Summer Beyond the Frontier

1 Warrior or Woman

Northwave.

The kingdom sitting upon the hills, extricate from the outside world. The summer sun shone brightly over the trees, hills and oceans, casting a graceful glow over the mountaintop.

The horse galloped through the tiny path with the hills curtained on each side of the pathway.

"Hiah!!" the rider shouted, pulling the reins and causing the horse to trot even faster.

"Reveal yourself!" the guard by the gate specified and the rider halted before dismounting the horse as she got to the castle's giant gate.

"I seek audience with your Lord," her feminine voice contrasted her appearance.

She had a black flowing robe on with its hood over her head and covering almost all of her face. She rested her hand on her sword and never for a moment did she take it off.

"Reveal yourself!" the guard firmly ascertained, alerted by unsheathing his sword.

"I seek no trouble but your Lord!"

"Your horse riding skill still needs some lessons, Abigail," the young Lord said, walking forward.

"Ahh, Jugan. I was delayed at the gate by this..." she eyed the guard and he gave his bow without meeting her gaze. "This over-ambitious young man hence my delay."

"Oh, he's just carrying out his duties, playing his roles diligently."

Lucian scurried up to her, taking her robe, gloves and sword. "Your mother seeks your presence." Lucian whispered to her.

"I could take lessons from you, brother."  she said to Jugan as she reduced her pace and Jugan turned to face her.

"Father will be happy to hear that," he said and she nodded with a smile.

"I need to visit Mother." she patted his shoulder before walking off.

"Tell Mother I would visit after visiting the shadows of meadow."

Abigail came to an abrupt stop before turning around with a frown.

"Why would you go to the shadows of meadow?"

Jugan was still as immature as he used to be and aside from the fact that he was the last child, he still acts as impulsive as ever. However, the shadows of meadows isn't the right place to exhibit one's immaturity.

"To visit the dark cave."

Abigail's face darkened and she moved closer to him, whispering. "The dark cave? Why? Father strictly instructed us never to visit that old woman! She's a lunatic."

Jugan sneered. "A lunatic? She's just old...and...and she sees things we don't!"

"Jugan!" Abigail was getting angrier than she thought she'd be. "She sees things that are not there. That's lunacy!"

Jugan looked away, posing with his hand on his sword and his lips pursed in a high scrunch. He wasn't ready to listen to his sister.

"Warren must hear of this!"

Jugan's look dropped from an arrogant one to a fearful one. No one wants trouble with Warren, their eldest brother.

"I should have not mentioned such a thing to you!" he said angrily before walking away.

Abigail stared at his retreating back and shook her head. "He's still immature,"

Lucian who had stayed dormant in the background without making any sound finally spoke to divert her lady's attention.   

"You took longer than usual today, my lady. Was there a reason other than your lessons?"

Abigail shot her a stern look before walking in the direction of the maiden's quarters where her mother resides.

She sucked her teeth before she spoke "Lucian! Don't say such a thing. I take my horse riding seriously and if father hears such a thing, I would tend to the horses throughout the next fortnight."

"Apologies, my lady. I do not mean to anger you."

"Of course not. I'm not angry but do not let someone else hear you say that lest they think I'm being promiscuous."

"Yes, my lady."

"Now, go get my bath ready while I visit Mother," she said with a soft smile. Lucian gave a slight bow before walking off.

Lucian has been her maid since she was little. She is only a few years older than Abigail was and now, she sees her as an older sister rather than a maid since she had none. She would put her needs before hers just like she did back then.

She could remember the night by the barn, Lucian rested her head on her bent knees, soaking herself away in her tears. She was either lost, abandoned or just in need of a company. Abigail however sorted all of her problems and ever since, Lucian had vowed her loyalty to only her even in the face of death.

"Ahh Mother." Abigail smiled, walking into her mother's warm embrace.

"My child." she pressed her against her chest and Abigail smiled broadly.

"Mother, I was here last night and this morning before I went for my lessons."

Her mother sighed before letting her go. " I pity you, my child. I have nothing but pity in my heart for you."

As she said this, Abigail knew what was about to follow so she gestured for her mother's maid to leave.

"I am fine as I am, Mother."

"No!"

"Mother."

"You are the only noble daughter in Northwave. The only young daughter of the Malour's family. You are above all, my only daughter. I would not watch you waste away your beauty!"

"But I am happy wielding my sword and trotting my horse."

"No! You should be overseeing this household. From the finances to the embroideries to the medical bills and the feeding. You should be a lady, Abigail!"

"Being a warrior doesn't make me less of a lady!" her voice became stern and that remained the only way to divert her mother's mind off the topic.

"You will listen to me, child!" her mother's face was full of annoyance towards her and that caught her by surprise.

Abigail stared intensely at her mother with her thoughts wild out. She had no idea what she was meant to do. Her father wants her to join him and her brothers on the battlefield while her mother wants her to be a lady.

She was good in both world but it was exhausting to shuttle between the two and now, it was time for her to choose.