Without wasting another second, they mounted their horses once again and disappeared down the road.
Three days passed...
The palace had heard nothing from Cedric or the men who had ridden with him.
Julian stood in the palace garden, gripping the small wooden sword Cedric had carved for him. Ever since Cedric had begun teaching him, the boy had insisted on practising every single day, hoping he would become strong enough to protect the people he loved.
With a determined grunt, he swung the wooden sword through the air before attempting another step. Unfortunately, his foot caught against the uneven ground, and he tumbled forward onto the grass.
Rebecca immediately rose from the nearby bench.
"Julian!" she called with concern. "Are you alright?"
The boy quickly pushed himself upright, brushing the grass from his clothes while several green blades clung stubbornly to his hair.
"I'm alright, Mother," he answered with an embarrassed smile.
