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rosiegirl24

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I am Maura Swan, and many strange things have happened. When people think of knights, they think of strong, brave men who are loyal to the king and they will give their lives for him. They don’t see women wielding swords or drawing a bow. But now, our king has allowed women to become knights, to defend his kingdom. Surprising, as it seems, I am one of those knights. I may only be seventeen, but I can do more than the men can, I am as strong as they are. I have the Gift. The Gift is a type of magic, stronger than any other kind. Everyone’s Gift is different. Mine is used in battle, for healing, and for having a special link to animals. My story really begins here, as I fight, and watch people die who do not deserve it. I watch women who lose their husbands, and those who fall into love.

Chapter One

        “But Ma, I don’t want to be like you! I have the Gift, and if I don’t go, it will be useless. I don’t want to sit and marry, and have children!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. Everything I said or did didn’t please my Ma. She is overprotective, and maybe in another world that is a good thing, but here it isn’t.

            “Maura, you are too young, and too pretty to let your life go to waste.” My ma said with a sigh.

            At that moment, I took off running down the hill to the stables, where my loving horse was. I burst into his stall to hear him nicker a warm welcome.  I buried my face in his long, silky black mane, and stroked his withers. Tychoon was the great stallions name. His coat was jet black along with his mane and tail. He stood 16 hands and was amazingly beautiful. He made a great war horse, one which wouldn’t spook at the clank of metal or the magic soaring through the air.

I left Tychoon’s stall and went to fetch a wet rag so I could clean the stallion’s coat off.  Doing so, I ran into another mage, someone who was very powerful, in fact, the most powerful mage whom was only twenty years old. His name was Aaron Draper. He had coal black hair with tanned skin, and he stood 6 feet. Almost every girl fell for him, but I didn’t, and maybe it was because of whom I am.

            “I’m sorry, sir.” I mumbled an apology. As I began to turn around, Aaron grabbed my wrist and pulled me to face him.  For a moment, our eyes locked together and I felt some connection.

            “ You shouldn’t be doing this.” He spoke sadly and I watched as his eyes slowly closed. Aaron dropped my hand, allowing it to fall to my side. I could tell he wanted to say more, because he went to open his mouth and words didn’t leak out. You could see that he had loved someone, and that he missed that one person dearly.  I turned back around and walked swiftly back to Tychoon.

            I brushed the stallion with my back turned to everyone in the stable. I could feel Aaron’s eyes burn into the back of my neck as he watched what I did. Everyone seemed very busy, and it began to feel like they were preparing for something I hadn’t known about. Several riders were polishing tack and cleaning up their swords, packing bags. Yet, here I was, just brushing Tychoon as if nothing was going on.

            All of the loud noise became quiet as the wooden doors flew open and the Prince walked in. Prince Roald was the one I thought every girl would fancy, but the don’t. As it turns out, it is only I that likes him. Sadly, the prince hasn’t even looked at me, even through training. He is a year older than I, with dark brown hair. He is a few inches shorter than Aaron is. His deep blue eyes should have caught the other girls, but they haven’t, they have only caught mine. He is rather muscular, which also gets me.

            I put down the rag and left Tychoon’s stall, heading over to the prince. Everybody stared at me doing so, and I quickly bowed to him.  I felt the blood race through my veins, both from embarrassment and from the looks of him.  Roald looked at me and smiled faintly. I knew he would be embarrassed, and I promised to be more careful next time.

            Everyone stared at the prince and not a moment later, he spoke. “ Please go back to doing what you were doing. I have nothing to say as of this minute.” His voice was deep and gentle, almost soothing.  I looked up at him to notice him looking down at me. “ If you would come with me.” 

            I followed without arguing and left by his side through the wooden doors. He didn’t say anything until we came to a courtyard filled with tall trees and bushes with berries on them. The scent of flowers smelled wonderful and I took in the beautiful sight.  “ Is there something I have done wrong, sir?” I asked quietly, knowing something I did was wrong.

            He sighed, looking up at the sky. “ No, nothing you did is wrong. I… uh, have a favor to ask.” He looked down at his hands, and I caught a glimpse of a smile emerging. I didn’t understand what was really going on.

            “No, there is a dinner tonight and I need to have a date.” I sat down beside him on the stone bench and took is one hand into mine. We both smiled at this and I blushed slightly.

            “Of course, but I don’t have a gown to wear.” I looked into his eyes apologetically, hoping he would either understand or forgive me. Then something popped into my head, knowing that it was all true. “ Why didn’t you ask one of the ladies from the court? They are much more prettier than I am and they would suit you better.” I said, looking down at our hands.

            “ Because, I think you would be the best woman for tonight.” Roald said, taking his hand from mine. Then the most unexpected thing happened. He took my face in his hands and gently pressed his lips to my forehead.  My heart seemed to have skipped a beat and I kept my eyes closed. “ Now, lets go get you ready.” His voice was gentle and all I could do was nod my head. We both stood up at the same time, and then I knew that we would have a good night.

            We walked down a dirt path, my shoulder barely touching his arm.  The sun was setting, and you could see all the beautiful pinks and blues, purples and oranges. Two birds flew overhead as they sang their song. It was a wonderful sight to take in and I wish Prince Roald and I would watch the sunset instead of going to dinner. But I knew that these dinners he had to attend would be important.

 At last we came to the great wooden oak doors, which creaked open with the help of the guards. Once we were inside, a woman who was in her late thirties came and bowed to the prince. I smiled when she looked at before looking down from her gaze.

“ Miss Bennett, if you would please take Maura Swan and help her get a gown ready for tonight’s dinner.” His voice was gentle and kind. I smiled up at him and noticed his crooked smile. It was lovely and his teeth were perfectly white.  I was now completely shocked that no other girl had an interest in him.

“Of course. Follow me dear.” She said, and I followed. Miss. Bennett rambled on about how excited she was that Prince Roald had found a great young women and how I would make a lovely queen. Honestly, I hadn’t thought that far because I wanted to stay a knight.  Behind us, I heard footsteps and I looked back to see who was behind us. It was Prince Roald. I giggled and he smiled, putting his finger to his lips as if to shush a little child.

Miss. Bennett brought me to the second floor and we walked down a dark hallway. She looked to her left and froze, facing a wooden door. I knew from that moment on that my life would never be the same once I walked through the doors. I didn’t know what my future would hold for me know. It was a mystery, and only I could solve it with the help of God.