The Tail of Katherine Boots

Chapter 5 A sword in Damsel-in-distressing class?

Katherine

In that lesson, each of us had to take turns standing on a chair and pretending to be in trouble, calling for our princes to save us. When it was my turn I looked at Madam Maid Marian and shook my head. There's no way I'm doing this.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do this."  I said.

"Katherine, I'm afraid I must ask that you do since it's part of the class."  Madam Maid Marian replied.

As much as I was tempted to, I didn't want to have an argument with a teacher and risk getting into trouble so close to the beginning of the year.  My parents would not be pleased if I was called into the headmaster's office for refusing to do as I was told by a teacher.

"Fine. Then I guess I might as well get this over with."  I sighed and got up on the chair, barely refraining from rolling my eyes.  "Oh help me, my dear sweet prince. Save me from the evils of my captor." I said deadpan. The Royals smiled at me as if I was being cute, whereas the rebels just stared at me, boredom written across their faces.

Female Narrator

You really should try harder, after all you need to do well in all of your classes.

Katherine

But I shouldn't even be in this class, I'm not a damsel in my story!

Male Narrator

That's right, she's a Rebel and she shouldn't have to attend Royal classes.

Female Narrator

She plans on following her story, that makes her a Royal.

Katherine

Enough!

Anyway, I stood on the chair until I finished my turn, however before I could get down from the chair a sword came flying through the window towards me!  I jumped off the chair and did a summersault before landing nimbly on the ground. Several other girls gasped and screamed as the sword flew across the classroom and lodged itself in the opposite wall.

I walked over and carefully pulled the sword out of the wall, then began to examine it.  That was when I saw the initials that had been engraved in it.

"A.G.?"  I asked out loud.

"That's me."  I looked to the door and saw a boy with dark brown hair with cat ears sticking up out of it. He was wearing a white long sleeve shirt and long black pants. He had sparkling green eyes and he smiled awkwardly at me. "My name's Antonio Gato....  And the sword is....  Mine."  He explained, scratching the back of his neck.

"It's a fine blade, Antonio, but-"

"What is it doing in here?"  Madam Maid Marian asked.  It was a perfectly reasonable question, after all it wasn't everyday that a sword came flying in through a classroom window.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that, you see I was in hero training and-  I...  I guess I should be going."  He said as I handed the weapon back to him.

"Next time, I would ask that you be a little more careful."

"Yes, Madam."  He nodded then headed to the door, glancing back once and flashing me a shy smile before he left.

After that the lesson resumed and things went back to being boring again.

I was so glad when lunch came, I literally couldn't get out of the classroom fast enough! As I walked into the castleteria I saw Antonio sitting with Hunter and Dexter, but it seemed like he didn't see me.  Then as I looked to our normal table I spotted Maddy and Raven sitting together so I went and joined them.

"Hey guys."  I smiled as I sat down.

"Hey Kate, what's up?"  Raven asked.

"Not much."  I replied shrugging.

"Hey I heard about what happened in Crownculus, is it true?"  Maddy asked excited.

"You mean about the whole sword flying through the middle of the classroom?"  Maddy nodded. "Yeah, it's true."

"Hang on, I thought that was just a fable."  Raven said surprised.

"No it's true, the sword belonged to Antonio."

"Antonio Gato?"  Raven asked.

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"I've just heard that his swordsman ship needs a little work."  She shrugged.

"Meh, it takes practice. Anyway don't we all have Science and Sorcery next?"

"Yeah we do."  Raven nodded after checking her class schedule.

"Yay!"  Maddy cheered.

"Well come on guys, we should finish eating and get going."  I suggested.