Thank you to all who reviewed. Author bows low to the ground. I did write a new chapter and this time it's longer than the other two so enjoy.
Dragonfly-09 – I did proof read this story and made the chapter longer./ glad you liked it
iluvhp- you go girl. You are girl right. I love anita blake novels. Go jean-claude
fish stix satay – once again thank you. You are great
Skysong – I will put in more mystery. And I did proof read this chappie. I will put in more mystery. And I did proof read this chappie.
Catlady- thank you
Shadow Child – thank you to you too
Back to the story
Chapter 2
The doors to the training masters office slowly swung open and Serena strode in happily. Wyldon sitting behind the desk noticed that she didn't look as pale as she did during breakfast. She looked more … alive.
"My lord, I believe you wanted to see me about something. What is it?" Serena asked still in that calm voice.
"Sit down," Wyldon pointed to one of the chairs facing the big desk scattered in papers. Serena obediently sat, her back straight, her head high, hands folded neatly in her lap. She looked like a statue that was painted to look human. Wyldon slightly unnerved, cleared his throat and leaned forward.
"The king and I have discussed the situation and decided that you may stay, but you are on a probation for one year and if you don't meet my expectations your out. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal clear, sir," replied Serena and waited patiently for him to give her a lecture.
"Even though you are female, I do not want to see or hear anything about your behaviour that is unappropriated with the other boys in the palace. The door to your room is to be open when a boy is visiting you, and the same goes to when you are in their rooms. No fighting is allowed. No excuses as to why something isn't done when you where asked to do it. Good behaviour will be rewarded with visits to the city and free time, anything bad resolves in punishment duties or extra chores and lessons. If you stay, you will complete exams as to what you have learned. If I think that you are fit enough, and you teachers think that you are ready, you will become a squire for another four years. If no knight picks you, you will be the palace squire doing my errands. After that if you pass the Chamber of Ordeal, you will be knighted. Do you understand all these?"
"Of course, lord."
"That will be all, Probationer. Close the door when you leave." Serena got up gracefully and moved to the door.
"One last thing," Serena stopped and turned around, " Your first lesson starts today. If you ask one of the servants, they will tell you where you can get your clothing. A new room will be assigned to you, a servant will tend to your clothes and room, but it is your responsibility to look after your weapons, you may go now."
With a swift bow she left the room. Outside the door she met a servant who took her to get her supplies of clothing.
The tailor took hurried measurements and a pile of clothing was put into her arms. She didn't even bother to glance at them. The servant than walked her to the pages wing. Serena's room was positioned next to Keladry's of Mindelan. A new female servant now walked up to them.
"Serena of Mortos this will be your new chamber now. My name is Salma and I will tend to your room. A fire shall be lit at your fireplace each morning and water in a bowl will be brought in to wash yourself in. Anything you need just ask." Salma turned to leave and said, "I'm glad you came. Kel would finally have another female companion. I'll put some magical locks on your door so the boy's don't destroy your room. All right dear. Good luck." Without another word Salma left.
Serena looked at the door and saw her name written in a fresh chalk on the door slab. She opened the door and stepped into a warm and cosy room. There was a little window overlooking the courtyard and a little flowerbed just under the window. In the left side of the room stood a bed, a desk lined with paper and quills, books on various topics lined neatly on the shelf and a chair next to the desk. A painting of a clear blue lake hanged above the bed. There was a fire burning across from the bed and a royal blue rug with a stitched black horse was next to it. Serena closed the door and went to sit on the bed. For an unknown reason she wanted to cry, she felt so hurt and lonely. She sat that way for a few minutes until she took the gold coloured tunic in her hands and started to change.
The sun was bright and the pages were working hard at staff practice. Kel and Neal were training rhythmically. Kel hit, Neal blocked. High, thump, low, thump, high, thump, medium, thump and low, thump.
"Keep working ladies. I want to hear that wood crack!" yelled Wyldon, " Probationer move faster, your too slow, Queenscove block it, don't dance with it!"
Wyldon glanced at the entrance of the training courts and saw Serena jogging towards them.
"Probationer Mortos, one week of scrubbing pots for lateness. I expected you here at the beginning of the lesson. It shouldn't take you that long to get dressed," the lord told her sternly when Serena arrived, "Go get a staff and don't keep us waiting long. Stone Mountain you will go against Mortos."
Serena ran and got a wooden staff and grimaced. She would have to be careful not to hurt any of the students… unless they deserved it, of course. She spun it quickly in her hand. Serna remembered the first time she started to practice fighting skills.
"Probationer get a move on!"
She moved back and was confronted face to face with a handsome page. Serena looked into his eyes, the icy pools of blue and smiled sweetly. In response the white-blond haired boy lunged at her with his staff. Serena blocked the high strike easily and gave him a medium one of her own. Back and forth it went until the boy gave a vicious sudden blow at her legs, instinctively Serena jumped, so the blow was undelivered. The boy got angry.
"Girls have no place in knighthood, they're too weak. Leave before we make you leave. Bad enough that the Lump is here, we don't need another wench corrupting Tortallan knights."
"Shame you think that. Someone wise once told me that women are stronger than men, because we give birth to them. Either you are just to proud or stupid to realise that. And the 'Lump' may turn out to be a better knight than any of you here." And with that Serena swung her staff under her arm, sidestepped and hit Joren straight in the chest. The boy flew backwards and landed on his back. His face held a look of disbelief. The others stopped and stared at Serena who was leaning calmly against her staff watching Joren get up in fury and lung at Serena again. She saw him and stepped aside, moving her foot out. Joren tripped over her foot and went sprawling on his face. The pages started to laugh.
"What's going on here?" came the angry voice of Wyldon. Joren was getting to his feet when Lord Wyldon strode in.
"You are to be training not playing games. Stone Mountain and Mortos armour polishing for two bells on Sunday. Queenscove, you practice with Mortos. Mindelan with Hollyrose and Stone Mountain with Quaid. Move it."
A brown haired boy now came towards her. He looked older than the rest, around 15 or 16.
"Hello, I'm Neal and you must be Serena."
"Practice Queenscove, don't flirt!" yelled Wyldon.
Neal started to move his staff into defence position, while Serena started to do a high strike, Neal blocked it and so forth it went.
"The training master must not like you very much, Neal?" asked Serena as she blocked one of the boy's attacks.
"The Stump and myself like to have philosophical discussions, he just doesn't like the fact that I always win," replied Neal in that drawling voice.
Serena smiled at this and moved her staff to attack.
"Would you like to sit with us during lunch, Kel would be happy to finally meet you."
"Thank you, I'll be glad to join you."
"Who is your sponsor?"
"Sponsor?'
"A sponsor is someone who shows you around the palace and tells you about your lessons."
"No, I don't believe I have a sponsor, but I can…" she was cut of when Neal started to yell at Wyldon.
"Sir Wyldon, can I sponsor Serena?"
"Fine, just don't teach her any of your manners Queenscove," was the answer.
"Would I do that my Lord? I merely express my opinions. It's not a crime, is it my Lord.'
"One week of scrubbing pots."
"I will be glad to assist Serena at that delightful chore,"
"Two weeks!"
"Sire, it will…"
"Neal be quiet"
Serena glanced at the speaker. It was a tall, young girl. Keladry of Mindelan thought Serena.
Kel told Neal off. He had enough punishments to last him a lifetime. She could never understand why he always had to argue with everything Lord Wyldon said. But then everyone needs to have something to do. She just wished that he would find a new hobby sooner than later.
"Neal, don't provoke the Lord, you'll only get into more trouble." Serena's soft voice went through his head like a blow of autumn wind through the trees. All feeling of talking back at the Stump left his mind.
Kel came over and couldn't help smiling at Neal's sheepish expression. She glanced at the older girl and smiled, Serena smiled in return, she could become good friends with Kel, but it would only give him another chance of hurting her.
Serena's thoughts went back to her mother and the happy times they had together, but all those memories were stolen away from them. He destroyed them and Serena hated him with unhuman passion. And if she had to choose between family and revenge, she would kill him. He didn't deserve to live.
"You met the real Neal than. I'm Kel,' she reached out her hand.
Serena took the offered hand and shook it, "Serena"
"Nice to meet you. What do you think of Corus so far?" asked Kel
"Lovely place, so much people moving around. But I do miss my old fief. Lots of country and forests."
"It sounds very nice. You must find these very different."
"Yes, but I do love a bit of action. It does get pretty boring when nothing is happening.'
Kel laughed quietly, "Well you can always count on Nealan here to provide drama enough. He and Stump have 'philosophical disputes' as Neal puts it.'
"Nealan? That's a … nice name.'
"Please, just Neal. My least favourite aunt calls me Nealan,' he piped in. Serena had to smile at this.
"I'm sure we'll get on fine.'
"You bet,' replied Kel
"Pages get back to work!' yelled Wyldon. All three moved back into practice.
The dark figure stood watch over Serena. Always moving and following her. The hood turned to watch Serena talking to two young humans. The black-clad shape decided it was time to feed. Slowly it sought out its prey.
Liked it, hated it, who cares as long as you review. I'm putting up a new story, so read it and review.
Sima has excellent stories up so read them.
Ma petit
