Frosted peaks sheltered the small mountain village, Amunet, that served as the capital for Arolnan. The village was normally not that busy as there were ever few visitors to the nation let alone the capital. Today; however, was the Knight's Tourney, and so Arolnan's from every village had come to watch or participate in the festivities. It was one of the few times they all got together or did anything other nations would consider "fun." Merchants were setting up stalls selling food and touristy baubles as this years tourney was different, outsiders would be joining. 


Raymond Lucetta, the crown Prince of Arolnan, inhaled sharply and held his breath before letting an arrow loose from his bow, hitting a target dead center over 100 yards away. He went to reach for another arrow when he heard one of his sisters calling for him.


"Ray!" a light feminine voice called through the stone walls of the Mountain Palace. "Ray come on! We have to greet everyone! You're going to win the tourney, you have no need of practice, brother!" The young girl was 11 years younger than Ray but at least a head shorter than him as she threw her arms around him. "Who knows, perhaps you'll make a match with one of the Princesses who comes?"

"Now you sound like mother, Rayne." Ray's deep voice was mockingly displeased. 

He was close with his sister's despite the icy exterior he gave outsiders. His sisters found it endlessly amusing that their parents machinations to marry him off to some noble woman had failed and that he was known as the "Ice Prince." He picked Rayne up and twirled her around much to her giggling delight. Setting her back on her feet he didn't bother to put his weapons away, he would need them for the tournament later.

He and Rayne made their way to the entrance hall where they and the rest of the royal family would greet the outsiders, as Ray liked to call them. Aside from the tourney, all of the kingdoms were coming together to sign a peace accord. Ray's father, King Richard, had emphasized the importance of the peace accords for months. Ray didn't trust it but he was not yet King and so kept his opinions to himself. He waited dutifully next to his mother and father, though they gave a disapproving look at him for wearing his normal mountain clothes, a dark blue hooded cloak ensemble that was easy to move in, protective, and most importantly, warm. Arolnan was cold by nature from the mountains, he doubted the outsiders would like the weather much while they were here.