-I finally got another chapter written.
-Thanks to PyschoLioness33 and oceanspike.
-To Kore Yan: yeah, the pairing will not be Roald/Kel. And so far Mitzi does not love Roald, but Roald likes her.
-Chapter Thirteen:
Mitzi sat on her bed, rubbing lotion into her skin. She stifled a yawn. She was tired after the morning lessons; and discouraged. Once again she had had to sit out of the staff lesson because of her own clumsiness. And once again all the pages had grumbled and shot her dark looks. In fact, she seemed to be getting worse rather than better as the year progressed. Maybe it was because she was so caught up in her fear for her parents...maybe she was too stressed out...
There was a knock on her door. Opening it Mitzi had to crane her head up to look squarely into Kel's hazel eyes.
"Hullo, Mitzi," she said.
"It can't be time for lunch already," Mitzi replied. "Haven't we been given a break today in lessons because Sir Myles was ill?"
"Yes. And how do you plan to spend it?"
"I plan to sit here and rest."
This brought a smile from Kel.
"What's so funny?" the princess asked.
"Well, I'm afraid you won't be doing that today."
Mitzi just looked at her.
"Today we have time to help you with your staff work. I saw you at class-"
"I was terrible," broke in Mitzi venomously.
"Sort of," Kel admitted quietly.
"It's the truth," continued Mitzi nobly. "And I don't think there is any hope for me. So while I thank you for the thoughtful offer, I have to turn it down."
"Why?"
"Why would I spend the afternoon getting more bruised after a morning spent just like that when I can instead use the time to relax, soak in a bath, calm myself."
"Oh...so you're too stressed."
"Of course I'm stressed! My parents are prisoners of my uncle, there is a possible war starting because of me, and my friend's lives are threatened."
"Not to mention your own life."
"Yes...well that too. But I've never had many friends before. And I come here and finally find some who like me for who I am –not just because I am a princess- and now they might have to fight. That's how I repay them for their kindness?"
"I didn't know you could have such unselfish thoughts, Mitzi," Kel teased.
"I didn't either," Mitzi replied nobly.
She walked over to her bed and sat down, brushing her wavy dark-red hair.
"So if you'll excuse me. I'm going to have the maid draw a bath."
"No you're not," Kel said firmly.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Mitzi asked queenly.
"I'm your sponsor...that's who," replied Kel. "I know that you're a princess. But here you're a page and you have to listen to your sponsor...and that's me."
Mitzi stopped brushing her hair and looked at Kel.
"You wouldn't dare order me to come with you," she said, eyebrows drawn.
"I wouldn't have to order you to if you'd come willingly. Don't you think that would be much more suitable for royalty?"
Mitzi remained silent.
"Besides," Kel said, offering the princess a loop-hole. "Staff work is used by the Yamanis to relieve stress. It'll just be me and a few others...there will be no pressure. It might help you feel better."
Mitzi thought about this.
"That may be just what I need," she finally said. "I'll come with you than." Picking up her staff she walked out beside Kel to the deserted courtyard.
As they walked out of the palace into the bright light Mitzi had to shade her eyes. So she didn't see Prince Roald, with his staff in hand, until she had stepped into the sand-covered arena.
"Your Grace," she gasped, and dropped into a curtsy.
"Rise, Mitzi. How otherwise will I be able to help you?"
Mitzi turned to Kel.
"You said there wouldn't be any pressure!" she said accusingly.
"There isn't!"
"Yes there is," continued Mitzi, angry. "Now I'm going to embarrass myself in front of my future husband!"
"He doesn't care."
Neal walked up to them.
"Hello Mitzi."
"Good afternoon, Neal," the princess said warmly. She seemed to forget her accusations against Kel.
"I brought Neal with me so that you and Roald can pair up and watch Neal and I."
"Well, I brought Merric, just in case Kel kills me. Don't want the lessons to stop just because I get knocked cold by one to many blows to the head." His green eyes twinkled and Mitzi laughed.
"Good idea, Neal," Kel said, serious.
They all paired up. Kel facing Neal, Roald facing Mitzi.
"Now your first problem, Mitzi," Kel said. "Is that you are too timid. You can't be afraid to hit someone."
Stopping, Kel brought her staff down solidly against Neal's. Then wheeling around she swung up; Neal was barely able to block it.
Mitzi took her own staff and brought it crashing down on Roald's. But the blow jarred her hands and she let go.
"Your holding the staff wrong," Roald said. He moved her hands over so that covered a wider berth of the staff. "Try again."
This time Mitzi was able to keep a hold on her staff, but when she brought it up after the first block, she hit herself in the leg.
"Ouch!" She said, blushing furiously.
"You have to shift your feet a little," Kel told her. "And don't move them, otherwise they will get in the way of your staff."
"Imagine that," the princess muttered sarcastically.
"Here," said Kel. "Lets try defensive stances now." She let Neal attack several times, using different blocks for each one.
Once Roald was sure Mitzi had her stance perfect, he whipped his staff around and towards her. Mitzi was able to block it, but than he wheeled around and aimed it towards her side. The princess was forced to side-step and swing her staff low. Than Roald brought it up and Mitzi, without thinking blocked it, but before he could rise it up again slashed out.
Roald had not been expecting this and the staff caugh him right above the eye. Roald grunted as the wood contacted his skull, and Mitzi heard Kel and Neal gasp. Merric cheered.
"Oh my goodness," Mitzi said, dropping her staff and rushing over to Roald who had sat down, rubbing his forehead. "Are you okay?"
Roald didn't answer.
"I'm so, so, so, sorry. Please forgive me. I never meant to do that. I just got carried away. Please tell me that you're okay!" She kneeled down beside him, hands clasped nervously together.
Kel suddenly noticed Joren on the other side of the arena.
-To reviewers: Next chapter...Mitzi confesses something to Kel!!!!!!!!!
