Withering by eveningfall

3. (Izuna)

The tournament was held two months after its announcement, allowing the participating knights to prepare and travel.

The night before it would all begin, Madara and I lay in his bed, looking at the list of all thirty participants, talking about them.

"I know who that is", I said, pointing. "He came to visit us when I was twenty."

"That one's father was killed by that one's father", Madara said, pointing at two names. "If they are to face each other, it will be bloody."

On and on we went, well into the night, telling each other what we knew about each and every one of the participants...

Until we got to the last on the list.

"What..." I said.

"'Unknown'", Madara read. "Is that allowed?"

I shrugged.

"I guess so", I said. "Why do you think he doesn't want to reveal himself?"

"Probably a show-off, wanting mystery around him", Madara said with a yawn.

"Perhaps it's a woman!" I said hopefully. "That would be refreshing."

"Yes, but she won't be allowed to actually participate."

"That's stupid", I said.

"I know."

I rolled over on my back and pulled my brother so he lay on top of me. I put a strand of his long hair behind his ear.

"When you become king, can you change that?" I asked. "So that women can be knighted?"

He smiled warmly.

"Of course", he said. He put his hand to my face. "My brave, progressive little brother. I'm so proud of you."

"Good", I said and stood up, ignoring his compliment. "I'm going to bed. I'm waking up early tomorrow to bathe and wash my hair so it has time to dry before noon. Will you help me with my updo?"

"Why don't you ask mother's chamber maiden?"

"You're much better than her!" I complained.

"Okay. I'll do it."

"And help me choose what to wear."

"Don't get greedy", Madara warned as I walked to the door.

"Love you!" I shouted back at him. 

Madara hugged me from behind.

"You look absolutely breath-taking", he whispered as our eyes met in the golden mirror.

"All thanks to you", I whispered back.

I usually didn't like my appearance. I saw myself as too much limbs and not enough muscle. It would have been one thing if I was stretched out, but I was also short. Madara had, instead of trying to hide those features which I hated, enhanced them, which actually made me look regal.

I was dressed in a heavy, wine-coloured robe with pearls of dark blue, red and green. The robe clung to my arms yet sat loosely and comfortably on my torso and showed off my shoulders neatly. On my collarbones rested a heavy necklace of steel with a red, orb-shaped ruby. My brother had done my hair in a sophisticated, low updo with many braids, and on my forehead rested a thin crown.

He took my hands. He was also looking fantastic, his hair loose which was rare for him, dressed all in black.

"Thank you", I said.