The Reckoning - Book Two

Chapter Sixteen - Daella

Light streams into the room through the windows that line the far wall. I find myself staring at the dust that flickers through the streaks of light as the dull monotone voice fills my ears with fae history.

A sudden whack on my desk makes me flinch and I turn to find the Mistress standing over me, her severe brown eyes staring down at me.

"What was the importance of the trade treaty with Farrenbridge?" She asks and I blink.

"Well?" She asks, becoming inpatient with my lack of answer.

I can feel the eyes of the other chosen staring at me but I continue to stare back at the Mistress with no answer.

She moves suddenly and I feel the sharp sting as her stick connects with my upper arm.

I sit, holding back my tears as the pain settles over me. The tutor begins again, his dull voice filling my ears as the Mistress returns to stalking around the room.

I stand beside Millie, the pale pink dress she wears at the corner of my eyes as we stand waiting patiently.

"Again!" The Mistress calls and as one we curtsy.

Whack! I feel the sharp sting across my back but I hold my pose and keep my mouth clamped shut.

"Not nearly good enough!" The Mistress says standing over me as I stare at the ground, the shiny wooden floors seem to stare back at me.

As one we stand and return to our pose. Feet together, hands clasped in front of us and a pleasant smile on our faces.

Whack! The stick strikes my arm.

"Don't grimace!" The Mistress scolds into my face and I force a smile onto my face as I embrace the pain.

All the while in my head is a mantra of repeat. Don't snap! Don't snap! Don't snap!

I walk to the training yard straight backed and ready to use my sword. I find Demwyn waiting for me leaning against the wooden fence that surrounds the training ground.

"You have earned a reprieve, so I have decided to teach you something different today." He says as I approach and look up at him with scepticism.

"Come." Is all he says then starts walking.

I follow him reluctantly and after a while I realise we are walking towards the stables and I falter, thinking of Aeris and all the times we had spent here.

As we get close I watch as a stable hand brings out two horses, I recognize Imra and her beautiful chestnut coat. The other horse is a giant stallion, bigger then Dagen, he has a dark brown coat and long thick main.

"This is," Demwyn begins gesturing towards the mare.

"Imra." I finish for him and he looks at me and nods.

"She's our most gentle mare and perfect for learning." He says patting her neck in long strokes.

"Who is that?" I ask pointing to the stallion.

"This is Aramis." He answers, turning to the horse and petting his neck.

"Right, well only one way to learn." He says taking Imra's lead from the stable hand and walking her towards me.

I hold my hand out to her and let her sniff me before running my hand up her nose and back down again.

"Come, I'll put you on the saddle." He says.

"Show me how to get up myself." I reply, stepping towards him.

He hesitates, studying me for a moment before he nods once.