It is said that when facing death, your life will flash before your eyes.

Lucas never realized how true that was until the moment they tied him to a sturdy wooden stake atop a pile of wood. Cultists chanted around them while monsters of all kinds surrounded them, but not even the raucous din could drown out the sobs of the young princess tied behind him. His heart sank as he remembered how deeply he'd failed her, and took her hand in his through the ropes behind him. She clutched it as hard as she could, squeezing all her life and all her hope into his calloused fingers. Lucas squeezed back, fighting a sob of his own.

He had to be strong for her.

Would Master be disappointed in him? His mind drifted back to the moment he first met her, his swordmaster and the woman who became like a mother to him.
-----
He was only five years old at the time, and his mother had brought him to the temple to receive a blessing from the priests. As the firstborn son of a wealthy businessman, he got to live in the highest crust of society alongside children of the rich and famous. Stories of brave knights fighting dragons and saving princesses inspired him, so as soon as he learned how to walk and talk, he was screaming around the garden with a stick in hand about "smiting the foul fiend."

"Please pardon him," his mother said to the chuckling priestess as he tore around the temple grounds. "He dreams of becoming a knight someday, and we haven't yet given him his dose of reality."

"I'm going to guard a princess!" he exclaimed, running back to show his makeshift sword to the pretty lady.

The priestess squatted down to meet his gaze, her eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity. "Are you, now? That is an admirable aspiration indeed."

"An ammerbable asserashun?" he repeated back.
"Yes, an admirable aspiration."
"What's that?"
"An aspiration is a dream, a wish in your heart that you want to fulfill someday. It is an admirable dream, a good dream, that you should work for as hard as you can."
"An ammermable aspershun is a good dream?"
"Exactly."

With that, he screamed with delight and scampered off again swinging his stick-sword at imaginary enemies. The priestess watched him for a minute, chuckling at his boundless energy before turning to his mother.

"May I train the boy?"
His mother's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Quite. While I serve God now within these hallowed halls, I was a warrior once, and still remember the Way of the Sword. His dream has inspired me, and I wish to encourage it."
"I don't know. He has recently begun his education, and I'm not sure my husband would approve the funds."

The priestess waved her off. "Oh no, there is no need to concern yourself with payment. Let me make you a deal: if your son does not surpass the other trainees his age within six months, I will pay for a year of his tuition in the field of your choice."

"Now that is a proposition I can get behind. You have yourself a deal. Son, come here."

Lucas scampered over, "sword" still in hand.

"This lady is going to teach you swordsmanship. Go on and introduce yourself."
He sheathed his stick in a belt loop and puffed out his chest. "My name is Lucas!" he declared.
The priestess leaned over to meet his gaze and extended a hand to shake. "And my name is Rue. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"A presser to make your acquain- acquaintance!"

To this day, he still remembered the warmth of her smile and the firm, grown-up way she shook his hand.

"The pleasure is mine, Sir Lucas."

"Seventeen! Eighteen! Nineteen! Come on, you can do it! One more one more one more- TWENTY! WOO! High-five!"

Lucas giggled with pride when he finally got to receive the same kind of praise his father would get. He'd sometimes seen his father give and receive the mysterious "high five" after cheering loudly about something, and whatever it was, he wanted to be part of it. That day had finally come. He understood it now: it was the mutual congratulations of a partner.

"My little knight is getting stronger!" Rue crowed, a thin sheen of sweat on her neck after having done push-ups alongside him.
"You think so?"
"I know so. Come on, let's get some water and cookies."
Lucas's eyes sparkled. "Cookies?"
"Sugared peanut butter cookies! You need plenty of carbs and proteins to regain your strength."
"Does that mean I can eat a lot of them?"
Rue made a mischievous smile. "All the cookies you want!"
"Hooray!"

The two of them scrambled to the dining hall, where Rue brought out a plate of cookies from the pantry. This was the moment he'd been waiting for all day. After Rue lifted up a brief prayer of thanks, they dug in with equal enthusiasm.

"Mmm...so good..." Rue moaned after the first bite.
"So yummy," Lucas agreed, crumbs already accumulating at his place on the table. "Mommy never- *gulp* -makes these at home!"
"I am not surprised. We'd gobble them up so fast, your father would never even see one."
"Haha! I'd want father to try at least one, though."
"Aw. That's kind of you. Does it taste better when you share?"
Lucas had to think about that for a minute. "Um...yeah! It does! How did you know?"
"You learn things like that when you get older."
"Will I be big and wise like you?"
"Oh! Tsk, you flatter me. I should certainly hope so."

Then Rue caught an approaching priest from the corner of her eye and rose to greet him. "Seems I am needed. One moment, Sir Lucas. How may I be of service today?"

The priest handed her a sealed envelope. "Missive for you. From the King."

Rue took the sealed envelope and opened it.

"What's it say?" asked Lucas.
"His Majesty has asked the temple to bless his newborn daughter."
Lucas blinked in surprise. "But...isn't the daughter of a king supposed to be a princess or something?"
"That's right!" Rue giggled and ruffled his hair. "I'm the only one here with the necessary authority, so I have to be the one to do it. Want to come with me?"

Lucas gasped, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "To see the princess? May I?"

"Of course! Run on home and tell your mother to help you get ready. Meet me at the palace in two hours."
"Okay!"
_____

As it was for the fifth daughter in a growing line of nine children, there wasn't much pomp or ceremony for her as there would have been for a prince. Still, the royal couple loved their children, so they never failed to request blessings and vassalship for each one of their sires. Rue stood waiting at the gates dressed in full formal attire, with a white fur coat over a gold-trimmed dress of pearly silk. Beside her stood Lucas, dressed in an adorable little navy-blue overcoat and slacks.

Rue shot him a grin. "You excited?"
"Yeah!"
"Me too."

A deep ker-thunk heralded the opening of the gate. The two of them exchanged an excited glance and bounced a little on their toes as the gate creaked open for them. Finally beckoned by the usher, they straightened their backs and strode inside. Rue schooled her expression into a calm, angelic smile by the time they reached the foot of the throne. Normally the king would be sitting there, but today, his queen was in the seat, with a sleeping infant cradled in her arms while the king looked on beside them.

"Your humble servant Rue Bain, High Priestess of the Central Temple, at your service, your Majesty," Rue intoned with a curtsy.
The king nodded. "You may rise. And who is the one beside you?"
"This is the young man I am training to become a knight, Lucas Klein."

A warm smile graced the king's lips. "I welcome you then, Lucas Klein."

Awestruck, Lucas could only stammer and bow his head. Rue chuckled and turned her gaze to the child. "May I inquire as to her name, your Majesty?"

The king and queen shared a knowing look.

"Isara," the queen replied. "We named her in honor of the queen who brought fields of plenty to the southern plains. Will you bless her for us?"

Rue gazed back into the queen's eyes, then at the sleeping face of the infant in her arms. For a moment, Lucas could have sworn he saw her expression falter.

"Very well. One moment."

She raised her arm and touched her fingernails to her elbow. To the shock of everyone watching, she suddenly ripped a small tear in her skin and collected the blood on her fingertips.

The king gulped hard. "Is this how blessings are usually performed at the temple?" he asked.
Rue gave him a reassuring smile and shook her head.
"No. This is a special one that only I can perform."

Gently, she dipped a blood-stained fingertip into the infant's mouth before painting the rest into dots on her nose and forehead.

"What does this mean?" the queen asked.
"It means," Rue replied with a chuckle, "that your daughter may live a long and healthy life."
"Truly?" The queen gave the king a joyous smile before turning back to ask, "How may we repay you this service?"

Rue blinked, having never expected to be offered any compensation. She stretched out her arms.

"If your Majesties will allow me to hold the little one for but a moment, I will consider the debt paid in full."

The queen laughed and offered up the child. Rue gingerly picked up the infant princess and cradled her into her shoulder. She knelt down to show her to Lucas. "This is the young lady you expressed a desire to serve. Say hello."

Lucas peered at her, an expression of awe on his face as he held himself back from touching her. "H-Hello princess! I'm- I'm Lucas!"

With a warm smile, Rue leaned in to softly touch her forehead to baby's.

"Welcome to new life, Princess Isara."