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A Ruby in the Rough
Serena stood at the doorsteps of the cottage, and took a last look around. Everything that weren't packed up were sold to whoever who wanted it. Nothing was left except 2 horses, in which they decided to keep for the journey. Lita had chosen a beautiful chestnut mare, for which she had named Jupiter. Serena chose a silver mare named Silver Challenger. She was an elegant mare, strong and gentle, suiting her master perfectly.
Taking a deep breath, Serena waved goodbye to her friends and set off, with Lita following not far behind. For the first few hours, no one spoke. Utter silence reigned except for the soft clip clops of the horses. As noon rolled around, Serena sighaled to stop at a brook, and passed out some bread and cheese.
"What if we don't make it?"
Lita looked up, "Of course we will Serena. You've got to stop doubting yourself."
"I know, but think about it. If being a lady knight is so easy, there would have been others who would at least try out. Besides, if no one else, have gotten in, why would I be any different?"
Lita sighed and stared at the bubbling brook, "Being a lady knight won't be easy. Being a girl, you would have to face hardships that no one else would have to go through. This won't be some simple little snap of the fingers. The second you start training, you're going to be tired and worn out during the day, during the night, and every living moment of your life. Why do you think no one succeeded? Being a knight isn't all about the glamour. Only the best survives the battles. The others probably will be dead within the month. Remember Serena, there will always be someone who is better than the best. You will meet your match someday, and it'll be a battle of survival. A knight's life is a harsh one, made alluring in books and tales, but it is not so."
"I understand the dangers Lita, yet.. there's just something in my heart telling me that that is what I want to do. We should go. It's 3 day ride ahead of us."
The rest of the trip was more relaxed, as the two girls chatted about whatever it was that came to mind. Lita gave out her plans to start a bakery, and Serena told her how she was doing in her training.
As night fell, they still pushed ahead, neither feeling tired or sore. But by midnight, a stop was called, and without a word to each other, the girls fell into their sleeping bags and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next day was the same and so was the next. By the time they reached Elysion, they were saddle sore, and in a lousy mood. Yet, the sights and smells of the city bought them their complete attention. Being born and raised on a farm, they had never before thing so many people or items in one place. Goggled eyed, they guided their horses through the crowds, trying to see everything at once.
"Wow," Lita whispered, "Imagine having to live here."
"I think it's a bit too crowded for me. Let's go a bit faster. We can come back here some other day and explore," Serena kicked her horse into a trot.
The winding roads brought them out of the city district and along an open field. The next sight completely took their breath away. There, sitting on a hill, lay the grandest palace there ever was. Even the pictures in books could not compare to the real thing.
It was Lita who broke the silence, "Come on Serena. We've got to sigh you in."
"I wish it is as simple as that. Sigh me in, indeed," Serena muttered.
As they arrived at the gate, two guards with vicious looking spears blocked their entrance, "State your business."
"I'm here to put myself in the service of the cook, and my friend here is to try out to be a lady knight."
The guards froze for a second, then exchanged amused glances, "You may proceed. The kitchen is to the right and the duke of Whitebrooke's office is straight ahead."
Serena gave a polite thank you before passing through. Promising to meet Lita at the entrance later on, the two girls went their own separate ways. Handing the reins to a young boy, Serena followed the directions given. Tentatively, she knocked on a wooden door.
"Come in."
Inside, the office was small, but incredibly neat. The duke sat at the desk, a pair of reading glasses on his nose. He was a stern looking man, with brown hair and beard, and a pair of sharp black eyes. His mouth was set in a thin line, and every inch of him gave off an authoritative aurora. Duke Crestin looked the young girl over, "Yes?"
"I want to be a lady knight sir," Serena drew herself up, and tried to look confident.
The duke's eyebrows shot up, "A lady knight? There hasn't been one for years. What makes you think that you could do it?"
"I know I can."
The duke studied the girl again, this time letting his eyes take in more details. The girl was pretty short, and seemed delicate, as if one push would send her head over heels. But what astounded him was her beauty, clear and innocent. The way she held herself told him that she was determined. Still, determination is only one of many skills a knight is required to have, especially for a lady knight.
"Name?"
"Serena."
"Age?"
"14"
"Parents?"
"I don't know my parents sir."
The duke looked sternly over from his writing, "Only nobles' son, and in your case, daughters are allowed here."
"I'm willing to prove myself sir."
"Very well. We begin now."
The duke of Whitebrooke led the girl out of his office, leading her to an open field. He doubted the girl greatly, yet there was something about her that just showed great strength. He nodded to a set of bows and arrows.
Serena picked one and strung the bow, knotting the end tightly. Holding the arrow steady, she pulled it back, aimed, and let go. It fell true, landing neatly in the center dot. Duke Crestin stayed silent, his face giving off no emotions. He moved the target back till it was about 75 meters off, and motioned for Serena to try again. She once again pulled back the arrow, and let it fly. It planted itself right next to the previous one.
No words were said, as they moved on, this time to fencing. Then martial arts, jousting, and finally horseback riding. By the time they were through, Serena was ready to sit down and just die. Every muscle was screaming in protest at so much work.
"You might feel tired now, but this is only a mere fraction of what you will be feeling if you do get in. I shall talk to the king about this, and I will give you my decision tomorrow. Be here at noon and don't be late," without giving a backward glance, the duke stalked away.
Serena sighed and went to get Silver back from the stables. Giving her a little pat, and a kiss on the nose, she led her out.
"Where do you think you are going with that horse?" A voice called out from behind her.
She didn't turn around and just kept on walking, "Absolutely none of your business!"
"I command you to halt!"
She paid him no heed.
"Stop this second! I'll have the guards put you into prison for treating me this way!"
Serena spun herself around to see a young man around 16 years of age. He held himself proudly, with black hair tumbling over his midnight blue eyes.
"I didn't realize I was talking to a lady. I thought you were just some little boy playing around here without permission," he paused, letting his eyes roam across her in appreciation.
She bristled, "Great, now that we got over that mistake of yours, we can just get on with our lives."
Ignoring the anger in her voice, he continued, "I'm Prince Endymion of Earth, or just Prince Darien for short."
Serena was unimpressed, "I hope you did not introduce yourself for the benefit of hearing me actually start on my manners."
"Of course not, I was hoping you would introduce yourself in turn."
"Well, keep on hoping."
********
'Who does the girl think she is? Probably from the country. No proper lady would dress in breeches,' Darien though as entered his father's chambers.
"Ah, Darien. There you are. Duke Crestin is informing me of a very odd event that took place today."
"Really father?"
"Yes. A young girl wants to become a knight. What do you think?" "A lady knight?" Darien looked up in surprise.
"The duke tells me that she had done admirably in her tests, and that she was indeed a natural," the king looked thoughtfully at his son, "should I accept her?"
"She probably can't find herself a husband, so she joins us. How pathetic. Let her in father. I would like to see how she does in her training. It would indeed be interesting."
End of chapter 2
REIVIEW PLEASE!! Anything.. well almost anything would be welcomed. It would be great to know what you think of my story, so I can get an idea if I should continue it or not. So, if you like this story, please tell me, and if you don't.. well.. you could tell me what I could do to make it better. Thank you!
A Ruby in the Rough
Serena stood at the doorsteps of the cottage, and took a last look around. Everything that weren't packed up were sold to whoever who wanted it. Nothing was left except 2 horses, in which they decided to keep for the journey. Lita had chosen a beautiful chestnut mare, for which she had named Jupiter. Serena chose a silver mare named Silver Challenger. She was an elegant mare, strong and gentle, suiting her master perfectly.
Taking a deep breath, Serena waved goodbye to her friends and set off, with Lita following not far behind. For the first few hours, no one spoke. Utter silence reigned except for the soft clip clops of the horses. As noon rolled around, Serena sighaled to stop at a brook, and passed out some bread and cheese.
"What if we don't make it?"
Lita looked up, "Of course we will Serena. You've got to stop doubting yourself."
"I know, but think about it. If being a lady knight is so easy, there would have been others who would at least try out. Besides, if no one else, have gotten in, why would I be any different?"
Lita sighed and stared at the bubbling brook, "Being a lady knight won't be easy. Being a girl, you would have to face hardships that no one else would have to go through. This won't be some simple little snap of the fingers. The second you start training, you're going to be tired and worn out during the day, during the night, and every living moment of your life. Why do you think no one succeeded? Being a knight isn't all about the glamour. Only the best survives the battles. The others probably will be dead within the month. Remember Serena, there will always be someone who is better than the best. You will meet your match someday, and it'll be a battle of survival. A knight's life is a harsh one, made alluring in books and tales, but it is not so."
"I understand the dangers Lita, yet.. there's just something in my heart telling me that that is what I want to do. We should go. It's 3 day ride ahead of us."
The rest of the trip was more relaxed, as the two girls chatted about whatever it was that came to mind. Lita gave out her plans to start a bakery, and Serena told her how she was doing in her training.
As night fell, they still pushed ahead, neither feeling tired or sore. But by midnight, a stop was called, and without a word to each other, the girls fell into their sleeping bags and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next day was the same and so was the next. By the time they reached Elysion, they were saddle sore, and in a lousy mood. Yet, the sights and smells of the city bought them their complete attention. Being born and raised on a farm, they had never before thing so many people or items in one place. Goggled eyed, they guided their horses through the crowds, trying to see everything at once.
"Wow," Lita whispered, "Imagine having to live here."
"I think it's a bit too crowded for me. Let's go a bit faster. We can come back here some other day and explore," Serena kicked her horse into a trot.
The winding roads brought them out of the city district and along an open field. The next sight completely took their breath away. There, sitting on a hill, lay the grandest palace there ever was. Even the pictures in books could not compare to the real thing.
It was Lita who broke the silence, "Come on Serena. We've got to sigh you in."
"I wish it is as simple as that. Sigh me in, indeed," Serena muttered.
As they arrived at the gate, two guards with vicious looking spears blocked their entrance, "State your business."
"I'm here to put myself in the service of the cook, and my friend here is to try out to be a lady knight."
The guards froze for a second, then exchanged amused glances, "You may proceed. The kitchen is to the right and the duke of Whitebrooke's office is straight ahead."
Serena gave a polite thank you before passing through. Promising to meet Lita at the entrance later on, the two girls went their own separate ways. Handing the reins to a young boy, Serena followed the directions given. Tentatively, she knocked on a wooden door.
"Come in."
Inside, the office was small, but incredibly neat. The duke sat at the desk, a pair of reading glasses on his nose. He was a stern looking man, with brown hair and beard, and a pair of sharp black eyes. His mouth was set in a thin line, and every inch of him gave off an authoritative aurora. Duke Crestin looked the young girl over, "Yes?"
"I want to be a lady knight sir," Serena drew herself up, and tried to look confident.
The duke's eyebrows shot up, "A lady knight? There hasn't been one for years. What makes you think that you could do it?"
"I know I can."
The duke studied the girl again, this time letting his eyes take in more details. The girl was pretty short, and seemed delicate, as if one push would send her head over heels. But what astounded him was her beauty, clear and innocent. The way she held herself told him that she was determined. Still, determination is only one of many skills a knight is required to have, especially for a lady knight.
"Name?"
"Serena."
"Age?"
"14"
"Parents?"
"I don't know my parents sir."
The duke looked sternly over from his writing, "Only nobles' son, and in your case, daughters are allowed here."
"I'm willing to prove myself sir."
"Very well. We begin now."
The duke of Whitebrooke led the girl out of his office, leading her to an open field. He doubted the girl greatly, yet there was something about her that just showed great strength. He nodded to a set of bows and arrows.
Serena picked one and strung the bow, knotting the end tightly. Holding the arrow steady, she pulled it back, aimed, and let go. It fell true, landing neatly in the center dot. Duke Crestin stayed silent, his face giving off no emotions. He moved the target back till it was about 75 meters off, and motioned for Serena to try again. She once again pulled back the arrow, and let it fly. It planted itself right next to the previous one.
No words were said, as they moved on, this time to fencing. Then martial arts, jousting, and finally horseback riding. By the time they were through, Serena was ready to sit down and just die. Every muscle was screaming in protest at so much work.
"You might feel tired now, but this is only a mere fraction of what you will be feeling if you do get in. I shall talk to the king about this, and I will give you my decision tomorrow. Be here at noon and don't be late," without giving a backward glance, the duke stalked away.
Serena sighed and went to get Silver back from the stables. Giving her a little pat, and a kiss on the nose, she led her out.
"Where do you think you are going with that horse?" A voice called out from behind her.
She didn't turn around and just kept on walking, "Absolutely none of your business!"
"I command you to halt!"
She paid him no heed.
"Stop this second! I'll have the guards put you into prison for treating me this way!"
Serena spun herself around to see a young man around 16 years of age. He held himself proudly, with black hair tumbling over his midnight blue eyes.
"I didn't realize I was talking to a lady. I thought you were just some little boy playing around here without permission," he paused, letting his eyes roam across her in appreciation.
She bristled, "Great, now that we got over that mistake of yours, we can just get on with our lives."
Ignoring the anger in her voice, he continued, "I'm Prince Endymion of Earth, or just Prince Darien for short."
Serena was unimpressed, "I hope you did not introduce yourself for the benefit of hearing me actually start on my manners."
"Of course not, I was hoping you would introduce yourself in turn."
"Well, keep on hoping."
********
'Who does the girl think she is? Probably from the country. No proper lady would dress in breeches,' Darien though as entered his father's chambers.
"Ah, Darien. There you are. Duke Crestin is informing me of a very odd event that took place today."
"Really father?"
"Yes. A young girl wants to become a knight. What do you think?" "A lady knight?" Darien looked up in surprise.
"The duke tells me that she had done admirably in her tests, and that she was indeed a natural," the king looked thoughtfully at his son, "should I accept her?"
"She probably can't find herself a husband, so she joins us. How pathetic. Let her in father. I would like to see how she does in her training. It would indeed be interesting."
End of chapter 2
REIVIEW PLEASE!! Anything.. well almost anything would be welcomed. It would be great to know what you think of my story, so I can get an idea if I should continue it or not. So, if you like this story, please tell me, and if you don't.. well.. you could tell me what I could do to make it better. Thank you!
