My Eighteenth Birthday
By Crystal Fleming
The day I turned eighteen, I was performing my duties in the castle when I heard a commotion in the throne room. As I went to investigate, King Tyrrhen and Prince Tilor rushed past me, swords drawn.
"Go get Captain Gyder!" the king shouted to me, naming the captain of the guard.
I ran to do as I was bid, then ran to the armory and picked out a broadsword. As I hurried back to the throne room, I joined the First Regiment. Somehow, Captain Gyder spotted me at the back of the group.
"This is no place for a girl, Arithia, even if you can use a sword!" he shouted.
"But I can help," I protested defiantly.
"No! Go back to the kitchen, where you belong!"
I did run towards the kitchen, but I swerved toward the hidden door that led to the throne room. I came out behind the thrones and caught a glimpse of what was going on.
The king's archenemy, Lord Ain, held his dagger to the princess's throat. The queen, bound and gagged, was held by Lord Ain's guardsmen. Enraged, the prince moved to help his sister, but the king put a restraining hand on hand on his shoulder.
"If you wish to see your ladies alive again," Lord Ain stated, "I suggest you drop your weapons."
As Tyrrhen and Tilor complied, Lord Ain's guard went and bound their hands.
So, I was the only one capable of saving them. I ran forward and stepped in front of Lord Ain, raising my sword. All of his men scoffed at me.
Lord Ain bellowed with laughter. He glared at me, thinking that I was just showing off. Then, he began to taunt me, insulting my mother and my grandmother.
Suddenly, I snapped. I swung my sword at his neck. He quickly blocked my swing, his parry jarring my arms. I spun my sword around his, but he kept a tight grip on his sword. As I swung again, he raised his shield to block. Even though my swing was strong, he had no trouble blocking. I swung my sword around his shield, and cut both of the straps around his arm. As the shield fell to the floor, I lashed out again and released sparks as my sword slashed across his breastplate. I swung again and, this time the tip of my sword sank deep into his right arm. He cursed and switched his sword to his left hand. But, unlike me, he could not fight well with his left hand. I easily disarmed him, again twisting my sword around his. His sword went flying and I buried the tip of my sword deep in his neck. After he toppled over, I slew the rest of his guardsmen and cut the royals' bonds.
I kneeled as the king rose, but he put out a hand to stop me. "Please, don't bow to me. I wish to thank you, but I don't know what would be sufficient for what you have done." Then he looked down at the heavy broadsword resting so very easily in my grip. "Would you like to keep that sword?"
"M-my lord," I stammered, "my family would think I stole it. I could never accept such an elaborate gift."
He must have heard the desire in my voice, because he replied, "I will talk to your family personally, if I must."
"Thank you, sire. Thank you so much!" I grinned at the princess, to whom I was very close. She squealed and ran to give me a tight hug. I looked up and saw the prince staring at me with amazement.
"I didn't expect you to be able to wield a sword like that," he remarked.
I smiled at him. "I've had quite a bit of practice, your Highness. My older brother began teaching me when I was very young."
The king thanked me again, the queen hugged me, the princess beamed at me, and the prince respectfully nodded at me. I followed as they filed out of the throne room.
At home that night, my last conscious thought was, "What a way to spend my birthday!"