Chapter One
“Ouch!” Marie cried, stumbling as a wooden practice sword hit her left thigh. She glared at her sparring partner who smirked,
“I thought you didn’t want me to go easy on you Marie” Carline drawled.
Marie rolled her eyes, but got back into her fighting stance, sword held up at the ready. Carline’s eyebrows shot up, but she fluidly settled into a stance similar to Marie’s and waited for the girl to make a move.
Marie started edging to the right, beginning a circle and suddenly lunged, her sword lashing out at Carline’s upper arm. Carline sidestepped the blow with the ease of long practice and quick as a snake, rapped Marie on the back of her leg with her own sword.
“Burning Hells!” Marie exclaimed in frustration, “I thought I had you that time Carline!”
A ghost of a smile flitted across Carline’s lips at her student’s frustration, disappearing as she replied “You gave yourself away again.”
“Oh no” Marie groaned” I shifted my feet again, didn’t I?”
Carline cocked a brow eliciting another groan from Marie who dropped to the ground and did 50 chest to the floor push-ups.
“I think that’s enough for today Marie”
Carline said after Marie had finished her push-ups. “You should shower, your father will be home soon.” Marie’s shoulders slumped
“Oh yay, I wonder what father dearest will hound me for this time.”
she muttered, earning herself a stern look from Carline. Then she gathered up her bag and water bottle and put her practice sword back on the rack. As she headed for the door, she tossed a quick but heartfelt “Thanks” over her shoulder.
When Marie got to her room, she quickly stripped off her sweat soaked sparring clothes and stuffed them under the dress she had worn the previous day. Then she got into the shower and quickly washed her hair and body.
When she got out, she dried her hair with a small red heatstone, and reluctantly put on the black dress, trimmed with small diamonds, that had been put out for her. Then, ignoring the large ruby pendent that had been next to the dress, she put a modest emerald necklace shaped like a phoenix and slid her feet into an elegant yet comfortable pair of silver sandals.
Taking a deep breath Marie slowly made her way down the sweeping staircase. To her surprise, when she reached the bottom, her father was waiting for her.
“Hello father,” she said hiding her surprise well.
“Hello my daughter,” he replied offering Marie his arm. Sighing softly at all of the formality, she took it.
When they reached the dining hall the herald announced them,
“Now arriving the Duke of Skyhills and Lady Marie!”
“Seven Hells and Skyfire not another Gala!” Marie swore inwardly, shooting her father a death glare.
When the doors opened however, Marie had pasted a bright smile on her face. Although she allowed herself an inward sigh, to everyone at the Gala she was the picture of confidence and grace. After walking to her table Marie sat down and glanced at her dance card. A slight downward twitch of her mouth was her only reaction to the number of names on the card. As she ate a small portion of roast duck, she counted the names on the list
“22!” she thought, nearly choking on her food “This Gala will last till midnight!”
All too soon the meal was over and the band began to play.
“Might I have this dance my lady?” A confident but not arrogant voice asked from behind her.
Startled, Marie turned around coming face to face with a blue-eyed, brown-haired boy, who looked to be about her age. Quickly regaining her composure, she replied with a warm smile
“Yes, you may,” and allowed the boy to lead her onto the dance floor.
