beard that matched his long hair His eyes were the same deep green flecked with gold as Trei's but that was where the resemblance ended. Trei looked more like his mother. She had a long mane of the mix of browns for hair, identical in shades of Trei's short, cropped hair. She had the same set jaw that had a commanding air, and was limber like himself, though not as muscled. Trei did however share his father's height, his mother being quite small.

"The marriages," Trei could hardly call it a guess since he knew this was what it was about. "Good boy, you know! Yes, and you are already at the age where most princes would be married. There is no lack of brides, several countries sport girls your own age, several very lovely. I would have you know that Icladia, Septyni, and Cancri all have young royals your age. Even five (sorry don't know its name) had a girl around her age though I heard that she is marrying a lad from eight (again don't know name). Even Aquilonis has a girl your age, if we weren't in a feud with them you could perhaps marry her. Even now the marriage could bring peace to us," His father boomed. "Father, I don't even know these girls," Trei persisted. "Why do you need to know them, you would do just fine without meeting until it is arranged," His mother argued back. "What happened to having to marry one from your own country. When you two married you weren't allowed to marry out of your own country, it was all about keeping our blood pure,"Trei spoke in irritation. The queen sighed, "There was a time for that. Now though, as a prince, it is your responsibility to help your country in which ever way you can, and now, that calls for a marriage between you and another princess." Trei gritted his teeth and spoke real quietly, "I will not marry someone who I have not met, mother and father. You bring the princesses hear, or send me to them, and if I do actually take a liking to one of them, then we can talk about marriage. But not until then." With a quick bow Trei swept from the room, not bothering to stay anything to the guards.

He crossed the palace grounds, ignoring all people, until he reached his residence. He only nodded to Lili, who once again stood in position by the door. He quickly entered his room and opened one of the closets that led to his own mini armory. He took off his tunic and breeches to don new ones fit for his everyday life. Trei slipped into a chain mail-shirt and pants, made of a metal found only in Terra dei Cavalli Vollanti He placed his breast plate, made of the same light metal called adamas that had a strength impenetrable be all weapons, well except the hooves of a Cavalli Volanti Trei had learned on one of his expeditions. It was black in color and and gleamed in the light, the insignia of the flying horse centered on his chest. He buckled on his shin guards and arm guards over the chain-mail. He put on the adamas gloves and his leather boots and was in full armor. He strapped on the sheath of his sword, the pure black of adamas metal, it was was thin for a sword and long as well, made to Trei's order it allowed him longer striking distance and could find chinks in armor more easily. It would only give as much force as he put into to into it, gaining none because it was so light, but it allowed him to be quick. He decided to go without his helmet, as he usually did. Placing daggers into both his boots, arm guards, and one on the collar of his chain mail. He was prepared to fight. He rarely went into full armor when he was training but he did practice like this sometimes in case it did happen. He attacked a billowing black cloak, being entirely clothed in black, during the night soldiers would be nearly invisible, as it was designed to work. Andato commanded a large navy but being shielded by mountains on all sides except for the east and south they were not terribly strong. However, the cavalry was feared by most if not all countries, especially when on the Cavalli Volanti They were a terrible thing to be feared when diving at the footman of an army at nearly one-hundred miles per hour. Even when on the ground the flying horses commanded a size the horses could not compare to Some countries had received Cavalli Volanti as a gift from Andato but the monarchs were always sure they were entirely males so as they could not be bred outside the country.

Trei left his home quickly, he had removed the splint and it did not bother him much. He decided it was definitely a break but a small one and that he would be fine. Even his head was remarkably better. He hurried towards the barracks and stables were he would meet the soldiers. A small division of one hundred soldiers were entirely his to command. He supervised their training often, if he did not train them himself. He usually left combat lessons to his generals, taking over lessons of riding the flying horses and the sect of the howler handlers. This time he headed directly towards the stables and out into the pasture adjacent to it. A large net hung down from about two hundred feet up, connected to twelve poles surrounding the pasture. It was used to keep the Cavalli Volanti in but their was rarely worry that one would attempt to escape. The pasture was three hundred acres of ground and took a large section of the palaces inner grounds. It housed over two hundred Cavalli Volanti, and throughout the country, on royal owned grounds, smaller pastures were built for herds of about twenty-five, these were usually stationed around main cities and were accompanied with a small division of soldiers to protect the surround district. Entering the pasture several of soldiers in training were attempting to mount the flying horses. They must be new recruits, Trei though to himself. Upon seeing him, they kneeled down Trei estimated for there to be about thirty of them most around his age or a couple years older. "You may rise," He said to them. They did and they watched him openly, it was well known throughout the country of his expertise of riding, especially on the winged horses.

About twelve of the tamed winged horses approached him in a prancing manner, well acquainted with the young prince. Trei would guess he had ridden more than three quarters of the flying beasts in this pasture, so most knew him as a skilled rider and would easily allow him to mount them. He picked the smallest of the group, slighter in build with a dun coat and a flowing black mane. He stroked its snout and led it towards the nearby horse armory. He attached the neck armor of adamas made so the winged horse could still move its neck any which way. He placed the metal for his hind quarters and chest, finally attaching the black armor to its face. The battle saddles for the winged horses were small and made so as not to affect their wings. Beneath the face armor, Trei had already placed a bridle and reins and the horse was fully armored. He swung his left leg over the back of the creature and was soon mounted on it. He clicked his tongue and the horse started out a walk, and with two more clicks of the tongue was at a canter. Nearing the gate to the pasture the guards swung it open for the rider to pass.

Originally Trei was going to participate in a sparring match with a soldier but decided now he would rather go hunting. Not for the winged horses but for the stags that roamed the forest as well. He headed in the direction of the howlers coop as it was called and it was only a short ride away. On approach the guards swung the doors of the barn open, one of the four located their. Inside it was war, but unlike many places where canines are kept, it was quiet The howlers, contrary to their name, were trained to be silent when in the barn or otherwise commanded. As well as, when on a hunt they would only how once they were released to chase after the prey. Each howler was kept separate from others, except in the breeding season, so as not to go after one another. They were kept in longer stables littered with hay and were fed fresh meat and eggs daily. Everyday a handler would take each dog out so it was sure to get its exercise and training Slowing the Cavalli Volanti down to a trot, it would not become spooked as most horses would as it was trained to feel safe with them, he went down the rows looking into each stable Going to the very end he found his four favorite howlers, ones he had raised himself from birth. Howlers were in appearance like small wolves, they were then and agile, fast as anything and were able to dodge through forest trees at full speed. Their stamina was incredible being able to follow prey for days on end until it tired out, though that was usually needles. The coat was thin and varied from the colors of grey, black, and browns. Their paws were wide and had traction on the bottom so they would not lose there footing and their tails were extremely long for balance. The claws were also longer than those of a wolf, used as cleats, and there snouts were long so as to hold scents better. The ears were large and never long enough for them to hang down. Their jaw had an amazing biting force, but they more lethal thing was that the jaws would lock on prey so as if they were attempted to be kicked off the wouldn't let go until the bone itself had broken. These four were all brown, though ranging in shades and some of the largest and most well trained of any of the howlers. Unlocking the stable doors, the upper half was comprised of chain so as not to have the howlers leap over it, he whistled to them. "Seguire, tranquilio," Trei spoke clearly to them, giving them the commands to follow and be quiet. On his way out he took three spears from a rack, a common hunting tool for deer, he attached them to the saddle in buckles made purposefully for them. Leaving the barn he quickened the winged horse, whose name was Nocte, to a gallop and the howlers strode purposefully at its side, in a formation so that one was on each side, and two followed behind to protect the rear. He was heading towards Andato's large forest,where he had always found a calming affect. Today though he wanted to see the blood run from a stag, of course he would bring it back to his home to be butchered for meat and the furs and antlers.