Hopefully, this makes sense. If it doesn't tell me in the review.
Chapter 1: The Escape
"If only I could run away. Escape from this dull life; feeding chickens, milking cows, serving men." Aikane thought to herself, as she scattered the grains onto the dirt. A flurry of chickens pecked eagerly at the fallen grains. Her morning chores were dull, like the rest of her life.
She looked down at her clothes. They were a rough material. Her dark brown skirt matched her bodice, and a dirt smudged white apron was tied to her waist. This was when she was "Aikane the Maid". Aikane had a secret. In the night, she would sneak out and go to the forest at the edge of the village. She'd go toward an ancient oak, where, in the hollow, she hid a stash of clothes. She would put on her short pleated skirt, her light, tight fitting shirt and a vest. She would put on a leather belt which held a dagger. She'd pull on high leather boots and fingerless gloves. She had a bow made from cherry wood, which had been passed down by generations of women in her family. She also had an enchanted cask of arrows. This cask of arrows was said to be a gift from the fairies of Elline. During the day, she was Aikane the Maid. In the night, she was Aikane the archer.
The loud babble outside had brought Aikane back to earth. She went outside to investigate what was making all the people of Sefaire talk so much. She stood on tiptoe, desperately trying to see what was going on. She caught a glimpse of a few knights on horses. A knight with red hair, mounted on a grey horse, held his hand up to silence the people.
"Good citizen's of Sefaire! The king is in dire need of young men to take up the bow or the sword! Fighting in the army is a great honour! Those who wish to join, report to the Gopelle Camp this afternoon!" The knights rode away toward the north of the village, where a small military camp was set up. As they were leaving, she caught the eye of a knight, his hair slate blue at the front and a dark grey blue at the back. When she gazed into his amethyst eyes, time seemed to go slower. (A/N: You know that slow motion thing they have in movies, when they look at each other, and everything around them slows down.) She broke away from the gaze.
This was her chance to escape.
Later that day, she went to the forest and changed into her archer outfit. When she had finished putting on the last item, she was no longer a maid. She went to the military camp, bow cask slung across her back. She lined up behind the dozen of men who were here to show off their skill. She watched the men take up their bows. Some were skilled, hitting within one of the coloured rings, if not within the smallest coloured ring. Others were hopeless. Their arrows piercing the ground a few short metre from the bow. When it was finally Aikane's turn, she loaded her bow, when an arm blocked her from firing.
"What do you think you're doing?" It was the knight with the two toned hair. His cold voice sending fearful shivers up and down her spine.
"Let her go, Kai." the red haired knight said lazily, "She won't get very far." He said with a mocking laugh. All the men around the area burst out in laughter.
Keeping a hard face, Aikane stood in position. She pulled back the string of the bow, and let go. The arrow shot forward, and hit the smallest coloured ring, right in the very centre. There was a loud intake of breath as the arrow hit the target with a thump. The two knights had their mouths slightly opened, their eyes widened.
"That's impressive. What's your name young lady?" asked the red headed knight.
"Aikane of Sefaire."
"Well, Aikane, I have to admit, you have enough talent to join the army of William II!"
"Tala! She's a girl." the other knight said through a clenched jaw.
"Kai, you have to admit, that was a perfect shot." the knight, named Tala said to his friend, and in a low whisper, he added, "And she's a pretty damn good catch, if you're lucky." Tala winked. Kai gave him a death glare.
"You're in, Aikane of Sefaire, you are to report to camp at dawn tomorrow. Understood?"
"Yes."
Aikane ran to the forest, she knew that had taken longer than she would have hoped, but it didn't matter. Tomorrow, would be the start of a new life. She quickly changed into her rough skirt and bodice, and ran back home.
"BITCH! GET ME SOME MORE BEER! Wretched girl! Why did she have to be a girl?!" her beefy father yelled. Aikane came out with a big flagon of beer. Half an hour later, she peered out of the room she had been confined to. Her father was asleep on a chair, his hand gripping his beer flagon, resting on his large belly. He mumbled a few words, she caught words and phrases such as: "Mmmph... beer... don't take... Little Bitch!... get me... beer...". Aikane knew he wouldn't miss her, but it wouldn't hurt to write a note.
Dear Father,
I'm sorry I was such a worthless daughter, but do not worry. I will not burden you any longer. By the time you read this letter, I will be at the military camp. I know how you wanted a son. All I can do for you now, is to join the army like a son would.
Farewell,
Aikane.
She left the note on her father's belly. He would have no trouble finding it in the morning. She packed a roughly spun knapsack with a few ointments, a diary, a quill and ink, and a little trinket box with a necklace from her mother before she died. She left the house and turned. She would be leaving the house she had lived in for the last 21 years. This would be last time she'd see it. But there comes a time when one must leave home, and stretch one's wings to take flight. It was now her turn.
In the Morning
The man woke up, perched on his rather large belly was a piece of parchment. The little black eyes on his bun of a face darted back and forth as he read the writing. He set the parchment down. Tears glistening.
"Ahh so the girl has left to go to fight. Well, I couldn't be prouder of the little blessed bitch."
Well, that's the first chapter! And that took so long! Please review and tell me what you think. Should I keep going?