atticus sat in the grass, his golden hair glinting in the hazy sunlight. it was high spring; the green fields full of wildflowers, the forests full and lush. he'd always loved spring.

he looked over to the heir, watching them with bright eyes. he didn't want to force them inside yet. today was the first day all year that they'd wanted to be outside, and he wouldn't take that away until he absolutely had to. even so, he did still have a job to do.

"your highness, we should head inside soon." atticus sat up, the metal of his spear catching the light as the clouds shifted. the sky was getting gray. it was going to start raining soon, and storming within the next two hours. it was a shame. the palace had beautiful gardens.