Air Warrrior

Ready for the test

The next month Christopher and I trained every day. We started with a run, a couple miles around the trails of the castle. He was right, it got easier the most I did it. It quickly became my favorite part of the day, feeling the wind in my hair and the air filling my body as I ran. We had moved to sparring with armor so, he no longer held back with his punches and kicks. He was strong but, he won only a few times... and one of the times he cheated! I had been practicing the poses and move in the book I read as well. Chris was helping me learn them, he pushed me to be better. 

Chris and I have grown really close over the past month. I wasn't sure if was feeling the connection I was and I didn't want to risk finding out and being wrong. He could have any girl he wanted, why would he settle for the likes of me. I groaned as I saw him walking towards me with a sword.

"Do I have to use a sword? It's way too heavy." I asked as he placed it in my hand, trying to show me how to weld it. 

"What else would you use?" He laughed a little and he clanked his sword against mine causing it to fall out of my hand... again. 

"I am glad you asked!" I turned and ran toward my bad pulling out my staff. I unfolded it, locking it place. I ran back to him and smiled as I showed him.

"A stick?" he said amused. 

I furrowed my brow and glared at him. "It is not a stick! It is my staff."

He chuckled, "You want to defend yourself from a sword, with a stic_ a staff?" I nodded and he shook his head. "Alright, then." He stepped back and drew his sword. 

I stepped back and we began to spar, I used my staff as I would a sword. But my staff allowed me to also use the wind it created when I swung as power to push against his sword. He stumbled backwards and shook his head. "Well, I'll be damn. The staff works." 

"There is also something I wanted to show you. I learned it from the book, I've been practicing." I spoke with proudness in my voice. 

"Alright, lay it on me." He steadied himself. I shook my head.

"No, this isn't something I want to use on you... maybe the dummy?" He nodded and I stepped a few feet in front of him and began to spin my staff in a circle out Infront of my chest. I felt the air flowing around the staff, creating a small ball of air. I stepped my right foot forward as I pushed the ball of air toward the dummy. The ball of air hit the center of the dummy and sent it flying a few feet.  

I stood up and place my staff at my side. "I know it isn't as strong as I_"

"That was incredible Sky!" Chris was beside me now. "You are incredible." He moved closer to me. I tucked a piece of stray hair behind my ear and nervously looked away. 

"Thanks Chris." 

"Also, I believe you are ready to take the Royal Guard test." He nudged my shoulder lightly.

"Wait, really?" My eyes got wide as I searched for an answer.  

"Really. I will schedule it for tomorrow. We can discuss what it will entail over lunch?" He flashed me a smile. "I'll come to your room in an hour, we will go together." we went our separate ways.

Claire was waiting for me in my room, she had a curious smile on her face, but she insisted she was "just in a good mood." I allowed her to help me dress. She tightened my dress; she selected a yellow dress. I slipped my pantyhose on under my dress, given how un-lady like I was, they felt like a necessity to avoid from flashing someone.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" She turned away and pulled out belt. "I made this for you."

She placed it across my body, clipping it in the back. I looked in the mirror, confused. It was a tan colored belt that was decorated with jewels and had a beautiful, stitched pattern along it. "Thank you, it's beautiful." 

She laughed as my confusion, "It is to carry your staff. So that you always have it with you." 

I gasped as I quickly placed my staff in it. It sat across my back at a diagonal, steady in place. "It's perfect! Thank you!" I hugged her tight. 

"I am so happy that you like it." She hugged me back as she giggled a little. A knock at the door broke our hug. "That must be Christopher." There was a slight excitement in her voice. She rushed towards the door and opened it. As she opened it, I saw Christopher standing there with a picnic basket.

He was smiling as he stepped into the doorway. "I was thinking... maybe a picnic by the lake?" He seemed nervous. Was he asking me on a date?

"It would be my honor, my lord." I curtsied and heard him let out a breath that he was holding. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be a date so, I decided to just assume this was just two friends having lunch... but a girl can hope.