Song of Feathers and Claws

Part 3

"Oh come now Anue, you haven't eaten enough to break fast yet." King Ensio said, using his utensil to point at her plate.

Anue looked down at the plate, she hadn't truly been all that hungry that morning. Her curiosity remained to the strange light that she had seen out of her window.

She continued to stare out the window in the small breakfast room that was for her and her father. It overlooked the same direction where she had seen the light from the night before.

"Anue, you can't be this upset about the betrothal, you were raised knowing you'd marry for the betterment of the Kingdom, why are you having such a fit about it now?"

Anue's eyes flicked over to her father's "My actions are that of still being tired from war, not due to the fulfillment of my job to this nation, it's rather insulting for you to assume so"

King Ensio went quiet and returned to eating his meal. After he was finished he excused himself to go and attend to things he needed to as King. Leaving Anue to herself, she was still quite upset about the betrothal last night, but she had no right to complain about it. That agreement did help save many of her own men's lives.

"Fetch a squire, I wish to train." Anue quickly stood up from the table and headed out. Her guard followed her quickly as her handmaids scurried to follow her.

"Actually M'am, after breaking your fast, we were told to have you dressed to meet Duke Fenwick in the east gardens, he wishes to spend some time with you before your marriage."

Anue stopped and looked back over her shoulder at the poor handmaid. Who squeaked similarly to a mouse, "I'll have a page fetch a squire and send word to Duke Fenwick if he wishes to see you this morning, he shall find you in the training yards." Anue raised a brow and then looked forward, heading towards her quarters to switch out from a dress into one of her tunic and pants.

She wasn't allowed to trot around in that wear unless she was heading straight to the armoury to put something else over it. It caused quite a scandal when she started training and she wasn't in armour yet.

Today she was bound and determined to cause another fit to be thrown, as she had no intention to put any armour on. There was plenty to be done in these more similar robes.

Anue pulled her hair up and wrapped it as she walked through the halls, her handmaids had disappeared leaving just her guard. "Derrick,"

"Yes my Lady?" He turned his head to look at her.

She pulled up the sleeves on her shirt as it was far too long to function with. "When was the last time we spared?"

"Before the war" he answered quickly.

"Then it has been too long, when we get to the grounds, strip off your armour and join me in the ring. I am angry and you are the only man who can keep up with me." she ordered.

Derrick nodded, "As you wish,"

About an hour later Anue and her guard Derrick draped themselves back against the edge of the fighting ring. Both drenched in sweat, with a laugh on their lips. Anue sported a split lip, and Derrick had a nice new blackened eye.

"You have gotten better." Anue chuckled with her head dropped back against her shoulders.

Derrick nodded, "Thank you, my lady, it is a true compliment coming from you." he stood up and stretched a bit.

Anue cocked her head, as she noticed someone hauling up being Derrick. "It seems that they nobility has joined us." she said standing to greet the incomers. "Ah, Duke Fenwick, good Morrow to you." she said with a wid grin, blood still dripping from the wound in her lip.

Gustav looked cross as hell. This only drove her grin widder. "I was told I could find you here." he finally spoke after finding his composure.

"Aye, you can most days in fact." Anue walked around Derrick, and slipped out of the ring, to confront Gustav on even ground. Derrick was quick to follow her.

Gustav turned his head, "Is it customary in this land, for the guard of a Princess to beat her?"

Anue shook her head, "No, but it is custom for a lower ranking knight to listen to their superior when they order them to join them in a training lesson. Hand to hand combat is a very important skill to keep up with."

"I see."

"You are a warrior, you were on the battlefields with us. I am certain you don't need me to tell you that at all."

He stared down his nose at her, "I don't but I do have a question. Speaking man to his future wife, and other titles."

"Yes?"

He crossed his arms, "Are you always this disobedient?"

Anue leaned in "Only for you."

Fenwick snorted, "I didn't think I would get such a wild bride, you need tamed."

"Try,"

"I'll have you to myself on our wedding night, I think that will be suffice time to tame that attitude"

Anue narrowed her eyes at him, she could see Derrick fuming out of the corner of her eye. He couldn't act until Fenwick land a hand on her, unfortunately words didn't count. Anue looked at the surroundings, there were pages and squires alike looking on in aw, shock, and horror, while many of her person battle brethren seethed beneath their helms, the only ones that seemed to be on the side of Fenwick were the older men, and the ones that never found arm and arm with her.

It was best if she ended this her, if only for her men. "Than we shall have to see. Is there something you wished of me? You came all the way to the grounds looking for me?" she sweetened her tone, and straightened up.

"Have your maids dress you like a woman, and meet me at the stables." He ordered waving his hand at her and turning to leave.

Anue huffed and then looked over her shoulder, "Derrick do me a favour."

He tilted his head, "Yes my lady?"

"Never become a gentleman."