The White Knight

Tales from Trouble

Tales from Trouble

Julienne stood at the entrance of the convent, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. She had spent the past few years coming and going from this place, living with her parents in the bustling city. But now, with her parents' imminent move and their lack of time to care for her, Julienne had no choice but to return to the only home she had ever known and unfortunately with her father's sense of skepticism.

As she stepped inside, the familiar scent of incense and polished wood filled her senses. Sister Margaret, the now head nun, greeted her with a warm smile. "Welcome back, Julienne. We are delighted to have you here with us again."

Julienne nodded, her eyes darting around the quiet corridors. The convent felt unchanged, as if time had stood still in this sacred place. "Thank you, Sister Margaret," she replied softly. "It's good to be back."

Sister Margaret led Julienne to a small room, where a simple bed and a desk awaited her. "This will be your room, dear. I hope it suits you."

Julienne glanced around, her fingers tracing the delicate embroidery on the bedspread as if to question the very fabric itself. "It's perfect, Sister Margaret. Thank you."

As days turned into weeks, Julienne settled into her routine at the convent. She attended morning prayers, worked in the garden, and spent her afternoons studying scripture and history. But something was different this time. Julienne found herself questioning the stories Sister Margaret shared with her previously.

One evening, as the two sat in the convent's library, Julienne gathered the courage to voice her doubts, clasping the book in her hand for courage.

"Sister Margaret, I've been thinking... Are the tales you tell me true? Or are they simply figments of imagination due to boredom and old age?"

Sister Margaret's eyes widened in surprise. "Why, Julienne, I assure you, every story I share is rooted in truth. The lives of many were changed by so few – they are all true."

Julienne furrowed her brow, her scepticism growing. "But some of the tales seem so fantastical, Sister. Like the one about Sister Stephania and yourself, I see no swords so how could you use it much less train with it. Is that truly possible?"

Sister Margaret sighed and placed a gentle hand on Julienne's shoulder. "My dear, faith is a powerful force as is truth, just because people choose to ignore it or can't fathom it, does not make it untrue."

Julienne nodded slowly, her doubts beginning to fade. Perhaps she had been too quick to dismiss the stories as mere fantasies. After all, the convent had always been a place of unwavering faith, devotion and they took a pledge not to lie.

Julienne walked away, almost convinced yet one evening, as Julienne sat in the convent's garden, the sun casting a warm glow over the flowers, Julienne spoke softly. "Sister, I want to thank you for sharing these stories with me. They have opened my eyes to the wonders of faith."

To her surprise, Sister Gene smiled, her eyes twinkling with pride. "I am sure you are most welcome, Julienne. It warms my heart to see your faith grow but I do not recall telling you any stories."

Taken aback Julienne mustered the courage to say "Sister Gene, my apologies. I mistook you for Sister Margaret" encircling the young girl, Gene almost walking away from her "Perhaps I should tell you a tale or two."

Grace's Order…

Grace, who was then 25, a tall and slender woman with long, flowing dark hair that she always keeps neatly tied up. Her piercing blue eyes exude determination and intensity. Grace had a strong and athletic build, a testament to her rigorous training as a member of the Order of The Divine Blades. She carried herself with an air of confidence and poise, always standing straight with her arms held firmly at her sides.

As Grace was not recruited into the Order of The Divine Blades like most of its members; she was born into it. Growing up in the convent, she was surrounded by the teachings and practices of the order from a young age. However, her upbringing was shrouded in mystery, as rumours circulated that the Mother Superior, the highest authority in the convent, was either her aunt or possibly even her mother. This uncertainty created a sense of distance between Grace and the Mother Superior, making her feel like an outsider within her own family.

Grace was disciplined and a determined individual. She possessed a strong sense of duty and took her role as a member of the Order of The Divine Blades very seriously; she marked herself for the occasion by imprinting Divine around her finger, symbolising her commitment to her belief. However, her strict upbringing and the constant corrections from the Mother Superior made her develop a rebellious streak. She began to resent special attention given to any strange girl who has captured the Mother Superior's affection. Grace's bitterness has fueled her desire to outshine all in every aspect, be it archery, music, or language and all skills were no exception. Her competitive nature drove her to strive for perfection, but it also led to a growing darkness within her heart.

Grace, the lead of the Order of The Divine Blades, a position she earned through her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication. Despite her success, she constantly felt the pressure to eliminate any obstacles that may hinder her progress. This drive had kept her at the top of the order, but it also fueled her resentment towards others, who seem to effortlessly capture Mother Superior's attention.

Grace's internal conflict stemmed from her deep desire for validation and recognition from the Mother Superior. She yearned for a sense of belonging and acceptance within her own family, but the constant focus on Selene left her feeling overlooked and unimportant. This conflict would eventually drive her to push herself to the limit and strive for perfection, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness and well-being.

Throughout her life, Grace would need to confront her bitterness and jealousy towards Selene. She would gradually come to understand that her worth does not solely depend on the approval of the Mother Superior. Through some self-reflection and the support of her fellow members, Grace eventually learns to embrace her own strengths and find her own path to fulfilment within the Order of The Divine Blades.

With Grace…

My name is Grace, and I am the leader of The Order. I used to believe that my life was perfect, but that was a lie I told myself. Selene simply unearthed what was already there, exposing the flaws and frustrations that I had long buried. Perhaps my loathing of her is truly the anger I have against Mother Superior. I once aspired to be her, to become the best of the best, but Selene's arrival shattered that dream.

Oh, don't judge me. Selene's very presence would revolt you. She complains incessantly, questions everything, and never follows the rules. I don't care if I seem rigid, for I was brought up to follow protocol, not emotions. Yet, it is precisely that emotional detachment which cost me half my team. I must admit, even though I don't like Selene, we share a mutual agreement that Mother Superior is using us for her own agenda, which I don't particularly like. This realisation has forced me, with a heavy heart, to work with Selene, no matter how dreadful it may be. After all, two heads are better than one, even if hers is the number one.

We found ourselves fighting side by side, despite our differences. Our mission was to uncover Mother Superior's true intentions and put an end to her manipulative reign. The Order was known for its precise execution and unwavering loyalty, but with Selene's presence, chaos ensued. She challenged my authority, questioned my decisions, and pushed the boundaries of our carefully constructed world. It was infuriating, yet oddly exhilarating.

As we delved deeper into the dark underbelly of The Order, we discovered shocking secrets that shook us to our core. Mother Superior had been using us as pawns in her power game, sacrificing our lives and manipulating our loyalty for her own gain. The realisation fueled our determination to bring her down, no matter the cost.

Selene's reckless nature and disregard for the rules proved to be an unexpected advantage. While I remained steadfast in my adherence to protocol, she brought a fresh perspective and an unyielding determination to expose the truth. Together, we became an unstoppable force, combining our unique strengths to dismantle Mother Superior's web of deceit.

As we fought our way through countless obstacles, our bond grew stronger. Despite our initial animosity, we began to understand each other's motivations and fears. Selene's rebellious spirit and unwavering belief in justice inspired me to embrace my own emotions and question the rigid principles I had held onto for so long.

In the end, it was Selene who uncovered Mother Superior's ultimate plan. She had been using The Order to gain control over powerful artefacts that could tip the balance of power in her favour. With this knowledge, we set out to confront her, prepared to face whatever dangers lay in our path.

The final battle was fierce and unforgiving. Mother Superior, driven by her thirst for power, fought with a ferocity we had never witnessed before. But together, Selene and I proved to be an unstoppable force. Our determination, combined with our newfound understanding and trust, allowed us to overcome every obstacle in our way.

In the end, it was Selene who landed the final blow, toppling Mother Superior from her throne of manipulation. The Order was finally free from her grasp, and we were left to pick up the pieces of our shattered world.

As the new leader of The Order, I realised that Selene's presence had been a catalyst for change. She had forced me to confront my own limitations and embrace the power of emotions. Together, we had dismantled a corrupt system and paved the way for a new era of justice and unity within The Order.

So, help me, Father, for I have learned that sometimes the most unexpected alliances can lead to the greatest victories. And though Selene may never follow the rules, she taught me that there is strength in questioning, in challenging, and in embracing the chaos that life throws our way.

Sister Gene straightened Juliennes' collar and that was when she noticed the faded word 'Divine' on her ring finger. "You're Grace, aren't you?" Sister Gene smiled and as she said "Oh darling, that was just a tale..."

As Sister Gene walked off Julienne knew, everything was true!