Encounter
Despite our sudden quietness to each other we were back to our usual fighting.
Well it's been eight weeks and it's finally time to showcase all my learning and improvement. Yep, it's finally time for the prince's eighteenth birthday.
I'd rather eat horse dung mixed with pig mud than go to the idiot's party. Alas, it's my job.
Each day he tries to annoy me by telling me that he is looking forward to my attendance at his party, and it works.
Lately I've spent my days outside, patrolling the palace walls. Sometimes I ride Savant around and try to get use to him. That horse is crazy. I don't know why I have to ride him.
Speaking of horses, James' prediction was right. No one noticed the missing horse and if they did, they didn't say anything.
Things have been pretty crazy around here today. Everybody is running around trying to prepare for tomorrow's party. Greg the chef has already started making the feast. Madame even had a dress shipped in from France for me to wear. Personally I can't wait till it's over.
My mind was full of thoughts of excuses to not attend the party, but rather guard it, as I went to bed. I didn't sleep it all, which is a good thing because at three in the morning I hear soft footsteps outside my door.
"Not again" I groaned as I hauled myself out of bed.
I opened my door very quietly and peeked out. A dark capped figure was quickly, but softly running down the hall. I recognized it not to be James, but someone a bit shorter and heavier. The figure was quickly making its way to James room. I noticed that the low hanging window on the other end of the hall was open. I followed the man. He stopped in front of James' room and then started to struggle with something. His arms moved back and forth. Since I only saw his back it looked very strange, but then I realized he was trying to pick the lock.
Shit! I had left my sword in my room. I quickly pulled one of a nearby suit of armor and flung it in front of the man.
"The party is not till tomorrow," I said.
The man faced me. He was wearing all black except for his tan boots. On his face he wore a mask and hood. There was no raider crest in site, so this didn't mean he was from Ishmire.
"Put that down young lady. You might hurt yourself." he teased.
I didn't move but watch as he slowly reached for his sword. Without any warning he lashed his sword at me but I blocked him. I turned and struck at him but he blocked me. We fought until we had moved far away from James' door and closer to the window. I struck his side and he yelled in false pain to catch me off guard. He lunged toward me but I flung my sword at the last minuet and our weapons clashed against each other. He pushed hard against mine and spoke.
"God will show no mercy to those who stay loyal to the crown." he breathed right above my lips. His breath smelled of rotting eggs.
I pushed my sword up against his, but he retreated and tried to strike my leg. I blocked it. He grabbed something and hurled it at me. I ducked, but when I stood up he was gone.
The curtains on the window billowed against it from the wind. I looked out of it, but saw nothing through the darkness.
"What was that?" someone said behind me.
I whipped around to see the shocked eyes of the prince staring at me, my sword still in my hand.
Shit.