Chapter 1 – Farewell, I mean hello.
Keladry laughed as her mother fought against her escort. Ilane was 30, with grey hair while Marika was 15 and average size with sweeping raven hair. Marika caught her mother in a swift flick of the hip, and twisted swiftly to send her flying. Ilane twirled in mid air and managed to land on two feet.
'Well done Mica' she called, 'not even armsmistress Tallika has done that in a while!'
Mica bowed to an imaginary audience. Kel quickly screened her face with her bronze fan, to hide laughter though her eyes crinkled in amusement. Yuki, her other escort, was also hiding behind her fan.
' Shall we have a try at fan toss?' Kel asked in her soft musical voice, 'we'll see if you've improved mother.'
Again the maids hid their smiles behind delicate fans. They thrust them into their obis and hurried to their rooms to each fetch their shukusen. This was a lady fan with a dull heavy base and deadly sharp frames, draped with crimson silk. They were carried by Yamani ladies who felt they were in danger, but didn't want to complicate things by openly carrying a weapon.
When each had returned, they began to go around their circle tossing up their fans, and then catching the dull base in one hand. Kel was as graceful as a dancer in this game, Ilane just concentrated on catching the fan safely, while Yuki and Mica followed Kel's example, without as much elegance though.
Kel gave the Yamani command for ' the blossom opens'. They began to pass the fan to anyone in the circle. After a while of this exercise, Kel signalled for 'sinking sun'. Now they dipped as they caught the fan, whirled it in both hands before dipping again and passing to the next person.
By the time they had tired of this, the Tortallan harbour was looming ever closer. A while later, as it was beginning to get dark, they were met and al four escorted to the palace (even the escorts! From Bluebell of Mindelan). Kel was taken to rooms beside the Squire's wing. She peeled of her clothing and set out the next day's. She fell into her bed and was asleep before she had the chance to unpack her Yamani dream catcher.
She was aroused next morning by the bell that signalled the pages to wake. She dressed and visited the private practice courts. Here she started the day with glaive practice dances.
She had been practicing for over three hours when Yuki came to find her.
'Kel, you are wanted in the mess hall'. She informed her mistress and best friend.
'Who?' Kel inquired.
'Lady Ilane says you need to present yourself to the training master, and meet Nealan of Queenscove'.
Kel sighed inwardly. Nealan of Queenscove was to whom she was betrothed. She did not want to marry. She was a Yamani warrior, part of the Emporer's inner circle and wanted to be a Tortallan knight also, not married and unable to fight without being unmaidenly.
' Escort me then Yuki' Kel fell behind Yuki wondering what this Nealan would be like.
When they arrived, a servant, Timon, announced them both.
'Lady Keladry and Miss Yukimi noh Toyundra'
Keladry laughed as her mother fought against her escort. Ilane was 30, with grey hair while Marika was 15 and average size with sweeping raven hair. Marika caught her mother in a swift flick of the hip, and twisted swiftly to send her flying. Ilane twirled in mid air and managed to land on two feet.
'Well done Mica' she called, 'not even armsmistress Tallika has done that in a while!'
Mica bowed to an imaginary audience. Kel quickly screened her face with her bronze fan, to hide laughter though her eyes crinkled in amusement. Yuki, her other escort, was also hiding behind her fan.
' Shall we have a try at fan toss?' Kel asked in her soft musical voice, 'we'll see if you've improved mother.'
Again the maids hid their smiles behind delicate fans. They thrust them into their obis and hurried to their rooms to each fetch their shukusen. This was a lady fan with a dull heavy base and deadly sharp frames, draped with crimson silk. They were carried by Yamani ladies who felt they were in danger, but didn't want to complicate things by openly carrying a weapon.
When each had returned, they began to go around their circle tossing up their fans, and then catching the dull base in one hand. Kel was as graceful as a dancer in this game, Ilane just concentrated on catching the fan safely, while Yuki and Mica followed Kel's example, without as much elegance though.
Kel gave the Yamani command for ' the blossom opens'. They began to pass the fan to anyone in the circle. After a while of this exercise, Kel signalled for 'sinking sun'. Now they dipped as they caught the fan, whirled it in both hands before dipping again and passing to the next person.
By the time they had tired of this, the Tortallan harbour was looming ever closer. A while later, as it was beginning to get dark, they were met and al four escorted to the palace (even the escorts! From Bluebell of Mindelan). Kel was taken to rooms beside the Squire's wing. She peeled of her clothing and set out the next day's. She fell into her bed and was asleep before she had the chance to unpack her Yamani dream catcher.
She was aroused next morning by the bell that signalled the pages to wake. She dressed and visited the private practice courts. Here she started the day with glaive practice dances.
She had been practicing for over three hours when Yuki came to find her.
'Kel, you are wanted in the mess hall'. She informed her mistress and best friend.
'Who?' Kel inquired.
'Lady Ilane says you need to present yourself to the training master, and meet Nealan of Queenscove'.
Kel sighed inwardly. Nealan of Queenscove was to whom she was betrothed. She did not want to marry. She was a Yamani warrior, part of the Emporer's inner circle and wanted to be a Tortallan knight also, not married and unable to fight without being unmaidenly.
' Escort me then Yuki' Kel fell behind Yuki wondering what this Nealan would be like.
When they arrived, a servant, Timon, announced them both.
'Lady Keladry and Miss Yukimi noh Toyundra'