Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 46: Kaliska

"You're not even trying." I sighed, as I watched Hazel attempting to fight a fake dummy with a sword. Ever since Cassidy had appeared, Hazel had been trying so hard to learn. However, this girl didn't really have the drive to kill, and honestly, I think she was born to be a sweet, gentle girl.

"I can't do this." She groaned, dropping the sword on the ground.

"Watch me then." I breathed, and rose to my feet, retrieving the sword Hazel had dropped. The girl watched me with curious eyes, as I held up the sword, and bolted towards the dummy. I landed a quick slice to the neck, easily taking it off.

"Can you show me again?" Hazel asked, and I looked over at the girl, dropping the sword back into her hands,

"Hazel, I don't know why you want me to train you."

"Please, Kali?" She pleaded, and I looked at the girl's hopeful blue eyes,

"I will continue to train you if you stop asking me to show you how to fight. You're not going to get anywhere by just watching me." I explained, and sat down on the grass.

"Okay..." My friend took in a deep breath, and she bolted towards the dummy, swinging her sword toward it. It made impact, but was only able to slice of it's hand.

"That was better." I smiled, rising to my feet, "now, I'm headed off to the stables to visit Noir." I waved to my friend, and headed off to the stables.

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Noir neighed loudly at me when I arrived, and I snuck an apple out from under my coat,

"Shh." I whispered, looking around to make sure no one noticed I was giving my horse a treat. Noir scooped up the apple from my hand, and munched it. "Good girl." I smiled, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Hey Kaliska." I heard a voice, and I looked around, seeing the stablehand,

"Oh, hello Edmond. What's going on with you?" I asked, turning back to look at my beautiful horse,

"You look like you want to go for a ride. Why don't you go?" He asked, and I sighed. Ever since Cassidy's last attack on the human castle, I was staying at my castle to make sure nothing would happen.

"I just feel like it's my duty to stay here and protect."

"You're the princess, Kaliska. I'm pretty sure you don't have to stay and protect. That's what guards are for, right?" Edmond smiled,

"Alright. I'll go take her out for a ride. Just come tell me if anything happens though."

"Will do." He nodded, and I pulled my horse out of her stall, and tacked her up. On the way out, I grabbed my sword, just to be safe.
My hair blew back as Noir and I galloped through the forest. It reminded me exactly of the day I was riding when it was raining. Today though, the sun shone brightly in the sky. Noir tossed her head in joy, and picked up her pace, seeing a nearby tree stump.

"You want to jump that, huh?" I giggled, and held tightly onto my horse's mane, trusting her completely as she scaled over the jump. We soon emerged into a large field, and I let out a loud laugh in joy, throwing my head back, and staring up at the beautiful blue sky.

Noir galloped even faster, and I noticed up ahead of us was a wild herd of horses, "Go get them, girl!" I giggled, kicking Noir into a faster gallop. The horses pulled their heads up to look at us, and as soon as we came close, they took off running. I pulled back on the reins, halting Noir to a slow walk, and then to a complete stop. My foot swung over the saddle, and I landed back on the ground, deciding to go explore this field. I smiled, and ran a hand through my hair, falling back onto the grass.