Chapter 1:
Lady Arianna
Arianna of Jastone walked gracefully down the stairs of the royal palace, her eyes taking everything in. She had just come to Corus, the royal capital of Tortall, to meet a suitable husband. Her parents had doubted her ever getting a husband though. She was to much like a boy. She was one of the best fencers where she lived, and she loved every sport that made ladies cringe. She hated sewing, cooking, and most things girlish. The only reason she liked being a girl was she could become a healer. Her gift wasn't that big but it helped and cleaned her wounds and cuts.
The only other reason she liked being a girl was that she had a reason to come to Corus. Jastone was out in the country, and the Priestess' never let her go outside of the walls. She loved cities, she had lived in them for a little while when she was younger, and Corus was the best of the best. The second she saw Corus she loved it. Yet the second she thought of it she thought of her marrying, that made her cringe.
"Arianna! Where are you?" Screamed Arianna's best friend and partner in action, Marie of Crystal's Lake.
"Fancy aren't you?" Arianna asked laughing at the site of her friend. For the occasion Marie had put her blond hair up in a crown-like braid. Around her crystal blue eyes she wore pale blue makeup. And, totally unlike her, she wore a long icy blue dress that had small crystals beaded in, in small little patterns. Marie just gave Arianna a look that shouted 'you too,' which was somewhat true. Arianna wore a long off the shoulder gold gown and had her long brown hair in a simple braid. Usually both of them wore a simple pair of white breeches