The next morning I woke at dawn. First things first I changed into practice breeches, and a sleeveless tunic. I gathered my glaive to get a few minutes practice before class. As I walked down to the practice courts I noticed another figure already there. It was Adara practicing with her glaive too!
"Adara! Good morning! Beautiful day huh?" I called entering the courts.
"Yes it is Tierney. Oh you brought you glaive! Care to go a practice round? Don't worry; even with all my practice on the Islands, you are still better than I am." Adara responded.
"You're on! Get ready to lose because we both know that no one can use the glaive better than my mother and she taught me all I know." I said as I began practicing my lunges.Then we circled up and began. Adara wasn't completely bad though. It took me almost thirty minutes to beat her, which is a long time when you go against me.
"I give up! You win! All hail Tierney, queen of the glaive!" Adara panted, bent at the waist and desperately trying to catch her breathe, "You keep getting better everyday! Are you sure you didn't get taught by Mast Shinko of the Islands?"
"Quite positive. Adara, we should be going. It's nearly 6 and we still have to change and get to the hall to set and serve breakfast." I said as I put the glaive back into its carrier and turned towards the gates.
"Yeah, I guess. Sit next to me at breakfast?" she said following me.
"Sure maybe we'll have some classes together." I answered as we neared the Memoriam Hall. I then went in, my eyes slowly adjusting to the light as I walked to my door. I whispered my password and turned the key but before I entered, I could feel someone's eyes in my back. As I whirled around I caught sight of the boy from yesterday.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in a harsh, sharp tone.
"Same as you, going to my room. I live in Memoriam Hall too ya know." He replied, then after a moment of thought said, "How about we start over? My name is Quinian of Cagney and I would like to humbly apologize for insulting you yesterday at dinner."
"I will not accept that apology until I kick you noble ass on the practice courts. Nobody insults my family and gets away with it you horrible curr." I replied with venom in my voice.
"Ouch. Fine then. Tomorrow? Name your weapon and time and you will see just how much you don't belong here. You shouldn't go about making enemies this quick." He said a slight grin across his face.
"Tomorrow morning, sunrise, swords in free style." I said, as swords were my best weapon other than the glaive.
"Fine. See you later!" he said with a bow as he entered the room across from mine.
"Horrible snob. Thinks he's so great and deserving of all forgiveness. I'll show him, I will." I said to myself as I stormed into my room and began filling my basin with the pitcher of water. After a brief wash-up, I changed into a ruby tunic and sapphire leggings, pulled my hair into a pony tail at the base of my neck and glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Goddess! I'll be late if I don't hurry!" I said outloud, even though I was the only one there. I grabbed a thin gold chain and put it on as I raced through the winding hallways of the palace and didn't stop to take a breath until I was safely into the hall with 1 minute to spare. I quickly noted with relief that I was one of the few who were early. The Goldenlake twins, Demetria, Adara and a few boys were the only others here. At 6:30 Sir Brahm walked in and slammed the doors.
"It's good to see I have a few students who fear my wrath. Everyone else who is late, will be given a hour of work for every MINUTE they are late." He said angrily. We all stood around, chattering nervously, waiting for the tardies to arrive. As they arrived one by one Sir Brahm yelled at them angrily. Finally after everyone had arrived he began explaining what we were to do.
"You set out silver wear and plates. Then pitchers of drinks. Finally the food. You will then take a seat and wait for everyone to arrive and the blessing to be said before you eat. Each meal a different student will say the blessing. Today, hmm, Queenscove. You will say it. Now get to work!" he called in a voice, obviously cheered by yelling at a few students.
After I finished setting up my part I went and sat down next to the other girls.
"Hey everyone! This is Tierney of Queenscove. Adrienne and Aurelia, you know Sir Neal right?" As Adara asked the twins nodded and then she continued, "well, Neal is her dad. Demetria, Tierney. Lovely now you've all met." It looked like she was going to continue when everyone else began to arrive for breakfast. At seven Lord Brahm stood up and said, "Page Queenscove will say this morning's blessing. Stand up girl!"
"May the Gods and Goddesses bless this banquet which has been prepared for us with their grace. May they protect us and push us to our goals for today and everyday. Amen!" I said, shakily at first but getting louder with every word. A round of polite clapping filled the air around me as I sat down. Everyone quickly quieted as Lord Brahm once again began to speak this time saying, "You may talk quietly during meals, this is a privilege, you abuse it, you lose it. Let's eat."
All around our table, the room was filled with the sounds of eating and talking. Finally, in a desperate attempt to break the ice I said, "Any of you besides Adara use the glaive?" they all shook their heads 'No.' "Well then, what weapon do you favor?"
"I prefer swords to any other weapon." Demetria said, "it was the first weapon I learned. Lots of people say I'm a natural but I just enjoy it."
"I'm a bowie my self." Aurelia said.
"Yeah me too." Her sister Adrienne added.
"Me and Tierney are glaives and swords. Put us all together and we'd be a pretty violent bunch huh?" Adara said cheerfully.
"Look! Our schedules are being handed out!" I cried out in excitement.
"When I call your name come and get your schedule." Lord Brahm said. We all listened in quiet anticipation for ours. One by one we got called up. Then it was my turn. Adara was the last of us to get called up. I sat looking over it carefully, thinking, just the same as everyone else.
"I have Riding, bows, swords, tilting, Martials and then books. Anyone have the same as me?" I said, hoping they would be in my classes.
Only Adrienne said she did. But we didn't really have much time to talk about it because it was 7:30 and classes start at 8. We bid each other goodbye and went back to our dormitories to get ready. Since I knew I wouldn't have time to come back and get my weapons I grabbed them to take them with me. I also got my riding boots and started down to the stables. Once there I stood waiting for Adrienne when a couple of guys motioned for me to come over.
"Yeah?" I asked, curious as to why they called me over.
"Hi! I'm Terrence of Ransomkeep; this is Flynn of Thevalley, Olaf of Olau, and Loren of Verdelaine. We noticed you were standing alone so we're inviting you to stand with us." One of them said to me.
"I'm Tierney of Queenscove. Nice to meet you. All of you." I said, slightly stunned that they were talking to me.
"What made you decide to try to become a knight? I mean, yes the Lioness and Lady Knight Kel have popularized it but still, why?" Terrence asked.
"I don't quite know why but ever since I was young I've wanted to. Since I used my first sword, rode my first horse, watched my first duel. It's in my blood I guess. Does that answer it for you Terrence?" I replied after a moment of thought.
"Yes it does Tierney and please call me Terri. Say, is that girl over there trying to get your attention Tierney?" he asked, pointing to Adrienne who was waves at me.
"Yes she is. Adrienne! Come here!" I yelled as loud as I could. But just as I was about to introduce her to the others, Brahm strode in and began talking, again.
"Does that man ever shut up?" I asked myself.
"Pages, today we will begin to learn the art of riding. First you will pick your mount and begin caring for it and getting to know it. Don't fight over any mounts, you lots. Fighting is childish when over silly things such as this. Get to it." I began looking around at the different horse, and saw the one I wanted. I quickly walked over to her. She was a short and stalky black horse, with good solid legs and a deep chest. She also had intelligent eyes that stared straight into mine, almost like she could read what I was thinking.
"Queenscove, have you decided?" Brahm asked from behind, so suddenly it made me jump.
"Yes sir. I'd like this one sir." I said to him.
"Ah, Lady Quinevere. She's a gallant mare, with nerves of steel. You won't scare this one. Fine choice. Take her in and get her outfitted, put in a stall and brush her down. Then you should feed her. After that you are done for the day. Since I believe you have archery next, I'd go practice after this." He called as I walked away. I led my new horse towards the barn and said softly to her, "I shall call you Qwennie as a nickname." Once inside I went to the stable manager, a burly man by the name of Stephen.
"Qwennie, huh? She's a nice horse. This here is where he tack is stored. She eats two scoops in the morning after you ride her and then two in the evening. She likes to be out during the afternoon so you may put her out as long as you brush her afterwards. Good luck to ye lass." He bid me to leave with a nod. So I took her to her stall, fed her and then brushed her until she shone.
"Good day to you Lady Qwen." I said as a parting and then slowly made my way to the archery course. I noted that I was the second one there. Adrienne was the first.
"Adrienne, what kind of horse did you pick?" I asked as I began stringing my bow.
"I picked a roan one named Peaches. How bout you?" she replied, preparing her bow as well.
"A black mare named Lady Quinevere. Adrienne, I heard someone mention that you and Aurelia's name means something. Is that true?" I asked as I hit the third ring of the target.
"My name means dark and Aurelia's means light. You know, dark haired, light haired?" she replied hitting the first ring and letting out a small yell of triumph, "Yes!"
"Oh cool! Damn you have a great shot!" I said slightly envious, thinking of my less than perfect shot.
"If you want I'll give you some pointers later but here come the Grump, AKA Brahm."