Not sure about the title! Please review.
Chapter 1
Leif of Renth was not particularly talented, but quickthinking and brave, two vital characteristics if he was to be knighted someday. No one expected him to become a hero, he would be a footsoldier, nothing more, nothing less.
Many nobles wondered why the legendary warrior Sir Oliven took Leif as his squire. Perhaps it was that he was a smart boy, and able to make decisions in a split second when needed. Or maybe he had hoped that Leif would turn out to be a good second in command when the time came.
The true reason the Oliven had chosen Leif was that Leif was not remotely attracted by beauty. This would be a large advantage in the battles to come. Especcially since the new emerging tyrant had begun to gain power. Lady Tain was indescribably beautiful. She could break the strongest men's wills with her looks alone. And Oliven hoped that Leif might just be able to conquer that strange power of Tain's and save the kingdom from an almost unavoidalbe fate.
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"Perfect, perfect!" roared Sir Oliven, complimenting his squire on swordsmanship. They were on the grounds outside of the king's palace, both riding magnificent steeds, a pure white stallion and a chestnut mare.
"Thank you, sir," said Leif, smiling. He blinked back sweat in the boiling sun.
"Tell me, Leif, who taught you fencing originally?" Oliven gazed inquisitively at Leif.
"Duke Caprin of Renth, sir, my father."
"Caprin? We trained together as lads. Tell him I wish him luck in attempt to make peace with the goblins of Ytar next time you see him, all right?"
"Yes, sir." Leif smiled again. Oliven glanced up at the clock by the palace.
"Oh, we're running late. Come on." he wheeled his stallion around and guided it back to the stables. Leif sighed, fatigued after a long day of jousting, archery, and fencing.
About an hour later, Leif could be found standing by the wall of the great hall, in a line with the other squires, waiting for the king to make the daily announcements.
"I must announce, to my displeasure," boomed King Nathaniel "That war has been declared between Tyara and Syyrus," the words seemed to ring with a dreadful power for several long seconds after they were voiced. "I must warn all knights that Syyrus has a large and powerful army. And that their queen, Lady Tain, is not to be approached in any circumstances. Her beauty alone has helped to claim the lives of many of Tyara's finest knights. Her unimaginable features have put men under traces which they could not escape from. No man has faced Tain and gotten away alive. Our honorable Sir Lennon, Duke Christopher..." and the king went on, listing the names of the men who had died at Lady Tain's hand.
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Emelina ran down the crowded cobblestone street, firery red hair flying behind her. She stopped abruptly next to her mother, a scowling woman holding a wailing baby in one arm and a basket of fruit in the other.
"Mother, about last night-" her father, a knight, had heard the king's speech the preceding night and conveyed it to the family. Her mother's frown deepened.
"We've already discussed this, Emelina. No more questions."
"But, mother, if it's only Tain's beauty and not strength, couldn't a lady-"
"Silence, girl. Ladies have no place in battle. No honorable lady would even dream of such a thing."
"Then I'm not an honorable lady. What do you care?" Emelina said, dismissing the subject "But if a lady were to fight-"
"Stop dreaming, Emelina. You will never fight. You will marry an honorable knight and be a good housewife. You will become a lady. What fool would marry a girl who fantazied about running off and killing an evil queen?"
"There are quite a lot of fools out there, you know. And what if I don't want to marry?"
At these words Emelina's mother looked ready to explde with rage. "You will marry." she said, her voice quivering "Your father and I were not lucky enough to have a son, so you shall make us proud." At this, Emelina blinked back the hot tears that were rushing to her eyes. "We have already arranged a marriage for you," her mother continued.
"What?" raged Emelina
"Yes," her mother sounded smug. "with Squire Leif of Renth, soon to be knighted."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"No. I'm not marrying Squire Whats-his-name."
"Surely you will change your mind after you meet young Leif. He's a quite nice young man, and handsome, too. Lovely dark hair and blue eyes."
"I don't care what he looks like, I'm not marrying!"
And with that, Emelina turned her back on her mother and ran down the street into the falling dusk, sobbing.
). Anyway, you might add a little more of an introduction, seems kind of abrupt. Good job! Keep it up.
) but it's worth