Caged Birds Will Fly

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Chapter Four: A Claim to Knighthood

H E L E N 

I stood in the garden. It reminded me of Mother and Eli. Violet and Naomi are at the Prince's Garden Party; I skipped it. I find them under the shade. He looks bored as he leans into his chair. I hastily turn around, not missing the way he smiled at my embarrassment. My eyes stare at a bent tree. Its branches remind me of when me and my brother, Eli, tried to climb the Willow tree and got stuck. He started to think we would never get down. We were there for four hours until Dad finally got us out; we later got scolded for doing something so reckless. Mom was truly terrifying that day. I stared at the tree fondly. Our final day and we got to eat with the Royal family. There were only the King and the two princes. I had been told that the Queen died. Just like Mom. I waited in my room until my maids come to dress me. My wet hair touches my shoulder, dark black, and wavy. I touch the strand, did my hair get longer?, I thought. As the maids come in, I ask for Mao. "What is it, my lady?". I pointed to my hair, "Trim it". I stare at my hair, cut to the short of my shoulder blade, and still wavy. "Thank you, you're dismissed". I put on my evening gown; a pale beige that was floor length and had short sleeves. I secretly put on my combat boots and knife under my dress. The maids put my hair up into a braided crown and applied light makeup. I stared at myself, in the mirror: bright blue eyes, fair complexion, and the sharpness in my brow. I looked like Mom, with a touch of Father. I walked with my sisters to the dining hall. It was silent until... "Wow... you really honored our family name by beating Naomi". "Violet!", the Duchess screamed, "Helen has down nothing wrong by "depriving" Naomi of a higher title". They snicker, "I am truly grateful that the King has granted me the honor of being his Sage. I will honor our family and title by accepting my duty". Lydia grabs my arm, "You, ingrate, remember who you own your life to", she whispers harshly. I smirk; "I owe you nothing", I hiss. I sat in my place, between King Richered and Prince Sterling, across from Prince Aurous. I was now the new Sage. This power belonged to me. The meal wasn't uncomfortable nor lacking in any manner, since the little Prince, Sterling, talked with me the entire evening.

"Hey, I forgot to ask your name"

"Oh. It's Helen", I said in between bites of rice.

"Oh Helen, are you going to marry my brother... since you won the Battle Competition?", he questioned, his eyes curious.

I dear God almost choked when he said that. Aurous stared at me, waiting for my answer. I scowled.

"Sorry, but I have no concern in your brother"

"Then what about me?"

"(Chuckle) I hope you remain my close friend"

"So... you don't want to be Empress?"

All eyes were on me now. 

"Unfortunately, I have no intention of being Empress, or First Queen but there is something else I would rather do", I place a grin on my face.

"Bummer", He makes a dissatisfied face. Aurous snickered, "Then what do you want to do?". I stared him down, "I would rather be a Knight, and reunite with my brother, then marry anyone". This seemed to shut him down. I eat my dessert with pleasure and satisfaction. "Lady Helen, why do you want to become a Knight?", King Richered probed. I pondered this a bit, "I remember when my mother died; Father would come home and smile, but we could tell it was forced. My little brother would blame himself. He would have night terrors at night. I began to think that sooner or later, Father would leave us. I want to find my brother and protect people from losing what they hold dear. That is why I want to become a Knight". He nodded. Aurous looks at me sympathetically. I did not need his pity. "How do you plan to use your new Sage position", the Duchess asked. Scheming b***h. I glanced at her and returned to my food. "For starters", I put my fork down, "I will enlist in the Capital's Academy of Knighthood, graduate, find my brother, then pass the title to my companion."

"Who is this "companion"?"

I lifted my head to face her, then laughed, "He is, of course, someone who has been with me since my birth and has the appropriate knowledge to use the position in his favor"

"Is it your partner?"

I knew it. She wanted me to dishonor myself, ha. "Unfrankly, I have no interest in lovers. So, I suppose he is not my lover. He is even married... or will be soon" 

I rose up, "I know that most women my age would want to get married, but I want to live my life unbound by anyone. As my father said, "How can you break other's chains if you cannot break your own". I shall return to my chamber", I looked around the table, "and hope that taking this position was a promising idea". Lydia, Violet, and Naomi stare in shock as I rise from my seat. Aurous chuckles; "Is something funny, your Highness?", I added. He shakes his head, "No, no. I just thought what a fine Knight you will make". "A fine Knight indeed", his father agrees.

                                                                                           |♚•♚|

In the morning we said our goodbyes. I shade my head from the scorching sun. King Richered hands me a piece of paper as I climbed into the carriage. It was my acceptance letter to Knighthood, my golden opportunity. The carriage ride was solely silent, except for the radiance of my happiness. I took an unspoiled look at the forest, the leaves looking like a piece of art. I was one step closer to leaving this world. Nothing can stop me. Nothing.

One month after our visit I was sent the Academy of Knighthood, what glee I felt to be on their soil. From all I've heard there has never been a female knight, mainly because they thought too fragile of us. My head ached and I touched my temples, caressing them carefully. My head pounded along with my heart; my strides delicate but determined. The inside was huge, decorated with gold linings. I went to the front desk, "Where do I go to get settle in?", the man looked surprised to hear a woman's voice, so I ask the question again. He reaches for the phone and makes a call. After a while, he hands me a piece of paper, "Go to the dorms near the field to find the Dorm-master", he smiles, "Oh, it is a miracle". I shook my head; he probably meant the first female knight. I look for the field; I crinkle the paper in my hand. Men run laps as I search for the Dorm-master; I find him near the marker. The Dorm-master is an exceptionally large man, but not in muscle. He eyes me carefully as I show him the paper. Finally, he leads me to my room. My room is a rather spacious thing, complete with two beds, a desk, and separate bathrooms. Who is my roommate? I wonder. The housemaster answers that question, "Ivory Vertian. Good lad won't r**e ya". He leaves, slamming the door on his way out. I flop onto the bed, my pale skin almost white against the golden sheets. The door opens, revealing an olive male with greenish hair, goatee, and horns striped with his skin and green. His eyes land on me, "What is a woman doing in the Academy of Knighthood?". I stand up, "What do you think?". I curse myself for how sharp it comes out. His face looks startled and he apologizes. "Why are you in the Academy?"

"I have something I need to protect"

"Your brother?"

"Yes... we were separated... I promised I'd protect him". He places his bag on his bed and sits beside me. "I know what that's like". His face is stony, and I place a hand on his shoulder. I tell him about before my mother died. She would always swordfight or play archery when my dad couldn't. My dad would come home, and we would arm wrestle for the last piece of pie... she would always say we could split it, but we never listened. Eli would whine about how it wasn't fair, and we'd split it into two. I shed a tear, thinking of how long it has been since my mom died. I picture her grave all alone... since I am no longer there to decorate it with flowers. I need to hurry.