Author's Note: Well, here's the second chapter. I hope you like it, and REVIEW! Enjoy!
ChapterTwo - Going Back To the Islands
Sleep drifted away from me, though I wanted to hold on. Even thought I can't do anything to become a knight, the realization that a dream you once held dear and worked towards for a year is smashed so suddenly and you are helpless to stop the prejudice that is occurring fills even my soul with an unfit, deformed, and denied feeling. I don't like it. Nobody and nothing should have this kind of control over me, except me. I can't practice any pattern dances since all my belongings are packed away, but what's the point. More sleep wouldn't be so bad now would it? "No," I tell myself, "How are you ever going to be a warrior without practicing and its all the more work for me if I get out of shape."
I did as many arm exercises as I could before the sun rose. The Shang Wildcat showed them to me many moons ago. What you do is you lie down on your stomach and push yourself up with only your arms. I could only do 2 when she first showed me. I heard a soft knock and I opened the door, it was Gower. Gower, his same, old, gloomy self, came for the last time. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and briskly ran a comb through my hair. My stomach growled for food. I once thought that when your stomach growls it is almost like a musician on the street, playing for money to buy food with. The bell for breakfast rang, as well as another growl from my stomach as a reminder. I didn't really want to face everyone, but I was so hungry. Besides, who knows when I'll get a decent meal again? I leave by boat today to the Yamani Islands and my parents. I made my way down to the mess and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the corridors, growing stronger the closer you get.
I walk in, careful to hold my head high. I may have been refused, and proved their predictions that I couldn't change the Stump's mind true, but I have done nothing that I should feel ashamed about and will not act as if I did. It goes silent when I enter the room except for the snickers of Joren and his cronies. I picked up a tray and follow my nose down the line of food. I pick up a roll. My fingers sink into its steaming surface. A fragrant puff of air is released, warming my freezing nose. I take a deep breath, filling my lungs, and grab another roll. Finally, I sat down at my normal table, in between Neal and Cleon. They both tower over me, making me feel so small and hidden. "We knew you wouldn't make it," Joren jeered from across the room.
I could feel Neal and Cleon stiffen and their gazes on me. I shook my head. If they did anything to him now, it would only cause them problems. Wyldon appeared on the dais. Everyone in the room stood. I didn't listen to what he said. How could I listen to someone who could lie to my face, and tell me that I was not as good as the boys this year? I can feel the resentment boiling inside me and continued to block out the Stump's voice stubbornly. I noticed everyone sitting and followed suit. I looked around the table. Everyone was staring at their plate and picking at their food. A tiny fragment of grief melted away as I saw how upset they were, this means they care about me. Breaking the silence, I said, "Make sure you keep Joren and his gang in line."
They all nodded and some stole peeks up at my face. "Keep eating your vegetables, their good for you," I murmured to Neal.
"You offend me, dear lady. To think that I, a Queenscove, would not eat my vegetables, this is outrageous. Humph," he replied in his stuffiest arrogant noble impersonation, and received a soft chuckle from his gloomy crowd.
To lighten the mood, I finally mumbled, "It's alright guys. I may be a girl, but I did as well as the rest of you." Inhaling my last bit of food, I returned my tray, and walked back to the silent table.
"So," I said, " who will be so kind as to walk with me to the palace gates to see me off, and when I come back to see you all, I want to see bright, shining, new shields." They took up and walked with me to the gates. My feminine side took over. I gave each of them a hug, while breathing in their scent and giving them one last look. Then, I was off. A ship waited for me in the Olorun River, that splits Tortall's capital, Corus, in 2. Out of the Olorun, into the Emerald Sea, and to the Yamani Islands it would carry me. I turned back, silently saying good-bye to my home country, my majestic Tortall.
I just discovered what that line button does. Hehe! Great, now I will go line crazy! I tend to overuse the fun stuff, like exclamations points! But that is how I talk, everything is exclaimed! Review please. I know this chapter is longer than the first and I want to know how it is.
Starlit Emerld-Eyed Empress