Chapter Five: Practicing

"You were trained very well." He told me quietly as we walked down the hallway. "I studied for a long time. My family was not your normal average family." He nodded and stopped as Jols came around the corner. "Ah, My lady I just finished with your room." He said with a smile. "Thank you Jols and you can call me Lily." I told him with a smile. "Are they Bors' old rooms?" Tristan asked. "Yes. Do you need anything?" He asked looking at me. "No, I'll be fine for the night." I told him as we started to walk away.

We walked in silence til he abruptly stopped in front of a door. "Here is your room." He said. "Thank you. Do you and the other Knights train in the morning?" I asked him. "Yes, we do. Shortly after the sun rises." He said turning on his heel and leaving. I smiled and walked into my new room. A medium bed was pushed in the right corner under a large square window. To the left was a small dresser. I smiled at the sight of the bed. A faded blue comforter was pulled back invitingly. I smiled and sat down unlacing my boots. With a sigh I laid down and closed my eyes.

I rolled over opening my eyes to the beginnings a beautiful sunrise. I smiled and sat up, putting my boots on. I claimed out of my bed and walked down stairs to hear the clanging of swords. I was just about to open the door when Jols came in. "You are awake." He said smiling. "Yes, the Knights are out there practicing as we speak." He said grabbing a pitcher and placing it along with the stacks of cups on a tray. "Is that for them?" I asked nodding to the tray. "Yes." "I'll take it to them. I am going to practice with them anyways." I told him, grabbing the tray and balancing it on my hip as I opened the door.

I smiled as Galahad swung his sword at Cowan. "So you decided to join us after all." Riskin laughed to my right. I rolled my eyes at him and sat the tray down next to him on a barrel. "Yes, how ever I don't have any weapons." I told him as he polished his sword. "I see that you have recovered your long lost friend." I said laughing. "I believe Jarl has something for you." I raised my brow at him. "Actually it is from all of us knights." Lancelot said walking over from where he and Bors, Tristan and Malvin were practicing their archery. I turned and smiled as Jarl brought a large long gift wrapped in green cloth over to me. The Knights gather around and smiled to each other as I took the gift.

I stared down at it for a few minutes. I had been here less than twenty-four hours and they were giving me something. "We wanted to say thank you for helping our friend." Arthur told me. I nodded to him. "Well open it already!" Gawain said laughing. I slowly turn the gift over in my hands looking up at all of them. I uncurled the cloth freezing at what lay inside. A pair of beautiful crafted sai. Sliver in color around seventeen inches, black and sliver leather wrapped around the hilts.

I was speechless. "We had it made last night, Riskin gave the specifics ." Jarl said with a smirk. I looked up at them. Each had a small smile on their face, however Riskin smirked. "I don't know what to say." I caressed the pair, noting that on each there was an inscription. One said Flame and the other said Ice. "Well are you going to show us that you really know how to use them?" Malvin asked. I looked over at him casually leaning on a barrel. "Sure and who should I start with you?" I asked, handing the sai to Bors to hold while I tied the cloth around my hips. "No! No, you going to start with Lancelot." Riskin laughed taking and handing me my sai.

I smirk and looked over at Lancelot. "I don't know if she is ready to fight me, yet Riskin." He said then smirked at me. "I don't want there to be any pain" He told me. "Hmp. Don't worry, I wont hurt you to bad." I told him walking over to the sparring circle. "Who wants to bet?" Gawain asked looking around. "One question first. All's fair in love and war?" I asked Lancelot. He nodded and unsheathed his swords twisting them. "Don't worry I'll go easy on you." He said slowly entering the ring. "Funny I was going to say the same thing." I said twisting and flipping my sai over my hands.

"I'm betting that she'll take him." "No way, Jarl. He'll bet her." Galahad told him. "Is she really good enough to fight him and not get hurt?" Arthur asked Riskin. He laughed. "I would be more worried about him." "How does she have so much training?" Tristan finally asked bitting a golden apple. "Ask her that, my friend." "Hey you two, I don't want to have to have Dagonet to have to clean up any blood. So no rough playing, Lancelot." Bors yelled. "Your next Bors." I yelled at him. He merely laughed. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Lancelot asked. "Oh, yes I am. Are you sure because it seems to me like your stalling for more time." I said stopping and standing straight.

"Oh, now you've done it Lily."Eoin yelled. "My bet is on Lancelot." "Me to, I bet on Lancelot." Bors hollered. "Yea, of little faith." I said, then watched as Lancelot got a predatory look in his eyes. I smiled and nodded. "And the game begins."

So how was this chapter? Who do you think should win. I don't know if I should make her win or not. I mean you all saw Lancelot, he is a good fighter. Hmm choices choices. I am going to have her interact more with Tristan in the next chapter. I don't want to rush them into liking each other too soon.

Evaki Lilith