"Hurry up, Relena!" Hilde cried, exasperated, to her best friend.
"Just another minute! I'll find it!" Relena called down. The other women shook their heads with tiny smiles on their faces.
"Got it!" Relena announced triumphantly.
"What exactly was 'it' again?" Hilde asked. Relena held up a silver chain necklace. Hilde's eyes widened. "We waited for that?" she cried.
"It's lucky!" Relena protested, putting it on. "Never mind, let's just get going."
"About time," Hilde said under her breath.
*~*
"Ah, welcome ladies," the doorman said. "His lordship is waiting in the main court for you. We are to take care of your baggage and your rooms, I believe that Count Dekim will show you to your wing at the end of the day." He ended with a bow, and gestured for the ladies to proceed inside. They strode down the main hall boldly, ignoring lustful looks from guards, until they reached the main court. Lord Dermail was seated as always, the count standing at his side. "My hunters," the lord purred as they approached. "Welcome to your new home. Today is more introductory, tomorrow the real work begins. I shall get directly to the point. If you would be so kind as to have a seat," he gestured to the chairs provided, " and listen to Count Dekim, he will begin by introducing you to your enemies." The count stepped to the side, where painted canvases lay. Snapping his fingers, Dekim motioned for a guard picked up a canvas and hold it. The count began.
"Your first opponent, Dwarves. Short in stature. Heavily equipped, making them one of your slower opponents. Do not underestimate their strength, however." He snapped his fingers, and the next canvas was shown.
"Gremlins. Sly, treacherous. These creatures will play mind games with you, confuse you, then kill you. Be wary and prepare to use any sort of defense mechanism possible when fighting them." Snap again. Next canvas.
"Unicorns. While they are not capable of extraordinary offensive abilities, these magic-using creatures will heal their allies and can provide incomparable defensive means. Aim for the horn." Next.
"Elves. Quick-witted, crafty, excellent fighters. They are capable of using almost any means of hunting and fighting, any weaponry. Lightning-fast. By far the most agile, intelligent, and dangerous opponents you will face, with one exception." Another snap, another canvas.
"Dragons. Most often appearing with unicorns, sometimes with elves. Dragons have the most offensive abilities you will ever face. Bulk, power, and maneuverability are on their side. Keep in mind that they can fly, so don't omit the possibility of an aerial attack while in a forest or glen," Dekim finished. He motioned to the guard, who took the canvases and left.
"Now then, your weaponry," Lord Dermail said. He motioned to another guard, who brought in a large bag. The count pulled numerous cases from it. For Dorothy and Sally, beautiful, long rapiers. They were tested at once. Hilde, Noin, and Relena received exquisitely crafted bows and arrows, and for Catherine, an absolutely gorgeous set of jeweled throwing daggers.
"Of course, you will all be armed with primary means of defense," the count said, as they all found short swords hidden away in their cases, "and here are your new outfits. Report to the court in the west wing once you are finished."
"Change then, and be quick about it," the lord said as the ladies gathered their things. He smiled darkly. "You are now my hunters."
*~*
"I do LOVE these!!" Dorothy exclaimed as she tested her sword thrusts against her new outfit. "No more pesky petticoats!"
"Oh, Dory," Catherine said. "They weren't that bad... But I do admit I like these better," she added with a giggle. The girls waited in the west court for their first instructor to arrive. They all wore the same outfit with slight color variation. Long, skin-tight suede pants. A tight, thin, long-sleeved shirt, then a fitted suede overshirt with short sleeves.
'Incredibly light, I wonder what it's made from,' Lucretia wondered.
"Ladies!" a loud, deep, feminine voice and a hand-clap brought their eyes to a doorway. A tall woman with long brown hair and deep chestnut eyes stood there.
"Pardon, but are you our instructor?" Lucretia ventured.
"Yes. I am Lady Une," the newcomer said. "And first things are first. You will never wear your hair down when hunting. You have the option of wearing your hair tightly up or having it cut."
"Oh, but I can't wear my hair up!" Hilde cried without thinking, then gasped and covered her mouth.
"Then yours shall be cut," Une said abruptly. A guard led Hilde from the courtyard by the wrist. Lucretia thought fast. The least she could do was make her sister feel better...
"I shall have mine cut as well," she said quickly. The other girls gasped.
"Not your beautiful long hair!" Dorothy said, in shock. Lucretia simply smiled sadly and walked after the guard.
*~*
"Oh my, oh my..." Catherine said. The sisters entered the courtyard.
"Oh, girls," Sally said sympathetically. Hilde brought her hands to her neck sub-consciously. She felt almost naked with such short hair. Noin felt the same way, but refused to show it, save the small blush that graced her cheeks. Relena was the first to make the best of the situation.
"You both still look absolutely stunning," she said with a small smile. Hilde grinned in gratitude.
"I suppose so..." she said. "After all, it is hard to take away our beauty, right sister?" Lucretia smiled.
"Right, Hilde."
"Ahem, if we could get on with our lessons now?" Une said impatiently. "I don't have all day." So they began.
*~*
"Ladies, this is Sir Treize Khushrenada. He will be your swordfighting teacher, partner, and mentor. Sir, I leave them to you.," Une said. "Ladies, adieu until tomorrow."
"Thank you, Lady," the tall aristocrat said quietly. His golden-brown hair glinted in the slowly setting sun. "Now then, ladies. I wish to have each of you fight me with either short or long swords, so that I might have a better idea of where each of you stand." Relena, Catherine, and Noin chose short swords and learned a great deal. Dorothy did exceptionally well with her long sword. Hilde caught on very quickly. Then Sally fought.
"I see you have had previous instruction," Treize said as they fought.
"You would be correct," Sally answered nonchalantly.
"And how much talent do you have hidden away, then?" Treize asked with a diplomatic smile. Sally all at once flipped the sword from his hands and caught him under the chin with her blade.
"For me to know, and my opponents to realize," she said mockingly.
"Ah..." Treize said. "Very good. Like the Black Widow." Sally looked confused, so he continued. "A legend of a swordswoman. She was so talented, no one could match her skill with the sword. Any opposition she met was destroyed at her hand. The name suits you, if you will pardon me. Our time is over for today, ladies," he continued to the group. "If you will proceed to the main hall, Count Dekim will show you to your rooms. Until tomorrow." He bowed and they parted ways.
*~*
"I believe the time has come, my lord," Count Dekim said.
"Yes indeed, Count Dekim. They are ready." It was true. After nearly two weeks of training, the ladies had truly become hunters. The archers could hit any target, moving or not, within half a mile radius. Catherine could throw nearly the same distance. Dorothy and Sally had perfected their training, under the watchful eye of Treize, so that, if need be, they could kill a buzzing fly in mid-flight. The count smirked.
"Shall we send them out tomorrow, my liege?" he asked.
"Yes," came the reply. "Now the hunt is on."
:. *~*~* .: