10 years later, Bella is 20. She is a knight.

Previously: I cringed inside and thought, one day that is what I will be protecting the world from.

My ears rung as the sword struck my helmet, How could I be so foolish to allow them that opening?

I backed up staring Ormond in the face, as he assessed my stance for more openings. I glared at him, why is everyone always challenging me? Oh yea, I'm a girl.

I hate this world, it is so unfair! Gah!

I saw his left arm twitch as he prepared for a strike and I brought my sword quickly up parrying his thrust. He stumbled off to the right. I came behind him and waited for him to turn. Before he came about face I struck the side of his head with my hilt and he dropped like a stone. I stood over him with my sword point next to his throat.

He stirred slowly then brought his hand up to his forehead and brushed his hair away, and then sighed seeing me standing above him, triumphant against yet another pathetic excuse of a knight.

I backed off and turned my back on him, stalking off. A few of his buddies came over to help him up, as his squire scrambled to pick up the sword he dropped at the end.

Few people came to me and congratulated me, and I waved them off. I hate fighting my peers.

So far I haven't lost a fight to a single male, but I did lose once to Alice. I have never lost my balance again during a fight, the last one was enough warning.

Once I got back to the bathhouse I called for a maid to set up a warm tub, as I prepared the soap and my after clothes. I sat down in the steaming water flinching once then sliding all the way under. I came back up for a breath and grabbed the soap.

I soaked for a few minutes, and then picked up a large cloth and stood up.

I put on my clothes, and headed towards my inn.

I was on my way south to defend the Southern Border from Spain. There had been small raiding parties up and down the coast. Those inadequate knights who weren't deemed worthy of fighting the small scrimmages against England were sent here, and were struggling. Several villages had been ransacked, pillaged, and burned on their watch. So Jasper and I were on our way down to take care of things. When my door came into view I noticed a slouched figure leaning against the frame.

"Excuse, what business have you here?" I asked as politely as I could for being so agitated.

The boy jumped, obviously waking up, and looked around, startled. He started stammering then noticed me standing there and quickly stood, straightening his tunic.

"I have a message for you from the King himself!" He held out a rolled piece of parchment with a red, wax seal.

I leaned forward and grabbed it, and dismissed the boy. He scurried off and disappeared behind a corner.

I pulled the wax with practiced hands and unrolled the scroll. There was the King's flowing writing.

Lady Knight Bella,

I am grudgingly writing this, for I had hoped it would have been solved. But there is nothing to be done now. War has been declared between France and England. I know I have sent you to take control of the Southern Region, but that can wait. I need your assistance in the North.

We were fighting another battle when an enemy squad snuck behind us and took Fort Ashby. It is now called Fort Burges. Our men fought valiantly, but to no avail. We lost the Fort we had originally been defending and our men retaliated brutally. A commander, without my knowledge, ordered his men to attack Fort Burges by the covering of night and not leave a single Englishmen alive.

They were true to their word, no one survived. When England's King heard he declared war, not even bothering with peace negotiations. I need you to come and fight for us. I know you like to go on your own fighting unknown foes, but I need you to assist us here. The English forces are encroaching and I am calling all knights that could aid us back. Please do not fret over your original mission. Just report back by means of showing up here.

Your Royal Highness,

King Adrien

I sighed, I was being sent on yet another mission. How many times could I be reassigned?

I wonder who the commander was. Who could be so foolish as to risk the lives of all of your men?

I reread the writing once more then rolled it up and putting a leather band around it. I opened the door to my room and threw it onto the cot. I turned around and marched back into the hallway, making sure to lock the door on my way out. I walked towards Jasper's quarters, I would need to tell him that I would be leaving in the opposite direction in the morning.

I was edging towards his hallway when he rounded a bend ahead and stopped when he saw me.

We both said at the same time, "Reassigned." I laughed slightly at the fact we said it simultaneously, but I laughed more at the idiocy that we had both expected this. Our King is so fickle.

Jasper's face relaxed knowing he wouldn't have to traverse all of France alone. The sad thing was that we were only a day's ride till the Southern Border.

We exchanged slight pleasantries then bid each other night so as to pack and prepare for the morrow.

When I entered my room I picked up the scroll and read it once more before placing it to the side. I gathered my belongings and then collapsed on the bed for a night.

I woke to a knock at the door. I rolled out of my bed and pulled on my boots, and crawled towards the door. I didn't have a wake-up call requested. I looked through the eye cheat and didn't see anything. I opened the door slightly with my back to the hinges, and my body hidden behind the flap. I glanced around and there standing on my step was a child of no more than six.

She was all skin and bones I noticed, as I leaned forward and studied her face. She had smudges of dirt covering her face and her arms had bruises everywhere. The sight made my heart ache.

She held up a hand as if asking for money in a pitiful motion. I pitied her quickly and I reached into my belt purse for a copper. I grasped one and flicked it into the air and the little girl caught it feebly then ran off. I watched as she ran and I wondered how many little children there were out in the streets of this village with nothing to eat, or no one to care for them.

I walked over to my bags and picked them up and headed back towards the door, I opened it then recalled the scroll. I jogged back to the table and picked it up quickly throwing it into the closest bag the exited preparing myself for another long journey.

Thanks for reading, any critiques I would be glad to hear.

Question of the chapter: What is your favorite time of the day and why?

Have a nice day!