It was nice and breezy in Northend, the capital of England. The wind whistled, the breeze shifting at a normal pace. The center of the town held the king's palace. The building a shiny white. It was large, the largest palace in the world. The towers that connected to each other were each perfected, banners hanging on the walls. The banners symbolized the flag of England, the horizontal and the vertical red lines crossing each other on the white banner.

A the moment, decorations were being hung on the castle, along with the clearing in front of it. The decorations were hung as far as to the house fronts. In front of the castle, was the single source for eye candy. Gleaming in the sunlight, was the legendary sword in the stone. It provided a spot for tourists, and was often visited. At the moment, the people were preparing for the big event that would happen the next day. The crowning ceremony. It would be a sight to see. Men from the whole of England giving a go at the sword, hoping to pull it out of the stone. So far none had done so.

The sword itself was a beauty to see. It's black hilt gave it a medieval touch to the outshining gleam of the silver blade. The stone it lay dug through was a sand-color. It had a texture to it. It was a normal stone. Nothing special about it.

The decorations were mainly that of strips of white and red cloth hung from poles to houses. It hung above the heads of the people, high up. The brick houses each had the flag of England on them, the houses all with light inside. The Pub of Northend echoed with jostles and cheers as people drank mead, chatting and laughing heartily. The streets were clear, most people inside the pub where a feast was being provided. It was grand, but people knew the feast the day after would be even more grander, once the king was crowned. 

Most thought that the Duke would be crowned King as usual. They saw no one having the potential to pull out the sword. Although it wasn't about strength. Though the people who were going to try out thought it was. It was not on their minds though. All they enjoyed was the gifts that came to them.

Out of all the unoccupied houses stood one, with a girl inside. She was bored out of her mind, groaning as she shifted in her seat. She stretched and cracked her knuckles. Her parents had told her to stay put as they left for the pub, probably not even thought of her, alone at home. There wasn't much to do. She let out a yawn, rubbing her eyes, evidently sleepy. Yet she never felt so awake. It was her first crowning ceremony. 

She always admired the Sword in the stone, fantasizing about it at every moment. It just didn't seem fair that women didn't get to try and pull the sword. Her hands itched to feel the hilt. Strictly speaking, it would be the first hilt she had ever touch. Heck, it would be the first weapon she had ever touched.

She got up, absent-mindedly brushing her her dress. It was outrageous of her parents to have no feelings for her. She decided she would go outside. The risk was high, for she would be punished if discovered. But she could think of someone who would help her.

She opened the door as it creaked aside. She crept out, glancing from side to side on the empty street. Except for the people crowding the sword in the stone. Some were on ladders, fixing the decorations. The girl walked to one specific boy. He was on a tall ladder, trying to tie to strips of cloth. He had black unruly hair and wore a dull grey shirt. He had a pleasant smile as he hummed to himself. His green eyes sparkled with joy.

'Carter!' Shouted the girl. Carter looked, down, his sparkling eyes rising its color when he glanced at the girl. He moved down the ladder and landed with a THUD! on the ground. He dusted his pants smiling as he came up in front of the girl.

'Elora!' He shouted, giving her a hug which she returned. Dust coated her dress, which she didn't mind. Though she would have to answer to her parents when they saw it. 

Carter pulled away, showing off his gleaming white teeth. 'What happened? I though you're parents had locked you inside' 

'I snuck out' Said Elora simply as though it was the obvious thing in the world.

'Huh! Did Elora Williams just sneak out?! I am shocked!' Mocked Carter. Elora smiled and punched his arm as he smirked, not wincing. Carter was a strong man. He worked in forges with his dad, Mort Creedice. 

They didn't realize they were walking as they talked. Suddenly they halted, right in front of the sword in the stone. 

'Excalibur' Breathed Elora, the name sounding foreign yet so familiar on her tongue. The itching feeling came back to her as her hand started moving upwards without her notice. Carter grabbed it with his strong grip, glancing at her. He let go as her hand settled by her side.

'I want to too. But there all laws' He said in a strict tone. Elora didn't pay heed. She just watched the sword. It gleamed in the light, a sparkle suddenly occurring in front of her eyes. 

'Are you going to enter?' Elora asked suddenly, pulling away from the sword. She turned to Carter, who looked as though she had grown a third eye. 

'What?! You're bonkers! I'll enter when hell freezes over!' Said Carter as he crossed his arms, turning away from Elora. She smirked, knowing he wanted too.

'You ought too. I think you have a fair chance' She said truthfully. Carter sighed. 

'It's not about strength. It's the sword that chooses you' Elora smiled knowingly as Carter shared it. Silence descended upon them.

'Well, I better go. If father finds out.. ' He shrugged as though ridding of something. Elora watched as he walked up the ladder and took the two strips and began tying them again. 

'You can't stare at me the whole day you know' He said without turning to her, smirking victoriously. Elora blushed and walked away. She allowed herself one more glance at Excalibur before going back to her house. She walked along the pavement, the road next to her empty. The houses stacked next to each other lay silent, each of them a different color. The road followed on to the pub of Northend, where all the noise lay. From there, it circled around it, leading to crossroads. One going east, the other west, and the last going straight down. Where more houses lay. Sure, there were more pubs, and much more houses and roads. But Elora was glad she was close to the palace. She glanced behind her. The palace gleamed in the sunlight, the beauty. The closest proximity she had been to the castle was when she was a young girl. When she had tried to speak to the guard. 

'Elora!' Shouted a voice. She glanced to the side. The house opposite from hers was mother Lauren's. One of Elora's favorite person. She had a serene look, her neatly braided chocolate colored hair flowing down her back. She held a king smile, holding a basket of bread.

'Mother Lauren' Smiled Elora, her hand poised on the door handle. Mother Lauren always gave everyone a sense of peace. And Elora appreciated it. 

'Was that Carter Creedice you were talking to? Do you fancy him?' She questioned with a frown, a hint of a smile on her face. It was not the first time she had asked this questioned.

Elora groaned. 'The lot of you are bonkers for continuously thinking this. We're just friends' 

'All right' She said, clearly still not believing Elora. 'But I couldn't help but see something else. You want to enter tomorrow don't you? 

Elora sighed. She knew this topic would come one time or another. And If Elora denied it, Mother Lauren would easily find out and press even more. 

Truth was, she would love to enter the competition. But it was only for men. In her world, men were dominant. Men were always dominant. Her glance fell on the bar, the men happily cheering while the women.. Elora could almost see them sitting awkwardly, posing as the men's trophy. Among those men were those who thought they would win. Just depending on their strength.

'Yeah' She said defiantly after gazing back to Mother Lauren. She looked at her for a moment before chuckling to herself, and then turning away. She walked with the bred basket by her hip.

'Well, good luck with that' She said over her shoulder. Elora watched her walk away. The plan in her head will probably be her doom, but she had had enough.

Word count: 1493/2000