From Outlaw to King - The page trials

I lost some pictures for this one, so if you see longer paragraphs you know why!

Also, let's all thank Moriah for making the Fitzgerald twins!

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Hannah: Ranmaru, Mizuki! Hurry and come to dinner!

Ranmaru: Ugh. Coming, ma!

The twins hurried inside, knowing that there would be trouble if they made the adults wait any longer.

Their parents and aunt were already seated, they probably had been for a while. They took their seats quickly and without fuss, knowing they would get a scolding otherwise.

Hannah: Did you prepare everything for romorrow, Ranmaru? The butler said he didn't find your suit hanging.

Ranmaru: Uh... yeah, I forgot. Sorry.

Hannah sighed in disappointment - a sound she often made. It was quite easy to disappoint her, really.

Hannah: What are you even thinking about that would make you forget the one thing I askad you to do? Make sure to fix it after dinner. I won't have you attend the trials with a crumpled suit.

Ranmaru nodded, though being reminded of the trials took away the little hunger he still had. He poked at his food, uninterested, eating just a few bites before it was time to go.

And that night he couldn't sleep, because he knew that his family's status depended on his success the following day.

The page trials began early in the morning, because knights have no time to waste - or so uncle Kiyoshi used to say.

He also used to say that the Commander Major Saunders, the man who was supposed to judge him and other kids that year, was an old, hot-headed fool, but the woman standing in front of them seemed anything but old.

???: Good morning, everyone.

The woman's voice silenced the crowd. From how easy it was, Ranmaru almost thought her a witch who just put a spell on the crowd. Of course, back then he thought witches didn't exist.

???: I know you expected General Major Saunder, Duke of Windenburg, to hold these trials, but he has recently retired to private life. As his heir, his obligations fell onto me. I am Lieutenant Angelique Saunders, a knight of His Majesty's Army. Now, let us do a roll-call like in school, alright children?

Lieutenant Saunders began to call name after name. When his name was called, Ranmaru responded. It seemed as if he was back in school.

Lieut.Saunders: Good. Now I'll split you in groups. Group A: Alto, Bergen, Barker, Burb, Chambers, Dunne, Fitzgerald Alinor, Scott, Lothario, Ramirez, Potts, Michaelson. You all need to go to the obstacle course.

A group of children marched off, parents in tow. So Ranmaru was in group B. What did they have to do, he wondered.

Lieut.Saunders: Group B: Fitzgerald Alexander, Smith, Domo, Satrinava, Sawyer, Wolff, Howell, Lum, Baker, Richards, Benali. You will go to the stables. Group A will do the obstacle course, then group B will do the riding trials. Afterwards you'll switch. Before you start your trial, wear the uniform we left in the changing room. All clear?

Ranmaru nodded, and he wasn't the only one. He did, however, hear some parents explain their children what to do in a hushed voice.

He went to see Group A perform, just to know what to expect. There were many talented children among them, and many painfully untalented ones. One girl, which his mother would later say was called Tessa Ramirez, fell butt first into the mud twice. That one, Ranmaru immediately knew, wouldn't make the cut.

Then it was Group B's turn to showcase their riding prowess. Ranmaru had no difficulty, but many of his peers seemed to struggle. It was so weird to him to see the beast that had been so tame with him refuse to move for others. He figured they were probably just inexperienced.

Group A watched them closely, knowing that soon it would be their turn.

The obstacle course also wasn't as difficult as Ranmaru thought it would be. He finished his without any issue and saw the woman, Lieutenant Saunders, nod approvingly when he landed the final jump. Good sign.

Hannah: You were fantastic. I'd be surprised if you weren't chosen.

Ranmaru: Yeah, me too.

The children reunited with their families and then began a long wait, peppered with anxious talking and soft sobbing from those who already knew they hadn't made the cut. Ranmaru felt sorry, but better them than him.

Lieut.Saunders: I have finished my evaluation of your performances.

Her words once again shut the crowd up

Lieut.Saunders: Before I announce the new pages, I will remind you that these trials can be done for a total of two times. If you fail twice, per His Majesty's decree, you won't be allowed to try again. I must likewise clarify that Saunders palace is currently allowed to hold a maximum of five pages, but by His Majesty's grace we might soon be allowed to take a sixth. In that case, we will be in with the family ourselves, so do not hog our landlines. Now, onto the most pressing matter: the new pages.

Lieut.Saunders: Fitzgerald, Alinor. Fitzgerald, Alexander.

Alexander: Well, we made it.

Alinor: Did you have any doubt?

Alexander: Yes, I thought you'd embarass the family.

Alinor: And I though the same of you! Guess we really are twins!

Lieut.Saunders: Sawyer, Christine.

Count Pierce Sawyer: All is in your hands now, Christine. that we are in dire need of success.

Christine: I know, grandfather. I will make you all proud.

Count Sawyer: You better.

Lieut.Saunders: Michaelson, Shawn.

Shawn: Oh thank god. Grandma was going to kill me if I failed again!

Alice Michaelson (Shawn's mother): Of course not, dear. She was just going to give you an earful! She's like that, your grandma. Tough as nails.

Lieut.Saunders: Last but not least, Satrinava-Hatano Ranmaru.

Ranmaru exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding. He'd made it. He was in.

Ranmaru: Mama, tell uncle Tsuyoshi.

Autumn: On it, dear! I'm so proud of you!

Lieut.Saunders: And that is all for now. The chosen children will come with me now. Their families must prepare a suitcase with undergarments, sleepwear, formal clothes and shoes. I will send my servants to retrieve them later in the day. That is all.

Hannah: Knock them dead, Ranran. I'm so proud of you.

Ranmaru: I will! I can't wait to be a knight like uncle!

Ranmaru said goodbye to his family and ran off to the other pages and Lieutenant Saunders. He was ready. He wasn't going to fail his family.

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Yuuji Hirohiko: Father, I brought you your darling daughter. Since I had no hand in creating her, I ask not to be subjected to her pestering. I assume this will not be a problem.

Kai: She is your sister, Yuuji, not some kind of pest. She is allowed to scour her family's palace as she wishes.

Yuuji: Oh, I see. Then I'd advise you to be careful - after all, it is not recommended to get too close to fire. She's so young, and burns would make it difficult to find her a husband.

The way his father turned to look at him, the furious gaze, didn't help Yuuji's resolve to remain calm. It's getting hard not to laugh.

Kai: Do not DARE threaten your sister! If you use your curse on her-

Yuuji: My powers, father. Not my curse. You have no idea what real curses look like.

Kai: Do NOT talk to me in such fashion! Your sister would make a better ruler at her age than you would at yours!

Now it was Yuuji's turn to grow pissed. How dare that man imply an inability to rule on his part?!

Yuuji: And you think you know how to rule?! You are just a coward who bent over backwards to please the Landgraabs! You lost land, made the sacrifice of thousands of lives worthless and gave them a way to continue their worthless legacy! Your kingdom is riddled with criminals and your Knights are worthless nobles who spend their days playing cards and soliciting-

Kai: Enough! Leave, NOW!

Yuuji stomped off, pissed. He knew what he had to do once he got power, but first he had to make sure that to get the crown on his head.