I am so sorry for the long wait, everyone. I was busy and my computer broke down...and just a bunch of junk. I don't feel I should make excuses, so please accept my forgiveness along with this new chapter. The song in this chapter is not own by me. It is Three's by Mercedes Lackey and originally song by Leslie Flinch. You can find it on youtube.
Gabrielle couldn't help, but feel a bit of pleasure at seeing the stoic woman's shocked face. Kianda had showed so little emotion toward her, that seeing unguarded shock on the warrior's face filled her with an odd sense of pride, if you could call it that. First, she had shocked Rosella and now this woman. Perhaps Isodara was next?
"Well?" Asked, the blonde in a casual tone.
"Are...you...serious?" Came Kianda's stretched tone. Clearly, not sure if she was joking.
"I swear by my patron Goddess, Hestia, that I am being honest with you on this deal." She looked straight into Kianda's deep brown eyes, "If you teach me how to fight with a staff, I'll teach you how to read." The warrior woman still seemed in shock and she was recovering now.
"How...can you want this? You have your knights to protect you...and the prince's favor." Gabrielle looked away at that.
"His highness does not favor me." She said, quietly.
"You are the first woman he has ever brought to the arena and I know the prince." From Kianda's tone, she knew the woman was not lying. Kianda probably knew the prince better than most of the ladies in the court, she was a warrior to him, first. Not another silly noble girl. "He never does anything ideally or on a whim. He has a reason for all he does." Gabrielle gave pause to that. Then she shook her head. This wasn't about Adrian, damn it.
"This isn't about the Prince. I am serious about teaching you to read!" Exclaimed the green-eyed girl. She suddenly graved the warrior woman's hand and started to pull her in another direction, before Kianda could say anything to protest this. Gabrielle turned to her.
"I am going to give you a lesson in reading and writing, a completely free one with no strings attached. You don't owe me anything for this." She could see it in Kianda's eyes that the foreign woman was thinking this over. Adrian must have admired her ability to discern situations, so quickly. It was probably what made her so fierce and fast in battle. The blonde worried for a moment that Kianda would wrench her hand free of Gabrielle's (admittedly) not strong grip and just stalk off.
However, she did none of this and kept her silence. This encourage Gabrielle and went up to the librarian to request pen, ink, and paper. The librarian eye's widened when he saw she was with Kianda, probably shocked to see her with a noble woman, but the librarian gave Gabrielle what she requested without comment.
Gabrielle quickly thanked him and took her bundle under her free arm and lead Kianda to the children's section of the library, where Gabrielle quickly scanned the shelves and pulled out several books and also added them to her bundle. She then took Kianda along with her horde and they came to the tables and she spread her horde over the table and began to arrange it, before taking a seat. She then smiled at Kianda, who...seemed out of her element to say the least.
"Come, sit down, so we can begin." Gabrielle asked her in a cheerful tone. Kianda gave a moments pause, which caused Gabrielle to worry that the warrior woman would turn back now. However, much to her relief, Kianda pulled out a chair, beside Gabrielle, and sat down. Gabrielle gave a relieved sigh and she opened the children's book and flipped to the first page of the alphabet, she held up the page to Kianda.
"Do you know the alphabet?" She asked, and Kianda stared at the page, her dark eyes narrowing, slightly.
"I...recognize...some...but not enough." The warrior woman shook her head, and looked down, almost as though ashamed. Gabrielle gave her a gentle and encouraging smile.
"That's all right...we all have to start somewhere...now let's begin. This is A." She pointed to the letter. The lesson went on for a long time, with them covering only a handful of letters, since she didn't want to overwhelm her "student". She used the paper to show Kianda how to write some of the letters and both women soon became lost in their work. Truth be told, she had never taught anyone to read or write before, as was winging it as she went. The blonde still stumbled around, with her teaching, as she got use to it. However, if Kianda seemed to notice she was a beneath a notice at the teaching profession, she gave no hint of it. They continued until it got too dark to read anymore.
Gabrielle closed the book and looked over at her, and smiled.
"You did well...and your A's look good." Kianda got up and didn't say a word, as she turned from Gabrielle. The blonde frowned, as she gathered the books and supplies. Had she done something wrong? Did she offend her somehow? Did Kianda realize she wasn't that experienced with teaching?
"After breakfast, come to the stable." Gabrielle looked up in surprise.
Kianda left. Gabrielle couldn't wipe the grin off her face. She gathered her teaching supplies and returned it to the librarian before heading out. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her.
"What...does this mean?" She dared not hope, but her heart leaped in excitement.
"I will teach you. Be ready." With not another word, Gabrielle smiled brightly as she gathered up her supplies to return to the librarian. Her mind was so full of thoughts of tomorrow that she barely heard a voice from behind her.
"Gabrielle!" came Estelle's voice. Gabrielle made a sharp turn to see her younger stepsister. Estelle carried a worried look on her face.
"What's wrong?" She asked, immediately.
"Rosella...she's gone crazy. She says you attacked her and she's written to mother and everything! I would have stopped her, but she had already done it by the time I got to her. She was ranting and raving and going on about how you were stealing the prince. She had ripped the curtains off and I think the whole floor heard it."
Gabrielle's face drained. She had forgotten about her meeting with Rosella, and she should have known her stepsister would not have been too happy. It was obvious...and the rumors about her would get worse, between the prince and Rosella she would be the center of gossip. And what if they found out she was learning how to fight.
"What happened?" Asked Estelle, interrupting her thoughts. Gabrielle swallowed and started telling her the story about being invited out to the arena and then having to deal with Rosella, but left out her deal with Kianda. Estelle's expression changed from worry to a smirk. She started laughing.
"I would have given up ten years on my life to have seen the expression on her face when you caught her arm and shoved her back." She continued to give out belly fulls of laughter.
"Oh, don't say that, Estelle." Gabrielle warned.
"I can't help it..." Estelle then composed herself, "But there is still a problem with mother." Her expression became serious again.
"Honestly, right now I am not afraid of Isodara. I have bigger problems...for once. I will deal with her when the time comes." Estelle gave her a wide-eyed look.
"She is still your guardian and she has power over you...unless you were to marry." Gabrielle shook her head,
"I know, I know, but at the same time I can't always bow my head. I have time before those letters reach Isodara and longer for her to actually come and do something. I am dreading her coming, but I will not shrink." Gabrielle turned away from her younger stepsister.
"I am going to bed now, Estelle, I have a long day ahead of me. Good night." When Gabrielle started off, Estelle cried out behind her.
"Does this have something to do with the prince?" Gabrielle froze, even Estelle had heard the talk of her and the prince! What had she heard was going on? No, she didn't want to know that.
"No, it has nothing to do with him. Good night, Estelle." With that she left before, her stepsister could get in another word. She quickly went to her room, hoping to avoid the prince and luckily she did. She took care of her nightly routine before settling into bed. That morning, Gabrielle awoke early, by habit, and put her hair into a braid, thinking it would be more practical for what she was going to do today. She changed into a simple green gown, that was her least fanciest.
The maid came with her breakfast and went, as soon as she was done she made her way to the stables. If anyone was pacing any special attention to the blonde girl, or gossiping about her as she hurriedly passed through, she was too lost in her own thoughts to notice such a thing. She hurried to the stables and paced to the side, away from where most people were coming in as she waited for Kianda. Several minutes passed until she heard footsteps. She turned to see the warrior woman clad in the man's clothing she first saw her in and a staff in her hand. Gabrielle immediately turned to her.
"You came." Said Kianda, her tone was neutral not giving away any surprise, happiness, or displeasure. However, from the way she had worded it Gabrielle could not help, but wonder if the woman had expected her to change her mind at the last minute. Gabrielle felt a little hurt at the thought, but she realized that Kianda had known her for so little and she really hadn't had time to get to truly know her spirit that well. The blonde was going to have to prove how committed she was too this. After all, hadn't she vowed to somehow become Kianda's friend?
"I did." She responded, then she smiled, "Good morning, Kianda." She gave the warrior woman a curtsey. Kianda had a strange expression that she couldn't quite read, but the woman gave her a bow. There was silence for a moment, until Kianda spoke.
"Follow me." She went off the direction of the forest. Gabrielle picked up her green skirts and followed her. Glad that she had picked study boots today, as they made their way onto the forest trails. It turned out to be quite a hike, however her feet and legs were use to such strain and she didn't fall behind. Kianda sometimes looked behind to check on her and the blue-eyed girl wondered if this meant she thought she wouldn't have the stamina for such a walk. Well, considering the posh lives most noble woman lived that wouldn't be unexpected.
Finally, after the sun had moved a good distance in it's path in the sky they reached a clearing. A large dirt patch was in the center and a small cabin to the side. Kianda gestured to the cabin and the both walked inside. It was dim and sparsely furnished. The warrior woman went to a chest in the corner and opened it. Gabrielle peered above her shoulder to see the chest was full of clothing. Kianda picked up a piece of clothing and went and handed it to her. Gabrielle looked down and could not help, but give a gasp at what she saw; man's clothing.
Of course, why was she surprised? She couldn't reasonably fight in a dress or skirt. Trousers were practical to fight in. However, she still couldn't help, but blush. Her wearing men's clothes... Gabrielle was deeply thankfully, that Kianda did not comment on her reaction and simply left with,
"Come out when you changed." She then closed the cabin door behind her. Gabrielle looked down at her bundle, and decided not to hesitate any further. The girl took off her dress and slide on the shirt and trousers. It felt odd wearing cloth so tight around the leg, maybe it wasn't the best material to fight in after all. She moved around and so got use to it. However, she prayed Rosella and Isodara would never catch her like this. Gabrielle took a breathe and slowly stepped outside. Kianda was waiting for her in the center of the dirt patch with a staff in each hand and she handed one to Gabrielle when she got close enough. She thanked her and Kianda nodded.
"Now, let's begin. First I must teach you how to hold your staff and your stance." Gabrielle gave her a puzzled look.
"What...is a stance?" She asked, a bit embarrassed. However, Kianda didn't seem to think she was a fool for not knowing, or at least she didn't give a hint of it. Kianda held out her staff explaining the correct spots to hold it and also how her legs should be. Gabrielle wasn't really understanding the purpose of this, and she didn't want to look foolish by asking. She was sure she would understand why soon. The blonde copied the movements of the warrior woman, it was harder than it looked and took her more tries than she liked to get to the point where Kianda was satisfied with her.
Then began the drills. Kianda started to instruct her on how to strike the air with her staff. The examples strikes that Kianda showed to Gabrielle were swift and carried great force with their blows. The girl could easily see the warrior woman knocking out a man...or worse with a single blow. However, the practice strikes Gabrielle gave paled in comparison. Her strikes were slow and with little force. The blonde sadly realized how easily she could be overcome in battle. However, Kianda did not give mockery or criticism. The warrior woman just told her to keep repeating the exercise. She did so, she felt sweat come down her brow and neck and her breathing become harsher. But no matter how tired or sore she got, she was determined not to ask for mercy or to stop. She wanted Kianda's respect and asking for special treatment for being a noble was not the way. She would have to do this the warrior's way with sweat, blood, and tears. Kianda showed her different moves and strikes as the day, but only a few and they went over them often. She was glad not to be overwhelmed with many different drills. She was also thankful, that Kianda did not spar with her. Kianda would have to lower her skill level greatly for Gabrielle to have a barely a chance, and even with that it was not likely. When the sun had reached it's high point, indicating they had been at this for several hours. Kinda gave the words.
"Stop, that is enough for today." Gabrielle could feel every muscle in her body rejoice from relief. She rested against her staff, and Kianda came to her side. "Go inside and change, I'll wait." Gabrielle smiled and at first tried to curtsey out of habit, but then switched to a bow. Kianda bowed in return and Gabrielle went inside the cabin to change into her green gown and carefully folded away her man's clothes and put them back. She stepped outside to a waiting Kianda, who had put the staffs up. They looked at each other and they started walking back down the trail to the castle. Gabrielle expected the trip to be in silence like the first one, but she was surprised when Kianda spoke.
"I was not sure what to make of you...when you first ask me. At first I thought you were playing a game with me, or not realizing what you were saying. Playing a silly noble woman's game." Gabrielle was silent, unsure of what to say to this.
"Then you graved by hand in the library...and your hands...they are rough, not hands of a woman who lived her life in luxury. " Gabrielle was once again lost for words at what to say. She touched her hands self consciously and wondered if the prince ever noticed as well. Kianda continued, "And today, that walk we went through to get to the training ground, would have worn out most noble girls whose greatest walking is around dress shops. Your body is use to hard work.." Kianda then turned around to look at her. "I will not ask you about your home life. I know when someone doesn't want to talk about their past." She spoke as if she was speaking from experience and most likely she was.
Kianda then turned back and continued her walk on the trail, and Gabrielle paused for a moment, before continuing after her. The rest of the journey was silence and Gabrielle rather liked that, she enjoyed walks in nature and just hearing the sounds of animals in the wood. Finally, they reached back to the palace. Now, it was Gabrielle's turn to speak.
"Meet me in the library after you had your lunch." She told the warrior woman. She gave Kianda a courtesy, before saying her good byes and leaving. The blonde girl went up to the royal apartments to find her lunch waiting outside, they had come a bit past lunch, so her lunch was now a little cool, but not unappetizing, her training had made her very hungry. She ate with good feeling, and when she was done, headed down to the library.
Kianda was not there, yet, and she went to get the books, paper, and ink they would need. Soon, Kianda entered the room, now in woman's clothing. Gabrielle greeted her and gestured her to sit and they began their lessons. Gabrielle decided to learn a few letters at a time with her, so not to overwhelm her, she also showed her how to write her name and other things. They kept up this work for a while and she was taught several simple words. Though Kianda was a bit confused by silent letters and Gabrielle could not blame her.
Finally, there lesson ended at dinner. They said their goodbyes and Kianda informed her that she could only do this about three times a week. Gabrielle nodded, she could spend the days off with Estelle. They then said their goodbyes and parted. The next day, she spent with Estelle, she didn't tell her about her lessons with Kianda and she spent must of the day avoiding the prince and Rosella. Soon a week passed, with her having lessons with Kianda two more times, and she was successful in avoiding the prince...well almost successful.
Gabrielle was walking down the halls, yesterday had been her last lesson of the week with Kianda, but her muscles were still sore...but she could feel herself getting stronger, though she knew she was nowhere near the warrior woman's level. They had made further progress on Kianda's reading and writing, and Gabrielle suspected she was studying between their lessons since Kianda was picking up lessons fast. However, it could just be that she was a naturally good student.
As Gabrielle rounded the corner, she almost bumped into someone. She jerked back and averted her gaze.
"I am sorry, please excuse me."
"Oh, you are defiantly excused, Lady Gabrielle." Came a smooth and familiar voice. The blonde girl froze for a moment, shivers running down her spine. But slowly she rose to meet his eyes. The expected smirk was there, and Gabrielle could not help, but frown.
"Thank you, Prince Adrian." She gave a polite curtsey, "Good day." She tried to go past him, but she felt his light, but firm hand on her shoulder.
"Now, don't be in such a rush, my lady, I haven't seen you in a week and you greeted me like a stranger. I think if I had a heart I would be hurt." He gave a chuckle at that. Gabrielle backed away, his hand fell away from his shoulder.
"Is there something you wish to speak about, your highness?" She still kept her polite voice up. However, inside she felt the same nervousness she always felt around the prince. Gabrielle prayed she would see an escape route soon enough.
"Actually, there is, my lady." The prince gave a pause, "Where have you been this past week?" There was an edge to the tone in which he asked the question that Gabrielle didn't like. Was he sizing her up, for something? She wasn't sure what his reaction would be too her learning the arts of fighting. She didn't feel like letting him know at all.
"Why I've been in the palace, my lord."
"Yes, I know that, but you have been disappearing much after breakfasts a few times this week and were no where to be found. I have guards all around the palace who would have let me know if you left my lands." He crossed his arms and circled around her. Gabrielle was reminded of books she read about predator animals circling their prey before going in for the kill. Why did Adrian remind her so much of a predator? Whatever, she couldn't let herself become the hunted.
"Pray tell, my Prince, I had no idea you were keeping such watch after me." The prince stopped his circling directly behind her. He whispered in her ear,
"I keep a watch on all my important pieces." Gabrielle felt a hot blush on her face and immediately backed away and turned around to face him.
"What do you mean by peaces?" Her tone had lost it's polite touch. She saw a glint in the prince's eyes, like he had been waiting for this. Then she realized he had been waiting for her to drop her courtly curtsies. What a strange man...
"Oh, you know like a game. A game...like chest." He gave a casual shrug, which Gabrielle knew my sheer instinct was not truly causal. The prince never did anything without purpose. Every move was calculated and this conversation was her walking in a field of spikes while being blindfolded. Gabrielle looked him in the eyes, her eyes daring him.
"So I am a piece then? I am not surprised you would view court as a game." It suited him well enough, "Am I a pawn then?" The Prince gave a grin,
"No, my lovely songstress, you are far above a pawn."
"Well, then what am I?" She asked, but Adrian tilted his head and looked to the side,
"You should be able to figure that out on your own, and if not...it will be obvious soon enough." Gabrielle's eyes widened what by Zeus' name did he mean 'soon enough'? Did he have plans for her, the last thing she wanted was to be part of his schemes. She felt herself unconsciously backing away.
"Now don't fret, Lady Gabrielle, you are part of the game, but I promise your well being is paramount to me winning the game, and trust me I never lose." The girl looked into the prince's eyes and saw absolute seriousness there. A deep intensity about something, and against all her logic and sense found herself feeling...safer. She found herself averted her blue-eyes from his intense gaze. The prince then bowed to her.
"Good day, Lady Gabrielle, I shall let you go off on your day without further harassment from me." The girl looked up, with surprise, at the prince. Was he really going to let her go? Not question her anymore about her whereabouts? As though reading her thoughts, not that she would be surprised if he could, Adrian spoke
"I speak the truth, my lady, I will find out where you have been running off to soon enough, anyway. Enjoy your day." With that he bowed and walked passed her. She watched him leaving for a few moments, but then started down the hallway. However, she heard his voice call out.
"Oh, and tell Kianda I said hello." Gabrielle froze, and turned only to see an empty hall. The prince had apparently turned into one of the many corridors of the palace. How did he know? She thought and thought, and realized; the library. The library wasn't an isolated place like the dirt patch they practiced sparing on, and anyone could have seen it. Also from the way Adrian spoke, it looked like he had spies on her everywhere. Anyone could have told him. Great, now thoughts of the prince's spies would be on her mind now, causing her paranoia.
For the rest of the day, and the next day, Gabrielle was too aware of the eyes watching, when previously she had mostly ignored them. On the day she was suppose to train with Kianda, she was even more secretive than usual, making her way to the barn and was too relieved with Kianda showed up to lead her into their training ground.
Things went as usual with her changing into man's clothes and her going through the drills with Kianda. However, something differently happened that day. Gabrielle could tell by the growing fatigue of her muscles and the sun's high position that it was almost lunch and time to end practice. However, Kianda suddenly stopped her staff in mid strike and turned herself and pointed her staff to a particular spot in the forest.
"Come out now!" She said in a stern and frightening voice. Before Gabrielle could even think about what to do, a chuckle came from the forest and excited a man's in soldier's uniform. The blonde girl saw Kianda relax her staff and look at the new man.
"Seth, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, lass, I was part of today's hunting party and while the boys were getting the boar roasted, I decided to take a walk to relieve myself. Never thought I see two lovely lasses having a bit of a spar." Gabrielle looked down, in truth they weren't fighting, just growing through drills, but this man, Seth, was right about it being two strange to see women training for combat like this. Seth walked up to them, and bowed.
"Why don't you lasses join us, I can tell from this blonde's face that you have been working her mightly hard, Kianda, why not take lunch with us?" Kianda looked at him and then at her, and Gabrielle realized she was asking her for permission. Her first thought was too say no, not wanting this to get out, but she also realized that Seth had no reason to keep this a secret and it would probably get out anyway. So she just gave Kianda a nod. The warrior woman gave a look of relief and she nodded her answer to Seth. The solider gave a whistle.
"My, my, not one, but two warrior lasses to share a meal with. I bet we be the first men to have this honor in a hundred years." Gabrielle felt herself blush, she really didn't consider herself a warrior lass, in the least. She was still learning the basic drills and such.
"Right this way, lasses." Seth gestured him to follow him into the forest. Kianda started off after him, and Gabrielle shyly followed her. Seth was right the camp was not too far and Gabrielle could smell roasted boar in the air, which awoke her dormant sense of hunger. They arrived at the camp of a fairly large hunting party, with horses tied to trees, men chatting on logs, and a dead boar roasting on the fire. Gabrielle also noticed that some of the men had dark skin like Kianda, but there was not another woman, but she and Kianda there. Their arrival caused an immediate reaction in the camp. Kianda was a regular sight there, but too see another woman in man's gear, particularly one that was pale skin and blonde caused more curiosity.
One of the solder's was brave enough to approach her. While most of the men looked at her, view seemed to know how to interact with a second "warrior" woman.
"What's your name, miss?" He asked politely.
"Gabrielle." She said, a bit shyly. The man's brown eyes became wide.
"Do...you mean Lady Gabrielle?" He asked, hesitantly and was it her imagination, or did he sense fear in his voice? Prince Adrian had to be behind this, but she couldn't lie. She gave a simple nod and answered
"Yes, I am." She could see this caused a reaction in the men and heard more whispers and looks her way. She looked around and saw Seth sitting on a log, by himself, plucking at the strings. Gabrielle, shyly went over and set by him. He gave her a friendly smile and she gave him one right back. They sat in silence for a while, as the solider plucked more strings on the instrument, but soon a tune formed, one that Gabrielle recognized.
"I know that song." Gabrielle said, lightly.
"Oh, really Lass can you play it?" He asked, with a smile. Gabrielle looked down, must noble girls were taught an instrument or two, however she had no knowledge of such things. Her father had died and Isodara had pulled her out of classes before she could begin learning such things.
"No..." She answered, feeling ashamed, "But I can sing." She said. Seth's eyes brightened at this.
"Really, Lass you can. Would you lend your pretty voice for an old,ugly dog like me?"
"You are not that old and far from ugly." Gabrielle told Seth, to which he grinned.
"Ah, you know how to make a man feel good, lass, now can you sing." He started plucking the beginning tunes of the song, and Gabrielle felt the song rise from her throat...
"Deep into the stony hills, miles from keep or hold. A troop of guards comes riding in with a lady and her gold, riding in the center, shrouded in her cloak of fur. Compained by a maiden and a toothless aged curr." Her voice was soft, not picking up much strength, but a few men heard her singing and stopped to pay attention.
"Three things see no end; a flower blighted ere in bloom, a message that was wasted and a journey that was doomed." Her voice was now stronger and more confident, as more men paid attention and soon the whole camp was listening.
"One among the guardsmen as a shifty restless eye, and as they ride he scans the hills that rise against the sky. He wears a sword and bracelet worth more than he can afford and hidden in his baggage is a heavy, secret hoard.
Of there things be wary; of the hungry hunting cat; the Shepard eating mutton and the guardsmen that is fat." The last thing drew a hearty laugh from several of the men and even Gabrielle could hear Seth give a light chuckle as he continued to play.
"From ambush bandits, screaming, charge the pack train and its prize and all but four within the train are taken by surprise, and all but four are cut down as the woodsmen fells a log. The guardsmen, and the lady and the maiden and the dog.
Three things know a secret; First the lady in a dream, the dog who barks no warning and the maid who does not scream." Everyone in the camp seem to brace themselves as they knew the best part of the song was coming up, and Gabrielle's voice was preparing for it too.
"Then off the lady pulls her cloak, in armor she is clad. Her sword is out and ready and her eyes are fierce and glad. The maiden gestures briefly and the dogs a curr no more. A wolf, sword maid and sorceress now face the bandit core.
Three things never anger or you will not live for long; A wolf with cubs, a man with power, and a woman's sense of wrong." This drew laughs and cheers from the men in the camp, and Gabrielle found herself feeling grinning, as she continued.
"The bandits growl a challenge and the lady only grins. The sorceress bows mockingly and then the fight begins. When it ends, there are, but four left standing from that horde; the witch, the wolf, the traitor and the woman with the sword." The cheers and jolly sounds from the camp were rowdy and loud, Gabrielle was not use to this as she sung, but she found herself liking her enthusiastic audience.
"Three things never trust in; the maiden sworn as pure, The vows a king has given, and the ambush that is sure.
They're stripped the traitor naked and they whipped him on his way into the barren hill sides like the folk he use to slay. They take a thorough vengeance for the women he's cut down and then they mount their horses and they journey back to town.
Three things trust and cherish well; The horse on which you ride, the beast that guards and watches and the sister at your side." The men cheered, stomped and clapped at the ending of the song and Gabrielle felt herself blushing at this attention. However, someone else had entered the camp.
Every man turned, stood up, and bowed to Prince Adrian, as he entered the camp. Gabrielle was too stunned for a moment, before she rose and did the same thing as well. Adrian greeted a few men, but his destination was clear. Her. He smiled at her, when he reached to her and she bowed again.
"So this is what you have been doing. I am surprised, I never took you for wanting to be a warrior maid. However, it is rare that I am surprised and I rarely like that. But I'll make an exception for this. He gestured her to sit back down and he took the empty seat beside her. Gabrielle looked down, her heart pounding. She barely heard announcements of the boar being ready.