The Lady Knight

Chapter 3

Inside the hidden room was rows and rows of tall book shelves. Each one was filled to the max with books.

"This amazing." Katherine slowly walked down the narrow hall, holding the lantern out in front of her.

"This one." She quickly reached out and grabbed a book.

It was old and had a worn out brown cover. She opened it and read the first page.

'There exist an unknown world to the one we know. One that is beyond our control. A world of secrets and hidden shadows that all seeks to conquer. The oceans are as vast as the sky is. Creatures who crawl and conquer the ground now soar through the shining rays of the healing sun. Alas, there is a ruler. Ruler of all rulers who seek vengeance on those who have wronged him. In his heart, comes distraction and violence. One such as him can only be dominated by the true love of which two hearts are matched.'

Katherine studied the book carefully. "This doesn't make any sense. Why is this library down here? Does Mama know?" She flipped through the pages. As she neared the end, an old, torn piece of paper fell out of the book. She quickly picked it up.

'To my loving Wife' The front said.

March 13
Year: 200
'My love will never die for you. Every time I think of you, my heart still flutters. I still remember the tenderness of your smile, the kindness that glistened in your eyes. I still remember the glint in your eyes as you held Katherine. She's such a sweet girl. She has your eyes and the same kindness. I am glad you were the mother of my youngest. Diana only seeks power and rule for Elisabeth and Victoria. I am glad Katherine is not her child. She's 3 now. You would've been proud of her. I cannot wait to be with you again, Daniel. You are only a memory now. A memory I will never let go. You said that if you ever left, it would only be a dream, and that I only have to wake up. I want to wake up now Daniel. I want to wake up.'

She teared up.

"My father wrote this to a woman named Daniel. This means....Diana isn't my real mother? And Lizzy and Vicky aren't my real sisters? What's happening?" She flipped to the back of the book and quickly grabbed the first thing she noticed. It was a picture. A beautiful woman with short brown hair and gray eyes was sitting down on a bench.

Katherine flipped it over.

'Daniel.
Year: 187'

"Wow...this is Daniel. This is my mother. She is so beautiful. No wonder my father loved her..."

"Katherine!" A voiced echoed. Katherine stuffed the note and picture in her dress pocket and stumbled outside of the library, shutting the door behind her.

"Katherine! Open up!"

She ran up the basement stairs to see Queen Diana banging on her bedroom door.

"What is it Mother?" She cringed. This woman wasn't her mother. Daniel was.

"How many times have I told you to change into something proper when you leave your room?! You look like a peasant. I have a meeting tonight with Sir Matthew, mayor of Graycott, the largest village of this kingdom. I expect you to be there and dressed properly."
•
"I have just enough time to practice with my sword." Katherine stated, walking out of the castle doors with her cloak and sheathed sword.

The air was cool and damp from the free snowfall. There wasn't yet tracks in it. She walked down to the horse stables to see Shadow waiting for her.

"Hiya Shadow." She rubbed his head and handed him an apple, fresh from the orchard.

He quickly ate it.

"Ready for a ride?" She climbed on his back and kicked his side. Knowing what was to come, Katherine ducked down and held on tightly as Shadow's speed increased. She made him swerve to the right and then the left, getting him used to changing direction.
•
She ducked down and collided her sword with the dummies stomach. She dodged it's attack and quickly collided her sword with its own. The dummy was an advanced dummy, throwing its own attacks that knights actually had to dodge and catch.

After about two hours of training with the tummy, Katherine finally stopped. Sweat was dripping from her forehead. It seemed cold before, but now she would die for a cold downpour. She stripped herself off her cloak and wrapped it over Shadow, who was watching her from the top of another hill.

"You're probably cold. Don't worry, we'll go home soon. Let me rest first." She panted and climbed on his back, leaning against him with her chin resting on the top of his head. She looked out into the distance and pointed to the horizon.

"That's where the ocean is. Over the large trees. One day Shadow. One day we'll get up and ride there, and never return to this horrible place. One day, we will be free."