He turned, watching me with his wide, owl-like eyes.
“But you said . . .”
“Show me your stance.”
Mayer took out his sword and stepped closer.
I walked around him, correcting the way he held his sword and forcing him to move his shoulders.
“I want you to practice this as if your life depends on it.”
“But, this is only me standing still.”
Your body must be prepared to transition between attack and defense, starting with the perfect alignment of your arms and legs. If you start wrong, you can’t move or pivot if you need to.”
“Got it. What’s next?”
“Next, you forget everything you’ve been told before.”
The massive floor clock just struck twelve times when Mayer took over my spot. I descended to the lower level of the palace and went through the long, winding corridors.
“It’s going to be alright, she’ll come back.”
“I can’t stand it. I can’t.”
“What happened?” another voice joined in.
I looked up frowning. An older servant had stopped by two maids.
“Agnes disappeared.”
“Agnes?”
The first woman cried even harder. I paused, switching my gaze from one figure to the other.
“How old was the girl?”
“Only ten.”
“It must be an evil spirit of the palace.”
“She’ll come back.”
“She isn’t coming back.” The first maid said, covering her face as she cried.
I resumed my walk and soon, the voices quieted down. The buzz of conversations and laughter from the soldiers’ quarters filled the air. I focused on washing up then peeled the covers off my narrow bed. This time, no one dared to touch my things. I did not like it. It meant that tempers have been stewing, the anger went even deeper and I may be due for another confrontation soon. I preferred my enemies stupid and predictable.
It was well past midnight when I managed to stretch on top of the dusty smelling covers and closed my eyes. As I slipped into sleep, I saw the endless fields of Darragh. The mist, the sun shining through the translucent clouds. Gabrielle stood besides me, her slightly damp brown hair swaying in the wind. Her hands clasped firmly in front of her and pressed against her full, light blue skirt.
“This is for the best. You have to understand. It wouldn’t have worked out between us,” she said, not looking at me.
“Yes.” It was all I could say.
“Just know that I never meant to hurt you. I was –”
“Forget about it.” I walked around her.
“Wait.”
