A week had past since that warm, star-filled night. There where preparations going on all through Europe for the semifinals.
A white stallion dug its hoof with new shoes in the dirt. Higher up the horse's body were dark leather stirrups with brown boots filing them. The rider sighed. Her wounds had healed, but something wasn't setting well with her. It read plain on her face.
" What is it Rori?" Darius asked.
" Something has me on edge," she answered.
" What is it then?"
" I haven't the slightest idea,"
William was near by practicing with the swinging target. He'd been at this for maybe half an hour, but he stopped when he felt a tension in the air. He trotted his horse over right along side hers. She seemed oblivious to the fact, just kept staring into the near by tree line. He place his hand on her forearm and encircled it with his fingers.
" Hmm?" she said after a bit of a startle from coming out of her daze.
" You alright?" was the question. But before it could be answered there was a interruption of " William,"
He looked around and then down next to his horse and there was a face that he'd long to see.
"Jocelyn!" William said with excitement as he jumped to the ground meeting her with a tight embrace. Her face erupted into a smile. But there moment was cut off when she asked, "Who is your little friend?"
Will looked back over his shoulder and smiled with one eyebrow arched. " Jocelyn, this is Aurora Draco, daughter of Sir Elose Draco,"
" Hi," Jocelyn said abruptly as she took Williams arm in her's and pulled him off to speak with him. Aurora was of course slightly offended.
"Nice to meet you too," she yelled at the lady and clomped away on her horse.
"Where ever did you find such an interesting looking girl?" Jocelyn said in a laughy tone softly to William.
" In the lists. She actually found me and made me find my way to the ground," William said plainly.
" A girl bared you to the ground?" Jocelyn said, " Surely you let this happen,"
" I didn't know she was a girl at first. She was wearing full armor. But the way she hits, ah, its amazing. She extends her arm completely right at the point of contact. It amazes me that she doesn't break her forearm at her size…."
Jocelyn frowned. Somewhere along the lines of extends she stopped paying attention.
" William, in case you couldn't tell, I really don't care to hear about this. Why don't just you and I go off and spend some quality time with you and I?" she said as she linked her fingers into his belt.
Aurora's horse inhaled deeply and let the breath out with a deep grunt. She patted his neck, " I know Rapido. I don't think she likes us much either. But no scene in getting all emotional about it, boy. Hopefully William's eyes will be opened soon,"