You Want To Be A What?!
"Step back, step side, slash, curl, tuck…."
Keladry's hands moved to the ever-familiar pattern. Her voice rang clearly over the normal castle racket as she dictated the movements.
Slash, step forward, trust, and draw back. And drop!"
Kel dropped her sword hand (which held her glaive) to her side. "And that" she said, turning around, is exercise 16."
The girl stared at her, wide eyed. " Wow auntie Kel. Your REALLY good."
Kel's heart melted. And it wasn't just the compliment. It was mostly the nickname.
Though she wasn't related to the girl in any way (unless you counted being friends with both her parents as related) the name just seemed to…. fit.
"Honestly Irena, how long did it take you to learn exercise 15? Three weeks?"
"Two." Said the girl proudly.
"Then I wouldn't worry." said Kel, wiping sweat from her face.
"Oh auntie your tired. Sit down."
Kel shook her head. The girl's frankness was often quiet alarming. But she sat down on the bench anyway.
"Uh auntie Kel, you were a knight right?" said the girl once they had settled down.
"I was and still am for that matter." said Kel.
" Was it hard?" asked Irena.
"It was difficult, to say the least." said Kel. "There were times when I nearly gave up."
"But you didn't" the girl finished proudly. " No I didn't" said Kel.
"Uh, auntie Kel" said Irena rather timidly "What do you need to be a knight?"
"You need strength, determination, bravery, and brains. You need to be able to control your temper, though I know knights who can't…."
Irena giggled.
"You need to listen to suggestions and not take insults to close to heart." finished Kel.
" Uh auntie Kel, do you think I have those things?" asked Irena.
"Most of them, yes" said Kel. "You learn fast, have a lot of determination and act wisely."
"Uh auntie Kel, do you think that I could be a knight?"
Kel stared at her, shocked. "You want to be a knight?" she asked softly.
"I do! Well I did. If you don't think I can then I…"
"No" interrupted Kel " I think that's the most wonderful thing I've heard in a while!" "Really?" asked the shocked girl.
"Yes"said Kel. "You would be a wonderful knight."
"I would?" asked Irena.
"Yes. Yes you would." Said Kel, nearly gushing.
"Oh. Thank you auntie Kel! Oh I'm going to try! I will!"
"One problem." Said Kel. "Have you told your father yet?"
"Oh." Irena's face fell. "Well I wasn't sure about it and I wanted your approval but now that I have it I guess…I guess now is a good time as any!"
"There you go. Problem solved." Said Kel. "He is coming to get you soon, right?"
"I think so…" started Irena but she was cut off by someone calling "Irena?"
"Father!" called Irena. "Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear." muttered Kel. "Hello father!" called Irena, as the man came into view.
"Well hello dear." Said the man.
"Uh father" started Irena, as she walked up to him, "Can I talk to you?" "We're talking." He replied.
"In private." She added. "Uh sure. We'll just talk a walk. Kel?" he looked at her.
"Go right ahead." she said. Kel watched them disappear around the corner. She felt no need to follow them.
She settled back on the bench and waited. She didn't have to wait long. Sir Nealan of Queenscove's screams were heard across the courtyard.
"YOU WANT TO BE A WHAT?!"