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| Chapter 1 |
| (continued) |
| Duke Garath watched the two fighters approach. He hadn't been able to get a very good look at them while they were fighting, but there was definitely something odd about the way the redhead held himself. He was slender, like a girl, very fast on his feet, and showed the potential to become an incredible swordsman. As it was the redhead could probably best most of the younger knights in a contest of arms. Distracted he turned to talk to his armsmaster about the match. When he turned back to the field, they were bowing politely before him. He looked down upon the two heads one with straight dark hair cropped close about his ears and the other with hair the color of newly minted pennies springing out of a loose braid that went all the way down her back. Her. The champion of the Games was a girl. Shaking the thoughts from his head Duke Garath noticed a whispered conversation going on before him. They were using an odd language. Gaeloch. Duke Garath smiled to himself. Few people this side of the southern border knew the language and the few who did were usually mercenaries out of the Pawgern Mountains. Garath's father had taught it to him when he was a boy so that he understand them if the need ever arose. They obviously used it so that no one would understand their rather insolent conversations. "Do you think he's figured out that you're a girl yet?" "Maybe." "I doubt it, nobles are notoriously stupid, everybody knows that." "Only in your oddly delusional world, Sean" "It'll probably take him until winter solstice to figure it out." "Hmm, that is a symptom of being stupid? I happen to remember a certain boy who didn't figure it out until his mother explained just why I couldn't swim with the boys." "You were younger then and... um... less developed. Besides you and your father had just moved here and you wore leggings and tunics like the lads do." the boy spluttered back. "Oh? Well I wouldn't say this one is stupid. He has smart eyes." "Smart eyes?" "Yes, like Father... or a hawk. I wonder if he can cook better than Father." "A baby can cook better than Rohan. Even I would need to make a conscious effort to surpass him." "He's not that bad." "Not if he's trying to make poison. You forget Morgain, I've tried his messes." Trying not to laugh the duke cleared his throat, motioning the two to rise. The boy was right; there was no way to mistake her for anything but a girl. She was beautiful with blazing hair, pale skin, and laughing green eyes. At first one would wonder what such a delicate-seeming creature would be doing in a swordfight, then one would look into those laughing eyes and saw the pure fire of spirit that burned there. Motioning to a servant behind him Duke Garath spoke, "Most of know that many lives were lost during the war. What you probably don't know is that in the war we lost over half of our noble houses." He paused holding up a sheet of paper, "The king has ordered every lord in the realm to take in ten peasants of suitable age. These peasants are to be trained and tutored in the knightly arts and graces and in three years time they are to be presented at the Royal Court to be knighted by His Majesty, King Riocard." He looked at the faces before him," I there for charge you two to present yourselves, with your belongings, at Caerguen in three weeks time. You may go, but first inform the herald of your name and lineage so they can be put in the records. The herald will also give you your prizes for winning the matches." With an excited glance at each other, the two obediently turned and walked away. |