Author Games: A Knight's Valor

Task Six: Female Entries

Lemaria Female: Ren Lancaster

"Why Lady Renauda! To what does this court owe such a pleasure?"

"Dear heavens, Cynesige! What did I say about touching me without my consent?" Ren removed Cynesige's arm from around her waist, shoving it away from her in a playful manner. Cynesige had grown during the trials, as much as she hated to admit it. Underneath all his bravado and pompous nature, was actually a less haughty and arrogant fellow. Still, most of the time she had the desire to smack Cynesige across the face.

"Your beauty fogs my mind; it leaves me speechless and clouds my judgment." Cynesige took up a place next to the wall of the ballroom, leaning casually against it while smirking in Renauda's direction.

There were only eleven knights in the competition left-only ten between Renauda and her goal. In order to celebrate their success, the Royal Court had decided to throw a ball, much to Ren's distaste. Not that she had anything against the wide array of food or the ornate and gorgeous decorations that garnished the walls of the ballroom. It was more the disgust for formal wear that lead Renauda to standing along the edge of the wall. Her dress was a sickly pale green, picked out by one of the queen's aids. She assumed the terrible color was a suggested by queen. Her attachment to Cynesige was evident in her favors during the trials and jealousy was a strong emotion.

"Cynesige," Renauda let out a lengthy and loud sigh. "I'm sure you can find some young parlor maid to proposition, why do you insist on attempting to woo me?"

"Would you allow me absolute pleasure of showing you why this night?"

The sickening sound of a clap of skin on skin could be heard followed by an exclamation of "You wound me, Ren."

In a sign of resignation, Renauda threw her hands up in air and turned to the leave the man to amuse himself.

"Wait, Ren." Cynesige caught her arm, pulling her around to look at him. He was still smiling, but his time, his eyes were not full of mischief. Instead, an honest look replaced it, although it seemed strange on the handsome face. He looked unsure of himself, for the first time since she had met him.

"Did we not already learn our lesson from a few minutes ago? Or do I have to teach you again?" Ren attempted to pull her arm out his grasp, which was surprisingly firm.

"At least allow me this one dance." At Ren's hesitation, Cynesige quickly spoke again. "Or do you want to be the only one not enjoying themselves tonight." His classic smirk was again present on his face.

Ren looked around. The room was filled fill several people. Laughter and the sound of joy could be heard echoing throughout the chamber. The kingdom was celebrating, and she was not.

"Fine, one dance." With huge grin, Cynesige pulled Renauda closer, his hand moving to the small of her back. She shivered, uncomfortable with the close proximity and unsure of exactly how to dance. There were many things she knew how to do, and dancing was not one of them.

As he took her hand, she whispered under her breath, "I don't know how to dance."

"You don't?" Cynesige looked at her, appalled. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the great Renauda Lancaster does not know how to dance!"

"Do be quiet Cynesige, your mockery is not welcome nor necessary."

He laughed, a deep and resonating sound, before pulling her towards the center of the room. "My mockery? Is that what you think it is?" He winked. "But really, how is it that a lady of your status does not know how to dance?"

Their feet began to move, swaying with the rhythm. One step forward, one step to the side, one step back. They moved in a square, twirling around the room in a waltz.