Saving Summer

Chapter Fourteen: A setback

“How exactly is she going to help?” Sir Domnahl asked, looking irritated. “She doesn’t look like she can wield a weapon properly.”

Penelope thought that was unfair and wanted to argue. She did know how to handle and take care of a gun. She had taken lessons on gun care and use at the local shooting range a few years back. According to her instructor, her aim was decent. But she knew that arguing would do no good. No one here even knew what a television was so she did not expect them to know what a gun was either. So she kept her mouth closed even though she was positive that her facial expression at that moment was giving her away.

“Well, why don’t you train her on something?” Queen Yesenia suggested. 

King Agostino smiled and nodded, “Yes, I think that is a wonderful idea. We cannot expect her to go on this mission without being able to properly defend herself.”

“I am not about to waste time teaching her how to fight,” growled Sir Domnahl. “You said it is of the utmost importance that we retrieve the golden chalice so I think that trumps any teaching that I would do.”

“But you two are to go on this journey together,” King Agostino stated, looking down at Sir Domnahl. “You both are responsible for returning the chalice.”

“I can do this by myself,” Sir Domnahl declared vehemently. “She will only hold me back. Have one of your guards teach her how to wield a weapon and maybe she can follow me after.”

Penelope could feel her fury rising. So she would only hold him back, huh? Now she was more determined than ever to prove him wrong. There had to be a weapon that she could learn how to use. If she had learned how to use a gun, it could not be any more difficult learning to use something else. Penelope took a step forward and opened her mouth to speak but King Agostino cut her off before she could speak.

“No, you two must go together,” King Agostino declared. He was glaring sternly at Sir Domnahl. “She is a stranger to our land, Sir Domnahl. She knows nothing of Prinaes and you would have her travel by herself? I am ashamed that a knight of the Summer Kingdom would even suggest such a thing!”

Penelope peeked at Sir Domnahl. The king’s words deeply affected the knight. She could see the turmoil brewing in his mind even though he tried to hide it. Sir Domnahl’s eyes wandered the room, looking at everything but the king and queen. He kept fidgeting and rubbing the back of his head with his hand. Sir Domnahl must know that the king was right. Penelope knew nothing of Prinaes and it would be wrong to send her off by herself. Especially when she was not well versed in a weapon. There were many terrifying beasts that lurked around Prinaes. All of them would not hesitate to make Penelope their dinner. The solution was clear and judging by the scowl on Sir Domnahl’s face, he did not like it one bit. He sighed as he resigned himself to what was to come.

“Fine, I will stay and train her,” Sir Domnahl agreed. “But only for two days. That should be enough time to cover the basics.”

King Agostino nodded, “That sounds reasonable. I will arrange for the armory to be open for your use, Sir Domnahl.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Sir Domnahl bowed to both King Agostino and Queen Yesenia. As he straightened up again, Queen Yesenia spoke.

“I will have one of the servants show you to your rooms. You will both stay within the castle while you are here and as our honored guests, you will attend all meals.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Sir Domnahl and Penelope said simultaneously.

“Good,” Queen Yesenia beamed, clapping her hands together. “Now that that is settled, I will have someone show you to your room. It is almost dinner time and I would like for you two to change before joining us.”

Queen Yesenia snapped her fingers twice. A door opened from the left side of the room and a short haired woman entered. She stopped in front of the queen and curtsied. 

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Please escort Sir Domnahl and Penelope to their separate quarters.”

The short haired woman motioned for SIr Domnahl and Penelope to follow her. She led the way out of the throne room with Sir Domnahl and Penelope on her heels. The short haired woman’s shoes made a clacking noise as they traveled through the corridor. It was then that Penelope realized that the woman was wearing heels. She was flabbergasted. Who on Earth made their servants wear heels? Nobody could work in those all day or they would have painful blisters! This thought stuck with Penelope as they ascended a few flights of stairs until they reached their destination. The short haired woman paused and faced Sir Domnahl and Penelope.

“You two have adjacent rooms,” she explained. “Penelope, your room is here,” she waved her hand towards the room on the left. “And Sir Domnahl’s room is on the right. Let me know if you need anything and I will make sure that someone gets it for you.”

The short haired woman turned and strode away from them down the corridor and out of sight. Penelope looked at Sir Domnahl who was still wearing a sour expression.

“Well, I guess we better get ready,” she said rather lamely.

Sir Domnahl shook his head but did not say anything. Instead, he opened the door to his room and shut the door quickly behind him. Obviously, Sir Domnahl was still bitter that he did not get to go on this journey alone. He thought that Penelope was a liability and would only cause trouble for him. The fact that he had to stay and teach her how to wield a weapon did not sit well with him.

Well, Penelope thought, I will show him.