I Am Not Cinderella

Chapter 64

Barrie looked about the room she was standing in.  It hadn't changed in the years since she'd been gone.  She was surprised that the Queen hadn't come in and thrown all of her stuff out.  The only logical reason she could find was that her Father had stopped the Queen from doing it.  Barrie's eyes flitted around the room landing on various items; the brush she had left behind, the book that was still open to where she'd been reading, and the dress that lay crumpled on the back of a chair.

Barrie shook her head as she stepped out and closed the door.  She wandered down the hallway lost in thought.  She still couldn't believe that it had been a week since her duel with her father.  Her mind wandered back over the duel.

Barrie's army had arrived at Death's Peak a day before he Father's army had shown up.  A clear line had been set and no one stepped foot over that line.  The tension in the air was thick as the hours and minutes ticked down to the duel.  Barrie had spent the last minutes before the duel with her family.  As she walked down to the duel ground, she carried the image of her daughter in her mind.  It was what was going to keep her focused on the fight at home.

Barrie was dressed in her black armor and carried her favorite sword.  She carried her helmet under left arm as she walked to meet her father.  Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in her father's black armor that was inlaid with gold.  His helmet was resting under his right arm and Barrie couldn't help but smile and shake her head as she saw her father.  He was wearing a thin woven cord about his neck.  It was one that she had made for him when she'd first learned to braid. 

"Father," Barrie said as he stopped before her. 

Her father returned the greeting with "daughter."

They had wasted no time in putting on their helmets and attacking each other.  They spent endless minutes hacking and slashing at each other.  Each refused to rest.  The roar of both armies was loud in their ears.  The tides were turned when Barrie knocked her Father on his back and her sword poised over his heart.

"Do you yield?"

Her father's breathing was heavy.  He stared up at her with unreadable eyes before he finally spoke.  "I yield."

Barrie shook her head at the memories.  She still couldn't believe that she had defeated her Father.  He had put up a good fight.  Now all she hoped was that the rest of their plan would go just as smoothly.  They still had much to do to save this kingdom.  The next stage of their plan needed to be put into motion.

"My lady."

Barrie looked up to see a young servant girl standing in front of her.  The servant curtsied when Barrie looked at her.  "Yes, what is it?"

"Your mother, the Lady Grekken, has asked for you.  She is in the library with your father."

Barrie nodded.  "Thank you.  You are dismissed."  Barrie called out to the servant as she began to leave.  The servant stopped.  "What is your name?"

The servant girl looked surprised.  "It's Ivy, my Lady."

Barrie nodded.  "I'll remember that and thank you Ivy."

Ivy dipped a curtsy before she hurried away.  Barrie turned and headed towards the library.  She was surprised that her parents were together.  These past few days had been good for them.  Barrie hoped that they would get back together.  That had been a dream of hers since she'd found out that Grekken was her mother.  It could happen.