The Thief and The Knight

Chapter 1

            Ella clenched her jaw and wiped angrily at her tears. She couldn’t cry. Her betrothed would see that as a weakness. She shook her head, brushing back the loose strands of her red hair and strode into the throne room head held high.

            The sight awaiting her was not a pleasant one to be sure. King Solomon was so fat Ella felt sick looking at him. His fat oozed over his throne so that he was wedged into it. He was devouring a roast chicken with his hands, shoving bits into his mouth. He stopped mid chew as he noticed Ella step in.

            He smiled down at her, a simpering, pandering smile, laced with false sweetness. It was enough to make her sick.

            “Ella my love!” he thundered, his whole body moving as he yelled.

            She winced. Doesn’t he know that the echo in this room means I could probably hear him even if he whispered?! However, despite his ignorance of the loudness of his voice and regardless of the fact that he neglected to use the formalities required for the moment she let a smile stretch across her face thinly, curtsied and replied through clenched teeth, “Your Highness.”

            “Come dear, there is no need for such formalities! We are family now!”

            “Not yet, Your Highness,” Ella whispered through her fake smile.

            “Zaria!” he roared, much louder than necessary.

            A young girl gracefully entered, tucking her frizzy raven hair behind her ears.

            “Ah, there you are! I need you to take,” he glanced her way, smiling before continuing, “Ella, to her chamber and show her, her new attire and such.”

            “Yes, Your Majesty,” she replied curtsying to him and guiding Ella out of the room.

            As they walked the halls in silence Ella, as she gazed across the courtyard, began to wonder why the people were so quick to please the King. She supposed that he must be quite awful. Ella sighed as her eyes wandered the castle walls. It was a grand sight to be sure but very old. The walls were plastered with antique tapestries that were slowly getting pulled apart by the hands of time and the curtains, rugs and even the ceremonial swords and armour were also aged, rotting with the rest of the castle.

            “Here,” Zaria said curtly, gesturing towards what Ella assumed was her bedroom door.

            She stepped past Zaria and into her room. The room was enormous of course. The walls, great blocks of stone, were covered by even more ancient tapestries. A four-poster bed stood prominently against the far wall with huge, over hanging velvet curtains. The rug was a deep amethyst colour, adorned with intricate beading and designs. The wardrobe and vanity were both the deepest oak and blended well with the luxurious couches and cushions spread out around the room.

            Ella smiled in wonder. It was a beautiful room. Perhaps not as nice as her own… she stopped her thoughts from wondering and instead walked over to the pretty stone balcony. The view was beautiful. Her room looked east, towards the rising sun and over the castle gardens. She leaned against the railing, breathing in the aroma of the early flowers. 

            Will shrugged, attempting to work out the kinks in his shoulders. He was up early, training before Merdain awoke. He had not slept a wink however and he was barely awake and he was angry. Although he worked hard and managed to get higher than the other squires, he was still not as good as he wanted to be. He shook his head, ashamed at his pity-party. He reached for his sword, taking his practiced steps and attacks, hitting the wooden block as hard as he could manage.

            He huffed from the exertion, his muscles pulling. He wiped his brow, pulling his dark brown hair into a small pony-tail.

            “You look tired,” he heard someone speak lightly.

            He glanced around, his eyes finally falling on a young girl. She looked around twelve, only two years younger than him. She was leaning over the railing of the training yard, her red hair falling unbound around her shoulders. She was smiling, her green eyes sparkling mischievously. She was pretty for a young girl; however she seemed to have no sense of propriety for she was only in her white nightgown. Will noticed with amusement that she was also wearing boots that appeared much too big for her small feet and were covered in mud, which stood out greatly against her clean gown. He assumed she was one of the visiting Duke’s children, though he had been sure that he had none.

            “No, I’m just taking a break that’s all,” he replied before turning his attention his attention back to his practice.

            He heard a light thud behind him and was surprised to see the young girl had jumped over the fence.

            “Mind if I give it a try?” she asked.

            Will smothered a laugh as he replied, “Ah, sorry this might be too heavy for you.”

            “That’s okay, I have my own,” she said with a grin, producing a short sword from the sheath strapped to her calf. She gave him a wink as she noticed him staring. “So I don’t get in trouble.”

            The sword appeared very exotic. It was curved, unlike most swords in Tilathia and was made of a dark metal that Will did not know. The hilt was very pretty and had a very unique design-there were black jewels embedded along the side of the curve and an emblem of a flower sketched into the metal.

            But, then the girl paused and slid her sword back into its scabbard. “Instead of that, would you mind teaching me a little? I saw how well you were doing and I thought it looked interesting.”

            Will frowned as he considered. “Are you sure that would be okay?” He wondered if the Duke would be angry if he found her out here.

            The girl beamed. “Of course!”

            Will shrugged. “I don’t see why not. But, before that, perhaps you should get into some proper clothes.”

            The girl looked down at herself. “No, I think it’ll be okay. I can’t be bothered going all the way up stairs again and I’m sure I won’t get dirty.”

            Pausing again, he wondered that maybe he would get in trouble if he let her do this, however, her smile and attitude was so infectious it was hard to say no.

             “Fine,” he finally consented, urging her over.

            They spent an hour working together and the girl listened attentively. Will had expected her to get bored or get difficult when things didn’t go her way and she had to adjust something but she was very persistent and followed his lead. Will was used to being around rich girls and they were almost all the same; silly, spoiled, obnoxious, big-headed and easily bored and easily angered. However, the young girl was easy to get along with and Will was pleasantly surprised to find himself enjoying her company.

            “Wow, you are such a good teacher!” the girl exclaimed as they took a break.

            Will laughed. “Thanks, you’ve got most of it anyway, I didn’t do much.”

            The girl leaned against the railing, looking to the sky then she paused, and stared at Will. “What’s the time?” she demanded.

            “Uh, it’s 8 o’clock. Why?”

            “Ah, I have breakfast now. I’m meant to be ready!” she cried as she leaped over the railing. She ran a few metres before turning back. “Uh… when are you free next?”

            Will thought for a minute. “Lunch… why?”

            “Let’s have lunch together okay?” She gave him a blinding grin. “I need someone slightly tolerable to be around. I’ll meet you here. Is that okay?”

            He laughed in surprise but nodded. “Yes, that sounds great.”

            “See you!” she called out as she ran towards the castle. Then she turned back again. “Wait, I didn’t even catch your name!”

            “It’s Will!” he cried back.

            “Mine’s-”

            “Princess Ella! Princess Ella!” someone called out.

            “Coming!” the girl replied. “Well, bye,” Ella called, waving goodbye to him.

            Will waved back absently. That girl was the Princess? The Princess who was betrothed to King Solomon? He couldn’t believe it. He shook his head to jerk himself awake. Well, whatever her status, he liked her and he timidly hoped that he would see a lot more of her from then on.