“Is Selena not going to join us at the table? I have not seen her anywhere either.” Leonard asked at the dining table.

  “She has gone to the Central Market with her friends and will be joining us directly at the banquet in a week.” Lily pced a napkin on her p.

  “I also heard there was a game of chess? Without me might.” He eyed everyone.

  “You were at the training ground son. Training to become stronger than us.” Gabriel bit back a ugh.

  “Yeah... treat me like a kid.” He waved his hand in air with a scowl, “We all know who your favourite is.”

  “Sir has a new favourite. Do you not even know that?” Instead of looking at Leonard, Xavier was eyeing me.

  “A new favourite? How did that miracle happen?”

  “I am just as much unaware as you are.” He shrugged.

  “Well, I cannot lie about my favourite now. But you will see why. My two best students will be competing tomorrow.” Gabriel stated with pride. Leonard was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the idea of a favourite.

  “A dy? Your favourite student? Against Xavier? Good heavens I cannot miss it for life.” His eyes kept darting between me and Xavier, while I was trying my best to eat my food quickly and see myself out. His burning gaze from across the table was a lot for me to handle.

  “Are you nervous, dy Yvonne?” He dragged me directly in the conversation right when I was about to excuse myself

  I looked up from my pte and my eyes cshed with a pair of grey ones. Averting my gaze, I asked. “Why?”

  “If anything, I would learn a lot from Lord Xavier.” I knew I was good but in no way was I foolish enough to challenge him.

  “This is the first time I have been this excited for something Grand commander. your mind surely works differently. I cannot wait for tomorrow.” He rubbed his hand together and finally started digging in.

  *******************

  Peaking from behind the trees, the sunlight was soft. It was still chilly this early in the morning. My ponytail swayed under the light breeze.

  Down on the ground I was filling my quiver with arrows. A little across my right was Xavier talking with Leonard. A ghostly smile escaped his lips for a split second betraying his mask of annoyance. It vanished so quickly I thought it was a figment of my imagination. As if sensing me, he looked over his shoulder. I quickly shifted my focus back to the equipment before he thinks I was staring at him like some creep. Putting the st arrow in, I picked up my bow and walked to the entrance, from where Sir Gabriel was finally arriving with Aunt Lily.

  “I know I am two minutes te but I am here with a twist.” Of course, with Gabriel here, there had to be a twist.

  “Not only the highest score I would also judge you on the basis of how quick you are. The first to finish all the arrows will automatically put the game to a stop.” This was getting exciting now.

  “Is this not going to be hard for a beginner?” Xavier gnced at me.

  “You underestimate me, Lord Xavier.” I beamed. I knew I was not as good as him but not that bad either.

  “Then the field is yours. On your marks.” Gabriel began the countdown, “STRIKE!”. And right after arrows whizzed in the air.

  I was not as accurate but I was as swift. I could use this opportunity to stop the match first. There will be a considerable difference among our scores. And so, I started aiming my arrows one by one with enough accuracy to score at least a minimum of eight. Only with my st one did I give my all. Still not a bull’s-eye either. Right after my st arrow Leonard yelled, “Time’s up!”

  I took a quick gnce at Xavier’s quiver to satisfy my curiosity. One arrowhead was peaking from it.

  Yes. I mentally threw a punch in the air.

  “Behold the final scoring.” Gabriel announced. Two knights stood to his either side with our names on the board.

  Lady Yvonne: 84

  Lord Xavier: 86

  Had he used the st arrow, I would have been smashed to the ground. There were three situations now. Apart from me being satisfied with my scoring. Gabriel was proud, his demeanour screaming I told you so. While Xavier had his usual poker face. But Leonard had the best reaction. His mouth hung open and he kept staring at everyone. I held myself from ughing on his face.

  “I acknowledge your quick wit.” Xavier remarked slowly, taking me by surprise.

  “You are telling me that she has been here for mere three years? She is smart. Deserves to be your favourite.” Leonard did a little cp.

  “You cannot question my eye for talent young boy.” Gabriel stated unabashedly.

  Amidst all this ughter I felt my chest tighten. Tomorrow I will be back at Sterling mansion. Caged in those walls. But like aunt Lily said, I will occasionally come back here.

  “Let them rest now Gabriel. They have a long journey ahead.” Lily asked the servants to take all the stuff away and ushered us inside.

  The sun finally decided to shine upon us by noon. I stood near the rge metal gates of the mansion’s entrance.

  “Why is there a carriage here? And where is my Bel?” I searched around and asked Lily.

  “What do you mean why? Of course, it is for you.”

  “No. It will take longer to reach by the carriage. I shall be fine with Bel.” I shrugged.

  “Not possible! Do you know how unsafe it is out there?” She grabbed my shoulders making me ugh.

  “Dear aunt. Why else do you think I trained here for all those years? It is futile if I do not use my abilities in the real world.” I squeeze her hands in reassurance.

  Lily hugged me. “But I will be worried.” From behind her back, I eyed Sir Gabriel to take my side. He nodded.

  “She will be safe. A few knights are travelling with her. Xavier and Leonard are leaving as well. They will accompany her for most of the way. Fret not.” Slightly tugging her back, he draped his hand around her. “Bring Bel to the front gate.” He ordered a knight.

  “Travel safely and make sure to visit again. That is an order.” He pointed at Leonard and Xavier. “And you both too”

  “Yes Sir.” We put our first on our chest in unison.

  Mounting on my horse, I looked back at the huge building with a solemn smile. This is the pce where I got power to defend my freedom. Right outside the heavy gates, Gabriel was ughing with aunt Lily. This is where I got warmth and looking at Leonard, I probably made a new friend. All of this was enough to make me nostalgic even before leaving the premises. Waiting for everyone to move forward I saw Leonard and Xavier talking. He nodded in response to something Xavier said. Staring at him walking towards me, I was indifferent. Apart from being a model war hero, he was nothing to me. He climbed the brown stallion in front of me.

  “Giddy up!” He looked over his shoulders. “We will not be taking any breaks until sundown if anyone is uncomfortable, they should say so now.”

  I rolled my eyes. Everybody knew this was directed at me

  “I am gd you said it, I wish to go back as soon as possible. Someone is waiting for me back home.” I whispered the st part to myself.

  And soon an expected journey began with unexpected companions. It was quiet for most part except for occasional comments or warnings. I felt refreshed when the wind hit my face. It was not just the wind. It was the sense of not being helpless around danger anymore. Or being a burden on someone else. No one will have to suffer for me again. It was pure bliss. We had crossed the Indigo Street quicker than I anticipated. Sterling Estate was only a few miles away. My trail of thought was interrupted by Xavier shouting.

  “Protect the dy.” Coming back to reality, I realised there were at least thirty masked men that had charged at us. Bandits? There was no time to think. I was surrounded by a bunch of Xavier’s knights and though I was angry they did not trust me on the field, I was still thankful. Seeing a fight from up close brought back some frightening memories. Taking off my bow I aimed the assaint attacking a knight. Too close. I pced my bow down and drew a dagger from my boots.

  “LEO.” I heard Xavier yell. His voice ced with concern. I could not see anything from behind the knights and it made me even more worried. My distraction must have helped one intruder to sneak up on me. Focus on the sounds. I heard Gabriel's voice echo in my head. Metals. Screams. Wind. —Crunch— Hearing the leaves crunch, I spun around just in time and swung my dagger at his chest catching him off guard. I punched his throat with full force and pushed him cutting his breath.

  “You should know better than to underestimate a dy with a weapon.” I whispered in his ears. Getting behind him, I hit him on the back of his legs to make him kneel. The knights that surrounded me were now looking with their mouth agape. But my focus was on Xavier, who was holding a beat-up man. Despite blood dripping from his mouth, he had a smug look on his face when he saw me with a dagger.

  “Oh! Are you one of those kinds? I do not need a man type?” He mocked, spitting blood. Not a single ounce of fear on his crooked face. It cannot be a mere bandit attack.

  “Since you have one survivor, I am sure this one will not be needed.” I looked at Xavier first then stared at the man dead in the eye with my dagger pressed on the throat of his man.

  “Indeed, I do not need a man to protect me for I am no damsel in distress. I am a woman more than capable of saving myself.” To hide my trembling hands, I tightened the grip on my dagger. I just wanted to scare them. To make an impression. But before I could understand, the man held my hand in pce and pushed his body forward with a jerk. I tried to scream but all my senses numbed with warm liquid poured all over my hand and pooled in my feet. I pulled the metal back with a shaky grasp but it was too te. A gush of blood spshed on me, filling me with the stench. My knees weakened and I stumbled on the ground. And the reality sank in. I did it once again. With the same weapon, I took another life. My ears started ringing. Everything was a blurred mess.

  “Lady Yvonne!” A feminine voice shouted my name from a distance. I raised my head only when she came in front of me. All the buzzing sound turned into incoherent chatter. Taking a moment before the face finally registered in my mind.

  “Kacie is that you?” My eyes went wide. “What are you doing here at this hour? It is getting dark.”

  “Are YOU fine? Are you hurt? Is this blood?” She frantically searched my body for wounds. I took a deep breath in before shaking her.

  “Shush Kacie. I am fine. Nothing happened to me. See this dagger saved me.” I held my hand up to show Kacie the dagger. It was the first time in five years of my possession that I used it. Only for it to save my life again. Her eyes caught the engraving on the bottom of the dagger.

  “You held on to it all this time?” She was still staring the word —half covered in blood.

  “Of course. Now tell me what are you doing here?”

  “I was waiting for you.” She ughed clearly avoiding the question. “Oh! please excuse me for a moment there was an injured person. I need to retrieve its twin from there.” She pointed at the dagger and turned around just as quickly as she arrived. She was obviously hiding something. I will get to her tomorrow.

  “Are you all right dy Sterling?” Xavier approached me once Kacie had left.

  “Thank you. I am completely alright.” I hid my trembling fingers behind my back. He raised his hand but changed his mind and dropped them midway

  “We will resume the journey in ten minutes. Let me take care of my injured knights first. If you need anything ask me.” With that he left.

  I dragged myself to sit on the trunk of a tree. The reality of taking a life was dawning on me. Training was one thing. Encountering a real fight was something entirely different. The sticky feeling of blood was sickening. I felt someone sit beside me in a brown tunic.

  “It's ok.” Kacie whispered. She held my hand and slowly wiped the blood on them with her wet napkin. I was too exhausted to pull my hands back. She passed me her fsk. “Drink it. I’m here.” I gulped the water down my parched throat.

  “Would you come tomorrow to Sterling mansion? I have a few things I need to discuss with you.” Remembering something I turned to her.

  “Of course, my Lady.” She smiled with her head bowed.

  “Lady Ravenkind, may I have a word with you?” Xavier called out to her, sounding urgent.

  “Do you wish for anything, my dy?” I shook my head.

  “I shall get up as well. It’ll do my reputation no good if I fall after taking down a single man.” I got up, despite feeling nauseous and walked to Bel. My eyes wandered to Kacie hunching down near a person ying down under a tree with Xavier was beside them. Judging by his worried expressions earlier on, it was most probably Leonard who was injured. I thought to go and inquire the matter but changed my mind. Bel was agitated. I caressed her mane. This brown mare has been my companion for all three years I spent away from home. This was her first time too seeing a moment like this.

  “We are to resume the journey to Sterling Estate. Some require immediate assistance to their injuries. We also need to stay the night at the manor to keep Leo’s condition from worsening. Would that be okay Lady Sterling?” Before he even approached me, I knew the situation may reach to this point.

  “Absolutely my Lord. We should send one of my men forth so the arrangement is made without any dey.” I bowed my head in compliance.

  “Let us get back now. The darker it gets the chances of us being attacked again are increased.” He got on his horse. Everyone followed his steed and the journey was resumed back to home.

  “Will you be alright Lady Ravenkind?” I craned my neck to see Kacie mounted on a bck horse. Resting on her back was Leonard, seemingly half conscious and pale.

  I galloped forward to reach Xavier’s side. “Is he alright?” I pointed in their direction.

  “We are not sure yet. We need to hurry he may have been intoxicated as far as we are aware right now.” His voice was strained.

  Rest of the journey was quiet and filled with unease. Unlike everyone’s expectations, it was tiring and an eventful journey. I’m gd we made it through with least casualties.