hey my faithful readers, here is another chapter. its nine pages long! i know, i rock. oh, thanks to Kelly, I have put the POV of the each part of the story when it changes.
also, does anyone know a good synonym for face? enjoy….
Chapter 4: Sparring With The Past…Rory…
Even in calm sleep, my mind drifted. I recalled my last memory of my mother that I had pushed aside years ago:
I squatted by my mommy in the dewy green grass. She looked up at me, while clutching my small hand in her shaky one.
"I will --- always --- love you," she gasped, already having trouble breathing.
"No!" I cried helplessly. "Mama!"
"Hush," she whispered, and then paused to catch her breath. "The key is in your heart." She lightly touched my chest. Shakily, she pulled a ring off her finger and put it in my palm. "And -- this. Keep it --- forever," she said, and lovingly closed my fingers around the object I had always admired on her graceful finger. I loved her so much. Her eyes closed.
I leaned down and kissed her slowly chilling forehead. Then, carefully, I lifted up her head and slid under it a cushion of velvety moss.
Even at seven years of age, I knew that I was alone. All I had left were the clothes on my young body and my mother's crystal ring.
I woke with a start and sat up hastily in bed. Immediately, I lifted up my right arm from the bed sheets and studied my ring finger.
Gone. Gone, the only thing I had left to remind me of my mother. Gone, the thing my dear mother had advised me to keep safe, to guard with my life. It had been my only prized possession, my only hope of caring out her wishes. A noise, like a wail escaped from my chest. I sobbed loudly into the pillow.
Feeling utter despair, I curled myself into the most comforting position I knew, scrunched into a ball, knees to my chest. I had failed my mother. Not only had I lost my last link to her besides my looks, I had lost something she had said was the key. My heart broke there, lying in that strange bed. I was utterly lost.
…Still Rory…
Finally, I sat up again and studied my surroundings. Detailed pale green wallpaper surrounded me on every wall. The room was elegantly furnished, with a bureau, small table, and vanity bench and mirror of a beautiful dark red wood. I was not impressed. It was all beautiful and expensive, but what did that matter? Petty decorations and royalty do nothing to put food on the table. I need to get out of this fancy room and back to Nelly.
I swung my legs around to the side of the bed. A sharp pain in my back jolted me awake and instantly spread to cover from my shoulders to hips, like a burning blanket.
A brief glimpse flashed before my closed eyes: a bug burly man in a rough grey cloak, leering at me. And then the whole memory came flooding back! The dagger, and dropping the ring into the grass, and then a sharp pain and blackness. I stumbled to my feet, my head spinning. Just as I was about to topple, I was propped back up by two large, cool hands on my shoulder and hip. Regaining my balance, I spun around and came face to face with an extremely handsome face with breathtaking deep blue eyes, chiseled features and long eyelashes, all surrounded by a beautiful mess of black curds. Our eyes locked. We were nearly nose to nose, his arms still around me.
"How are you feeling?" He said, releasing me.
To my great annoyance, I felt myself blush. I couldn't believe I had fallen for this man after I had only looked into his eyes! Further more, he was obviously a noble. I sank onto the bed, casting my eyes down.
" Uh, I must be going." I said cautiously after I had gained control of myself.
"Feeling better? Aren't you going to thank your saviors?" He returned in a mocking tone.
"Thank you." I said stiffly and stood up. "Now it is time for me to attend to some important business. Thanks." I had to find my ring!
"You can't be going until I've made sure the cut is healing nicely." A woman said from the doorway. Bustling her short body towards me, she somehow managed to look down her small nose at me.
"Nice, very nice." She said, brushing her hands together, after she had finished examining my back.
"Thanks, " I muttered to her and the noble.
"I'm Eric. But don't thank me," he said. "Here, come with me, I'll take you to the person you should really like."
He lead me through a maze of dark, high ceiling passages made of…marble. All this marble! Can't they be a little more creative? They certainly are riche enough. Marble.
Eric must have heard my snort because he turned around and grinned at me. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks at the sight of that wicked grin and cursed again.
He continued on, with me following like an obedient dog. What had I gotten myself into?
Finally, we reached a tall doorway, at least twice the size and four times the width of the, man I had followed. In other words, it was really tall. It loomed over me, as short as I was. Looking through the doorway, I saw the room inside, as vast as a cathedral. Many racks filled with recently polished lances, swords, shields and axes decorated the room on three infinite walls. The remaining wall was completely covered with mirror so any warriors practicing could watch themselves and pick up any flaws. This room took my breath away and sent a twinge of longing through me. Although I practiced long and hard, I never got such a luxury as this. This was one of the only aspects of noble life I wanted.
My eyes focused on a muscular form practicing complex passes in front of the mirror. He was bare-chested and I could see the muscles rippling as he made each pass and block. I myself had only learned some of those moves a month ago! I didn't mean to brag, but I was a very fine swordsman.
When Eric made his way to the man, grinning, I was lost in my own world and took no notice. This was my kind of place. Forgetting the reason I was in this strange castle, I picked up a sword.
…Taylor…
Pass left, block right, crescent moon, step turn. I repeated to myself as my muscles followed every move by memory. Whenever I was confused or needed a break especially from being a noble, I came here to practice. Exercise made me feel fresh and capable, so naturally I rode Burlin, hunted, and dueled with anyone I could find, whenever I had a chance. Many young townspeople were eager to try their luck and skill against me; I had become rather famous. My father did own the largest and best quality forge and practice arena in all Kyrria. My family liked to joke that when I was a baby, my chosen toy was a sword instead of a rattle.
I paused to wipe beads of sweat from my forehead with a towel. Only then did I realize I had a visitor.
Taking time to put on a fresh tunic, not the one I had previously taken off, I walked towards him.
"Hey, Eric." I said to my grinning cousin. "Care for a match?"
"Nah." Eric was my practice partner whenever we were together. "Look who I brought with me. " He pointed to a girl I hadn't noticed.
"Is that her?"
"Yep. She was in a hurry to leave a second ago, but when I lead her here, she came into a trance of something. Weird, huh?"
We watched her pick up a sword, examine it slowly, and run her thumb across the blade.
"Yah. I walked to where she was standing. "Excuse me, miss." I said extremely politely. I heard Eric laughing in the background. I was never polite! I sent him a cold glare.
"Oh!" She wiped around with the sword ready and pointed straight at my chest. She held the weapon with professional steadiness. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" Lowering the blade, she looked at her hands and mumbled, "oops" softly.
I grinned at her pink face and said, "That's perfectly alright. I'm Taylor."
She looked up at me and her face turned to a violent ruby red. "Rory." She returned. "Uh, are these your swords?"
"My father owns this place, but I practice here, so yes."
"Its beautiful," she said with real awe in her voice. This was a strange girl, how many were there that appreciated swords? Not many noble women, for sure. Also, she carried herself with an unusual muscular grace. Interesting.
"Are you a kin to weapons?" I asked rather oddly, confusion no doubt showing on my face.
"Oh, yes. Swords are a hobby of mine." She said unsarcasticly.
"Are you a swordswoman?" Eric asked with out hesitation, in that go for it, easy way of his.
"No, of course not! I just like admiring the craftsmanship." She said and pulled back like she was offended by my cousin's question.
A long silence rang in the air as she squirmed.
"Well." Rory said, clearing her throat, "Thank you for everything. Um, yes, thanks. I'll be going then. " She looked at me hesitantly as if waiting for permission.
"You're welcome. Are you sure you've fully recovered?"
"Quite sure. Thank you again for the hospitality."
"Alright, farewell." I returned.
"And you both. " She nodded curtly and strode from the room.
Only after she was gone did I remember to ask her why she had been in such a… state the night before.
…Rory…
I walked briskly down the road from the castle. It had been a long, hot walk, but my mind only focused on the single thought: Please let it be there.
I scrambled over the slight hill to reach the tall course grass. I pawed through the vegetation, feeling for objects in the dirt. My hand brushed against something hard and my heart leaped! But when I grabbed the object and brought it out, I was disappointed. I held a dagger, with a beautifully carved ivory-wood handle. Recognizing it as the one the robbers had held I stiffened at the dried blood on the handle.
Getting down to business, I through the dagger to the side and continued my search.
I sat back on my heels. Already it was growing dark and a cool night breeze played through my auburn hair.
I knew it was late and I must get home, but my mind was blocked. Again, I could only think of one thing. This time it was:
It's gone.
I walked home in a trance and tumbled into my cot with my clothes still on. Sleep came immediately to my numb mind.
…Taylor…
"Lets eat. I for one am starving and you must be too." Eric suggested after Rory had made her exit.
"Good idea. " I agreed. All of this could be sorted out after food.
"She's interesting, you know?" I said with my mouth full of Rosie's delicious pork chops.
Dabbing at his lips with an embroidered napkin, Eric nodded. Ever when he was with me, his excellent princely etiquette training peeked through.
Taking another bight of mash, I asked, "Why was she in a hurry to leave?"
"Dunno." We were silent for a few minutes.
"You know, the ball is coming up." Eric finally said. "I don't think I can stay away from my parents and Claudia much longer."
"When do you plan to leave?"
"With in a week. You could come with me, but I know how much you hat that sort of thing."
I nodded in agreement. "I'll come over for the actual ball." I promised. "Lets go for a ride."
…Rory…
I woke up feeling a lot better. During the night, my mind had unfrozen and started working through all the jumbled thoughts. Now I had a plan: explain to Nelly, set up a vegetable stand at the market and keep my eyes alert for anyone selling a ring. For me to succeed, I needed a lot of luck in my favor, but I was feeling extremely hope right then.
I stretched my arms above my head and felt a dull, consistent pain in my back. Excellent. I'll be as good as new tomorrow. Changing into a new frock, I was still in the one from last night, I headed towards the kitchen and breakfast.
…Eric…
"Farewell my friend." I said rather sadly.
"Farewell. I'll come up to Frell when the ball has a date." Taylor assured. "Tell your parents hullo from me."
"Good bye Eric." Chorused Lord John and Lady Dina.
Nodding my head one last time towards my cousin, aunt and uncle, I turned my horse and galloped away.
…Rory…
"He stabbed yah? That snivelin' bastard. We're just gonna 'ave ta find 'em." Nelly said calmly.
"Yes" I answered. I had already filled her in on the whole deal. I had a plan.
"Here's what we'll do. Everyone goes to the market before they leave, since Atalanta isn't for 50 miles. So we…"
We were ready when the next day came.
A/N: well? how was it? faithful followers of this story, review!
hannanmous