I know its short but i promise that the chapter will get longer. My network has been down for the past three days that i couldnt do anything
4 more years later...
Kel was leaning on the rail on the side of the boat. Beside her was her charge Princess Shinko and her other lady in waiting Yuki. "I'm so worried! What if they don't want me back? I can't face them again." Yuki and Shinko were both quick to reassure her and said that everything would be fine. The king would realize what a mistake it was sending her away. Kel knew they were right but she could not help but worry. Would they really welcome her back? She pushed her freshly dyed rose red hair out of her face. She knew that she had proved herself. She was the Rose Warrior and Princess Shinko's bodyguard. But yet she still felt like they might reject her because of her sex and she let everyone down. She had heard the stories of how the lioness resigned and how Buri had just quit. She was really touched but these were their dreams and they gave it up because she had let them down.
"Ladies," the captain said, shaking me out of my daydream. "We will be docking in about two hours. I suggest you go below to get ready and change." I lead Yuki and Shinko sown to the hold where we quickly changed into our formal clothes and did our hair and face paint. As we were getting ready I was thinking of a plan right when I was about to leave above deck I thought of the final part.
"Shinko, Yuki! I have a favor to ask of you." I said "Until I am introduced to the court next week, can you guys just call me Rose instead of Mel? I know a week is a long time but just until I've proved myself to the squires, Lord Wylond, and the King." Shinko sighed. She knew I would ask this even though her face showed no emotion. I could tell by how she held herself.
"Ok, Rose," she said. "But you have to remember to be nice to them. Yes, even Lord Wylond. Don't forget our Treens are training with their squires and you will be training with the Treens.
I glared at Shinko, but before I could reply I was called above deck to get ready. We were going to land. My Lord Warrior Helo met me on deck. He already knew about calling me Rose or Ellie, his nickname for me. I of course should have remembered though that I should never expect him to loosen up a bit.
"You are late" he said calmly. "I expect better from the Rose Warrior. I will let you off punishment work this time but one more slip up and I'll have you running mountains again."
"Yes My Lord Warrior." I said, a little embarrassed. I hadn't been late in so long. "I will ride at the front of the Treens." I replied. I was getting nervous. I could see the King and Lord Wylond from all the way over on the boat.
I took a deep breath and walked over to my horse, Peach Blossom, and mounted him. I could only imagine what I looked like from shore. I had my long red hair pulled back in a messy bun. I was wearing very little face paint—only some red on my lips. I was wearing a cream colored kimono top with dark red and pink rose embroidered on it. I was also wearing a matching skirt. I had red rubies hanging from my ears in the shape of roses. I was riding Peach Blossom who himself was dressed up. Peach Blossom had sections of his mane braided with red ribbons and a rose tucked behind one ear. I was carrying quite a few weapons but only a few were visible. I had a short and a long sword and two pink shuskens, but I also had about six concealed daggers hidden on my body.
I looked at the guards on either side of me; both carried a long rectangular banner with a red rose on it. One of them nodded at me, which was the sign that everyone was in place. I looked behind me and saw about twenty un-mounted soldiers each in a row of five. At both ends of each row was a mounted warrior including Master Helo. We would be the first ones to leave the boat and I could feel my self start to shake. This was it. I am back in Tortall and I am determined to prove myself.
"That went well." I said to Shinko, as Yuki and I helped her dress her hair for bed. The feast held earlier went extremely well. No one recognized me, but everyone kept looking at me. I was amazed that after they told the story of the Lioness they told my story; they called it the story of the Rose Warrior. All of the Yamanis' called me by Rose instead of my name, so I guessed that Shinko had told them. (This was good, because I forgot). I managed to get a look at Lord Wylond after the stories were told and I saw him glaring at me. He even looked a little jealous. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. I start training with the Treen's and the squires.