A Duel of Fates

The children were playing. Wooden swords clattered as they fought against each other, each determined to emerge victorous.

'You fight like a girl!' the boy sneered, slicing his blade downwards.

'And you fight like a drunken bear,' his sister returned, sidestepping neatly. 'Except the bear is more charming by far.'

'You should be bowing to me! One day I will be king!'

'And one day I will sprout wings.'

The children fought on, but they were children no more. Though their swords were blunt wood, their ambitions were razored steel. For now it was the crown itself they battled for.