Chapter 4
"Yikies! What in Mithros's whole earth was that?" I exclaimed as I looked around for what had pounced on my feet. T'was only the kitten Binks.
"Morning young Binkleton. How are we this morning? Ah you look hungry hmmm. I'll get dressed and go fetch some food for you from the kitchen. Hang on my sweet!" I said cheerfully, forcing my sore body from its comfortable bed. Stretching while I walked to the bathroom I sang a verse from 'Corus Fields' out loud while filling my basin to wash my face. Looking myself over in the mirror I noted that I had dark circles under my eyes.
"I must get some cover up for that else it'll look as though I've been beaten! I'll do that during hmm I guess after dinner. Sigh I have too much to do! Glory be, I'd best get moving if I plan to be on time and warmed up at the courts!" Rushing into my closet I first grabbed regular clothes but then I decided on my Queenscove clan clothes. A Sapphire blue tunic with the clan crest over the breast and a pair of sapphire leggings, which had been the family formal dress since the beginning. I pulled on my favorite boots on. Made of soft brown leather they fit me like a second skin. Finally I reached in and pulled out my sword. My sword is made of fine crystal mined from the mine on the family fife. I got her just before I came to the school. Her name is Fortulai, which means 'my life force' or light of my life. This is the first time I've used her in anything but a spar against my father. I slid her back into the sheath, touching the jeweled handle one last time before buckling it to my waist. Just as I was about to leave there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" I called out petting Binks.
"It's me Cal. I brought some milk for Binks and to escort you to the courts. Are you ready Lady Page?" he said in his lovely singsong voice. I opened the door and got the milk from him and set it on the floor. Binks ran over to it and quickly drank from the dish. I looked over at Cal. He was wearing a fine silk tunic and leggings in a deep green color that drew out the emerald qualities of his eyes. I caught my breath and found myself thinking what a stud he was. I quickly tried to clear my head.
"Let's go or you won't have time to warm up. Quinian isn't out of his room yet. I could hear him while standing in the hall. Hurry up. You need to be in top form for this match or else he'll beat the tar out of you." He continued lecturing me until we got to the courts and entered. Brahm stood in a black silk referee robe. When he saw us enter he nodded happily.
"Cal I want you to help me supervise I don't trust them. They nearly killed each other yesterday. Get warming up girl." Brahm barked at us. I grabbed Fortulai out my sheath and handed my sheath to Cal, who was standing ready to aid me in preparing for the match. He plunked a helmet onto my head and helped me strap my breastplate on. I decided not to wear protective leggings, as I wouldn't be able to move well with them on. I held Fortulai up to my face and kissed the flat side of the sword for luck.
"What's your sword's name?" Cal asked me.
"Fortulai." I said practicing my lunges and blocks.
"I know that is Yaminish but what does it mean?" he asked.
"It means 'my life force' formally but in informal speak it means light of my life. All of her comes from Queenscove land. I'm very proud of her and this is her first duel. I hope she carries me through faithfully." I said. I looked over at the clanging of the gates saw that it was Quinian.
"Let's get started I ready to beat you Brat Queenscove. Oh look if it isn't Cal the Yellow, the wimp of the tourneys." He mocked us both.
"QUINIAN OF CAGNEY YOU WILL TREAT YOUR BETTERS WITH RESPECT DUE TO THEM. ADRESS THEM PROPERLY. NOW!!" Brahm thundered at him.
"Fine. Lady Page Tierney of Queenscove and Lord Page Calvin of Greensboro how do you do. Sir Aiden of Brahm." He said nodding to each of us in turn. Cal leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, "Shut him up. Hard."
"Circle up. That's the ticket. The rules are this: I want a nice clean duel traditional style. Ready Go!" Brahm yelled, dropping his hand to start us. Quinian did exactly as I knew he would he launched a swift upper cut intending to knock the sword form my hand. I dodged it and gave him a run around, which he was not expecting. It only took a few blows to have him on the ground with my sword at his throat.
"Give?" I said smiling. Next thing I knew I was on the ground with Cal standing over me shaking me violently. Everything I saw and heard was through a haze. Then everything blacked out again.
When I woke again I saw the healer Minevera quite clearly.
"Where am I? What happened?" I found myself asking panically.
"Hush. Don't speak you have a concussion. Don't try to move. Brahm needs to speak to you. He can explain it to you." She said moving out of the room. Brahm entered with a hardened look in his eyes.
"Before you ask I'll tell you what happened. Quinian kicked you in your lower chest and you fell backwards and hit the cobblestones. You were knocked out so Cal brought you here while I took Quinian to wait to see the King. When you are better you will testify against him. You are excused from classes today and tomorrow and then Thursday you will come to Corus with Cal and I for the tourney. If you feel up to it you will enter it. Otherwise you will act as an aid to Cal. Even if you do enter you will be his aid and he shall be yours. Minevera said for you to drink this after we talked. It's a sleeping tonic. Have a good day. Cal said he will watch over Binks, who ever he is. And also to tell you he will be in with your friends as soon as Minevera allows them in." Brahm said and left. I drank the tonic in one gulp. It was like liquid fire. It burned slowly down my throat and then scorched my stomach but it worked well. I felt myself drifting off to sleep within a minute…
A/N: Wow. Shortest chapter I've ever written. I hope you like it. Let me know what you want to see in future chapters. Suggestions are always welcome!
~*AnnaBeth*~