"Hurry up lad!" A man's gruff voice reached her ears.
"Yes, father." Gunther's voice replied.
Sofia frowned and followed the voices.
She saw Gunther and a big man, who had the same inky black hair. Where did Gunther get his handsome face...? Certainly, not from his father. She giggled to herself. She also noticed another man, clearly a man of the court.
Gunther looked up and caught sight of Sofia. He flashed a small smile. "I thought you were resting." He said, getting up into the cart to get another barrel from it.
His father looked to me. "And who might you be, young lady?"
She met his eyes. "I am Sofia, the new Knight of the court. Pleasure to meet you, sir." She bowed her head.
"Ah! So, you're this amazingly skilled fighter that Sir Theodore had stumbled across on his travels?" The other man smiled at her. "Jane hasn't shut up about you. I'm her father."
"All good things I hope." Sofia looked to the cart full of barrels then to Gunther who was working up a sweat. "Do you need some help?" She asked.
Gunther shook his head. "I don't want you to be put out." He hopped upon the cart and picked up a barrel, then hopped back down to stack it with the others.
Sofia sighed and jumped upon the cart. "I have nothing better to do. I'll pass them down to you."
Gunther blushed slightly.
"Aha, you'll never be able to lift those, with all respect, Lady Knight." Gunther's father chuckled.
She snorted. "You'll be best off, not underestimating me, Sir." She picked up a barrel and put it to the front of the cart with ease, followed by another one.
Gunther bit back a smile and took them and stacked them with the others. "Thank you." He mumbled.
She met his eyes and flashed a smile in return. "Happy to help."
Gunther felt his stomach flip flop. This never happens when I'm around Jane! What's happening? He took another barrel from her.
"Sofia? I thought you were tired and wanted to go and rest?" Jane came over.
Sofia shrugged. "I couldn't sleep and got bored. I'm fine now." She handed Gunther the last of the barrels.
"Thank you for your help, Lady Sofia." Jane's father remarked.
Sofia nodded and dropped down from the cart, dusting her gloved hands.
"So, Lady Knight, where is it that you come from?" Gunther's father asked.
She met his eyes. "Quite far away. Somewhere most men wouldn't dare go." She added.
He folded his arms. "So why is it that you were there?"
She too folded her arms. "I'm not sure, I woke up one day and found myself there. Who knows, maybe I'm the reason that people stayed away."
There was a fire in her eyes, Gunther couldn't help but stare. This girl, who I have just met, is standing strong in front of my father.
The merchant chuckled. "You have quite the wit about you, young lady. But be careful, that mouth of yours might get you into danger one day." He warned.
"I've been in enough danger through my life that I've learned not to fear it and to fight it head on." She stated and turned to Jane. "Been on patrol?" She asked.
Jane nodded. "All's well in the kingdom." She smiled.
Sofia returned the smile.
Gunther looked to his father, who looked pretty peeved that his conversation with Sofia didn't end with fear in her eyes. "Do you need me anymore father?" He asked.
The merchant shook his head and went off.
Gunther walked to Sofia and Jane. "I am sorry about my father's arrogance." He said.
Sofia shrugged. "I've met worse."
"Jane! Jane!"
Everyone looked to see the ten-year-old Princess Lavinia.
"Yes, Princess?" Jane asked.
"Can you play with me?" She asked, before her eyes landed on Sofia. They widened. "Are you Gunther's sweetheart?" She looked between the now blushing squire and the new girl.
Jane snorted.
Sofia shook her head. "No, I am not Princess. For we have only just met today."
Lavinia frowned. "Then are you a fairy?"
Sofia's eyes widened. "Fairy?"
"Because you are so pretty, nearly as pretty as mummy." She grinned.
Sofia blushed slightly. "Well... um... thank you for the compliment. But it is you, Princess, who is the fairest of them all." She bowed her head. "I am a new Knight."
Lavinia's eyes lit up. "Another Lady Knight?! This is wonderful, isn't it Jane?" She exclaimed, looking to the red-head.
"Yes, that is wonderful Princess. Back to your original request, I am sorry but I can't play with you right now, I need to do my duties." She bowed her head.
The princess looked to Sofia and Gunther. "Are you two busy?"
They shared a look.
Sofia shrugged. "I have nothing to do."
Gunther felt something in his gut when she met his eyes. It looked like she was sending a message, asking him to accompany her. He cleared his throat. "I'm free I guess."
"Yay!" Lavinia grabbed both of their hands and started running, dragging them behind her.
Dragon landed behind Jane. "What's up with Gunther? He never wants to help out with the Royal short-lives."
Jane smirked. "But he wants to help our new girl."
Dragon frowned. "Are you saying he has like like feelings for her?"
Jane shook her head. "Too early to say, but he definitely has an interest in her."
"This is going to be fun to watch." Dragon laughed a little.
"That it is Dragon."
Sofia and Gunther were sat in Lavinia's bedroom.
"I want a story! A good story! About love and magic." She whined.
Sofia sighed. "I've got one. Gunther, you needn't stay." She looked at him. "If it's all she wants, I can do this."
Gunther shook his head. "I kind of want to hear it too." He leaned against the wall, whilst Sofia was leaning against the bed. Lavinia was sitting on a stool.
"Tell it, Sofia!" Lavinia exclaimed excitedly.
Sofia gulped. "Okay, but you must promise to listen." She smiled.
Lavinia nodded.
