Origin of the 12th

Chapter 2: To Be A Girl

Brilliant and glowing, the sun rose in the distant east, shining its light upon the new day. It was the start to a beautiful day; the city of Jericho had endured a time of peace and prosperity unrivaled by any time before. In the palace of Jericho, I stood up and looked over the city.

It had been a decade since I had entered Jericho for the first time, yet the city looked exactly the same as when I had first entered it. But things were about to change. I was finally of age, which meant that I could begin looking for opportunity. Usually a woman would be restricted to domestic care taking, but I wanted to become a member of the Grand Council.

"Hello Katrina." Jonathan greeted as he came up behind me and patted my head. He had been the only friend I had ever had throughout all my time in Jericho. He was actually all I could ever ask for in a friend. But he did get really annoying when he did such things as pat my head.

"Stop it!" I mumbled, pushing his hand off of my head. "Stupid boys and their height."

"Sorry." Jonathan said quickly before smiling again. "Ready for the big day today?" he asked apprehensively. "We are going to try to get you a spot."

"Thanks." I said pessimistically. Jonathan's appointment to that council was going to be today, but his spot was guaranteed because he was the Prince. But as for me, it would be much more difficult to get a spot. There had never been a female council member before, and it had never even been considered.

Jonathan's father, King Nacaan, had taken me in and treated me as if I were his own daughter. But everyone else in the palace hated me passionately. Even so, I was going to get a spot no matter what.

"Hey Katrina." Jonathan said, his voice suddenly in an unusually far off tone.

"Yes?" I responded, not giving too much thought to it. My mind was much more focused on how I was going to get in.

"Would you be willing to have a Grand Battle with one of the council members?" he asked, his expression becoming much more serious.

I looked at him questioningly. A Grand Battle was a ceremonial competition between two people. The winner would take all of the loser's wealth and possessions, while the loser would be banished. "Why would you ask that?" I replied, having a pretty good idea of the answer already, but just wanting to make sure.

"If it comes down to it, please don't have it." Jonathan said pleadingly. "I don't want you to be forced to leave."

"Are you doubting my ability to beat any of the council members?" I asked in shock. There was no reason to doubt me. I had succeeded in everything I had done since I had failed to strangle Jonathan. And I still didn't know the reason for which I had failed to do so.

"No, it's not that. I have complete faith in you." Jonathan said hurriedly before looking down. "I just don't want to be able to view that as a possibility." I just rolled my eyes at him in response.

Suddenly, the sound of the ringing bell echoed throughout the city. It was time for Jonathan's appointment to begin. Jonathan rubbed the back of his head, his signature gesture for when he was either nervous or mentally lost. I assumed that it was the former, so I put my hand on his shoulder.

"You'll be fine." I said as encouragingly as I could. "Let's just get it over with as quickly as possible. Maybe that will let you feel less nervous." He nodded and we departed for the council chamber.