The Forged King

Reuben had never teleported before. He’d walked to the palace, and most of the Forge was walkable from each other. The instant movement made him nauseous as the spell itself burned a little, and he hadn’t learned the wizard’s name to thank them, not that he could find them after that.

Before he had fully righted himself, they were greeted by Queen Clarisse and her children. Reuben followed the greeting he’d practiced, his movements clumsy as he adjusted to the rocking of the building they were in. He’d been warned that the palace moved with the waves when it was above the water, but he didn’t have much experience with waves in the first place.

Prince Neri laughed at him, and Marina smiled, which made things a little more comfortable. Eventually they moved out of the reception room and to a more central area, where more of his peers were. A few of them were similarly struggling with the palace’s movement, Ivy’s falling into him was a comfort in making him feel less alone.

He gave the greeting again as they stood up, and Ivy reciprocated, leading him to a railing on the side of the room.

“It’s been some time since last I was in Mineria,” she explained.

“This is my first time,” he admitted.

“It’s wonderful once you get used to it. None of the other kingdoms’ environments are quite as unique as here.”

He nodded like he had the experience to agree with her.

He watched everyone else. The other Ilvan princets were bumping into each other as the waves came, but otherwise stable. Prince Ingvi and his cousin took the waves easily, as did Lord Avery from Draconis.

As the Minerian royals exited, Marina started sliding in their direction. Reuben instinctively put a hand out to grab her, but she avoided it as she bumped into Prince Ingvi, who held her by the waist.

“She didn’t need your help,” Ivy reassured. Reuben turned back to her and her annoyed expression, “She was probably told to flirt more with Ingvi for Mineria’s sake.”

Reuben found it hard to look away from the pair. Though apparently affectionate, their smiles seemed to hide scowls, though maybe that was wishful thinking. He made no pretense of neutrality with Marina. He still thought her lovely, and knew that had circumstances been different, he might be the one she intentionally fell into.

“Envy isn’t useful,” Ivy said, “Pity is more appropriate.”

“What?”

“Marina is clever, especially in affairs of state, but instead of acknowledging her, Queen Clarisse sends her to Renue, where they could never respect her.”

He didn’t realize. It made him admire Marina’s choice to make clear how she had to ignore him.

“How are you getting along, entering the world of royalty?” Ivy asked, changing the subject.

“Well enough,” Reuben said, “It is nice to be with my father.”

“Do you get along well with him, then?” she asked.

When he forgot that Solam’s love effectively made him a prisoner in the palace, they got along well. He couldn’t tell Ivy that though.

“I miss my grandparents in the Forge sometimes, I’ll admit.”

“A clever redirection,” she gave a complimenting nod.

“I suppose I have you to thank for all this anyways,” he said, “Since you seemed to recognize me first. You said I looked like a friend of yours,” he pretended to search for the name as if he hadn’t repeated it in his mind for several nights, “Garret?”

“Hmm?”

He knew she had to recognize the name. Why was she so cagey now?

“Aura also used that name for me sometimes without thinking, too.”

“I don’t think you look as similar to him as you did on our first meeting, but I’d be glad to speak with you about whatever, privately. Since I’ll be observing the council with my mother, we won’t have much chance to speak otherwise.”

She was planning something. He shouldn’t trust so easily, but he wanted to know.

“I will do my best to see you then.”

“I look forward to it.” Ivy gave a gentle nod

Reuben hadn’t expected combat training of all things, considering Phoenix had invited young royals for a tour of the Forge.

The training wasn’t difficult either, just basic knowledge for a fight. He’d learned similar things from Aura when the other smiths his age got restless.

Marina seemed bored while she imitated the motions, clearly familiar with them.

The instructors left them alone for a minute while they took a break, and those not observing the council sat on the floor, careful of the castle’s rocking.

“I claim Nettle for our first fight tomorrow,” Sumac said, grabbing their sibling round the shoulders. Reuben could tell they were the kind of siblings to fight at any opportunity, in a loving way.

He might have a twin. Would his relationship with them be anything like that?

“That will be boring,” Ingvi insisted. Reuben wasn’t fond of him, but he commanded attention better than the rest of them, making him something of a leader. “You both have the same abilities

“I suspect it would be more boring to fight Princess Marina,” Reuben almost stopped when Marina cringed, but continued, “She seems to have the most experience with these lessons.”

Marina, next to Ingvi, silently shook her head.

“Why don’t you test it?” Ingvi asked.

“Test what?”

“I think our second fight has been determined. The Forged Prince and dear Marina.”

He held Marina’s hand while throwing her into a fight. Ingvi had to know Marina’s prowess in such a thing, and Reuben had a feeling he wouldn’t be entertained if Reuben was proved right.

“I accept your challenge,” Marina said, still smiling.

“Then Prince Ingvi accepts mine,” Dragon Lord Avery said. He was a few years older than the rest of them, which was probably why Ingvi flinched at the prospect.

“Of course,” he accepted.

Reuben signed a quick apology while Ingvi’s eyes were occupied. Marina waved it away, returning her gaze to her betrothed.

The arena seemed far too grand a place for Reuben. It looked like it could hold most of Mineria’s population, though now it held only a few young royals and their accompanying servants, including Ava, who’d chosen to watch their fights instead of recording the council. Reuben offered her a wave, unperturbed by the lack of response. Scribes weren’t supposed to have rapport with their subjects in most cases.

“This,” Marina said, drawing all their attention, “Is where the chiefs of Mineria fight for the right to rule every five years.” she presented her arms grandly before bringing them down to her sides.

“It’s more of a ritual than a true tournament. If the chiefs respect the sovereign, they will lose in spectacular fashion. Otherwise our ruler must be the strongest among them.”

“Explaining our engagement?” Ingvi asked, finally joining them. The atmosphere lost much of its camaraderie as his words set in.

“Did you oversleep, darling?” Marina’s tone with that question was smaller. She walked past the rest of them to kiss Ingvi on the cheek.

“I didn’t feel the need for such an old tour when I’d already heard the words from your brother.”

“Was that the whole tour?” Reuben asked. “This is the first time I’ve heard after all.”

“There’s more,” Avery confirmed.

Marina nodded, leaving Ingvi’s side as she returned to her previous place of honor. Reuben felt an annoyed look come from her.

“As you can see,” she continued, “The platform is raised, meaning that to lose, you need only land in the water beneath.”

Reuben didn’t like the height difference there. He knew water had its uses, but he didn’t like the idea of being soaked.

“In the case of our duels,” Marina said, “The platform will be made a little smaller.”

As if on cue, the outer edges of the platform descended into the water, moving toward the edges of the arena as they did so. Reuben carefully swallowed his fear. He’d never thought himself afraid of heights before.

“May your skills serve you,” Marina said, “And may you carry the lessons learned here for the rest of your life.”

That seemed to commence the duels. The twins quickly claimed the first battle. Avery claimed his fight with Ingvi second, which left Reuben’s fight with Marina as the finale.

The twins fight was far more interesting than Ingvi implied, as they seemed to know each others skills and weaknesses. Reuben wasn’t even rooting for a specific combatant, just fascinated by the power on display. He had little experience with plant mages, often mocking them along with friends in the Forge, but now he prayed dearly that neither of them had any wish to fight him as the seaweed grew to disconcerting heights.

Eventually one threw the other off. They were too distant and similar for Reuben to know which one.

“You can do better than that, Sumac!” Avery yelled.

“I’m Sumac!” the victor said.

“I know,” Avery said. Reuben wasn’t completely sure he was lying.

Avery stood up promptly, turning a smile toward Ingvi.

“I’m not fully convinced we should fight,” Ingvi said.

“Coward,” Nettle said as they joined them from the water.

“Perhaps,” Ingvi said, “But anyone would worry about fighting a wizard.”

“Still in training,” Avery corrected, “I have at least a year of school left before I can claim that title. Speaking of wizards though, I have a missive for Princess Marina.” he revealed a letter with a flourish, dropping it in Marina’s lap.

“Well since you’re only in training, and working as a messenger, then there is little for me to fear,” Ingvi said.

Ingvi had planned for Avery to demean himself before the fight. Reuben watched intently for the way Ingvi held himself. He was sure he could reduce that ego within a battle.

Sumac and Nettle had started their fight immediately. Ingvi and Avery walked around each other, staying from the edges of the platform. They were assessing each other. Sumac and Nettle were already cheering for Avery to destroy the prince. Marina was more pensive, leaning on the railing as she watched the combatants. Reuben leaned next to her, since it gave the best view of the battlefield as far as he could tell.

Marina slid away from him.

“Avoiding me before our fight?” he asked.

Marina looked back at the twins, in their own world as they assessed the fight together. She tapped the back of the finger his ring was on—Ingvi’s ring as far as politics were concerned.

He slid next to her again, quietly.

“I’m proud you still wear it,” he whispered.

“It would be strange not to wear my engagement ring,” she explained.

Reuben nodded. She seemed anxious.

“I’m sorry if you did not want to fight.”

She pointedly focused on the fight that still hadn’t started, leaning more on the railing.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, “As long as you treat me as a worthy opponent, and don’t just give the fight to me to prove your point.”

“I have no point to prove,” Reuben said, “Just a guess made from observation. If I am wrong, then I have learned something.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’ll admit to being a fool when it comes to these politics,” he said, “But I am not a stranger to conversation. There were plenty of people in the Forge.”

“We are all plotting here, Reuben,” Marina explained, “The twins mainly plot against each other, Avery and Ingvi are plotting how best to defeat each other at the moment—”

“And Ingvi earlier made sure Avery spoke low of himself before agreeing to a fight,” Reuben said, “I am not blind to these things. I even notice that you shrink yourself in Ingvi’s presence, probably because you’re afraid of what might happen if he decides not to marry you.”

She didn’t say anything.

“I will not throw the fight, and nothing could make me do such a thing. I would like the same assurance from you.”

“The result will be the same either way,” Marina said, “But it will be far more convincing if I do my best.”

Suddenly there was a splash. Reuben hadn’t been paying attention to the fight, but he recognized Ingvi to be the one in the water.

“It will be our turn in a moment,” she said, watching Ingvi in the water with a slight smile.

Reuben contemplated sitting on his information, but Marina deserved a chance to have things go as she wanted, even if Reuben hated what she was doing.

“There is an enchantment on the ring. Don’t be surprised by it.”

He left for his starting position before she could question him.

The platform he stepped on raised slowly as it brought him to the one in the middle of the arena. He cleaned his glasses before placing them on again.

Before they fully connected to the platform, Marina stormed toward him.

“What do you mean there’s an enchantment? How is this the first I’ve heard of it?”

“Do you really think an engagement ring for such a momentous union would just be pretty?”

She scowled as she stepped away from him, watching Ingvi on the sidelines.

Reuben gave the bow everyone else had given, and she did the same. He refused to make the first move. He barely wanted to fight her in the first place.

Once Marina realized this, she shook her head, closing her eyes as she reached a hand down. Reuben watched the waters.

Marina must have opened her eyes at some point, because the water came from the flask on her hip, not the ocean below. He dodged the blow, turning the whip to steam as it came back on him.

“Don’t tell me that’s your only weapon,” he begged. Marina was supposed to have the advantage, surrounded by her element, but it seemed like she might not be able to use the water below them.

Marina tightened her fist, focusing on the water below them. Maybe she was bluffing again. If she was an opponent he respected, he couldn’t give her the chance.

He made a large blast, with flames as weak as he could manage. He would make this fast and gentle.

Marina screamed, lifting her arms in front of her.

The ring pulled in all fire, so it didn’t touch her. Her eyes widened as a moment later, an equivalent amount of water shot Reuben off of the platform.

He had enough mind to hold his breath, though he lost his glasses and scraped his arms on the rocks.

Attendants helped him out. He made sure to thank them, though the wasted spell had left him too cold to think properly.

“You!” Ingvi stormed into the alcove they’d left him to recover in. Marina was behind him.

“Me,” Reuben smiled. This wasn’t much different than any other fight back in the Forge. Whoever started it would stay mad until their arbitrary markers were reached. Sometimes they didn’t even know what those conditions were.

“You threw the fight,” Ingvi accused.

“How was I supposed to manage that when the ending blow was well out of my means?” Reuben made a quick spark with a snap of his fingers to prove his point.

“Marina isn’t strong enough to make a blow of water that powerful, especially not out of the air.”

Reuben tried to spot Marina’s expression. One wrong word, and Ingvi would likely turn on her. If only he hadn’t assumed her skill.

“Fine. Since we proved Marina’s skills today, tomorrow we’ll prove yours. I challenge you to fight me tomorrow.”

Marina’s eyes widened. She clearly didn’t think this the right move.

“If you lost to her, you won’t be much of a challenge. I accept.”

Reuben held his tongue from taunting him more. He’d saved Marina from whatever Ingvi would do in a fight with her. That was all he needed to do.

As the two left, he noticed Ava watching. He gave her another unacknowledged wave.

Marina was right that talking to her only seemed to make more problems with Ingvi.

The medics had patched him up, but Reuben needed to be at full strength for tomorrow’s fight. Ingvi had a bone to pick, and few scruples as far as Reuben could tell.

He knocked on the door to the quarters the Ilvan entourage was given.

A servant with dark skin opened the door, then turned inside, giving a calm nod. In a few moments Ivy was at the door.

“You offered to speak to me,” Reuben said, “I was wondering if I could trouble you for some healing as well.”

Ivy nodded.

“I heard about your fight with Marina.”

She took his hand, bringing him to a seat. She looked at his wounds, producing a green energy from her hands that started patching them up.

“Do you consider us friends?” she asked.

“I barely know you, your highness.”

He owed her for revealing who his father was, but their conversations hadn’t been many.

“You seem close enough to Marina.”

“Well Marina—” he thought better of himself before continuing that thought.

“I’m not offended that you find her prettier. I’m not particularly concerned about your feelings toward me, as long as you don’t want to hurt my kingdom for them.”

“Why would I want to hurt your kingdom?” he asked.

“Typically it happens when you decide they have to pay for your feelings, whether they be desire for conquest, or personal disgust with my family.”

“I would never do that.”

“Never is a word for liars. We do not know who we will be, even a few moments from now.”

Reuben accepted that Ivy was smarter than he was, and almost had nothing else to say, until he remembered why he even wished to speak with her.

“You recognized me because of Garret, yes?”

Ivy’s hands paused for just a moment, then she moved to the other arm.

“I’m choosing to trust you,” Reuben continued, “Because you seem to care about what’s best for the whole continent, and this would be best for Phoenix: I had a sibling. I had a twin apparently, and I think Garret might just be them.”

Ivy fully removed her hands, placing them on her lap, before offering a nod.

“Just catching up to that, brother?” the servant from the door asked. His hair was longer than Reuben’s, and his frame a bit smaller, but there was no denying the similarity.

There was no possible way to respond. You don’t talk when you meet someone with your own face.