Knightress

Chapter 21

"They're actually rebuilding Naphtali. Only one man in the Kingdom knows where it is, he even has pictures, it's one of those farmers that I mentioned." Laura explained to Matthew, she let out a sigh before continuing "but I don't know where he is."

They took a slow stroll through the training field, in an hour they had training and Matthew thought it necessary that they catch up. She explained nearly everything to him about the case and what she knows so far. He had been patient and offered her a listening ear as she ranted.

"Do you have anything in mind? Like how to find this man?" He asked

She thought for a moment before shaking her head slowly, "this kingdom is huge, to find him I'd have to go door to door asking questions. And it's pointless to wait and hope that he comes out himself, he's scared."

"Then do without him." He concluded with confidence, in an obvious tone.

She chuckled, "he's important, he knows where their centre is and he has pictures."

He was silent for a moment as his eyes trailed the flat grassy plane that seemed to stretch forever. "People who are scared generally would do anything to feel safe and secure again. Are the rebels looking for this man?"

"I think so."

"Then he probably doesn't feel safe holding on to those pictures and he can't get rid of them either." He turned and faced her fully, "why not ask the King if you could write a decree?"

She frowned at him, "how would that help?"

"Well, you could ask this man to mail you the pictures...or send a letter about where the centre is or...something like that." He shrugged, giving up on thinking further.

She firmly shook her head, "Then even the rebels would know that I know, and would probably try to get a hold on the letter."

"But you've gotten rid of the castle spies," he shrugged nonchalantly "you don't have to make it direct, put the decree in a way that only he would understand."

She tilted her head to the side consideringly, she pondered it, weighing the possibilities. "Sounds promising."

"Wouldn't hurt to try." Matthew chirped with an encouraging smile.

She turned teasingly to him, "so there's sense in that big head of yours."

He smirked at her, "why else would it be big?" He replied with a seriousness that she couldn't help but laugh.

His serious act dropped, his lips crumpled at the end and he joined her. They continued in a comfortable silence, the only sounds were the blazing wind and the gentle clang of their swords in it's sheath.

Matthew casually walked further away before turning his back to her and strolling. She watched him with amusement, not expecting him to turn sharply with his sword stretched before him, just missing her eyes.

She gasped sharply, the force from the shock seemed to push her back, he grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her back up.

"Let's spar," he declared letting go of her hand and morphing into a fighting stance.

It took her a second to shake the shock off, she smirked challengingly at him and pulled out her katana from it's sheath, mirroring his stance.

They held their weapons tightly as they circled each other, their eyes trailing each other incase they had to move. Matthew smiled at her and charged forward initiating the fight.

Through out the two months that they've been in the Cyprise Legion, they've been partners in training and defence. It's as if there was an unspoken vow that it was them against the world, a vow that strengthened them to stand by each other's side and made them search for each other when in battle to see if the other needed help.