Knightess
Prequel
"But, Papa, why can't I come with you and Brant? I can fight as well as any boy!" The little girl protested loudly to her father.
Arianna's father looked down from his horse at his young daughter. She was dressed as a boy in woolen trousers and a loose tunic and was covered in grass stains. Brent and Arianna had been sword playing again. It was impossible to tell who had won.
"I know that, as it was I who taught you. Against better judgment, I might add." The burly man shifted in his saddle and held out his hands to his daughter, smiling indulgently.
Arianna came forward and he lifted her up onto the horse, laughing when she squealed in surprise.
"But you cannot come with us this time. Your brother is to become a knight for the queen and I am taking him to the training grounds. I'll only be gone a week and when I return we will go riding together." Seeing her frown, Arianna's father kissed her forehead and gently set her upon the ground.
"I know that you want to come and train like your brother," he said, "but soon you will have to start behaving more like the young lady you are."
Stubbornly, Arianna crossed her arms and muttered angrily, "I don't like dresses."
At this, Arianna's father threw back his head and laughed loudly. Between chuckles he said, "I don't either, love, but they are a necessary evil. Now, don't be angry with me. I only want what's best for you."
At these words, his horse nuzzled Arianna's hair and she broke into giggles involuntarily.
"See, he agrees with me too!" Arianna's father reached down to stoke her hair briefly, then he took hold of the reins and said, "Run inside now, and don't worry the servants too much. We will talk more when I get home, alright?"
Arianna nodded bravely and watched as her father and brother rode down the drive.