The Lady Knight

Chapter 4

Katherine's mother was waiting for her at the castle doors.

"Katherine Silver, I specifically told you to be ready and dressed properly when the mayor gets here. Why aren't you dressed?! Where have you been?!" She demanded coldly, grabbing her arm agonizingly tight.

"Ow! Relax. I was just out practicing with my sword!"

"Why?"

"I already told you. I want to be a knight."

"Foolish child!" Queen Diana raised her hand and it came in contact with Katherine's face.

A red mark was left on the young girls face from her mother slap. She glared at Queen Diana before she spoke again.

"I can be what I want to be. You can't control what I want to be."

"Excuse me?"

"You aren't even my real mother."

"And what makes you say that?"

"I saw that note my father wrote. The note to a woman named Daniel! She is my real mother, not you! And to be honest, I'm glad you aren't my mother! You're selfish and all you care about it power!"

Queen Diana smacked Katherine again.

"Get up to your room. I don't want to see your face for the rest of the night!"
•
She paced around in her room, salty tears soaking her cheeks.

"I don't like it here. I don't like it here. I hate it!" She plopped down on her bed. It was night time now, but clouds were blocking the moon and stars. It had finally stopped snowing, leaving a blanket of white on the ground.

"I want to become a knight. Father wanted me to be the best I can be. I won't let her stop me." She stormed into her closet and changed into a long sleeved shirt with a long pair of pants and her talk leather boots. She grabbed her black cloak and wrapped it around her. It buttoned only at the top.

Next, she grabbed a medium sized leather bag she bought from a merchant when she was 5. She stuffed her diary in it, a few bags of gold, and a small bag of precious jewels she could sell.

"Almost done. Now it's time for gear up." Katherine grabbed he archery backpack and equipped it, counting the arrows. She has exactly 43 arrows. She then equipped her sword belt, and sheathed her sword.

"Bows and arrows...sword...ah! I got it." She opened the secret drawer in her closet. She pulled out two small knifes and stuck each one in her boots.

"I'm ready." She opened the door to her room and looked back, taking one last scan over the room she loved so dearly. She then closed the door and walked away.
•
Shadow was laying down when Katherine reached his stable. He stood up as soon as he saw her.

"Hey buddy. Listen, we are going to be taking a long trip." She pulled the hood of her cloak up.

"Get some rest. We leave first thing tomorrow." She laid down beside him and fell asleep.
•
Shadow galloped down a narrow path inside the woods. They had been traveling for about 3 hours now. Katherine didn't regret it yet. It was her decision to run away, so she could be what she wanted to be. A knight. Not a princess, a knight.

She had brought along a few sugar cubes in case Shadow lost energy. Even after three hours, he stood strong and didn't show any sign of fatigue.

"Do you want to rest?" Katherine asked gently. Shadow denied her offer and kept going.
•
"Okay, let's stop here." They had come to a small village. It didn't have much, but she managed to find an empty stable that she rented for three golden coins.

Katherine purchased four apples. She gave one to Shadow and ate one herself.

"It's not much. Don't worry. When we find a place to stay I'll be sure you eat all kinds of things." She stroked his hair and laid down beside him.
•
The next morning was cloudy and windy, threatening storms. Katherine took the chance and headed out anyways, stopping a few times along the way for berries. In her diary, she had many things about survival. Natural cures for sicknesses and injuries, which berries are dangerous and which are good to eat, the best things to eat from the wilderness, making arrows, sharpening swords, and finding food to eat.

"I wonder if Diana has even noticed if I'm gone. We better speed up so she doesn't come looking for me." She gently kicked Shadow's side and ducked down as he shot off.

Shadow was still at the same speed after an hour. He showed no sign of stopping anytime soon. The wind was piercing her skin and tears were already running down her cheeks from the wind. It was almost the end of the day now, and a village had not yet come in sight. If one wasn't around, she would have to camp out under the stars.
•
"Look!" Katherine pointed to a small house with the glow of candlelight. Shadow cautiously trotted up to the house. She climbed off of his back and walked up on the porch, knocking softly.

A boy opened the door. He looked to be about 16. He also had a lot of freckles.

"Who are you?" He asked carefully.

"My name is Katherine. I'm passing through and I can't find somewhere to stay. It looks like it's about to rain as well."

"You want to stay here?"

"If you would be so kind."

"Let me ask Ma." He said.

"Ma!" He yelled out.

"Yes?" A soft voice answered from the back of the house.

"We have a visitor."

Moments later, an old woman walked out. She smiled softly at Katherine.

"Hello young one. Why are you all alone?"

"I'm passing through and I don't have a place to stay."

"Well, you can most certainly stay here." She looked behind Katherine. "What a lovely horse. Donte, please take her horse to the back and made him comfortable in the barn. Katherine, I will make you some tea." The woman slowly walked over to her kitchen area. Donte smiled and walked Shadow to a small barn. Moments later he came back, plopping down on a small sofa.

"Pretty nice horse ya got there." He said and leaned back.

"Katherine. That sounds familiar." The old woman said.

Katherine nodded. "I am Katherine, youngest princess of Celestial."