Unmarked

Chapter 40

Lavina held a sword as she twirled it around in front of her.

"Look at you!" Amilia said, walking up to her. "With your fancy gauntlets and greaves. What are you practicing for? I never see you wear this stuff."

"Uh- did you just forget what I told Ophelia yesterday?"

"You were serious?"

"Yes, mom, I was serious."

Amilia laughed and put her hand on Lavina's shoulder. "I'll go grab her for you." Amilia snickered as she walked off.

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes. Lavina once again swung the sword and then went after the punching bag. Then she dropped her sword and fell back on the wall, sliding down it. She put her hand to her forehead and whipped the sweat from it.

"You're never going to beat her with that attitude." Leo said, walking in. He knelt down and handed her a water bottle. Lavina put her hand on her knee, grabbed the water bottle and pushed herself up. She walked a few steps in front of him and then crushed the bottle, squirting the water all over her face. Then she dropped the bottle and whipped the excess water from her face.

"She thought I was joking."

"Yeah, of course she did." Leo put his hand out and suddenly caught a sword. "Engarde, dear niece of mine." She ran at him and they spared a bit. Leo pinned her down as usual, but Lavina always figured out a way to get out of it. Lavina hit his sword down and watched his eyes glow. He stopped coming after her and a few seconds later when she ran back at him he grabbed her up in a headlock, giving her a noogie on the head. They laughed as she grabbed after his hands. And then after some time of that Lavina noticed her mother and Unora in the opening by the bleachers. Amilia's hand over her heart, with a smile on her face. Then she saw Unora tug on her dress, gathering Amilia's attention away from them. Lavina saw Unora pointing behind her, but she only moved forward towards them.

"Look at you two having fun!" Leo let go of Lavina and she stood next to him. "You were always such a good fighter, and you're so good with Lavina, here." Amilia looked at Leo.

"Well, yes, I've been training ever since your uncle started that war. And besides, I got the unique pleasure of having the best squire in the court."

"Oh, are you still a squire, Lavina?"

"Yeah, and I probably will be for a long time." She smiled.

"I don't know about that." Amilia said, grabbing up the sword on the ground. "It only took me four years to become a knight."

"Wow, really?"

"Yes, she became a knight four years after she came to the Market, but that was under innate circumstances." Amilia chuckled and looked at the sword.

"It was," She laughed again, "Unora was getting more ferocious by the day and- well," She paused. "I had to learn, and I had to learn fast." She pointed the sword at Lavina. Leo gave his sword to Lavina and went over by Unora. Amilia came at Lavina and she blocked her, moving off to the side and coming back at her. They locked swords a few times, but in the end Amilia won. She grabbed Lavina up in a hug and gave her a kiss. "Oh, I love you, Lavina." She whispered to her.

"I love you too mom." She smiled as she looked her in the eyes.

"Well," Amilia said, letting her go. "I brought you Ophelia."

"Yeah, right." She put her hand on the back of her head. Amilia motioned her over.

"Yes, Amilia?"

"Well, here we are girls, now no one hurt each other, hm?"

"Huh?" Unora said, looking at Amilia.

"Lavina just wants a friendly joust."

"But what about-"

"Come on, it's just a quick joust, we'll have plenty of time after to do that."

"Ok." Unora walked back a bit and then turned to Lavina. Lavina held her sword promptly as Unora changed her staff's position. They started their joust with the opening dance, they walked in circles as one looked at the other. Then Lavina ran at her, but went past her instead, throwing her sword only when she was behind her. Unora stumbled out of the way, trying to stay on her feet.

"I hear you were a great powerful princess." Lavina mocked her. Unora turned around to look at her and then tapped her staff twice on the ground and grinned. Unora went after Lavina. "I thought you were better, don't they teach you anything at school? Or have you not been paying attention?" She swung her staff at her and Lavina countered her easily. "Why are you so mad? You're kind of acting like Unora." Unora stopped and looked at her, she just stood there.

"Any more comments, Lavina?"

"I don't know, which one am I talking to?"

Unora laughed, "You'd know, wouldn't you, smart ass." Suddenly Lavina was overwhelmed, barely able to stand on her feet. Then Unora appeared behind her. "And you were so nice too." Unora hit her across the head, nearly knocking her out. "Good thing you won't remember this encounter." She whispered.

"Oh my gosh, Lavina!" Amilia ran up to her.

"Ophelia, what have you done?!"

"I'm sorry! It was just a reflex." Amilia and Leo didn't see or hear the fight they had, they only saw what Unora wanted them to see. Leo picked her up and Amilia followed closely behind them. As they left, Unora smiled.