Amber Dawn

Chapter Five

Vera was training with Sir Eric, and they had drawn quite the crowd. She was the first princess that any nobles had ever heard of training in combat. Seeing it was half awe, half scandal.

Ladies murmured behind hand fans, most disapproving, a few wistfully wishing they’d had the same opportunity.

Lords were appalled, disgusted - and curious. It broke tradition, but she was very well skilled. Such an absurdity was slightly lessened by that fact.

After her third time disarming Sir Eric, she heard someone approaching. They both turned to the footsteps.

James - in training armor, a peculiar glint in his eye and the hint of a mischievous smile on his lips. “May I?”

“Princess,” Sir Eric said, making it clear that it was her decision.

Anywhere other than the training yard and he would be committing treason.

“Not quite the dance I had in mind,” she quietly told him. “Let’s .” She took her stance, blade ready.

Amused, he squared his shoulders and raised his weapon. They stared at one another for a breath.

She waited him out, using his larger frame to her advantage once he thrust forward. She sidestepped, allowing his momentum to expose his back, which she tapped with the flat side of her sword.

When he faced her once more, she was smirking. Underestimate me for being a woman, she thought, and I’ll show you what a woman can do.

He arched his brow, still mischievous. “Princess.”

She moved forward, he blocked her blade. She pivoted, grabbing his arm and using her body’s momentum to move him into her upcoming blade. He blocked, their swords almost touching his nose, and stepped out of her reach.

He moved, she made to block, but he’d feigned her and rested his blade on her shoulder. She smirked again, enjoying the challenge. Thankful that he was truly engaging and not treating her like a delicate flower.

The longer that they sparred, the more competitive they became. Swords clashed, dust rose, people commented and murmured. Still, she held her own. Again and again, they locked blades.

Once she felt herself tiring, she decided to end it. Moving quickly, she feigned left, knowing he’d catch it and parry right. Once he did, she took his feet out from under him with her own, shoving him onto his back in the dust, and putting her blade to his throat.

His green eyes were amused, but also showed his surprise. He was bested, by a woman, in front of a crowd.

And his reaction to that spoke volumes to her.

“Well done, Princess.”

She moved her blade and offered her hand, which he took and got to his feet. She looked up into his eyes, a half smile on her face. “Thank you, Lord Oar.”

“James,” he softly corrected.

“Thank you, James. For the practice.”

“Thank you for the dance, Princess. It was worth the wait.”

“It was,” she agreed. She slowly released his hand, just realizing she was still holding it. “I look forward to our next one.”

~

“That was amazing, Vera,” Merida gushed excitedly. She’d been in the crowd watching her in the training yard. She’d always wanted to train like Vera, but her father would never allow it.

“It was fun. And Lord Oar was a good opponent.”

“You bested him.”

“Barely.”

“Yet you did. And so many saw it. You should’ve heard the men in that crowd. They were-“

“Disgusted.”

“And amazed.” Merida stepped closer as they walked up the stairs, lowering her voice as she cast a look around for prying eyes and listening ears. “James looked smitten.”

“His ego wasn’t hurt by it.”

“The tension between you two-“

“Was training. Nothing more.”

“Now you’re being absurd. Do not do that with me, Vera. I am not one of these other ladies, I am your friend.”

She was right, Vera knew. Merida had kept her secrets since they were children, as she’d done for her. As much as she loved Aly, she had a nasty habit of telling her father anything that he asked of her. Aly was a good friend, but she was a better daughter. Merida, however, believed in their friendship just as deeply as her family.

“I really enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed the way he made me feel.”

“Do you think he may actually be someone that you consider?”

“I’m considering that,” Vera laughed. “So where is Aly?”

“She went to the market with her betrothed,” Merida sighed, rolling her eyes. “I’m happy that she’s happy, but we may as well be furniture at this point.”

“She’s infatuated. Let her be.”

“Being infatuated doesn’t mean you forget your friends.”

“And being a friend doesn’t mean that you don’t pursue your happiness.”

“I never like when you are reasonable,” Merida teased.

“And I do not like when you are envious,” Vera stated honestly. She loped her arm through Merida’s, pulling her close. “She’s not abandoning us.”