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I’m posting from my current writing WiP, Song and Shadow, a prequel to Song and Sword. It’s a rough draft and I still don’t have an actual outline for it so it’s going to be a fun ride.
Picking up from last week’s snippet. (This snippet is a touch longer, but it hits up against the end of the chapter so there wasn’t any good way to continue next week.)
“I didn’t dismiss you,” Hierik blurted, and Pashevel smiled.
“No. No, you didn’t. However it seemed that our conversation was at an end – or at least an impasse.”
“No. Please.” Hierik took a deep breath. “Tomorrow is my sixteenth birthday. There will be a feast at the castle and I… I would like you to come.”
“I would be honored to perform for you, Your Highness.”
“No. As my guest.” Hierik took a deep breath. “Also tomorrow starts my Passage. It… It’s a tradition for the oldest male in my family to leave the castle and travel – on their own – for two years, to learn the ways of the world.” He swallowed hard and met Pashevel’s eyes. “We are allowed to take a traveling companion, and I… I would be honored if you…” He faltered for words that didn’t sound like a command or a plea.
“I would be honored if you wish for the two of us to travel together,” Pashevel said, saving him.
“Thank you. And, yes. I – I would like for the two of us to travel together. I – I would like to learn… about friendship, and how to be a ruler.”
Pashevel smiled. “And it would be my honor to teach you, Hierik, son of Kurtzen, future King of the Human Lands.”
Novel Notes 
Nice to see Hierik’s humility here, and his eagerness to have a friend.
A very interesting development although I’m kind of amazed any kingdom would just send their heir off willynilly to survive for two years…but I guess they’re tough in this world! Enjoyed the snippet…
And you have just stumbled upon the crux of the problem… (More will be revealed later.)