Chapter 5: Basics, Boops, and Books
When Quinn laid in her bed that night, she had trouble falling asleep. She propped her head on her arm and stared at the ceiling. She was sharing one of the apprentice rooms large enough to fit six occupants comfortably with four other girls around her age that was located on castle grounds. Once the apprentices are older, they will live in the barracks in the outer court or inside one of the numerous castle rooms depending on their duty. Quinn looked to her right to see Brittany already fast asleep with Lord Tubbington—a cat and not an actual lord to Quinn's relief—curled up next to her. Brittany had not gone into any details (because it is was a Private class with only a few select students chosen to participate) but apparently Advanced Dancing had been brutal today, with the usual teacher being unavailable and the substitute teacher, a senior apprentice called Cassandra July taking over. Quinn who had missed afternoon lessons to get herself cleaned up and presentable breathed a sigh of relief that the dance class that she would be taking is taught by a different teacher. She fingered her slightly shorter hair that had been trimmed neatly until it was above her shoulders. She sighed and turned on her side, staring at the moonlight streaming in from the window, casting shadows onto the floor. During the night class, she had been set aside by Madame Tibideaux and given a number of written tests on different subjects to gauge her level of knowledge. While she excelled in math and English, her knowledge on history was quite lacking but with extra effort in studying, Madame Tibideaux had no doubt that Quinn would be able catch up with the rest. As her eyes began to droop, Quinn's last thought before succumbing to sleep was about Rachel and when will they meet again.
xoxoxo
"You. Stand over there," ordered Commander Sue pointing first at Quinn and then to the side of the training yard. "The rest of you, choose a partner of similar rank and spread out. We are practicing with swords today. I want to see Pattern 1 and 2 executed perfectly. Anyone who fails will be running extra laps."
Quinn obediently walked to her designated spot, a wooden sword clutched in her hand. She couldn't stop herself from quivering with anticipation. Despite the exhausting run she had this morning with the other apprentices, her excitement at the prospect of learning sword fighting, renewed her vigor and she bounced on the balls of her feet, eager to start her first lesson.
Sue strode over to her. "If you become a master of the basic fundamentals of sword-fighting then the rest of your sword skills will come are different types of swords that you will learn to use and eventually specialize sword is not to be drawn for petty fights.."
Quinn nodded. "Yes commander."
"Very shall begin."
The commander motioned over one of the knights who was observing the training session. Noting the commander's beckoning, the knight came over and Quinn noticed that he was dressed in black from head to toe, from his leather armour to his boots. A black patch covered his left eye and a scar line extended from above his eyebrow and ended at his cheekbone which the eye patch failed to cover. He looked like a man in his late thirties, healthy and strong, yet his hair was already silver grey. Quinn shrunk back when the man loomed over her, his height apparent as he blocked her view of the sun.
"What do we have here Commander?" asked the man in his deep baritone voice.
"An apprentice for you Sir Richard. We need you to whip her up into shape and ensure that she catches up with the rest of her peers," said Sue smirking. The man had been her fiercest and most formidable rival and friend since they were both apprentices and it would have been a close race between them for the commander position but he declined, citing his need to be in the heat of battle and not telling others to do the killing for him.
"Hmmm."
Quinn suddenly felt a pull on the back of her collar and felt herself being lifted up and coming face to face with the silver-haired knight. The knight turned to look at Sue with Quinn still dangling by her collar at his shoulder height like an indignant puppy being held by the scruff of its neck.
"You're giving me this little squeaker to train after so many before have given up after a week?"
Sue chuckled. "Put her down Sir Richard. This is Quinn, the girl who found the Princess yesterday."
The knight promptly let go of Quinn and she landed on her feet albeit a little unsteady from the sudden release.
"So you think that this one has potential?" He asked gruffly looking up and down at Quinn .
"She definitely has more guts than your previous apprentices," said Sue helpfully and walked away to supervise the other apprentices.
Sir Richard snorted. "We shall see once this week is over. Come, pick up your sword and let's see if you can handle the basics."
Quinn followed his orders and they began to work...
"Hold your sword higher. The tip should be at your eye level aimed at your target's throat."
And work...
"Swing, swing, no. Wrong. Do it again. 50 times for each hand."
Quinn gritted her teeth, her arms burning and sweat pouring down her face.
"Posture, girl, posture. You're holding up a sword. Watch your leg and how you move. Forward, forward, lunge. Good. Now go back, back, b... No. Wrong. Repeat the steps again, until it is burned into your subconscious."
And so they continued until Quinn did not even have the strength to grip her wooden sword and it clattered to the ground when she tried to pick it up.
"Alright. Take a break."
Quinn collapsed onto the ground, at first trying to sit up but her arms were shaking too much from exhaustion to prop herself and so she laid on the ground staring at the sky. Sir Richard stood near her, accessing the other apprentices.
"Sir Richard!" A familiar voice squealed.
Quinn found the energy to tilt her head back to see an upside down Rachel running over towards them and throwing herself at Sir Richard who, to Quinn's surprise, was already on one knee, with his arms open to give the princess a big hug.
"Well met princess," said the knight standing up and gazing smilingly down at Rachel. Quinn could see from her vantage point on the ground that the knight was fond of the little princess. However, Rachel's back was facing Quinn and so she had yet to see the apprentice sprawled out on the ground.
"I'm so happy to see you! You must tell me about your latest travels and I have a new song to sing for you." Said Rachel clasping her hands with excitement.
Sir Richard gave a slight bow."Once I am done with my new apprentice, my time is yours princess."
"Your new apprentice? Wh... Quinn!"
By the time Rachel saw her, Quinn had forced herself to sit up. She missed the amused gleam in the knight's eye as he silently noted her flailing attempts to sit up before Rachel saw her.
Rachel crouched down next to her, beaming."Hi."
Quinn grinned. "Hello Tiny."
Rachel pouted at the nickname but then shook her head to focus on the reason why she showed up. Was she glad to see Sir Richard? Of course she was. It just so happened that he was there at the training grounds and she was looking for a good reason to come over, hoping to run into a certain blonde newcomer...
"I hope your first few days have been going well. Has anyone shown you around yet?" asked Rachel eagerly.
"Yeah, Brittany showed me around on my first day," Quinn noticed Rachel's crestfallen face. "But," she added hastily, "I'm pretty sure she hasn't shown me everything."
Rachel's face lit up at that statement. "I could show you around! I can show you all my favorite spots, shortcuts to take..."
Quinn smiled at the princess's eagerness.
"The library..."
Quinn's head shot up at that word being mentioned. "The library?" She asked, unable to hide her glee, hugging her knees to her chest.
Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Daddy loves to read so our library is well stocked with all kinds of books. It's really cozy too with a fireplace and big comfy chairs and cushions. We could go and see it tonight," said the princess, eager to please the blonde when she saw Quinn's delighted expression.
Quinn raised an eyebrow. "Tonight? I have a curfew and I'm pretty sure you do too."
Rachel ducked her head closer to Quinn's. "We could sneak out," she whispered, feeling rather bold for suggesting the idea. "Or...you would have to wait until the weekend which is still a long way off."
Quinn wrinkled her nose at that thought. "Okay," she nodded slowly, the lure of numerous books being too great. "Let's do it. Where should we meet?"
Rachel closed her eyes tight trying to envision the route. "The fastest way is by going through the kitchens. Your room is closer to the kitchens than my room. I'll meet you outside your room around midnight. There wouldn't be anyone left in the kitchens or the library by then." Eyes still closed and face screwed in concentration, Rachel continued muttering to herself. "There wouldn't be many guards in that area. Hmmm. Yes, yes this should work."
Quinn couldn't help it but reach out with two fingers hovering near Rachel's face. "Tiny," she called.
Before Rachel could fully open her eyes, Quinn tapped her on the nose and went "Boop!".
Rachel's mouth dropped open as Quinn dissolved into giggles, burying her face into her propped up knees. "You... you just booped my nose!" she spluttered. The sight of the blonde's eyes peeping up at her, sparkling with mirth caused a warm feeling to blossom in her chest and she ended up succumbing to Quinn's giggles.
"Puckerman what in God's name are you doing?!" Sue's voice bellowed across the training ground, interrupting their moment. Quinn and Rachel jerked up their heads and looked over curiously at Commander Sue stalking towards Puck and his partner who had stopped their sparring.
As the commander began to loom over him, Puck began to protest. "I was just trying out a new move that I saw Sir Cooper using when he..."
"It's ten thousand years too early for you to try that Puckerman."
"But I..." protested Puck
"No."
"It's…"
"Another word of protest and you will be assigned to kitchen duty."
Puck paused. "Yes, commander," he said meekly. As Sue walked away to observe the others, he made a face behind her back.
"I saw that Puckerman. Report to the kitchens for lunch and dinner duty after our training is over," ordered Sue, over her shoulder.
Quinn and Rachel giggled as they watched Puck's face fall as his partner patted him on the back with pity.
"Alright, training is over. Get out of here all of you before I choke from the stench of you inadequacy."
The apprentices heaved a sigh of relief and began to clear out.
"That's my cue to leave. I'll see you tonight," whispered Rachel, placing her hand on Quinn's shoulder before getting up to leave. Quinn nodded. "See you later Tiny." Rachel made a face at her as she walked away. "Goodbye Sir Richard," said the princess as she passed by him, giving him a small hug before she left.
Quinn and Sir Richard watched the little princess's retreating back and Quinn got up and dusted herself off as Sir Richard came over to her side.
"Think about what I have taught you today. I expect to see improvement tomorrow."
Quinn nodded. "Yes sir."
"Good." Sir Richard turned to walk away but paused mid step. "You've done well for your first day. Let's hope you survive the week," he said and continued to walk away.
"Ill try my best sir," said Quinn watching the knight as he made his way out. She could sense an air of sadness that cloaked the knight and she wondered what could it be. She did some light stretches and winced at the tightness of her muscles. Her arms are going to be sore tonight.
As soon as he was done, Puck stomped over to Quinn who was now perched on the low fence surrounding the training area. He leaned back against the fence next to Quinn and heaved a long suffering sigh.
"Surely kitchen duty isn't that bad," ventured Quinn looking down at her mohawked friend. She could think of worse punishments involving beatings, starvation and such.
"It's not a man's job to be in the kitchen"
Smack
"Ow!" Puck clutched the back of his head, rubbing it while turning to Quinn who had smacked him there.
"What was that for?!"
Quinn rolled her eyes. "If a girl can be a knight , a boy can surely carry out kitchen duties be him Lord or peasant."
Puck pouted. "Aw you're no fun. I liked you better when you were beating up Azimio."
Quinn threw her head back and let out a laugh.
During their chat, a group of apprentices strolled into the training area for Advance Combat. All of them looked bigger and older except for a raven haired girl who looked to be about Quinn and Puck's age.
"Hey," said Quinn, nudging Puck with her knee. "Who's that?"
Puck looked over at where Quinn was indicating. The girl had started some warm ups and stretching on her own.
"Oh that's Alexandra Beaumont, daughter of Roger Beaumont."
Quinn blinked. "Roger Beaumont as in the Duke?"
Puck nodded. As if sensing that the two of them were talking about her, Alexandra Beaumont looked over in their direction. Quinn tried to smile at her but the raven haired girl shot her a look of disdain and turned her face away from them in an obvious show of disgust.
"What crawled up her pants and died?" asked Quinn, raising an eyebrow.
Puck snickered. "It's probably our lowly status polluting her environment. Me, a baron's bastard and you, a street urchin."
Alexandra began to spar with one of the senior apprentices.
"She's good," observed Quinn.
Puck let out a snort. "With Daddy's money, she probably had private combat lessons at a young age. That's why she's ahead of all of us."
"One would think that the Duke would want his daughter to learn more ladylike skills," contemplated Quinn aloud.
"The Duke has no sons, only daughters. Little Alex here is probably trying to fulfill his wish of having a kin be part of the Royal Guard," said Puck as he pushed himself off the fence.
"Time to head over to the kitchens. See ya Quinn."
"Bye" said Quinn waving back at Puck and she hopped off the fence and headed off to clean up.
xoxoxo
That night Quinn snuck out of her room and waited for Rachel. She was thankful for her dark brown woolen cloak that had been provided by the academy as the weather was cold and windy tonight. It was a clear night and the moon was bright enough for her to spot the princess, also wearing a cloak, emerging from the shadows to head over towards her. Quinn went over to meet her halfway.
"Ready?"
"Lead the way Tiny."
Rachel huffed and decided to let the nickname slide just this once. She beckoned for Quinn to follow her.
"We have to head through the kitchens and then cut through the courtyard because it's the fastest way to get to the library without being seen by the night patrol," she explained as she peeped around a corner to check that the coast was clear before continuing on her way.
Quinn followed closely behind her as they ducked and dashed their way towards the kitchens. Once, Rachel had to hold her hand out to stop Quinn from running right into the path of an approaching guard. The princess was familiar with the timing of the guards making their rounds and that familiarity got them safely to the kitchens undetected.
"You've got the key to the kitchens?" asked Quinn curiously as Rachel brandished said key and unlocked the door.
Rachel nodded as she opened the door. "It's much easier to sneak into the Great Hall that way since they are connected."
"Why would you want to do that?" asked Quinn as she followed Rachel into the kitchens. She took the opportunity to look around the huge room. The walls and floor were made of stone and there were a few fireplaces against the walls. Glowing embers from those fireplaces and moonlight streaming in through an open window threw shadows around the room. A giant cauldron sat nearby and a stone oven occupied a corner of the room. Bundles of herbs were hung from the ceiling to dry and Quinn spotted wicked looking kitchen knives laid out on the long table in the middle of the room, their sharp edges glinting in the moonlight.
"The acoustics in the Great Hall are perfect for my singing. It's one of my places to sing out my feelings whenever I feel compelled to. It helps me think."
Quinn perked up when she heard a low moan and thought that it was the wind blowing outside the window.
"Won't the guards hear you?" She asked as they made their way across the kitchen.
"Oh definitely. But there's an unspoken rule between me and them. Night patrol can be immensely boring and my singing keeps them occupied. So as long as they don't intrude, they get to hear a song or two. I swear that some of them had clapped once when I had finished a complicated Barbra number."
As they crossed the fireplace in the center of the kitchen, Quinn heard the moan again and realized that it was actually coming from inside the kitchen and came from a covered mound close to the hearth of the fireplace they just passed by. Rachel had heard it too and she grabbed Quinn's hand as they saw the mound move.
"We should... We should run," whispered Rachel fearfully.
Quinn's heart thumped wildly in her chest as she gripped Rachel's hand tightly and prepared to sprint out off the kitchen. Then the mound moved again and the black cloth covering it shifted a little to reveal a small tanned hand.
Quinn inhaled sharply and ignored Rachel's squeaks of protests as she warily approached the mound and removed the black cloth. A small female form was revealed. Blood and mud stained her clothes and bruises and small cuts were visible on her arms. The girl shifted her head and her black hair fell to the side, exposing more bruises on her face and around her neck. Despite the injuries, Quinn's heart plummeted as she recognized the girl before her.
"San...tana"
End of Chapter 5
Review Shoutouts
unbreakable86, Phoebex13, fridaglee27, elaslb, priscilla20, Emri, polux, logansquare2212, ST31, xxDark Angel Babyxx, Izabella G. D: Thank you so much for your continuous reviews for most of, if not every chapter :)
DarkBlueMint: You'll definitely like the where the story is going in the next chapter ;)
EAnIL: There will definitely be a time skip. It's just taking longer to reach that point than I had expected :D
To everyone who has reviewed so far, thank you and please keep them coming.
xoxo Skye