8 — Joezand's Family

The training grounds are rather simple for something just outside the most opulent of palaces. Being on the other side of the lake than the mansion, it seems like decorum isn't really a priority. It resembles a colosseum, giant stone steps surrounding the amphitheatre. Cecilia and Anneliese tried to ask Lorelai to allow them to watch, but she refused and sent them on their way with their heads down. Which he still does not get. Either way, it's just Lorelai and Joezand here.

She hands him a steel rapier. He takes it, feeling the weight in his hands. It feels weird on his grip. And at the same time, slightly familiar. It's very confusing.

"Alrighty then." Lorelai says, taking a longsword in her hands. "I think we should start with a light spar, just so I get a sense of your current level."

"Understood." He says, getting into... a position? He's not one hundred percent sure how this works, but he keeps the sword in front of himself.

She flexes her knees slightly, and lunges at him with the sword outstretched. She moves almost too fast for him the react. He flinches as the sword approaches him-

And he parries the strike.

All of a sudden, almost unconsciously, his form mirrors hers, with legs somewhat bent and sword following his core muscles.

"Woah!" Lorelai says as their swords strike against each other, steel biting steel, creating friction. "Didn't expect your reaction time to be this good." Lorelai twirls her wrists and Joezand's rapier is sent flying to the ground. "Your grip could use some work, though."

"Not even I understand how I was that fast." Joezand admits sheepishly as he trots to his rapier and grabs it again. "Maybe it's muscle memory?"

"Who knows?" Lorelai shrugs. "You never were this fast before."

"Hmmm... I don't know." He says, looking down. The ring on his finger is glowing slightly, a soft blue light filling the studded sapphire. "Must've been a lucky break." He murmurs, before starting to think. 'Was that you, Sunnaria?'

'You didn't think I was gonna let you loose in my world without any toys, did you? What kind of guide would I be?' Sunnaria giggles. 'This ring is both a tool for communication and something that enhances your stamina, reflexes, all of that noise. Not to mention it looks positively fabulous! Aren't you glad you got such an awesome gift?'

'Alright, alright. It is pretty useful, I'll admit it. Thanks for that.'

'You're so very welcome, little lamb!' She replies in her usual sing-song voice. 'Besides, you'll really need it. I found our demon.'

'Where is it?'

'In a little village called Kivul, in the border between Styria and their sworn rivals, the nation of Wespolta. It's under the jurisdiction of your older brother, King Florian, and his kingdom of Magyla.'

'It's a bit weird how he has a kingdom but he's still under Styria.' Joezand comments. 'Although it makes sense that kings and dukes would still be under an emperor. Kind of like a matryoshka doll of titles and lands.'

'Don't sweat the details on this royal lingo. It's all very confusing.' Sunnaria says. 'After you win the duel and earn your freedom from the palace, you can go to the village and take care of the demon.'

'And after that I will go back to my world, right?'

'Welllllll...' Sunnaria says. 'I mean, there are so many demons in Orskideal...'

'You can't expect me to beat them all. That'd be insane!' Joezand argues. 'Besides, aren't they great at adapting? They probably won't fall for it a second time, right?'

'Fiiiiine.' Sunnaria sighs. 'You can go back after the one. It's one of the most powerful, so it'd still be worth it.'

"Hey!" Lorelai yells to him. "No slacking off. Time to do some drills." She props up a shoddy-looking dummy made of burlap sacks. He can see hay sticking out of the holes. "I'll read out some example moves and you'll do them, alright?" Lorelai says, holding up a manual, the title reading 'Falchion's Teachings'.

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Joezand says and thrusts his blade towards the dummy.

— — —

"Phew..." Joezand sighs, fanning himself. "I really shouldn't have done this in these kinds of clothes..." He wipes his forehead with his cape. "All black in the summer heat? That doesn't work."

"Don't worry, you have a ton of clothes exactly like this one. Besides, it's good practice. You'll have to use them in the duel as well."

"But they're barely protective! And so heavy..." He sighs. "By the way, why did you want to stop Cecilia and Anneliese from watching?

"Are you kidding me? They would be too disruptive. Anneliese has always been a bit jealous with how close you are with Cecilia. It would cause too much of a ruckus."

"I think I saw it, but I didn't understand it one bit." Joezand shrugs. "Why would she be jealous of my sister? It's normal for siblings to be close." He... thinks? Although with how Cecilia was talking... Nah, there's no way. Right?

"Uhm... Yeah, sure." Lorelai says, uncertain. "And it's even more normal for mother and child to be close. But still, I get her being jealous, considering..."

"Oh, I don't think Empress Agatha is that fond of me." Joezand chuckles. "I get the sentiment, though."

"What? No." Lorelai raises her eyebrows. "I'm talking about Cecilia."

"Wait, but... Didn't you just agree that she's my sister?"

"Yeah, thats—" Lorelai interrupts herself, a look of surprise across her face. "Ohhh, that's right. You don't know anymore."

"What are you talking about, Lorelai?"

"Well, this is a bit awkward to explain." She scratches her neck awkwardly. "Hmm... I need you to not freak out. Can you do that for me?"

"Sure? I don't understand, though."

"There's four princes in Styria. Cecilia, Florian, you, and Agnes. Your older siblings, Cecilia and Florian. They're the children of Agatha and Thaddius. Meanwhile, you and your sister Agnes are the children of Cecilia and Thaddius."

"Wait, wait. Hold on." Joezand's eyes go wide. "Does that mean..."

"The house of von Styria has some... customs. That are not really common anywhere else." Lorelai sighs. "Thaddius sired you with his own daughter, Cecilia. So she's both your mother and your sister by technicality."

"That's gross." Joezand spits out. "What about Agatha? Why is she fine with that?"

"She's not. Believe me, I know. But it's not like she can overrule Thaddius' will. Besides," Lorelai continues. "It would be considered hypocritical for her to complain publicly about this. She and Thaddius are also siblings, after all."

"So, uhm." Joezand trails off. "About Cecilia. Was she..."

"Probably, yeah." Lorelai says, looking to the side. "Your own mother was competing for your maid for your affection. Not platonic affection, romantic affection."

"And did I... Did I ever accept, in the past?"

"I can't be sure," Lorelai starts. "But she keeps doing it for a reason. If you'd cut her off before, she wouldn't keep flirting with you, right?"

"Oh." Joezand says. And that's all the reaction he can muster. He's left speechless and disgusted. At the previous Joezand, sure, but he feels like the disgust targets himself as well. "Why? Like, is there some historical reason for them being such freaks?"

"As I said, it's an old custom that survived only on Styria." Lorelai explains. "It's only the nobles who do this kind of stuff, most of the normal folks hate it." She shrugs. "I didn't expect you to react so negatively to this, though. Although I guess you're a normal folk now, with the memory loss and all." Lorelai says. "Don't sweat about how your family operates. You'll get used to it. Go take a rest, kid. We have a full day tomorrow. And a full week after that. And a full month, too."

"Ugh, don't remind me." Joezand grumbles. "See you tomorrow." He says, and walks back to the palace, with a lot to think about.