Kids
“Hurry up!” The boy excitedly said while pulling at his friend’s sleeve.
“Shhhh!” The blonde girl shushed her friend as they ducked behind a haystack that smelled like dank and God knows what else, but it was worth it to get to watch ‘them’.
They both peaked over, watching the tall, skilled knights train with their wooden swords. They observed them in amazement, the protectors of their Kingdom, champions of the just, all of them sparked the children’s imagination as they fantasized over the hero’s and heroines exploits, but one stood out to the blonde girl like no other.
It was the man in charge of the Kingdoms army as well as the Queen’s personal bodyguard, General Walter De Campos. He towered over all the others, he had the aura of a man who had been to the beyond and back. The young girl only knew of his name having heard it from his son who frequently stopped by her mother’s shop to buy fresh bread as well as the finest arms and armor from her father.
She was a peasant, a low-class worker with no actual standing to even fantasize over being a knight let alone actually becoming one, and being a woman didn’t help the young girls’ chances, but that wouldn’t stop her. The way Walter fought was mesmerizing. He swung his sword with ease and his defense was just as good as his offense, a balance of strength, speed and focus, pure perfection.
“Hey!” A man’s voice boomed. The two kids ran away at the sound, going to hide in the stables where they spent most of their free time.
They were slightly out of breath from the hasty retreat.
“That was close.” The young boy said between breaths.
The blonde nodded. They had been sitting there collecting themselves before the girl broke the silence. “Malcolm?”
“Yeah Krea?”
“I’m gonna be a knight one day.”
Malcolm laughed at this. “We’re just kids...Peasant kids.” He finished soberly.
She had to admit, he sadly had a point. They were only eight and didn’t know anything outside of working for worse than nothing, but Krea had a hard time thinking of anything else. She didn’t want to think of anything else. There had been plenty of women as knights before, she thought hopefully. Who says she can’t be one of them?
What’s stopping her? Oh yeah, she’s not of royalty. “Hang that!” She shouted while standing suddenly. “My father always tells me that I can do anything I set my mind too. Come on Malcolm, it would be magical! We could do it together! Us being peasants be damned!”
Malcolm noticed the fire behind his friend’s eyes, a determination that made him have a bit of hope. Krea was fired up now, ideas so firm in her head nothing could sway them, the young boy was curious. “What are you trying to say?” He inquired.
“We could train! I could get us two of those wooden stick things and we could come here every day and train! Even watch the knights!” She gleefully chimed.
“You’re not seriously thinking about stealing from the kingdom are you!?” He didn’t shout but made it clear that it was a crazy idea. You get a hand chopped off for stealing food, but stealing a knights practice weapons? He shuddered to think about it. “Please tell me you are kidding?” He pressed.
“It wouldn’t be the worst thing we’ve done.” The blonde said nonchalantly.
Malcolm’s dark brown eyes met her dark blue eyes. She was like his sister, they had grown up together and always had each others back. So even if this plan was completely insane he wouldn’t let her do it alone, no matter what. He sighed in defeat. “What’s the plan?”
They waited till nightfall when the knights stopped training and took turns with their shifts watching the castle walls. The two kids were hiding in the bushes until the coast was clear. “Are you sure about this?” Malcolm asked not liking his role in the ‘plan’.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re using me as bait.” He harshly whispered.
“Don’t think of it as bait, think of it as acting.” The blonde said smoothly.
“Really?” The boy deadpanned.
The blonde shrugged before seeing their opportunity. “Okay, now’s your chance.”
The boy rolled his eyes before running in front of the two knights guarding the entrance to the equipment shack and falling face-first on the ground, crying in pain. The startled knights rushed to aid the crying boy. In the nearby bushes, Krea stifled her laugh at the boys’ attempt, resisting the urge to howl in laughter. While the knights attended to Malcolm she made her move crouching down and moving as fast as she could, eventually making her way to where the training equipment was stored.
Opening it up she took a look around before reaching out for the wooden swords making sure no one was behind her, Stealthiest future Knight in all of history, Krea thought mischievously. Looking back at the rack of wooden swords she noticed a pair of eyes looking straight at her just as she got a grip on the helm of the practice weapon.
She jumped back in surprise when she saw who it was, dropping the weapon in the process. “Princess Alexandra!” She said shocked over being caught and who she was caught by of all people. She had never been this close to royalty.
The princess was a year younger than Krea, but she knew a thief when she saw one. “What do you think you’re doing?” The young Princess asked raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
Krea thought for a moment. Technically the Princess shouldn’t be here this late, at least not without an escort and she didn’t see any.
“I could ask you the same thing my lady,” Krea said respectfully standing up a bit taller.
“I can get away with this if I get caught, but you can’t.” The brunette said in a matter a fact tone.
She had her there the blonde thought. “Look, It’s just borrowing, I’m going to give it back.” Krea reasoned.
“When?” Alex pressed.
“Eventually.” She said lifting her chin to seem more intense.
“Why should I let you?” The shorter girl said coolly not being at the least bit intimidated.
This girl was smart for a spoiled brat, Krea thought. “Because I am going to whether I have your permission or not,” Krea said while slowly taking two practice swords from the rack and welding them to each side of her.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Was this girl really just messing with her? ’Nice’. Krea thought. She smiled at the brunette and ran out.
