Nixiesocean: That you! I broke my record of 9 reviews! Twelve! Yay! Thank you all!
Shinyobjectslover: I did that on purpose. Have you ever noticed in the stories that the knight rescues the damsel, they fall in love and have a happy ending? That's what this part was portraying, that sudden, almost queer, sort of love.
Ardelis Mercy: Thank you (Bow) I'm glad you like her nickname for Lance.
Chapter 4: Insights and Promises
She stood there like a captured painting. Her hair floated in the wind, and her blood pooled at her feet. Tears ran down Lance's face. She had taken the arrow for him. In a moment's reaction to her bravery, he caught her as she fell to the ground. Her face was peaceful, almost, well, accepting of the prospect of death. He lifted her limp, bleeding body and raced to the camp. He set her near the fire and broke the arrow, that much he knew.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Clem paced back and forth. "Stop that, dear." His wife, Lilia, said. "You'll wear a hole in my new carpet." She looked back to her stitching. "Plus, everything will be okay, you said so yourself. Now sit, you're making me nervous."
"The dragon said he'd return Lance if no one came to rescue him after four weeks. It's been five! FIVE!" Clem screamed. "The princesses aren't ready to take the throne, Lance is!"
"Sweet, sit." The queen commanded. The king obediently sat. "Now," She set aside the ruined cloth and put her hand on his knee. "Everything will turn out okay. Lance will be brought back and the knight rewarded properly. Then, Lance will marry our bride. Alright, love?"
The king sighed. "Yes, queen-love. It is."
"I know he will take a liking her. The father said she would be a wonderful bride for Lance." He queen reassured the fretting man.
"She should be, at her bride-price!"
"Oh, shush, Clem." Lilia smacked his knee. "Now, go do some paper-shuffling."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I passed in and out of consciousness. Every time, Lance was there. I was resigned; he took my heart like no other man. Not even the ones that used to be able to best me. I awoke again. My lips were dry. "Water…" I croaked. "Water, please."
He obediently brought over a tin of water. I barely could drink. He dabbed water onto my lips, then, he poured water into my parched throat. It was all I could do to gag on the odd liquid. Sighing contently, I laid down my head on his lap and fell asleep.
---
"Her name is Katharine, Katharine Crei." Your mother said, holding the infant. She died holding you, Katharine.
---
"You can't do it!" The boy taunted. "Girls are weak! Go home!"
She had tears in her eyes. "No, I will stay!" The boy hit her again. He hit her until she said she would leave. When he let up, she turned and jumped on him, screaming that she would never leave. That she would never be beaten.
"Katharine." The instructor yelled. He pulled her bully and herself apart. "Gyvin." He said the boy's name with more malice. "I told you two not to fight. Gyvin, report to my office after this, Katharine, go to a herb-master and ask for a quick-healing potion, then report to my office."
"Yes sir." They choursed. She scrambled off
---
"You are knighted Lady Katharine." She stood. It was a glorious day. The sun shone and her father stood, proud as any father could be of his child.
"She deserves no knighthood!" A voice shouted from the crowd. "She is a scandalous, wretch!" Tears stung. After all these years, how could someone doubt her ability? Hiding her hurt, she turned.
"What makes you say that, good sir?"
"I saw you! You were with him. Where is he now, Katharine?" The man challenged.
"You are jealous, Gyvin. You are jealous that a girl beat you to knighthood, I have done no such thing." Her head buzzed. Who was he talking about?
"I know what I saw, wench!" He stalked off.
---
"Do it for your mom. Your honor, I don't care. This time, if another knight saves the captive, you can come home and I won't ask you to do it anymore. Please? For me?" Her father asked.
---
"Where's the damsel?" She demanded.
"I'm the captive." He responded.
---
The arrow took her full in the stomach. She felt her blood pouring, but she couldn't stop it…
---
She saw Lance's pleading look… she had to live. He was worth living for.
I awoke, breathing. There was Lance, looking as beseeching as I had remembered. Breathing, I spoke. "I'll live, Lance. I will." Whether or not he heard is a matter unto itself, the fact of the matter was that I said I would live. I keep my word.
Nixiesocean: Normally, I don't put footnotes, but I'd like to thank you all, yet again, and give out some 'good little reader' pins.
That and… don't cha love Katharine's review of her life?