We smiled at her who soon came with her zealous motherly exaggerations.
- Bruce, you've grown my son! - she said touching Bruce's strong arms. - As for you, Alistair, you're so thin. What have you been eating to get malnourished like this?
I turned my eyes and thought it was funny what she said. Both Bruce and I had an enviable physique. We were strong with muscles all over the body.
- Your exaggeration, my mother! I believe I've gained more body since I left Dunhill.
- I don't know! - Bruce smiled provocatively and gave me an elbow. - The way you lost that arm fall, and for a girl, I think I'll have to disagree with my aunt and say you're a weakling.
- I'm not weak! - I replicated by shrugging my shoulders. - I was just a knight and let her win.
- You fought an arm fall with a woman? - Lowenna asked in amazement.
Our territory is famous for having women warriors since ancient times. As time passed, this context became outdated and became rare as a woman on the battlefield. Although I didn't like it very much, I appreciated the courage of those who joined us.
- You're not just a woman, my aunt! - Bruce said with enthusiasm. - She's the most incredible warrior I've ever seen in my life.
- Well, maybe you'll bring that, "incredible warrior," one day so we can meet her. - Lowenna said smiling. - Who knows, a beautiful union might result from that encounter?
Bruce swallowed dry making me laugh.
- My aunt, that's not what I meant! - he justified himself by putting his hand on his chest. - I meant she's just very good at battle and she handles a sword like nobody else.
- Not counting the bow! - I've completed.
- Wow! What about those daggers? - Bruce widened his eyes. - Can you imagine anyone else throwing daggers like her?
- I can't imagine. - I replied thoughtfully. - In fact, where does she keep so many daggers?
My mother pigmented, interrupting our enthusiastic thinking.
- I see this warrior has enchanted you both, but I understand your comment. - she paused with a debauched smile. - Of course, knowing my son and nephew, I know they didn't talk about the lady's physical attributes.
Bruce smiled at Lowenna in an embarrassing way. My mother was a very elegant and wise woman. She kept her family always with a democratic response, never allowing her husband to cross the line between being king and being a father.
- My mother, did I get it right or is there going to be a party tonight? - I asked, changing the subject abruptly.
She smiled at me.
- Well, there will be a feast, in fact, in your honor. I must confess, there's another reason behind this. - she sighed as she picked up our arm and led us to the salon. - No matter what you hear today, I want you to act diplomatically, not angrily. Remember that, as a future sovereign, you must make sacrifices for your people.
Those words put my senses on alert and I could already imagine what was coming next.
- Mom, what's my dad up to? - I asked.
My mother smiled before she stopped and kissed my forehead.
- Just remember my words.
Without understanding, I followed my mother to the main hall. It was a vast hall with a huge fireplace on the central wall with armchairs in front of it. A large oak table was in the centre and that was where we did most of our meals. In the right corner, next to the fireplace, my father played chess with my brother. By his countenance, Alec was losing the game. That wouldn't be much of a novelty, because Alec was terrible at chess or pretended to be on purpose.
Brice MacCalister was a fair, brave, firm man. He reigned wisely and was able to hold the clans together. He was about five feet tall. The hair was black, almost gray. His posture was that of a knight and his blue eyes sparkled with perspicacity. I looked in the direction of my brother and smiled. He paid attention to the chess game without even blinking. He was extremely tense about the situation. The black hair was shorter and stubbornly dropping over the blue eyes causing Alec to blow it away. I approached them slowly. My brother immediately stood up for a long, warm hug. Although Alec was two years younger than me, he was as tall as our father. He was about 1.90 feet tall. At the height of his twenty-six years, Alec had never participated in a battle.
- Welcome back, my brother!
- Thank you! Thank you!
My father had told me that he was returning from his study trip. I didn't expect to meet him so soon in Dunhill, but it was nice to see my brother.
- When did you get here?
- Two days ago. - he said smiling.
His smile died giving way to a serious face. I noticed that he was staring at Bruce and nodded when our cousin smiled in greeting. I was surprised at how serious he got, but I ignored him.
I looked at the game board and made a face when I saw the position of Alec's remaining pieces. There wasn't much to do and if he stayed in that game, he'd certainly lose.
- Your game is horrible! - he said, making a face. - Whose turn is it?
- From our father! - Alec whispered. - I have no idea what to
