Chapter 18: The Devil Girl and Her Ward
"So why does Lord Alfric keep you a secret Lady Azraea?" Erik asked me. "Are you an illegitimate heir?"
"No." I replied. "In fact I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm actually the proper heir to the Sherpstal lordship. My sister is the second heir."
"I see…" Erik responded. "You're so different to your father though. Why is that?"
"Azora told me that I look a lot like my mother." I answered. "Apparently she was really beautiful. Her hair would dazzle in the moonlight. Though…I've never met her."
"Wait…" Erik looked at me closely for a second or two. Then his face lit up brightly.
"I know." he exclaimed. "You're his wife's daughter! The one who was exiled."
"Yes." I answered. "You know her?"
"My mother knew her." Erik replied. "The baron's wife was Astil Hexenbrand of the Four Heroes right? The extremely beautiful mage."
"Really?" I asked. "Father never told me that…neither did Azora…"
I decided to sit back on the bench and relax. Looks like I found someone else to talk to in this place.
"They didn't tell you?" Erik questioned. "Talk about being secretive…"
"Is there anything else you know about her?" I asked. "I want to know more about my mother."
"Not really." Erik answered. "Though maybe you could ask Lady Azora when she returns."
"Maybe…" I replied. "Azora would tell me if I asked her."
I decided that since there was little else to do today, I should keep talking with Erik. I might learn something interesting.
"So I see you're learning how to use the sword." I started. "I could help you with that."
"Really?" Erik asked. "I don't mean to be rude, but don't most noblewomen keep out of fighting and swordplay?"
"I'm not most noblewomen." I answered. "I know more than you think. Pass me a blade and I'll show you."
Erik's eyes gleamed as he got a practice blade from the racks and handed it to me. It was a longsword, blunted so that it wouldn't cause major harm during training. Not my kind of sword. I can work with it though.
"Just need to get ready…" I mumbled to myself as I went to the centre of the courtyard where they were previously training.
I rolled my skirt up to my knees so I could move effectively and rolled up my sleeves so I could swing without restriction. I then pinned my skirt in place so it wouldn't roll back down.
Then I took my stance and readied to strike.
I was debating on showing off my skills. But that wouldn't really help him. Or maybe it would give him a target to aim for…
"Erik." I called. "Throw something at me. Anything will do."
"O-Oh." Erik seemed worried. "Ok…"
With that Erik picked up a decent sized stone and threw it straight at me with some power. It came hurtling at me fast. With a twist, I went to the side and brought my blade straight down on the stone.
CRACK
The stone hit the ground, a giant crack went into it as it landed. Erik clapped his hands.
"That was good Lady Azraea!" he called out.
"This one's a bit heavier than mine." I replied. "I'm surprised that I still hit it. Throw another one."
Erik nodded and threw another stone. I took that one out in the same fashion. Sidestep, slash, repeat. Over five times I showed Erik this. Each time he was more and more surprised.
I had only just noticed it, there was someone else watching. Fredrick was leant against a pillar while watching me take out stone after stone that was being thrown at me.
He started clapping as well.
"Well done Lady Azraea." Fredrick smiled. "I didn't know you were skilled with the blade."
"It's nothing." I replied with a similar smile. "I can do this all day without tiring."
"Would you care for a duel?" Fredrick asked. "This is my chance to show you our family's famed sword skill. Perhaps I can teach you something."
"That would be great." I answered. "I've read about Wolftan's famous swordsmen. Do you live up to that fame?"
"We shall find out." Fredrick grinned.
"Alright." I replied. "Erik. Watch this, you might learn something from this."
Erik nodded and watched with bated breath as Fredrick drew a silver rapier. It was engraved with his name on the hilt and the blade shone in the sun. He attached something to the blade, some kind of casing before he took his stance.
It was something to see. He was stood still, watching for weaknesses. Yet I couldn't see much weakness in his own stance. I may need to be careful. I could easily overpower him, but I can't let that strength be known.
I took my own stance once more.
"You leave yourself open to attack, Lady Azraea." Fredrick said. "I can already see where to strike."
"But you'll have to strike them first." I laughed. "Now then…"
"Begin!" we shouted unanimously as the first clash was heard.
He thrust forward instantly. But I smacked his blade out of the way with my own. He's going for my hip. If I didn't have this eyepatch on, I could see through his attacks.
One more clash happened as he swept my blade out of the way and came back for another strike. I moved back and our blades clashed again. I think he's toying with me. There was no way that this was his limit.
"Why are you holding back?" Fredrick asked, his eyes focused on combat.
"I should ask you the same." I replied. "Fight like your life depends on it."
"Don't say you weren't warned." Fredrick responded.
I felt something different in the next clash. There was less force hitting my blade. Then I heard his blade drag up my own toward my head. I wouldn't be able to dodge in time…
.
.
.
In a matter of a single second, the duel was over. With my blade at Fredrick's throat. He looked so shocked that it was unreal. I stayed behind him so he couldn't strike lest I take him first.
"Looks like I win." I giggled.
"Wow…" Fredrick remained speechless.
"Cat got your tongue?" I asked.
"That…" he tried getting the words out. "That speed…how…"
"I had to act fast." I answered. "So I stopped holding back."
"I didn't even…" Fredrick was astounded as I released him from the lock. Then he saw my face and noticed something.
"Lady Azraea…" he said. "Your…your eye..?"
"What?" I asked.
Then it hit me.
I saw my eyepatch on the floor, cut. So that's how close he was to hitting me…wait. This means he can see…
I quickly put my hand over my eye.
"What's wrong Lady Azraea?" Fredrick asked. "I could swear that your eye was red then…"
"Uh…" I stuttered. Think…think…
"It's just a birth condition." I said. "I have two different eyes…yeah…"
"That's...interesting." Fredrick scratched his head. "That has been known to happen to people…"
I think I got him.
"Yep." I replied. "No problem here. I just…wanted to hide it."
"I see." Fredrick nodded. "I shall respect your wishes."
"Thank you." I picked up my cut patch and attempted to retie it as best as I could.
"That doesn't explain your unnatural speed though." Fredrick continued. "Not even my father can move so fast…"
"Family secret." I quickly answered. "Can't tell you."
I noticed out of the corner of my eye that there were two figures approaching the door to the manor. They were hooded and one held a large bag.
"Who's there?" I pointed over to them to take Fredrick's attention away from me. He and Erik looked over to the figures.
"I don't know…" Fredrick said. "Perhaps Lord Alfric has summoned them."
"I've heard nothing about any summons." Erik added. "They don't seem like intruders though…the guard wouldn't have let them past the gate otherwise. I'll go check it out. Would you mind telling Lord Alfric, Lord Fredrick?"
"I shall." Fredrick replied. "Come Lady Azraea. It may be dangerous."
"Alright…" I sighed and unrolled my skirt and sleeves. I set my dress straight before following Fredrick back down the halls to the throne room. Of course he was there. He still seemed to be tending his leg.
"Lord Alfric." Fredrick announced. "I came to inform you that there are visitors at the door."
Father sighed. "Let them in. Check them for weapons first. I will see them."
"Yes, Lord." Fredrick replied. He walked off out of the throne room.
I stood near Father with something of a scowl on my face. I hate being alone with him. Who knows what he'll do. I guess it's good that I'm only ever scolded by him. At least I don't get beaten. I guess there is still some leniency.
I sat down on a chair near his throne and waited. I was hoping for someone to come by so I'm not stuck here alone with him.
"It isn't fitting for a lady of your class to be scowling like that." Father said.
"Well I have no reason to smile." I retorted.
I heard footsteps. I think that the visitors have been allowed in. That was proven when Fredrick and Erik walked through the door with the two behind them. I still couldn't make out their faces.
All I saw was the large bag that one was holding and a tail coming from the other.
"You have been granted entrance to my manor." Father announced. "Speak what you must quickly. I am a busy man."
"Well Sir." one said in a familiar sounding male voice. "I came here for just that. Surely you must be bored of all of the work that a man of your station does?"
He didn't even wait for a reaction before he continued.
"What am I saying?" he questioned, "Of course you get bored of all that drab work. That's why we of the Fool Duo have come to cure your boredom with our amazing skills!"
I recognise that voice from somewhere…
"My name is Spark and this is Kitty!" he announced. "And we have come to show you a grand time!"
Father chuckled a bit. I think he was amused.
"I have seen many things in this world." Father replied. "What could you show me that I haven't seen already?"
"Trust me on this Sir." Spark announced in a charismatic and cocky voice, "We know things that could blow your mind."
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