The Seven Deadly Kingdoms

Chapter 13

The man led Adelaide to a small room at the opposite end of the building. It was a tiny room with only a cot in the corner and a trunk at the foot of it, but it was private at least. Adelaide hadn't had much privacy since she arrived at the camp. Everything was shared here. Sighing, Adelaide sat on the cot and looked around the room. It was very unremarkable. Wooden walls, wooden floors, and a couple of lanterns. Adelaide got up to thank Eugene, but he was already gone. Confused, Adelaide peaked her head out of the doorway just in time to see him round the corner. She followed him until she reached the front door. Navigating the small building was somehow difficult on her own. 

Adelaide exited the building. No one was around. Why was this area so vacant? She supposed they didn't want anyone investigating the building. Perhaps that was the reason for the building being so distant from the rest of the camp. Either way, Adelaide just wanted to get away from it. She liked not having to be a soldier, but she still disliked her new position. She wasn't exactly the stealthiest person. Why on earth would they have chosen her for such a role?

By the time Adelaide escaped her thoughts, she realized she had made her way to the fencing training tent. Why had her feet led her here? She had spent lots of time here, she guessed. Fencing always had been her favorite part of training. She found the art of it rather graceful until she reminded herself that the practice was meant for killing. Still, she had enjoyed the contest between her and another soldier.

"Adelaide?" Adelaide was once again ripped from her thoughts as Mirabella's familiar voice sounded in her ears. She looked up to see Mirabella in tight black leather pants and a billowing white shirt, but instead of a corset, she wore a green scarf tied tightly around her waste. A sword was fashioned to her waste. She must have just come from practicing.

Adelaide smiled at Mira in greeting. It had been a few days since she had seen her friend. "Mira, how are you? I see you've been practicing." She said with a smirk. Adelaide never saw a minute when Mira wasn't training. Mira whipped her sword out of its sheath with a sharp sound and whipped it from side to side in front of Adelaide. "Why of course, day and night I practice. I am to become to greatest swordswoman in all of Extollentiam; that way my name will be remembered when I fall victim to battle. I will have murals painted in my honor." She said dramatically. Mira had always been a positive thinker, to say the least. Adelaide laughed at Mira's cunning smile and nodded. "If not that, you will surely be remembered for your bravery. You're a feisty one, Mirabella. I'm glad to have met someone like you." Mira's face fell at the last sentence, and she put her sword back in its sheath. "Yes, well..." She quickly shook her head and her wild eyes and smile returned once again. "You should be. You rarely find someone in this kingdom with a colorful personality." Adelaide laughed again at Mira's over-confidence. She found that Mira was always able to make her laugh at any given moment. No one but Henry had been able to do that.

"Come, let's have some tea. I've been besting these feeble men for hours and I've grown tired of it." Mira said, starting towards the dining hall with a skip. Adelaide followed quickly. "So, how has your training been coming along? Getting stronger by the looks of it." Mira said once Adelaide caught up to her. Mira poked at Adelaide's arm, gesturing to the new muscle. "Yes, I suppose training is going well.. I've quite enjoyed it, actually. I was very active at home so I enjoy the exercise. How have you been holding up?" Adelaide wasn't sure if she should tell Mira about her recent encounter with the queen and generals. She more than likely shouldn't. She would probably get in trouble. But she wanted to tell someone oh so badly. At least Austin knew. But would she be seeing him anymore? She supposed she would, considering she could come and go from her quarters freely. She wouldn't be under his supervision anymore, but she could always visit. He would probably enjoy the company.

Mira left Adelaide outside the dining hall to stand watch while she snuck in to snatch some tea leaves. For some odd reason, you could only come and go from the dining hall during mealtime hours. Mira exited the large tent with a copper kettle in one hand and two small bags; one full of plain leaves and colorful leaves in the other. "I got a bit of horsetail and plantain for me to help with my immune system, for you I got a bit of white and jasmine since you probably only drink tea for the flavor. You can have a bit of mine if you like, though." Since when had Mira been a tea guru? Adelaide smirked and took the bag of colorful leaves. As she looked down, she noticed two dainty tea cups fastened to the scarf around Mira's waist. Adelaide let out a small laugh. Mira was ever the creative one.