Sage's Hour: by Cherie Grace

Chapter 1: My Chance

In every kingdom, women are to cook, clean, look pretty and birth children. But for I do not want this; I want adventure, romance and excitement. I live in the Kingdom of Ethodith, a wonderful kingdom full of joy. My father works as a blacksmith while I tend to our garden; how we make our living is by his skills and my vegetables. My mother died when I was very young; my father barely speaks her name now days. The loss took a heavy toll on him; a father having to raise a little girl by himself. Everyone spoke of me like I was the start of the plague. The other children were not allowed to play with me. Now that I am older I think back to those lonely days without friends.

"Father, may I go out for a bit?" I ask as I finish with my chores.

"Now, Sage, why do you want to leave...can it have something to do with the Knight Tournament?" My father's gaze raises from his latest project. The royal council wants him to make a few fine swords for the tournament. I walk over to him, bending down to watch him sharpen the blade.

"Please, father, I'll return home before the sun decreases. Please, father," I beg, hoping he will understand and let me go.

"Fine, but remember before the sun decreases-"

"Thank you. Love you, father." I get up and head for the door.

"Sage..."

I spin around to see my father's tattered face; the loving face that over the years kept me safe, warm, and cared for.

"Be safe, and don't get into any trouble!" My father's voice rings through out the air as I dash out the door. The chilling December air clings to my hair. Everyone was either at the practice or at work. The area where the tournament is to be held is on the outskirts of town. My friend Nina is near the front of the entrance. She turns around just in time to see me running down the road.

"Sage! There you are!" she runs into me and gives me a huge hug.

"Sorry I'm late, had to finish up with the chores." My friend Nina was and is my only friend besides Arthur. Nina has the eyes of a blue sapphire jewel; her hair is almost the color of oak bark. She and Arthur are to be married after the 10th of December. Arthur is participating in the Knight Tournament along with other knights from other kingdoms.

"Sage, I can't wait to see Arthur. Do you think you'll meet that special someone?" Nina elbows me in the ribs playfully.

"Nina, why are you always trying to marry me away?" She rolls her eyes and pulls me towards the Knights Chambers.

"Arthur!" Nina's voice rings out over the area. Arthur's head peeks out of one of the chambers.

"Nina, you brought Sage." Arthur comes out of the chamber and gives Nina and I a huge hug. He bends down to kiss Nina on the lips. I look away because, well, it's rude to watch other people, or at least that's what I was taught. I step out into the arena where the jousting will take place in just a little while. The air just that of a chill and the animals silent.

"Well, what do we have here?" A voice calls from behind me. I turn around to see a gorgeous man, his hair the color of a raven's wing. His eyes jerk me into his lovely trance, his eyes the color of fallen snow with a hint of baby blue sky. He looks as if he could take down anything or anyone. "What did you say?" I ask.

"I said what do we have here. Shouldn't a woman like yourself be in the kitchen or cleaning something?" His voice the sound of music in the air.

"What...how dare you?" I raise my hand to slap him but someone grabs my hand.

"Woman, you will not lay a hand on the Prince of Aloclya, do you hear me!" The man whose grip on my hand tightened looked old and worn out.

"Jeffry, now now I don't think she would have done anything-"

"But Master Argon-"

"Jeffry, let her go now!" The prince's voice began to get louder. The servant does as he is told; he bows to the Prince and leaves.

"I'm sorry. Please, let me look at your arm." He guides me over to a bench. We sit together as he looks over my arm. His touch is so soft on my skin; the marks his servant left slowly fade away.

"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked me

"Yes...I'm fine. But how dare you speak to a woman like that!" I snatch my arm away, holding where is hand use to be. His look of concern drafts into laughter, he raises from the bench and looks up to the sky.

"What is so funny?" I ask.

"You, that's what. You think just because I am a man that I can't be sensitive-"

"Of course men can't be sensitive, you're all pigs!" I say and run back to the arena. Nina spots me and runs over. We watch as the tournament begins; Arthur is to go first. Nina has a look of concern on her face as Arthur gets knocked off his horse.

"Arthur!" Nina shouts. Doctor Deanish rushes over to the chambers. He comes out with a heavy look of worry on his face.

"Doctor is it bad?" Nina asks. The Doctor shakes his head and then said, "No, but he does have a broken leg; he can't compete any longer." Nina runs to Arthur's side.

"Arthur, you're so foolish," Nina said as tears stream down her face.

"Nina my sweet please forgive me, but I have to keep riding-"

"No!" Nina shouts as she pushes Arthur back on the bed. As they fight over the matter I can't help but think about the tournament and Prince Argon.

"I can do it; that is if you'll let me." Nina and Arthur both look from each other then to me. "Sage, they will not let a girl ride-"

"Not if they don't know about it, and you don't have to ride and hurt yourself further!" I look at Arthur hoping he will agree.

"Fine but you can't show anyone your face, got it!" he says, then rests his head back on the bed. As I get ready to joust, the memory of my father flashes through my mind. Then the image of Prince Argon passes by but it lingers a little bit too long. As I sit here on this magnificent steed and see my opponent my heart beats faster than a hummingbird's wings. My breath catches in the icy cold December air as the flag descends and I start to speed up. I can almost hear the same fear I have in my opponent. My opponent is the only man besides my father I have feelings for: Prince Argon.

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