Author's note: Yes, sorry not star binding. Thank you Dy for pointing out that those take place twice a year and not during the time period that I was needing. Sorry how long this one took to write, it was a bit of a slog.
Ferdinand start of 3rd year at Royal Academy
We flew over Ehrenfest at a sedated pace. Eckhart and Justus flanked me, the former scanning the general area for attack, the latter looking around excited about visiting the border gate to Frenbeltag. Sadly, there was no way to convince father to let us stay behind after greetings to gather resources from the area. Not without my schtappe. It had not been lost on me that one of father's attendants had subtly tried to convince him to allow it. My internal warning system blared at this, being that this attendant's family was firmly part of the first lady's faction. No, I completely agreed with father that it was much too dangerous and apologized for overstepping. I would simply have to wait until I could better defend myself. It occurred to me that the Lady of Dunkelfelger could probably be convinced to teach me her method of self-defense-. I cut that thought off and shook my head to rid myself of its lingering effects.
"Something wrong, little brother?" Sylvester swooped in close astride his highbeast lion. Karstedt and Sylvester's three other knight guards hovered close by.
"No, I was just admiring the view." I noticed my dear brother could not seem to sit still. He squirmed in his saddle and his eyes were full of equal parts excitement and trepidation. "You will see her soon, Sylvester." I tried to make my reprimand for his openness subtle enough that it wouldn't upset the spies in his entourage.
He grinned at me. "I know." I waited for the rest. He clearly wanted to talk away from his mother and our father. Which is why he had drifted slightly away from them. "I'm just a little nervous." Why was he admitting this when there were so many people around?
"Why? She's coming to marry you. She'd be a fool to refuse you." Politicly speaking every word was true. Though I pitied Florencia that she would have to deal with her. I didn't dare look at my father's wife even if I could feel her gaze burning my back. While I didn't particularly like Florencia I would no more wish to be in her shoes than my own. It was quite clear that Veronica was not at all pleased with this match and was only humoring her son that she doted on. She would not hand over power to Florencia who was the daughter of a third wife.
Sylvester winced. "I just-." He trailed off and I had no idea what he just. So, I settled for a thoughtful noise. My dear brother gave me an amused look. "Ah, never mind." His gaze swept ahead and I saw his eyes light up. "The gate." At last, he did not need to add.
Down below was indeed one of the only roads leading out of Ehrenfest into Frenbeltag. Running over it was the twin white towers that straddled the two duchies' border. It was manned by knights from both territories if I remembered correctly. Though knowing my father's wife, it was not likely to be maned by anyone with any great skill. She would see no use in Frenbeltag. As we landed, I glanced at the woman in question she was hovering close to father, frowning. Was I imagining father's paleness as he put away his highbeast. Perhaps he had just been stuck in his office too long. And yet I watched his wife continue to hover protectively and it struck me as outside of the standard. Why- father's wife suddenly straightened up. As if she could feel eyes on her. Those sharp green scanned until they fell on me. I shuddered and had to fight the instinctive urge to take a step back. It was as if Schneerst placed his hand around my neck and held fast.
"Here they come!" Sylvester's excitement broke through causing her to look away from me. The cold hand released me allowing me to look in the direction my brother was pointing. Sure enough, there were many brightly colored highbeasts dotting the sky on the other side. My brother grinned like a fool as they slowly approached and descended.
"Good grief," I muttered just loud enough for Sylvester and my retainers to hear. "You are the future Aub." He continued to grin impishly and waved me off.
"When you find a wife, we'll see who acts more improperly."
"I will never be Aub." I pointed out, never mind the fact that as long as his mother lived, I was unlikely to have a wife much less one who actually thought well of me.
"You could be the first husband to Aub Dunkelfelger."
"No." I replied flatly, knowing full well that to say anything else would only incite more foolishness from my dear brother. And cause no end in headaches from her when her spies reported back to her. Sylvester chuckled as his gaze returned the riders. I was able to pick out Aub Frenbeltag riding a twin headed boar. Flying on either side of the Aub were two women. The woman on his right bore a striking resemblance to Sylvester's future wife, making her the third wife. Which be default made the red-haired woman to Aub Frenbeltag's left, his first wife. Then I noticed slightly behind the three was another female. Florencia rode with all the grace expected of her new position, despite the riding leathers that stole some grace from her. Not a hair was out of place. In that moment I had to admit father was definitely right about her being a good choice to balance my dear brother.
The next few minutes dragged by. Greetings were exchanged between the archdukes and their immediate families. I was able to step slightly aside after my greetings were offered only to be approached by Lord Sigurd.
"Lord Ferdinand."
"Lord Sigurd." I replied politely while wondering what this fool could want. I had noticed last year he followed and watched me often. Justus said the boy even attempted to mimic me during the training with the Dunkelfelger students. Perhaps he was hoping for me to put in a good word with the vexing woman for him. Not that would help him in the least.
"I am curious about something; would you be willing to humor my query?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. The other boy had nervous energy to him. Not the kind of someone about to lie, more like he was embarrassed about what he was about to ask. I nodded slowly.
"There are whispers one the wings of Ordoschnell that you plan to take up Glücklität and Erwachlehren's trial in the coming years." How did he know that I planned to take more than one course? A strange intuition made me turn to look at my loyal attendant. Justus' face was in a careful noble mask, but there was amusement dancing in those eyes of his. His eyes looked at me then slightly drifted over towards my guard knight. So, it was Eckhart not Justus who was responsible for this.
"I do plan to take on trials."
"May I ask which?"
Now I openly studied him. Why did he want this information? What benefit did it serve him? How would he use it? Would he try to turn it against me? Or perhaps mock me for overreaching. I turned the possibilities over in my mind, trying to guess the best route to take. There was an odd hopefulness to Sigurd's demeanor that when combined with the embarrassment I had noticed earlier made me doubly sure that it had something to do with the older Dunkelfelger twin. It was this that made me decide to answer plainly.
"Alongside my archduke classes I plan to take the knight and scholar courses."
The other boy's eyes widened, and the hopefulness deflated a little. "So many classes? Are you sure you can- No, I'm sure you will be quite capable of managing the work." His surprise seemed to also have stolen his manners. "Does this mean you also plan to continue your training with the Dunkelfelger knights?" That question caught me off guard. I had not truly thought about it. I remembered quite well that the wager with Lady Minerva had ended with the last day of classes our second year. But I had not thought to ask whether I would be allowed to continue once I started my third year. I could only imagine her infuriating grin and the teasing that would come from such a request. Perhaps if I asked Heisshitze I could get permission and skip the hassle of dealing with his lady.
"We will see how Dregarnuhr weaves." A vague and polite enough response that did not invite misunderstandings or teasing should word make it back to Ehrenfest's first lady or Dunkelfelger. We eventually were pulled away from our discussion by our respective Aubs. The carriages carrying Florencia's things had been emptied and reloaded into Ehrenfest carriages during my talks with Sigurd. Soon enough we were able to say our goodbyes and return to Ehrenfest proper. However, the whole ride home I felt the weight of a heavy gaze on my back. I did not need a any special gifts to know the first lady was watching me with open hostility.
When we landed back at the castle Sylvester invited me and Florencia to tea with him. I saw it for the ploy it was to have me act as a chaperone and expected his mother to instantly reject the idea. Instead, she merely offered a small tea room and two female attendants to serve Florencia. I was instantly on alert. It was possible she was just humoring her son that she doted on, but the whole thing felt off. Like a forest that was unnaturally quiet. Justus picked up on my caution and brought charms he borrowed from his mother that allowed him to test whether a liquid was tampered with. He even tested and cleaned the inside of the cup. Even with this precaution I only took a couple sips of the tea, instead tracing my fingers over the beautiful paintings on my cup to give the illusion that I was invested in drinking it. In truth the whole affair was awkward as I was forced to listen to Sylvester flirt for half a bell. Boredom and exhaustion from being on high alert soon set in making it hard to focus on the conversation, even with Florencia making an attempt to include me. I thanked the gods whole-heartedly once it was over and I was able to return to my room to change for dinner.
When I made my way to the dining hall, I went to greet the archducal couple only to find father was absent. Anxiety slowly started to build even with the fog of exhaustion pressing on my mind. Only she stood waiting and even with her veil in place it did not hide the contempt. I placed my perfected noble smile on my face a greeted my father's wife. She reframed from her usual digs that she made when father was absent. Relief stirred in my gut. Maybe she would not be so blatant with Florencia present. After I greeted Lord Bonifatius, my brother, and his fiancée I took my seat as far from the first lady as the table allowed.
Once the first course was brought out; a soup with overly spiced sausage and mushy vegetables, conversation started to flow. I barely paid attention to the words as I could still feel how foggy my mind was from lack of rest. Sleep in the castle was rare thanks to the woman at the other end of the table. It was only when Sylvester asked about our father, did I dare look at her.
"Your father sends his apologies, but he has much work that needs his attention right now. He is such a dependable Aub." There was an unsaid implication that that Sylvester was just as dependable. Then those green eyes leveled with me across the table. She wore a poisonous smile that even in my foggy veiled mind I recognized.
Triumph.
That's when I realized the fog in my mind wasn't exhaustion. It took all of my self-control not to panic. Think, I told myself. Where was the poison introduced? My mind was sluggish to respond going through my day. The only time I had been around her people and ate or drank anything was the tea party. But Justus had tested and even cleaned the cup. Think! Fear uncoiled in my gut making my hand tremble or was that the poison. No, I snapped to myself, focus. I didn't eat any of the sweets and I only drank a little-. I thought back to the cup, how I traced my finger over the designs on the new cup and nearly winced. The paint. It had felt different. There was probably contact poison in the paint, something that reached to the heat. I needed to signal to Justus.
I was only vaguely aware of the dig made about my lack of attention earlier in the day. Surprisingly though, it was Florencia that came to my defense. She framed my lack of attention at the tea party as me being kind to my brother. Almost hinting that I had given the two of them as much privacy as a chaperone could allow. It was clear she did this as a favor for my brother who looked mildly uncomfortable with his mother's antagonizing words. I noticed Sylvester surprised glance at me, his expression softening as if to say thank you. I wouldn't correct them, but I noticed that Lady Veronica was definitely not pleased with her future daughter-in-law.
The next course was served. A salad soaked in an overly spiced gravy. As Justus served me, I signaled to him about the poisoning. My aide's eyes flashed momentarily, fury and fear in equal measures. He did extra tests of the salad even going so far as to taste it himself. There was uncertainty in his eyes after tasting the food. I bet the overabundance of spices drowned out the taste of any poisons used. A glance at the first lady confirmed my theory. She was watching me carefully as I took my first bite. The spice laden gravy practically burned my mouth it was so overpowering. I ate barely enough to be considered polite.
"Ahrensbach food not to your taste, boy." I nearly flinched. Veronica chuckled. She said the word boy as if she had been addressing a particularly ugly bug that she planned to squish. "Not surprising the elevated grace of Cuococalura's blessing is lost on the bastard child of a mistress." Shame pricked at me. The fact that she so bluntly stated this meant she was sure no one would oppose her rudeness. She was right, Sylvester and Bonifatius remained awkwardly quiet and Florencia seemed startled into silence. Though my guard and attendant quietly fumed behind me.
I politely deflected, "My apologies, I seem to have lost my appetite."
She huffed hauntingly, but did not add more. Satisfied with poisoning me and abusing me in such a public manor. The meal continued in this fashion. A new course followed by more insults. Though these were far more veiled. As the meal progressed my stomach started to squirm uncomfortably, and a sharp pain started to grow behind my eyes. It was not helped that she kept an eye on me as if she was waiting for something. After desert my stomach gave a particularly violent upheaval. My mouth burned when I tasted bile. It was all I could do just to swallow it back. Ah, so that was the plan. Make me embraced myself in front of my brother's guest so word could spread at school. Pain knifed through my mind just behind my eyes. Gods help me, I was nearly to tears, but I couldn't let her win.
"Ferdinand? Are you alright?" There was concern in my brother's voice. I smiled at him praying to Schutzaria that my brother would be shielded from this. I did not want him caught in between this battle between his mother and I. There was nothing he could do anyway.
"I am fine." I could see my smile was working, he was hesitating.
"Alright, if you're sure."
"I am." It was a struggle, but I managed to make it through the rest of dinner and after dinner entertainment without embracing myself. She seemed frustrated as said my goodbyes, but she could not seem to think of another way to hold me after she had forced me to stay and play harspiel. Once I was safely back in my room I staggered to the bathroom. My stomach heaved and threw up the meager amounts of food I had eaten.
"My lord!" Eckhart's panicked voice sounded behind me. Then my long hair was pulled away from my face as I continued to retch pitifully. There was nothing I could do to hide the shame on my face. "Justus, where was the poison?" Eckhart demanded.
"I would say only salad and the main course. They were the once that were the most heavily seasoned. I added an antidote to the desert once I figured out it was a poison that would make my lord sick."
"Cup." I managed to pant in between the dry heaving. "Tea part-." Then the pain in my head stole my consciousness.
I woke feeling dizzy, nauseated, and far too hot. Sweat soaked my clothes causing me to shiver. I blinked at the bright light coming through the curtains and noticed Eckhart standing guard. His eyes dark from lack of sleep. Justus was sitting in a chair by my bed. Worry etched into his features. When he noticed me awake, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good to have you back, my lord."
"Report."
"I took samples from all the food and drink you consumed. The salad and the main meat dish were indeed tampered with, but on its own it should have given you only a slight stomach ache. I myself suffered very minor symptoms myself. So, I went looking for your tea cup from the tea party with Sylvester. I discovered the cup have not been properly made. The paint on the side, which usually is not exposed was. And when it was heated up it changed to something toxic. This toxin reacts badly when combined with the plant that was added to your meal. It also reacts poorly with the antidote I gave. As a result of my carelessness, you suffered a fever for several days. Heidemarie was able to give you something that reduced the fever without a reaction from the toxin."
I groaned and sat up. Justus helped me sit up. Adjusting my pillows so I could remain up on my own strength.
"You are supposed to leave for the academy today."
"Just in time then." Though that meant I missed the Gifting Ceremony.
"My Lord, about my punishment?"
I waved it off. "I do not have time; we need to prepare for academy. I assume my things were not neglected while I was indisposed." I didn't really need to ask; I knew they would have everything taken care.
"Yes, my Lord. We have seen to everything."
"Good, I will need a bath and my clothes then. Any messages while I was asleep?"
"Your brother and father were informed of your illness. Both sent well wishes."
"Also prepare my things so I can send my thanks after my bath."
"As you wish."
It turned out that I struggled through even those basic tasks. Needing to rely heavily on Justus since I had the strength of a new born shumil. It was as embracing as it was frustrating. My retainers remained protectively close for the remaining time I spent in Ehrenfest. Lasfam and Heidemarie spent what little time they could consulting various books in the library for more ways to identify the poison used on me as well as why the paint reacted the way it did with no luck. Soon I was off to the royal academy after my father and brother had seen me off. And I could feel the eyes of other students on me and whispers as I passed by.
Once again, I performed the greeting to the royals on my own. That niggling fear that was always in the back of my mind as I faced them veered its head. But I shoved it down and forced my noble smile in place. I just needed to get this over with then I could breathe. I could relax. There wasn't much I could do about the paleness of my skin, but at least most of my strength had managed to return. Please, by the Eternal Five, just let me get through this all. I greeted the number one ranked duchy without any issues and moved on to Dunkelfelger.
Werdecraft greeted me. "Lord Ferdinand. I look forward to hearing your exploits from my sisters this year. I believe you will be sharing several classes with them." I smiled, irked at the thought of having more classes with his wild silver-eyed sister.
I gently steered him away from looking too closely at the things Minerva was likely to say. All the while ignoring said woman's gaze as it bored into me. I expected her to make a quip as she had the last two years, but this time she remained silent. Maybe her family had warned her off being rude. Then I scoffed to myself knowing she did what she wanted. Finally glanced at her only to be startled by what I saw. Lady Minerva looked livid. In fact, she was practically vibrating with said anger. I quickly looked away, so fast that I nearly missed the movement behind her. Peter placing a hand on her shoulder. But when I looked back out of the corner of my eye his hands were firmly inside his scholar sleeves. I moved on before her control could snap, but I felt her gaze on me for the rest of the greeting.
After that time passed paradoxically slow and fast. Though that could merely have been the lingering after effects of the poison. But once I had the strength to properly leave to dormitory, I convinced my retainers to go out looking for resources for class. All of them seemed hesitant, until Lasfam pointed out,
"It might be good for Lord Ferdinand to get away from the dormitory. If we all accompany him it should be safe enough." They all exchanged looks and grudgingly agreed. I was soon properly dressed for a day of gathering. My knife, dagger, gloves, and gathering bag were clipped on my belt, beside my magical tool pouch, and another that held my potions. Once I was done and my retainers had all their preparation done, we left. The dormitory was abuzz with gossip. I caught only a snippet here and there, which were never flattering towards me.
Finally, we were free of the oppressive air that smelled faintly of Ahrensbach's incense. The cold air of the academy was soothing after having spent so much time cooped up inside. I let the frigid wind bite my skin, chasing away the smell that reminded me of those green eyes. Then I sighed noting my attendants' fidgeting and pressed my feystone armor over my clothes. No need to have them fuss unnecessarily. It was then that I heard a familiar male voice from around a corner I couldn't see.
"Seriously, how did she get past you? There's one door." Heisshitze grumbled.
"I don't know." That was Lady Minerva's female guard.
"And you're sure she did not go out the window?"
"For the last time, the windows are sealed." Frustration and indignation colored the female's tone.
"And why aren't you more worried? She's your fiancée." Heisshitze demanded.
Peter chuckled softly. "You worry too much. It's not like she's never done this before. She will be found when she wants to be. Besides it might be best to let her cool off anyway. We don't want any more first years with broken arms. Though I will cheerfully watch her humiliate Dimitri any day."
"There is a difference between going to look at the stars for half a bell and disappearing for two. The first lady is going to..." The voice faded as the Heisshitze and his group walked further away from us.
"Interesting." Justus mused. Heidemarie was nodding along with him, while I thought back to the greeting. What had her mana twisted? I quickly discarded that thought even as my retainers discussed the conversation we had overheard. Eckhart on the other hand scanned the surrounding area as we crossed over the forest's threshold. His eyes zeroed in on something on the ground.
"Lord Ferdinand." He pointed to a set of tracks in the soft damp earth. Judging by the weather and the general shape, the tracks were from today. So was another student out here. I resisted the urge to sigh and turn right back around.
"I'm pretty sure we know where Lady Minerva slipped off to." I said tapping the side of my forehead with two fingers. Do we follow them and at least check on her? It was tempting to wipe my hands of the matter and have Justus go get her retainers, they likely weren't far. But I thought of my own reasons for coming out here and decided against the latter. "I suppose we should just make sure she isn't dead." I also ignored the smile that played across Justus' face. "Not a word." I hissed at them.
A collection of voices calling, 'Yes, my Lord,' followed after my command.
We trudged deeper into the forest gathering as we went. There were no feybeasts lingering nearby. In fact, the forest had taken on a heavy silence, like the kind that followed a heavy snowfall. It was only thanks to that silence that we heard the small chorus of soft tinkling paired with the squelch of mud from a distant footstep. I cocked my head to listen and found the sounds were rhythmic as if they were following a pattern. The closer we got the more it sounded like someone was ringing a plethora of tiny bells. How strange. But of course, soon enough we found Lady Minerva and the sound.
She was standing in the middle of a fair-sized clearing holding her glaive. It looked like she was practicing forms except it lacked the force of drilling. Instead, her movements flowed fluidly from one position to another, stepping forward into a flourishing attack, then flowing back to the center, slowly turning clockwise as she did. There was an unexpected level of grace and beauty to something that seemed like martial training. It gave her the air of a whirler; she was even humming. So where was the sound of the bells coming fro-. Then I noticed the metal rings hooked through the guard of her weapon making it look like one of the staffs from depictions in my theology textbooks. Every movement would send the rings clicking against each other and the guard.
Heidemarie breathed an envious sigh watching the not just the weapon's smooth arch, but it's holder's balanced movements. There was a quick stiffening in Lady Minerva's shoulder and she whirled around leveling the weapon in our direction and splashing mud our way. Eckhart and Justus were already in front of me protectively, while Heidemarie and Lasfam both reached for magical tools hidden on their persons. Silver eyes blinked at me. For once they were not hidden behind her magical tool. Though she was now covered in an odd assortment of delicate chains each had long finger like chains dangling from them covered in small charms. There were even some woven into her hair.
"Little Flower. I did not expect company." Her voice was carefully neutral.
"I can tell." Looking very pointedly at the mud that had splashed up much of her boots and pants. In fact, most the clearing was little more than churned mud. Had she been here practicing for the entire two bells she had been missing?
She looked down at herself pretending to marveling at the state of her clothes before shrugging it off like it wasn't even worth a second thought. "Could be worse."
Justus chuckled, Heidemarie choked, Eckhart tried to muffle his scoff, while Lasfam only cocked his head to the side. I on the other hand scowled at her as I wondered if I was only one who noticed when she looked down at herself that there was a brief blue arura around her. "Have you no shame?"
"I find shame is a rather useless tool that only helps your enemies." She wasn't looking me in the eye, her usual amusement was nowhere to be seen or heard. "So, why bother?"
"Why bother?!" I repeated incredulously. My mind reeled at such, such-. I did not even have words for this level of disregard for proper decorum. If I behaved in such a way, she-. I quickly shut that thought down before I could see those green eyes in my mind. That hate. My fear rekindled to life and I was forced to take a few quick breaths to calm the rising anxiety. Minerva's eyes were on my face, I could feel it. I met those eyes that should have been silver but found they were flashing different colors. Beside me my retainers groaned. Lasfam seemed especially effected while I was left untouched. "Lady Minerva!" I snapped moving to block Lasfam at the least from her sight.
She hissed, her gaze dropping to the mud. "My apologies, Lord Ferdinand. Seems I am not." She did not say what she was not, instead she turned as if she planned to go deeper into the forest. Running away, I thought vexed, coward.
"Heisshitze is looking for you." The words were out of my mouth before I could even think about them. She stopped walking.
"Ah, I suppose Catharine noticed my absence." She tsked, but refused to turn around. The blue arura was still occasionally flickering around her. She refused to face me. It irritated me. She was always needling me. Pushing and pestering me. And helping! For whatever bizarre and stupid reason she had contrived. Gods, all curse her!
"Why did you break a first year's arm?" I tried to mimic the way she spoke to me. Condescendingly and openly dissecting the subtle reactions I noticed. Knowing it would likely annoy her as it did me when she did it. I had a sneaking suspicion that was why she was out here. Letting her anger out, it was rare for people to start gathering resources this early. It took too long to gather support one needed. So, this would be the perfect way for her to relieve the pent-up energy especially considered hidden rooms were typically too small for polearms and the training ground could very easily have people come by. Her silence was enough of a confirmation. "Dimitri, I get. He's oaf and manages to compete with you for who can be ruder. But weren't you the one who said you didn't like to abuse your power because of how easy power is lost." Her shoulders stiffened. She definitely did not like the implication that her and Dimitri were the same. Good I thought spitefully, a taste of her own medicine.
"Careful, Little Flower."
"Oh," I mocked, "The wild lady of Dunkelfelger going to lose control and using Crushing on laynobles again?" Get angry, I wanted to snap at her. Fight back! My own anger was fanned to life as I thought about what had happened to me. I couldn't fight back, but she could. So why did she allow me to push? Why did she refuse to fight back when we both know she not only could but wanted to.
My retainers were holding their collective breathes. Eckhart was edging closer and closer to me to prepare for any attack Lady Minerva made. Though some part of me was certain she would not. For someone who presented as being wild and out of control, the Crushing she had done was focused. Otherwise, she would not have been able to avoid hitting me while staring directly at me. It made no logical sense, but then neither did she.
"Perhaps the Lady of Dunkelfelger has indeed gone soft." I sneered the word Lady the same way Lady Veronica sneered the words 'bastard' or 'mistress' and watched as Minerva's back stiffened from my tone. I waved my retainers off and I could see Eckhart very much debating on disregarding that order. Do it, I mouthed at him; angry that he would even consider refusing me right now. If he did, I would reach for his name and command it. Thankfully it did not come to that. I turned my attention back to Minerva who hadn't moved from her spot though her grip had tightened on her weapon. But the blue arura that had occasionally flashed was now completely gone. Why, I wanted to shout at her. How much more would it take to get her angry, I thought frustrated. Justus had said she had been furious after only a few short words with me the day she had relieved me of my obligation to our wager for a week. My words dripped with venom, "Perhaps you-."
The point of her glaive stopped just before my nose. My retainers all attempted to move to my aid and I stopped them with a gesture. After all, I had been right. Not only had she not hurt me as she very easily could have, but none of my wards had been triggered either. There was no intent to do harm despite the very clear anger. She was holding the butt of the weapon with her arm completely extended, yet there wasn't even a slight tremble from the strain. An impressive display of strength and speed. My eyes followed down the length of the weapon and met her uncovered silver eyes. There was censure in her gaze as well as unspoken acknowledgment of what I had been trying to do.
"Little Flower, if you are going to pick a fight, make sure to keep the length of your opponent's weapon in mind." She pulled her weapon back and spun it in her grasp a couple of times before impaling the jiggling weapon into the mud. "Well, if you are going to pick a fight, might as well at least arm yourself." She slowly reached for a pouch that I recognized as the one Peter had once pulled her glaive out of. Her arm went past the drawstrings almost up to her shoulder. Then when she pulled it back out she held two smooth sticks about the length of a regular sword. "Should be about the right size for you." She tossed one to me. Without so much as thinking about it I caught the weapon nearly fumbling it in my slightly weakened state. My right hand still struggled to grip things. The censure was back in her eyes. "While I appreciate the trust. Don't do that again."
Blush colored my cheeks, but I quickly took up a ready position. Quick as Steiferise she closed the distance between us striking at my shoulder. Even with the slick mud her steps were surefooted. I brought up the sword to block only to have her weapon change trajectory mid swing. The wood cracked against my weakened hand leaving only the barest hint of pain. Had she held back? She was insulting me now? I glared and swung viciously towards her eyes. Instead of blocking she leaned back to avoid the blow her cold silver eyes never leaving my face.
"Fight back!" I growled.
"Make me!" she snarled back her eyes glittering in six different colors.
I swung heedless of the fact we were both getting angry. Heedless that it would make my blows sloppy. The strikes themselves were ones that in a normal duel would be considered below the belt. Especially against a woman. Constantly, I aimed at her face and other vulnerable areas. Always she would deflect or dodge with no real effort or life in it. One particularly over extended strike and I felt my feet slide beneath me. I swore as I began to tip back to prevent myself from falling face first into my opponent. Only to find I over corrected. Stupid foolish mistake, I thought to myself as I stopped fighting the fall. Might as well give up, I thought bitterly.
The front of my shirt caught on something jerked me to stop. Livid rainbow-colored eyes bore into me. "Never!" The word hissed across the clearing. Minerva roughly yanked me back on my feet and stepped quickly back. "Never give up." The words were said with such force. "You hear me, Little Flower? You keep fighting no matter what. Do not let yourself be cowed! Do not quietly climb those stairs. Roar your defiance to the world and Gods themselves! Bare your fangs like a lion!"
"What do you know?" I sniped coldly back, remembering the humiliation I had endured. Too weak to even move my hair out of my face. What could she possibly know about what I had to endure, the princess of Dunkelfelger, blessed by Angriff.
She smiled at me. Not the amused one I had come to associate with her, but a cold thing that held Schneerst and Verdränner in equal measures. "I know the lioness hunts you. You who should be under the care of Entrinduge. I know the Dark God allows it."
I grit my teeth against the denial. My father saved me. But I held those words back.
She saw and guessed at my thoughts sneering, "You can't honestly believe he doesn't see what his goddess does?" Then she chuckled a dark a malignant sound. "Then again perhaps I gave him too much credit. He is truly a fool blinded by the beauty of light that allows Geduldh to be taken and slowly killed."
There was a roar in my mind blocking out reason. That she would mock my father the one who rescued me from-. I was moving forward a ragged sound of rage tearing from my throat. My weapon swung up swiftly and came down on her shoulder of the arm she held her sword in. I felt the crack of the blow ring through my hands and even the faint pop of her shoulder pulling out of its socket. There was no backlash from charms that decorated her form though several circles flared to brilliant life. Almost as if something was holding them back. I huffed trying to regain my composure. Yet Lady Minerva made no move to strike back or even remove the weapon that barring down on her dislocated shoulder.
"Feel better?" Her voice was quiet and thready.
I glanced at her face. She looked tired. Pain glazed her silver eyes as she reached into one of her pouches for something. The magical tool that went over her eyes. She placed them on her face before gripping the sword that was still barring down on her shoulder. Gently she pried it from my fingers. Her own sword laid in the mud. I looked at it then her.
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
I thought back to my strike. I was certain she had started to raise her weapon in order to block then… it fell before I reached her.
"Why didn't you block?"
She shrugged and then winced instantly regretted the motion. "Everyone makes mistakes. Anger got the best of me. Serves me right." Truth, yet… "Don't look at me like that, Little Flower. Take Greifechan's blessing. She favors the bold. Though next time, pick your battles more carefully."
"You held back." I accused.
"Not true." She winced her left-hand twitch to toward her wounded shoulder. "I just did not want to deal Chaosfliehe's wrath." She chuckled her normal amusement lightening her tone. "Or I guess the wrath of your loyal retainers. I would like to sleep without keeping one eye open, you know."
I scoffed and hesitated.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to go put shoulder back together." She smiled and waited.
I opened my mouth.
"Don't, Little Flower. If you find yourself in need of hitting something come see me or my cousin. We can take it. Now be on your way, before my people get here preferably. Unless you want more rumors spreading about what you get up to out here." She looked pointedly down. I followed her gaze and wrinkled my nose in distaste. I was covered in about as much mud as she was.
"Then until Dregarnuhr weaves our threads together again Lady Minerva."
She nodded her agreement. "You'll have to forgive me if I don't have the patience to give you a proper goodbye. Her voice was husky, likely from pain. I took that as my queue to leave, turning my back to her. But I could feel the weight of those twin silver eyes on my back long after I had moved on.
After Note: Alright, moment of honesty. I usually try not to put stuff here that explains my intentions of writing, but this chapter was hard and I am not entirely thrilled with it. This was to build the threat of poisoning higher. Using 2 different poisons that react badly with each other. This also marks the first real attempt to kill Ferdinand. Ferdi is about 12-13 here? I think I mathed that right. So he is dealing with his usual fear plus attempted murder and as we know he is a bit of a control freak. Makes sense, he learned that being in control means surviving. But now he a 12-13 year-old is dealing with vast complex emotions that are extreme even by that's worlds standards. SO I was attempting to have him face and deal with those in a way that someone of his age might. Aka taking them out on another female figure that he instinctively knows is 'safe'. Thus the improv fight. By now you all have probably pieced together that Minerva is older than she looks, so she recognizes what is happening, but she is also dealing with shit that Ferdinand's poisoning is making her feel. I have no idea if these emotions came through organically or not. Which is why this after note. Please let me know.