Holding on to Hope

by inverted compass

Just a working title, I hope the story is better than that title. Jess is a noblewoman with dreams of becoming a knight. The only problem is that her father is a strict conservative. This has been done before but please read on. [Halted incomplete]

1. Introduction

Eastvale is located north-west of Tiragen.

This story is set during Page.

Introduction

Jessica of Eastvale was not happy. She had just exchanged another set of angry words with her father, Lord Eamon of fief Eastvale. It wasn't that she hated her father, she loved him as she loved all her family, but she couldn't stand his conservative views. "The place of a women is at home with the children," he would rage whenever she brought up the subject.

The thirteen year old Jessica, or Jess as she liked to be called, wasn't like the daughters of most noblemen. She wanted to be a knight. She idolized the Lioness, and had always dreamed of becoming juts like her. She had rejoiced when she first heard of the proclamation, over ten years earlier, that allowed girls to try for their shields.

Her problem, however, was that her entire family was as conservative as her father. Her mother agreed with him on everything, and her 20 year old brother, Sir Kenen of Eastvale, was even worse. He thought that since he was a knight, he was superior to all those who weren't. Her older sister, 17 year old Patricia, looked down on her sister's dreams. She though that it was unladylike for women to fight. Her sister Chelsea was too young to understand, being only 6.

Jess' only respite was her younger brother. She got along well with 9 year old, and soon-to-be-page, Jarret. He didn't see why girls shouldn't become knights. Over the years, he had become Jess' closest friend and confidante.

Jess knew she could fight. When she was 8 years old, a Shang master came to Eastvale. She had gone to him in secret and had learned exercises for strength and for combat, both armed and unarmed. She practiced these as often as she could. She also observed the castle guards and men-at-arms practicing each morning. She had stolen a sword from the armoury and later emulated the manoeuvres she saw preformed.

She had no idea how she was at swordplay or combat, as she had never practiced against a real opponent before. But after the latest argument with her father, she had decided to take matters in her own hands. She may have given up on being a knight, but she still enjoyed the sword exercises. She wanted to continue with that for the rest of her life.