THE CHALLENGE

"Whay did Ah have ta grab these? Ah ain't in the mood ta wear 'em." She sighed. "Well, Ah can always change aftah breakfast." She stared at herself in the mirror one last time, still not enjoying the fact that she had skimmed a short black skirt and red tank top out of the drawer in a hurry to get into the bathroom and away from him. Anna then went back into the bedroom just feeling grateful that he was gone. She found a pair of black sandals and then brushed her hair up into a ponytail, not bothering to care if the white streaks in front hung out a little bit. Then she mustered up as much courage as she could and headed downstairs for breakfast before someone came looking for her to pry her down, namely Remy.

On the way there she was greeted by many nameless faces so she merely nodded and smiled to each along the way. When she reached the dining room, the first face that she saw was her father-in-laws. He stood up and greeted her as he took her hand and kissed it and then asked her to have a seat between him and Remy.

"I hope your arrangements were comfortable."

"Yes, they were fahne."

"Good, I was hoping to discuss some matters wit ya." He told her as someone produced a plate of eggs, sausage and hashbrowns before her.

"At the table Jean-Luc?"

"Where else would be better Mattie."

"Anna, ya mere sent some things fer ya that arrived this mornin'. It's bein' sent ta ya room as we speak."

"Thank ya."

"Not a problem, but she did make it known to me that ya are trained."

"Yes suh."

"If ya don't mind, perhaps ya could give us a visual outside after breakfast."

"Yeah, Ah could. Ah would need ta change inta mah gear first, if'n ya don't mind the wait."

"Is it true that she trained ya. She didn't give me any details, only that ya are good."

"Ah'll take that as a compliment from momma." She smiled quaintly.

"How would ya feel more comfortable."

"Sparrin's probably best. Ah do have weapons trainin' but that is probably not ya cup a tea."

"Oui, we can do that." She finished her plate and excused herself upstairs to change.

"What are ya thinkin' pere?" Remy asked.

"She's trained in fightin'. Just want to see how good."

"Ya not gonna think 'bout havin' her join are ya. She's married, she don't need ta be more involved."

"If she good 'nough, maybe. It be up to her. I ain't gonna force her or pressure her."

"Oui."

"Ya sure 'bout this pere?" Henri asked from the other side of Jean-Luc.

"Oui, I know her mother. If she was trained by her and she says she's good, she's is more than likely worth it."

"Don't know how well that sit wit the rest of the guild, non."

"We will see."

Anna came back out as everyone was waiting for her in the backyard. Though there were a great deal more people then there were from earlier in the dinin' room. Most of them older men too. She was wearing her black uniform with black gloves and boots to match and her hair still up in the ponytail. In the corner of her eyes she saw Remy checking her out as he leaned against a tree smoking his cigarette. 'Nasty habit, he can keep it and stay away from meh.' She sighed as she noticed a couple of the younger boys doing the same, as if they never saw a girl before. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable, but then Jean-Luc came up to her from amongst the crowd.

"Are ya sure ya feelin' up ta this?"

"Don't got nothin' ta prove, Ah'm fahne. Whatevah ya got, Ah can handle it on mah own."

"Are ya sure?"

"Yes suh."

"Alright, if ya like I can have ya spar 'gainst one of our best."

"Whay one of 'em, just bring out the best." He looked at her skeptically.

"As ya wish." He turned towards the crowd. "Remy! Boy get over here."

"Remy." she whispered to herself. 'Should'a known.'

"Oui pere."

"Ya her sparrin' partner." Remy smirked. Then he turned ta Anna.

"Ya sure 'bout this chere?"

"If Ah get asked that one more time, somebody's leavin' here without some body parts." She growled out.

"Alright, chere. Then lets do dis." He tossed his cigarette to the ground and walked towards her.

"Ya not gonna take off ya coat sugah?"She smirked.

"Ya not gonna take off that uniform are ya chere?" He smirked back. Then she narrowed her eyes and circled him.

"Like anythin' ya see?"

That was all she could take from him. She lunged at him throwing fists left and right. But he blocked each of them. Only thing was, every time that he tried to fight back, she blocked him just as well. Finally he got her down on the ground after tripping her feet from under her but then she did the same, but he ended up laying on top of her. They were staring at each other and he moved in to kiss her when, "Alright, I think we seen 'nough." Jean-Luc called out.

Anna grunted as Remy got up and said, "Ah ain't done yet sugah." And proceeded to show him the small metal rod she took from his coat when he was on top of her.

"Ya lil thief! Now what are ya gonna do wit that?" Then she did something nobody figured that she could do. She was an outsider and yet she was able to get the rod to extend into the full staff it was intended to be. Everyone was in awe as she came at him twirling the staff with a flick of her wrist smiling broadly.

"What, nobody seen a gal with a weapon 'fore?" She called out and then used it to flip over Remy and kicked his legs out from under just as he turned to face her. Then she walked over and put her foot over his throat. She didn't apply any pressure though, but his pride was a little hurt. He grabbed her foot and twisted it trying to toss her back. He had thought it worked, but she twisted in the air and landed in a crouched position on her feet smirking.

"That's 'nough now. Merci Anna."

"De rein suh." She said as she stood up and walked back inside. Henri knelt beside his brother and as he was helping him up said, "Le Diable Blanc got beat by a femme fer all ta see."

"We'll see 'bout that in the end mon frere." and Remy took off towards the house after Anna.