Heir of the Sword

13 | Iter

Iter {A journey}

When Arya came back to her room she found a note awaiting her. Gently placing her books on the desk, she picked up the note to read the following

Dear Arya,

I request your presence at the gates of the academy after you have arrived from your classes. We will be travelling as such it is important to pack all the necessities. Eclipse will be waiting for you at the front.

~Lady Zelie

Arya let the slip of parchment fall from her grasps before quickly gathering everything that she needed. Lady Zelie had taken Arya on many trips so this was nothing new. She expected them to be going to one of the cities and gathering information or simply doing royal duties. Arya walked briskly towards the gates of the academy a bag slung over her shoulders. Anaz was resting at her hips while her midnight blue hair had been tied back in a tight bun.

When Arya approached the gates, she saw Bianca standing beside Eclipse.

"Am I to travel with you?" she asked confused.

Bianca was about to open her mouth but someone else answered.

"No, I just told her to bring Eclipse to the gates."

Arya turned around to see Lady Zelie's familiar face and seafoam eyes penetrating her. She was dressed in a royal blue cloak that had been fastened around the neck with the royal emblem. The hood was covering her golden waves and her sword was resting on a belt. Arya and Bianca both curtsied.

"You may go now," Lady Zelie said to Bianca.

The guard nodded before giving her another bow and taking her leave. Now it was only the two of them standing in the courtyard.

"Shall we?" Lady Zelie questioned as she motioned to her own horse, a pure white Andalusian.

Arya nodded before mounting on Eclipse. Pretty soon they had left the academy in the dust and were pasting through Dzfrah.

"Do you know how much trouble Madame Kenna gave me for trying to take you away?"

Arya shook her head. "No, but I would assume a lot."

Lady Zelie made an un-ladylike noise. "She wouldn't shut up about it. This girl needs the practice, she is the champion for goodness sake, are you trying to lose? Those were only some of the words she uttered."

Arya could just imagine Madame Kenna scolding Lady Zelie. "How did she let you leave?"

Lady Zelie rolled her eyes. "I had to make a promise that I would continue your training and not miss a single day, like I wasn't going to do that anyways."

Arya looked surprised. It would be an honour to have Lady Zelie has her teacher. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the castle of course," Lady Zelie relied.

"What business do we have there?" Arya asked.

In all her times, she had never visited the castle with Lady Zelie. In fact, when she had taken a trip with Bianca and Silvia had been one of the few times she had actually seen the castle.

"My father is asking for a report on the Heres Gladii participants. I would take someone else but since you're the champion, I thought it would be best to take you. Besides, I'm sure you will enjoy the break from dancing lessons." Lady Zelie finished with a wicked grin.