Deep in the dark, abandoned woods of Blenshire, a weapon of unimaginable power lay buried. The legendary sword of Avytir, one of the greatest knights ever in the realm, waited for a worthy challenger to seek it. Whoever would be blessed enough to be it's new champion would garner untold power and blessings. Countless numbers of brave men had attempted the journey; none had returned. It seemed likely that the sword would be buried forever...
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On a bright, early morning in Fesgal, a young woman woke up to do some sparring. 18-year-old Serys Valbrith loved this time of the day, before any of the maids or servants would be awake to pester her. Serys was no ordinary teenager; she was a princess, daughter of King
Aarvin, ruler of all of Fesgal. Her daily routine involved meeting with the subjects of Fesgal, various dignitaries, and of course, planning her eventual wedding to a prince from another kingdom. None of these things interested her in the slightest; in fact, she had no interest in being a member of royalty.
Wearing a long shirt, long pants, boots, and putting her waist-length blonde, curly hair into a bun, Serys picked up a fencing sword from the corner of her room and headed out to the courtyard. Serys' deepest desire was to become a knight. Fighting bravely against the enemy for king and country, with all the pain, suffering, and glory that came with it. However, she knew that was impossible, considering she was a woman and of royal lineage. She simply would have to settle for pretend.
Meeting up with her sparring partner and loyal confidante, Patwin. A former knight and one of her father's oldest friends, Patwin had worked with Serys in her sparring sessions for the past three years. The two hugged, before pulling out their swords.
"Morning, Serys. Today you will meet your maker."
"I think not. I have lifetimes to go before I meet her"
Patwin and Serys began. These sessions were bruising for Patwin. What had started out as training a comically inept child had turned into withstanding blows from one of the most technically proficient swordsmiths he had ever encountered. He knew Serys had been practicing on her own, he just didn't know where. Patwin and Serys engaged viciously, with pieces of Patwin's uniform flying everywhere. After what seemed like an eternity, Serys had him on the ground with the blade at his neck.
"If this were a true sword, your entrails would be spilling over." Serys said with a smile. Helping up Patwin, the two laughed and sat on a nearby fence. Patwin was one of the only people in the entire kingdom who Serys could talk to without judgment.
"My father has increasingly talked to House Maldvern about arranging a union between me and Prince Borsun," Serys said solemnly. "It makes me want to scream."
"Is the prince a fool or a bully?" Patwin asked.
"No, he's quite nice and charming. It's just...is this all that there's left for me?"
"Is what's all that's left?"
"To be married, to sit in a throne, to have the people shower me with praise, to bear a prince children, and then to die." Serys said. "That is not a life worth living for me."
"Don't worry Serys," Patwin said, holding her face tenderly. "Fate has a way of surprising all of us."
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Serys went back to her room and got dressed for her daily rituals. At 5'5 and with a petite figure, Serys had no need for a corset but her servants insisted on it anyway. She could feel her chest constricting as the corset grew tighter and tigher, pushing against her B-cup breasts. After that, she put one of her ridiculous dresses, a blue dress that dragged across the floor and which had tripped her on more than one occasion. Finally came hair and makeup, with her face being slathered with powder, lipstick, and eyeshadow, even though she preferred to go without any of that, and her face being fastened into a fancy ponytail. To herself, Serys looked absurd, but to everyone, she looked "regal"
Like every other day increasingly had, the day passed by in a blur. A royal walk through one of the poorer towns of Vesgal, a meeting with Prince Borsun and his father, a treaty signing with her father, and finally, a royal dinner with other members of the family. It was at this point that Serys felt she was at her breaking point. She was not even hungry; she just kept twirling around her food with her thumb.
"Is something wrong dear?" King Aarvin asked.
"No father, I'm just not very hungry." Serys replied. "Could I be excused to my quarters."
"Of course. Just be prepared to be up early tomorrow, we ride to Svensik before the sun rises."
Serys held herself together until she got into her room and locked the door. At that point, she burst into tears. None of this mattered. She knew she would never be happy, but it wasn't up to her anyway.
Lying down on her bed, Serys briefly thought to herself what life would be like if she were allowed to fight, before passing out.
-----
Deep in slumber, Serys grew increasingly restless before a thought came bursting into her mind.
"SERYS, CHILD OF AARVIN. COME SEEK ME IN BLENSHIRE, AND I WILL OFFER YOU SALVATION."
With that, she woke up in a cold sweat.