Chapter Six

The next day I rode Aska into town to look at the swords in the market area. I loved spending hours looking at all the weapons and armor, admiring the craftsmanship. I was especially fascinated by weapons with history attached to them.

The city of Highever was always bustling with activity. I could hear the merchants hocking their wares, Chanters saying the Chant of Light, and the many people going about their day-to-day lives. I inhaled deeply; the air smelled strongly of the sea fish, and wet dog. It smelled like home.

I felt my stomach gurgle with hunger. I wandered over to where a baker was selling fresh-baked bread and bought two rolls and an apple. I sat down in the Chantry courtyard and ate my meal, watching as the nearby children played and laughed. It was a nice day with a light breeze coming in from the Waking Sea and I let my mind wander as I sat on the grassy lawn.

My twelfth birthday was coming up and I was really hoping my parents would get me a Mabari war hound. I just had to have a war hound to ride with me into battle! They were the smartest dogs in all of Thedas. I just knew if I had a Mabari I would be a great and legendary hero one day.

After I was finished eating I started in the direction of one of the weapon stalls I had passed earlier. There was particularly nice sword I remembered seeing; the merchant had said it was a fine Dwarven blade found in the Deep Roads. I might decide to purchase it with the money Father gave me last year on my birthday; I had saved every silver of it so I could buy a really nice sword on my own.

When I reached Aska I noticed a blonde-haired boy sitting atop a dark gray mare. It was Colbert. Colbert was the son of a commoner and often trained up at the castle. He was very competitive and tried challenging my in sword fighting every chance he could. He also always lost. He was good but I was better.

"Well, if it isn't Lord Eilonwy." Colbert sneered down at me, his expression full of contempt.

I rolled my eyes. "Hello, Colbert. I don't feel like beating you in a match today, go bother someone else," I replied.

I saw his face heat up in anger as I mounted Aska. "Well, if you're so smug Lord Eilonwy, perhaps you'll be up for a different challenge today?"

I sighed, what could he possibly have in mind this time? "If you're the opponent than it is hardly a challenge, Colbert."

Colbert's grin was full of malice. "Oh? Well, then I suppose a horse race wouldn't interest you? Since there is nothing you can't do, of course."

Shit. My riding wasn't exactly the best and I couldn't seem to jump worth a damn either. But I couldn't back down. If I said no, Colbert would just accuse me of being scared, like a girl. "Fine. I accept your challeng, Colbert."

We both rode together down to the beach. The finish line was marked by a large boulder off in the distance. We both counted to three and the race began. I tucked my body in close to Aska, trying to make myself as lightweight as possible. Colbert was ahead but not by much. If I could just spur Aska to go a little faster, I could beat him. The first jump was up ahead: a large log that we had pulled into the path to create a bigger challenge. Colbert's mare jumped it easily; gliding gracefully over the fallen log like it was the easiest thing in the world.

The moment Aska got near enough to jump, she balked. "Damn horse, jump!" I whispered furiously in her ear. Of course, my horse was the stubborn sort and refused. Instead she carefully walked around the branch. Now Colbert had a huge lead. I spurred Aska into a gallop and prayed to the Maker I was still able to catch up to Colbert.

I prayed in vain though. At each jump Aska would either walk around it or carefully step over it. Colbert finished the race long before I did at waited at the finish line, laughing the entire time. At the last jump I furrowed my brow and pulled hard on Aska's reins, causing her to rear back instead of jump over the log. I lost my balance and fell into a pile of mud.

"Well, well, well. It seems there is something little Lord Eilonwy isn't good at. How does it feel to finally lose?" Colbert asked, his tone smug.

I glared up at him, my face growing warm with anger. "Oh, shove off, Colbert. Stupid horse won't jump."

Colbert laughed. "Only in incompetent rider blames the horse, Milord."

Dammit, but he was right. "Milady."

Colbert cocked an eyebrow at me. "What?"

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. "The correct term of address is Milady."

Colbert laughed again, the sound was starting to grate on my nerves. "Well, I figured since you wanted to be a man so badly Lord Eilonwy, it wouldn't be appropriate to call you a lady. Besides, with that figure you hardly look like a girl, anyway."

My face flushed hot with the heat of embarrassment. He was right again. I was flat chested and had the shape of a boy, not a girl. Still, it hurt to hear it said so bluntly. I could feel tears starting to form and hated myself for it. I always cried so easily. Warriors aren't suppose to cry.

"Aw, what's the matter Milord? Are you going to cry? Did I hurt the spoiled little noble's feelings?" Colbert asked in a mocking tone.

"What in the hell is going on here?" I looked over, recognizing Fergus's voice. I could tell he was angry; his fists were clenched together tightly.

"Oh, Cousland. We were just having some fun, no harm done. We were just playing, right Eilonwy?" Colbert glared at me. I didn't want to cause any more trouble so I hung my head and nodded.

"Bullshit," I heard Fergus growl. I heard a sharp thud and looked up.

I saw blood spurting from Colbert's nose and Fergus standing in a fighting stance. Colbert quickly regained his bearings and went to hit back but Fergus was too quick. He sidestepped the blow and grabbed Colbert by the back of the head and pulled back; slamming Colbert to the ground. Then he climbed on top of him and started pummeling his fists into Colbert's face.

Before Fergus could do much damage Colbert got up and jumped atop his horse before riding off.

Afterward it was just Fergus and I. I didn't understand why he had come to my defense like that. Colbert hadn't said anything that wasn't true.

I looked up at Fergus, my brow crinkled in confusion. "Why'd you hit Colbert? He was only stating the truth and you tease me all the time, Fergus."

Fergus looked shock and confused. "It's different if I'm teasing you."

I didn't understand what he meant by that at all. Were all brothers this confusing? I just looked at him; my face twisted in confusion.

Fergus sighed. "I love you, Sis, and I won't let anyone make you cry. Understand? If anyone ever hurts you again, come to me. I'll take care of them, 'kay?" Fergus ruffled my hair before grabbing me in a quick hug.

I hadn't realized Fergus cared before now. I had always thought he felt I was a bother. Despite our constant fighting I really did look up to my big brother and wanted to impress him. I hugged him back and cried into his shirt; staining his tunic with tears, snot, and mud.

"Hey, what's going on here? Why's Ely crying?" I heard Nathaniel say. I startled and backed away from Fergus.

Why, oh why did he have to show up now? I was covered in mud and my hair was filthy. I was sure my nose and eyes were red from crying. I also didn't want him to know Colbert had been teasing me or that I had lost the race. What if he thought of me the same as Colbert did? My heart fell at the thought; I didn't want Nathaniel to find me unattractive.

Luckily, Fergus spoke up. "Don't worry about it, Nathaniel. I took care of it."

I saw a flash of anger in Nathaniel's eyes but it was gone so quickly I thought perhaps I had imagined it.

"Are you okay, Ely? Who did this to you?" Nathaniel asked, apparently ignoring Fergus.

"I-I'm fine," I said. I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. I heard him sigh but he didn't say anything; he just grabbed my hand and started walking towards Aska. Ryu was nearby and Fergus had brought his white stallion, Griffon, as well.

We rode back to Castle Cousland in silence. The cool air blew my hair back and I closed my eyes. I enjoyed the quiet trot back to the castle and hoped that once we arrived home this whole event would just be forgotton.

Fergus finished grooming his horse before anyone else once we had arrived back at the stables. He left quickly to wash up for training.

Nathaniel and I continued to groom our horses in silence. Suddenly Nathaniel threw the brush down and cursed.

"Why won't you tell me what happened? Don't you trust me, Ely?" Nathaniel asked, his voice full of hurt and anger.

I didn't want to tell him but I couldn't hide anything from Nathaniel. "It wasn't anything, Nathaniel. I-I lost a horse race with Colbert and he started teasing me again."

"What do you mean, again? Why does he tease you?" The hurt was gone from his voice but the anger seemed to be increasing; his voice was getting deeper which was a sure sign he was mad.

I took a deep breath; this was the part I really didn't want to tell him. "Because I look like a boy."

"You do not look like a boy," Nathaniel replied vehemently. "Why didn't you come to me sooner? You didn't have to go to your brother for protection."

I tilted my head, confused. "Fergus said brothers always protect their sisters. Why are you angry? Did I do something wrong?"

Nathaniel sighed in frustration. "I don't care if he is your brother. I'll protect you, Ely, no one else." Nathaniel got down on one knee and took hold of my hands. He looked into my eyes, his face solemn. "I promise from now on I will protect you before all others, Lady Eilonwy. I will devote my whole life to making sure you are safe and happy, no matter what the cost. I swear by Andraste and the Maker, I will be there for you for the rest of our lives."

My breath caught in my throat as I looked into his eyes. My heart felt so full I thought for sure it would burst from my chest. I didn't fully understand what was happening or why he was saying such things but I could feel my heart swelling with happiness. I vowed I would remember this moment for the rest of my life.

Nathaniel stood up, his eyes still locked on mine. His lips slightly parted, he started to lean in towards me. My heart started to pound in nervous anticipation.

"Hey, Instructor Dario is looking for you two," a voice interrupted. Nathaniel sighed and took a few steps back. It was Dairren, come to fetch us for our training session. I had never wished for practice to be canceled. I wasn't certain what was about to happen or what it meant but I was sure of one thing: I wanted more than anything for Nathaniel to like me.