"Hey Mack, who's that new one over there?" I grunted, having just helped my measly opponent to his feet.
"That's Bob, a natural eh?" Hmm, Bob, never heard that name before.
"No kidding…"
"He was just assigned to our battalion this morning, would you show him around for me?" Seriously? Another newbie to tour around, as if I hadn't done this enough already.
"Couldn't you find someone else to do it? I haven't left the grounds in a month and I need to stretch my legs."
"Sir Hunter, I am hereby ordering you to take this newbie and show them around." Mack rarely took this tone with me as I was his second in command, I knew it was probably for the best so I begrudgingly obliged.
The newbie looked kinda scrawny. I wasn't sure what to make of him quite yet, but he was obviously a natural in the ring, despite his lack of muscle. He seemed pretty sure of himself, so that was a good sign. The nervous ones were always the first to quit.
"So you're the newbie then, follow me."
Bob followed noiselessly, which was somewhat strange. Usually the sons of noblemen who go on to become Knights tend to be really cocky. He is going to make a great knight. Actually, I think I'll oversee his training myself.
"That'll be four silver coins sir." As I turned away from the baker's market stall I heard a crash from down the alley.
"Get your hands off me you cur!" A voice rang out in the square from the midst of a scuffle. All at once, three men were upended and landed heavily on their backsides. The crowd parted quickly to reveal a tall blonde woman. Wiping blood from her lip, she picked up her basket and walked away seemingly unfazed. But as she walked past me, I noticed a limp in her step.
"Excuse me ma'am, do you need some help?" I said, awestruck by her bold move.
"You saw that, did you not? I obviously do not need your help. Have a nice day." She said sharply, without a second glance or a pause in her stride.
I've never seen defensive moves like that, by anyone, let alone a woman. I wonder why the King seems so dead set against women in the army, she'd be great.
Second day on the job, and he doesn't show up, maybe I thought wrong. All the other Knights have already started sparring, how much longer could this ta-.
"Soldier! Hurry up, you're late!" Bob, walking up the hill, armor-clad and fully equipped. The only thing unusual is: a limp. All the pieces of this puzzle came together in my mind. The woman in the market's fighting skill, Bob's unusually silent behaviour, and their incredibly scrawny build.
As Bob, or whatever her name really is, approached me to begin our training, I just stood there, trying not to give away my new knowledge, as if she could read my mind. She bowed, as we always do, and as our heads nearly touched I whispered:
"M'lady"